Why Wall Rocks Series – #12 We’re Working on Housing!
1 May 2018
Newsletter
It is no secret that housing is a concern in the Wall community. The concerns range from seasonal housing to comparable properties for high-end housing. We could talk for hours about Wall housing concerns, and that is what the Wall Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has been doing.
In 2016, the City of Wall participated in a comprehensive housing study. This study helped identify specific housing needs and offered potential solutions. The study addressed rental housing development, home ownership, single family housing development, housing rehabilitation and other housing issues such as: employer investment, housing demolition, mobile home programs and new construction marketing.
This information was a lot to consider. The Wall City Council, WEDC and the Wall Housing Committee have discussed and studied this information since it was completed.
WEDC and the City of Wall started to address housing in early 2017 by adopting a tax incentive for newly built homes and a demolition agreement to help demolish dilapidated properties in Wall.
In February 2018, the City and WEDC decided to take a large step toward rental housing development in Wall by purchasing a run-down property. We are planning to demolish the structures, clear the site and work with developers to build rental housing units.
Step 1: Purchase a Property
The City of Wall and WEDC purchased a property located at 402 Glenn Street. The purchase was funded partially by the City of Wall Economic Development budget and grants from First Interstate Greater Wall Fund and Golden West Telecommunications.
Step 2: Demolish the Property
The City of Wall Public Works Department is demolishing the property. You may have noticed some items being moved. The items are City property, so they cannot be outright sold or given away. The salvageable items will be set-aside for the time being and sold and/or auctioned at a later date. If you are interested in any of the items, please contact WEDC at 605-279-2658. Full demolition of the property is set to begin the first full week of May.
Step 3: Work With Developers
WEDC is finalizing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for property redevelopment. WEDC is seeking a developer and property manager for a pilot housing development project in association with the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA). The project site is a 0.76-acre lot. WEDC will provide a bare lot for a total cost of $15,000 over three years. WEDC will evaluate proposals using an unbiased, objective scorecard based on responses provided in the application. More information about the pilot project can be accessed by contacting WEDC.
If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about this project or responding to the RFP, please contact WEDC for a full RFP application. WEDC can be reached by calling 605-279-2658 or emailing walledd@gwtc.net.
As always, thank you for being such a great community. It is because of you we have it all in Wall!
For more information, check out our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @WallEconomicDev.
Cheyenne McGriff
WEDC Executive Director
(605) 279-2658
walledd@gwtc.net