The Missouri Development Housing Commission is considering applications for nine affordable housing projects in southwest Missouri, including two in Springfield, that are requesting federal tax credits.
One of the two Springfield projects - Fulbright Springs, Phase II - received the backing of local nonprofit representatives who praised the proposed development's emphasis on energy efficiency and neighborhood support services at a July 20 public hearing at University Plaza Convention Center.
The second phase of the subdivision along Farm Road 143 north of Norton Road comprises 35 single-family homes. The applicant, Affordable Housing Solutions LLC, has proposed 31 three-bedroom homes renting for $525 a month; three four-bedroom homes renting for $560 a month; and a single market-rate unit.
Fulbright Springs, Phase I, which received a combined $7.8 million in federal and state tax credits, is now under construction and consists of 36 single-family homes, said Debbie Shantz, who co-owns Affordable Housing Solutions with partners Becky Selle and Matthew Miller.
Affordable Housing Solutions is seeking a $1 million loan at 3 percent interest through the commission and a $6.6 million federal tax credit, or $663,740 annually for 10 years, for the subdivision's second phase, Shantz said. Last fall, the MHDC denied tax credits for the project, which was initially submitted as 78 walk-up apartments.
Following the denial, Shantz and her partners solicited advice from Community Partnership of the Ozarks and The Kitchen Inc., two nonprofit groups that endorsed the concept of more single-family homes with on-site amenities and support services. Phase II includes a clubhouse that would include an office for an on-site social worker and a child-care room, Shantz said, noting that the structure also would act as a storm shelter built to Federal Emergency Management Agency standards.
Melissa Haddow, Community Partnership executive director, drew parallels between Fulbright Springs, Phase II, and the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" build in Ash Grove that concluded July 21. Crews razed a one-bedroom home housing a family of eight to make way for a much larger residence built in just seven days.
"I believe you have the ability to do an extreme makeover for 35 more families," Haddow said at the hearing.
The second Springfield project seeking the 9 percent federal tax credits is Woodcliffe Apartments LP, a 72-unit apartment complex planned at 4069 W. Republic Road. Applicant Zimmerman Properties LLC is seeking a $7.9 million tax credit over 10 years for the affordable housing project, which would include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with monthly rents ranging from $495 to $625.
The planned two-story apartment complex would be built just east of a new shopping center at Republic Road and Greene County FF anchored by a Price Cutter grocery store, said James McDonald, a development associate with Zimmerman Properties. The complex, which would be managed by Wilhoit Properties, includes a clubhouse, community room, pool and playground, he said.
If approved, Woodcliffe Apartments would be Zimmerman's fourth affordable housing development in Springfield to receive tax credits, McDonald said, adding that the company has developed a total of 55 communities in eight states.
"We feel very confident in the application we put together," he said. "But as always, this type of funding is very competitive."
Other proposed projects include two in Carthage, two in Joplin, two in Reeds Spring and one in Branson.
One of the Carthage projects - Colonial Apartments - was submitted by Springfield developer Mark Gardner's Gardner Development LLC, which is seeking a $1 million MHDC loan and a $2 million tax credit over 10 years.
Timber Ridge, Phase I, in Reeds Spring was the only proposed housing development to draw opposition at the MHDC hearing. Weatherby Lake-based developer Timber Ridge Development LLC has proposed 48 two-bedroom, single-family homes for senior citizens on a sloped hillside near the Table Rock Lake shoreline.
Branson West resident Marlin Constance said some 100 people in the surrounding area were against the proposed housing in the 256-lot Ozark Mountain Village subdivision. Constance, who built eight homes valued at $250,000 to $1 million on nearby property, said rental housing wasn't a good fit.
"This project is completely out of place for this area, we feel," he said.
The Timber Ridge proposal marks the fourth time development partners Steve Foutch and James Grice have applied for tax credits through MHDC since purchasing the property in 2006.
"I don't know what part of 'no' they don't understand," Constance said.
Janell Thome, director of rental production for the MHDC, said a list of staff-recommended projects would be forwarded to commission members for a vote at its Aug. 28 meeting. A total of $11.3 million in federal tax credits is available for projects in 30 counties that received federal disaster declarations, she said.
Thome said the MHDC is considering 39 projects statewide, including seven in the Kansas City area and 23 in the St. Louis area.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
