WILLMAR—Housing has long been a priority for the Kandiyohi County Board and at the April 4 meeting the commissioners took a step toward helping to respond to that need.
In a unanimous vote the board approved the ordinance forming a housing trust fund, which can be used to help fund local housing projects.
“The board is wanting to get some movement in this direction,” said Commissioner Corky Berg. “I think it is a start, but it is a great start.”
The process to create
A traffic study completed for the 216-unit Unique Opportunities apartment complex along Lakeland Drive Northeast in Willmar shows no roadway changes are needed to accommodate the increased traffic volume.
WILLMAR — A completed traffic study for Lakeland Drive Northeast shows that the roadway is capable of handling the predicted increased traffic volumes that a proposed 216-unit apartment complex will create and no roadway changes are needed, which means the Unique Opportunities development
A housing study created for the county and city Economic Development Commission showed a need for nearly 1,000 housing units to be constructed across Kandiyohi County by 2030.
WILLMAR — The 2023 Housing Market Analysis for Kandiyohi County identified a significant need for additional housing options across the county. While 48% of the county’s population lives within Willmar, the surrounding rural areas and 11 cities are home to thousands of people and they all need places to live.
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It is predicted that seniors will see the most population growth and make up a large portion of the additional housing needed in Willmar and Kandiyohi County by 2030.
WILLMAR — There is an estimated demand for an additional 1,580 housing units in the city of Willmar between 2022 and 2030, according to an updated housing report completed by Viewpoint Consulting .
Aaron Backman, executive director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, presented the report
WILLMAR—During the state of the city address at Tuesday’s Willmar City Council meeting, Mayor Doug Reese touted the recent accomplishments of the city under former Mayor Marv Calvin, the City Council and city staff. He also set his agenda for the upcoming year.
“Tonight’s a night to reflect on our progress and look forward to the future of Willmar,” Reese said. “And, first of all I would like to thank the citizens of Willmar for their overwhelming support in the election. I count it
Willmar—The developer of what is thought to be the first tiny home development in the region has the southeast Willmar project out for bids.
Justin Paffrath, also a real estate agent, spoke last week to the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission to share the inspiration behind his development, as well as concept plans of how the development will be laid out.
Paffrath agreed with EDC Executive Director Aaron Backman that this would likely be the first tiny home development
A housing task force was created at the May 2 Willmar City Council meeting. A group of 15 to 16 people is expected to work for three months, or even less, and report back to the city and other partners trying to promote the availability of more housing. Although more apartment complexes are under construction, single-family housing has been identified as a particular need.
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WILLMAR—The number of apartment units continues to increase in Willmar as multi-family housing developments are constructed and opened.
Aaron Backman, director of the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, updated the commission’s joint operations board Sept. 9 about projects at various levels of development.
Block 25 Flats, to be constructed in downtown Willmar, is moving along, even though there have been some delays due to site contamination.
“That
WILLMAR — Suite Liv’n, a rental developer and management company, currently has approximately 700 units in Willmar, and the company hopes to add at least another 72 with four new apartment buildings near Ridgewater College.
To make the project financially feasible for Suite Liv’n, it is requesting a 15-year tax-increment financing district for the project from the city, which, if approved, would provide the company nearly $1.5 million total in returned taxes. However, to receive that
WILLMAR—Lumber One Development Company will soon be the new owner of half of Block 25 in downtown Willmar.
The Willmar City Council on Monday approved selling four city-owned parcels on the west side of the block for $1 per parcel. The developer plans to construct an apartment complex on the block, bringing much needed housing to the area.
“This will be the first private project of its size and cost in downtown Willmar in many decades,” said David Ramstad, Willmar Planning and Development
