The City of Plainview, Pierce County Economic Development group and the Nebraska Workforce Housing group, part of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, hosted an open house with organizers and builders at the new townhome units that are being built on north 4th Street in Plainview.
The four-unit project, made possible with a grant from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund will likely be completing its first living space this week, said investor and owner Jim Meuret – along with his wife, Laurie, and their sons, Matt and Sam. Meuret said that the second unit should be livable in another week, and the final two may be finished as early as the end of the month.
“With COVID and rising costs as slowdowns, we’re proud to provide quality, affordable housing to the community of Plainview,” said Jim Meuret. Meuret said whether this housing goes to provide workforce living spaces directly, or allows residents to vacate their larger homes to allow for families to live in them, both will have an impact on the housing need in the community.
Around 50 onlookers, representatives, committee members, City Council representatives, Mayors and officials, including State Senator Barry DeKay were in attendance last Thursday for the ribbon cutting and presentation and viewing of the first near-finished unit.
City of Plainview Economic Developer Susan Norris emceed the ribbon cutting portion, introducing and thanking everyone in attendance for their participation in the large-scale project – from Senator DeKay to DED representatives, Northeast Nebraska Economic Development group members, contractors and builders and suppliers, and Plainview’s officials as well.
In a second event of the day, held just prior to the Plainview ribbon cutting – Plainview native Darin Zuhlke, owner of Zuhlke Properties opened a similarly funded housing project in Pierce.
The Plainview units have 1,486 square feet of living space, with 611 sq ft finished garage space for a total of 2,047 square feet per unit, with green space on the outsides, all new appliances, two bedrooms and two bathrooms and a two-car garage. As part of the Nebraska Workforce Development grant projects, three of the units are also relatively income-based – a single person with income of around $61,600 or less, or two persons with $70,400 or less, can quality for reduced rent through the housing funding.
Around 50 guests, dignitaries and members of the public attended the open house event.
District 40 Senator Barry DeKay visited with numerous folks.
Economic Developer Susan Norris (center) emceed the event, introducing and thanking numerous guests and the investors.