Grant for Housing Development Wins Approval from Columbus City Council
Although the development is still in the works, Columbus could see construction on a new subdivision starting later this year. NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska is planning to develop roughly 70 housing units in the Quail Meadows subdivision, which would be constructed south of Columbus near the Quail Run Golf Course. The Columbus City Council at its regular meeting on Feb. 21 OK’d a $390,000 grant, from the city’s local 840 economic development fund, for NeighborWorks to help with those efforts. The city’s resolution states approximately 15 of the housing units will be sold to families whose household income is at or below 120% of the area median income limits established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. NeighborWorks has also been approved for a $500,000 grant from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which requires matching local funds. Quelbin Izaguirre of NeighborWorks told the council funds from the $390,000 grant would go towards down payment assistance for income-qualified homebuyers. The down payment assistance could range from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the homebuyer, Izaguirre added. “There are going to be 51 single-family homes and those will be for sale, we’re 100% sure,” Izaguirre said. “In addition to that, there would be another 20 townhomes. So those are essentially duplexes but (those will) be for sale as well; they’ll be called townhomes. And then nine triplexes – those are kind of up in the air whether or not we’re going to sell those or we’re going to make their rentals. Those may or may not have that down payment assistance.” Izaguirre told the Telegram that, if everything goes well, NeighborWorks hopes to start building the subdivision this fall. In other businesses, improvement projects at two city-owned parks are proceeding. The council approved an agreement with Sand Creek Construction Company for design services for renovations of the tennis and pickle-ball courts at Gerrard Park, at a cost of $45,000. According to a memo from City Engineer Rick Bogus, services include preparing plans for the remodeling of the courts at the current location, post-tension concrete surface; tennis, pickle-ball, and basketball court layouts; lighting; fencing, and site work.
Columbus, known for its vibrant communities and diverse mix of neighborhoods, is preparing to add a new subdivision to its collection. Though still in the developmental phase, the city may witness the commencement of construction on a fresh neighborhood by the end of this year.
The subdivision’s development is being undertaken by NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska, a reputable name in housing development. Their blueprint for the Quail Meadows subdivision envisages around 70 housing units to be constructed. The new subdivision would find its place in the city’s landscape towards the south of Columbus, adjacent to the scenic Quail Run Golf Course, combining the advantages of modern living with the serenity of nature.
In its regular meeting held on February 21, the Columbus City Council approved a significant grant, amounting to $390,000, in favor of NeighborWorks. This generous sum, originating from the city’s local 840 economic development fund, would be utilized to provide substantial backing for the ongoing housing development project.
Interestingly, the city’s resolution delineates that approximately 15 housing unit out of the total will be sold to families with a household income either equal to or less than 120% of the area median income limits. These limits are determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. To further the cause, NeighborWorks has been successful in obtaining another grant, a hefty $500,000, from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It’s worth noting that this grant requires matching local funds for activation.
