HUD funds Heritage Greens senior housing

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Development of Heritage Greens got a boost last week when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that it had approved funds for two housing projects in the neighborhood.

Accessible Space Inc., a Minnesota-based nonprofit, will receive money to build a 30-unit apartment building for very low-income elderly people with disabilities.

In addition, funding was approved for ASI to construct a 15-unit building designed to serve adults with severe mobility impairments or cognitive disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury.

The mission of ASI, according to its Web site (www.accessiblespace.org), is to “provide accessible, affordable, assisted/supportive and independent living opportunities for persons with physical disabilities and brain injuries, as well as seniors.”

The mission is accomplished through the development of housing, “as well as the provision of assisted/supportive living and rehabilitation services,” the organization’s Web site says.

Congressman Ron Kind, who represents the 3rd Congressional District that Hudson is located in, announced the funding of the projects in a Jan. 13 e-mail to the Star-Observer.

According to Kind’s office, ASI will receive a $4,006,100 Section 201 grant for construction of the three-level, 30-unit building, plus a three-year rental subsidy of $342,600.

HUD approved a $1,945,800 Section 811 grant for construction of the 15-unit memory care building, plus a three-year rental subsidy of $154,800.

“We’re thrill that ASI got both of the approvals, but we understand that there are some conditions for each approval that ASI must evaluate before proceeding,” Nick Hackworthy said when contacted by telephone Tuesday morning.

Hackworthy is vice president of Anchor Real Estate Group, the company handling development of the 31-acre Heritage Market area as the southern end of Heritage Greens.

Hackworthy said he expects to know by the end of January whether ASI will be moving forward with the projects. He’s optimistic about the chances.

The housing projects would drive further construction of infrastructure at the southern end of the 94-acre planned neighborhood located on Hudson’s southeast side.

Monday night, the Hudson City Council approved development plans for a town square named Market Green that will be at the center of the neighborhood’s small commercial district.

Plans for improvements to the Hanley Road entrance to Heritage Greens also were improved.

Market Green will have a patio at the center, along with benches, picnic tables and an exercise station, according to Hackworthy. He said that it will be “heavily landscaped.”

The ASI housing projects also would lead to the completion of streets and sidewalks in the Heritage Market area.

T V & H Properties, current owner of most of the Heritage Market property, announced the start of development of the last phase of Heritage Greens in early December 2008. The announcement came after Eau Claire-based Royal Credit Union purchased 2.5 acres on which to build a branch facility.

Construction of a 24-unit senior townhouse complex is currently under way. The Heritage Cottages are being built by Gerrard Corp., based in La Crosse.

The senior townhouse project received financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Agency.

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