PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council gave a vote of support for a planned housing project on Olive Trail just outside of the Plymouth city limits.
Kevin Berger of Easterday Construction, along with Greg Hildebrand, CEO of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, approached the Council seeking support for the project in the form of a tax abatement.
Berger outlined the project that will be for a low-income housing development off of Olive Trail, SR 17, and Glen Overmyer Drive. The project would not be government-subsidized housing, but for those who have a lower income. It would be a tax credit project that would allow it to be essentially mortgage-free property, and rents would be set by the state as a percentage of the median income.
Tenants who could afford it would be given an option to buy the particular property at the end of 15 years or continue to rent.
In order to obtain the award for the project from the state, Easterday must show monetary support from government agencies, and Berger told the Council that instead of seeking Marshall County to provide sidewalks or some sort of infrastructure, he was asking for a commitment to provide a tax abatement when and if the project were awarded.
Currently, Easterday has an option on the property while the process of seeking the state award goes through. If the project does not go forward, there would be no obligation to the county.
Berger said that the project would hook into City of Plymouth utilities, that are already extended to the area near the hospital, and while there is no committment at this time from the city, it is likely that at some point in the near future there could be an annexation of the property if there is more requests for city utilities in the area.
Council President Tim Harmon stated his support for the project, citing the need for low-cost housing in the county and the fact that the property currently pays only $81 a year in taxes, saying that the development could only provide a net win for taxpayers over time if it is completed.
The Council gave a unanimous vote to support the development.
