by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington City Council approved a resolution supporting the development of housing at the Wellington Junior High building, located at 311 North A Street at its Tuesday meeting. The Wellington school board recently approved the sale of the building at its January meeting to Garrison Community Development, LLC, (see story here).

The housing development if built will contain 42 units, be targeted toward families, and contain several amenities including off-street parking, on-site leasing office, tenant storage, a new central heat/air unit(s) and various household appliances. 

The tentative name for the project is “The Old School Lofts.” The apartments are proposed for one bedroom costing tenants $450 a month; two bedrooms for $550, three bedrooms for $650.

The project costs will total about $8.5 million to be made possible by the equity generated from the sale of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits and conventional construction/perment loads according to a Wellington City memo.

The project developer Garrison Hassenflu was not in attendance at the meeting.

Wellington City Manager Gus Collins said this is simply a resolution of support and won’t deal with specific issues such as applications for tax credits or rezoning which is assured to come in the future.
The advisory Wellington Planning Commission will be visiting the rezoning of the building at its February 26 meeting.

Wellington council member Larry Shimer said he was concerned with what type of housing will be available with the proposed complex.

“I want to make sure this is good for the citizens of the community and it doesn’t create problems down the road,” Shimer said.

Collins said the council can still revisit many of the issues in the future.

Shimer said Hassenflu needs to meet with the council in the future to answer questions. The council unanimously approved the resolution as an “approval” ordinance needed to be in the developers’ hands by Feb. 15, Collins said.