Council lends support to senior housing proposal

A new 50-unit senior living facility could be going in built on the southeast corner of Weeks Avenue and North 13th Street.

Superior’s City Council on Tuesday committed to providing $300,000 in 2014 Community Block Grant Funding for the project.

Now, it will be up to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Agency to determine if tax credits, a necessary component for financing the project, will allow the project to get off the ground.

City support of the project demonstrates support for the project to the state agency.

Gerrard Corporation of La Crosse, Wis., is proposing to build affordable and market-rate apartments on about 50,000 square feet of land.

The corporation’s development portfolio includes luxury apartment, condominiums, and student, senior and family apartments in addition to housing and vacation home developments and has holdings throughout Wisconsin and in Rochester, Minn.. with development projects that cross seven states as far west as Montana

Called the Grand Central Plaza, the project would be constructed in one of the city’s tax increment finance districts in the area of the former Central High School.

Paul Gerrard, one the siblings that founded Gerrard Corporation, said they envision grade level parking beneath the building and apartment living that starts on the second floor. The building would include spaces to recreate and feature apartments with washers, dryers, dish washers and disposals.

If the tax credits are approved in mid to late- mid-April, he said construction could begin in late summer, once investors are secured for the project, and the building would likely be ready for a spring move in.

Port and Planning Director Jason Serck said the developer would also be working with city’s Redevelopment Authority to obtain a land grant and TIF-funded incentives in connection with the proposed project.

While the council committed to funding the project, the CDBG revenue would not be paid until the project is complete.

Gerrard said the property would be managed by the Superior Housing Authority after reaching an agreement with the authority on Tuesday.

“We look forward to being a part of your community,” Gerrard said.

“This type of housing project fits perfectly into our housing priorities and fills a huge need in our community,” Serck said.

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