jiffy mart disc
Housing in Henryetta and the area made up much of the conversation Monday morning at the Henryetta Economic Development Authority (HEDA) meeting.
The big news was announcement of the purchase of over 800 acres of land adjoining Jim Hall Lake.
housingJosh Wells, a consultant with the developers NB Squared, said plans call for some 70 ten-acre lots to be sold to people wishing to move to the country or have vacation homes.
Part of the preparation for the development is underway now and, according to Wells, when finished there will be all-weather roads and a gated security system.
He pointed out conversations are underway now with the city over adding a six-inch water line to service the development.
Christie Baldridge, executive director of the Deep Fork Community Action Foundation Inc (DFCAF) gave HEDA members a report on what her organization has going on n Henryetta as well as possible future plans.
HEDA member Bruce Jones said he requested Baldridge attend the meeting to discuss the possibility of using some property currently owned by the city for housing development.
He explained the city owns 83 parcels of land, some of which could be used for housing. Among those parcels are the former grade school sites around town.
Baldridge said DFCAF has four homes occupying part of one of the former school blocks. The city currently pays for mowing the rest of the properties, a cost that could be eliminated if DFCAF would add homes there.
Those homes are duplexes that rent to low-income people for $365 a month with all utilities paid.
She said her organization recently went though the houses with upgrades and remodeling at a cost of over $700,000.
Also available through DFCAF are self help housing projects with some of those scattered around town.
Since the property is city-owned, no action could be taken toward leasing the property to DFCAF.
Investigation is going to be made for resurfacing the property at 419 West Trudgeon to make it a completed parking lot. HEDA purchased the land earlier this year. Part of the lot is asphalt paved while another section is concrete. Between the two is a raised section that needs to be lowered or an apron installed.
Public works superintendent Ron Casey said engineering work to eliminate a pond on the 35 city-owned acres west of town would cost about $15,000. That would drain the pond as well as cover the way a creek currently runs through part of the land.