Developer wants to build a 30-unit housing complex in Steubenville | News, Sports, Jobs

STEUBENVILLE — Columbus-based Woda Cooper Development wants to build a 30-unit housing complex within walking distance of the Fort Steuben Mall, council said Tuesday.

The proposed residential development, which they’re calling Balsam Terrace, would be located in the West End, at 1805 Sinclair Ave.

In a letter to city officials, Woda representatives said it would target families with incomes at 30 percent to 70 percent of the median gross income in the area, which is $39,315. If all goes as planned, the three-story complex would feature 25 two-bedroom units and five three-bedroom units, an elevator, community room and onsite management office.

During a planning committee meeting preceding their business meeting, Sixth Ward Councilman Mike Hernon, whose ward the planned development would sit, emphasized the proposed housing units “are low-affordable housing, not necessarily government housing,” and said Woda does do good work in terms of construction, but admits he has mixed feelings.

“As I looked at it I thought about things we’ve been talking about as council,” he said, asking his fellow council members if they think the need is there. “I also think about the list we have of the 1,000 vacant (homes) in Steubenville.”

Hernon said if city residents need it, “Let’s serve them. But I don’t know if I want to be in a position where we’re a magnet for people from outside our community.”

City officials said Woda had made a similar proposal some time ago but it was scrapped because there was no funding.

Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo said with the rents based on a percentage of median income, he envisions people working as, say, LPNs, teacher aides or shift managers at fast-food places to be likely tenants, adding, “I’d be hard-pressed to find something to say on the downside about making housing affordable for someone who needs it.”

Woda will seek multifamily program funding through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency and advised council it has 30 days to submit a comment, “in writing and signed by a majority of (its) voting members.”

After council calculated that 30 percent to 70 percent of median income ($39,315) would be roughly $10,000 to $26,000 in annual salary, Hernon said his concerns were salved.

“So based on the income, I don’t have any concern,” he said. “I just wanted us to look at it.”

Meanwhile, acting on City Engineer Mike Dolak’s recommendation, council decided to apply for an Ohio Public Works Commission grant for the Johnson Road repairs. He said they could apply for between $150,000 and $190,000 in grant funds for the project, expected to cost at least $480,000.

Because Ohio Public Works Commission operates on the fiscal year, Dolak said if their application is funded the city would have to wait until July for the money to be available.

“I feel that this project would score good for a grant application,” he said prior to the vote. “The problem is, it would push it back for a year. I can’t guarantee anything.”

Even if the city gets the grant, Dolak said the money wouldn’t be available until July. He said they should know by March or April if they miss the cut.

“If you want to go for the grant, continue (with the third reading), then we can take our time,” he said. “Worst-case scenario we’ll know in December if we get the grant or not. If we get it, it’s a July project; if we don’t, we put it out to bid and it would be an April or May project.”