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Aug. 5, 1999
Housingdevelopmentproposedin GibbonPlans call forland to be boughtfrom SeebothBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer GIBBON -- In an attempt to decrease the shortage of housing in Sibley County, Gibbon city officials held a brief informational meeting Wednesday regarding a proposed housing development. The proposal calls for development of 13 housing lots and limited commercial lots on land west of the Gibbon Ballroom, which is currently owned by Steve Seeboth. "Originally we had discussed the idea of developing this project along with the athletic field," Mayor Jory Isakson said. A few years ago, the city council requested use of the athletic field for a housing development. That request was denied because the future of the Gibbon school site was uncertain. "With recent additions to the school, the future was secure and there will be a school here forever,' Isakson said. "We approached the district again this year about the property, and we were turned down." The area would have been ideal for housing units because utilities could easily be extended through the area. The area near the ballroom requires extra effort because city utilities don't extend that far, Isakson said. If the project reaches final approval, there would be a small area along Highway 19 that would be designed for commercial use with the houses beginning behind that, Project Manager Thomas Homme said. When the city council met in July, it requested the architecture firm of Short, Elliott & Hendrickson of Gaylord to design the needed sewer and water system improvements to extend city utilities to the area and develop a road through the development. The proposal, estimated to cost approximately $394,260, consists of six alternates, including sanitary sewers, water mains and street installation. Total overall cost of the project would depend on which alternate was chosen for installation of the sewer lines and water mains, Homme said. "This proposal does not call for construction of a storm sewer," he said. "That would have to come later. The main thing is getting water and sewer services to that section and getting the street infrastructure developed." A possibility exists that the potential buyers could be assessed for part of the cost of extending water and sewer services, Homme said. Before any type of development can begin, city officials have to decide if they want to pay Seeboth $27,500 for the land. "It is possible that a holding pond could be developed for water, because there would be a different flow for a residential area than there is currently," Homme said. There is a need for affordable housing in Gibbon and in Sibley County, Sibley County Economic Development Coordinator Steven Rehnquist said. "When the window of growth opens, you need to take advantage of it because it won't stay open long," he said. "The goal here is to get the lot costs affordable." The next step is referral to the planning and zoning commission, where it will be studied and brought before the economic development authority, Isakson said. "This is a long process that we are just beginning," he said. "Here's your chance to do something." The important things is not worrying about the fact that the project costs so much, but whether or not it would benefit the city, Isakson said.
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