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Apartment project gets new life

BY PATRICIA CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 11:03 AM CDT


The Williston City Commission is in the process of selling Lot 2 of the Bakken Heights Subdivision to George Gaulker with Valley Realty Inc. of Valley City, to build two 36-unit apartment complexes in the former Cimmarron Trailer Park.

This project that has a targeted completion date of late 2009 was discussed during Tuesday evening's regular commission meeting. Valley Realty Inc. is the same development company that had partnered with the Marcil Group of Fargo to construct apartments on a 17-acre section of the old trailer park. Valley Realty Inc. now intends to purchase 6.14 acres of Lot 2 for $58,259 under the condition construction begins by Nov. 1.

There are contingencies, however, regarding the sale. First, Lot 2 needs to be re-platted and rezoned, which has begun. The area is zoned R-5, Mobile Home Court, and C-3, Restricted Commercial.

Secondly, the project is eligible for a Tax Increment District 5 (TIF) that does not exceed $300,000. The TIFF would be in accordance with a general development plan and a renewal and development plan called the Bakken Heights Development Plan.

The TIF would cover costs established under the development and renewal plan, as well as some or all costs for water, sewer and street improvement. Demolition and site clearing costs were estimated at $50,000 and includes removing existing infrastructure such as roadways, aprons, pad sites, curbing, gutters, sidewalks, substrates, light fixtures and underground utilities, man holes, replacement and compaction of excavated fill material and removal, separation and hauling of existing storage building and slab. The costs relating to storm sewer and sanitary sewer and water service were estimated at $110,000, while sidewalks were estimated at $5,000, rewiring and refurbishing street lights along 32nd Street at $10,000, and overlaying 32nd Street, replacing curb and gutter and installing aprons at $65,000.

Other estimated costs include $35,000 for contingency and interest allowance, $15,000 for general conditions and engineering cost and an estimated $10,000 for bond administration cost. Under the TIF agreement, the city can issue tax increment bonds to fund eligible costs of development.

Payment of the $300,000 has a six-year amortization schedule with a 6.25 percent interest rate. However, payment over the first 12 months are on interest only.

The developer's agreement states the TIF is to be taxed as a general real estate tax, and annual tax increments collected are to first pay the principal and interest on the tax increment bonds. All other increments collected goes towards paying the principal and interest of special assessments levied on the TIF.

Gaulker, who participated via telephone conference, agreed to all the terms and said the final plat for the project is to be presented at the end of the week or early next week.
 

Comments

    round 2 wrote on Oct 21, 2008 8:17 PM:

    " Dear "what are you thinking,
    I don't think that this will get myself anything. I have just seen it happen and have been around them, they are dangerous. Listen, if you want these companies to build for you guys, go right ahead, it's not my town. All I have to say is see how you will feel in a year or when the oil is done with your town. The rent won't go down for you regular folks so enjoy the rent increase buddy!! I'm done with this drama. "

    Keep Growing Williston wrote on Oct 21, 2008 1:49 PM:

    " It doesn't matter WHO comes in anymroe. Face it...Williston is a Boom Town, and even the LOCAL owners of some of these buildings are jacking up their prices. Get over the Marcil-Valley connection. They are outside developers who are coming in to make money off of the boom like anyone else...if you DON'T like renting from them, find some place else...but good luck with that too!!! You will NEVER get anyone to build here if you bunch of whiney complainers have your way. The MAJORITY of Williston residents welcome the new developments taking place in town. ALSO, glad to read on the WILLISTONWIRE that Williston is getting 2 new hotels. A full service Holiday Inn 125rms , and a Candlewood Extended stay Hotel 80rms...similar to the new one they just build in Bismarck. Keep growing Williston!!! :) "

    sheepish wrote on Oct 21, 2008 12:54 PM:

    " As a resident of Williston I would becareful. Valley Realty is a part of the Marcil Group. I'm thinking wolf in sheeps clothing.Could come to bite you next year when they're driving away and leaving Vesta Management (aka Marcil Group) to manage it and adjust the RENT!!! Editor's note -- Valley Realty is not part of the Marcil Group. "

    Let em build wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:25 PM:

    " What bothers me about a few people complaining and trying to prevent developers from coming in is that most of the oil companies are choosing Williston, because it is the center of the Bakken and already established as a major oil town for the industry. If an oil company can't find housing for their workers in Williston...they may decide to move or open their shop somewhere else, like say Minot or Dickinson. Don't run ANY developer out if it is going to benefit the community in the long haul. "

    Chris wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:20 AM:

    " I lived in Williston as a child and the oil activity has brought me back here now at a ripe old 32 years of age. Same dumpy buildings to look at when entering town from any direction that were here when I was a kid, same people trying to sugar coat a downtown that is doomed to die anyway, its called parking space, look it up. Same backward thinking as the last boom. Cant wait until this boom is gone and Williston can go back to being the jobless dead end that it was. Great job guys, way to build the town. "

    Just wondering wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:54 AM:

    " I was just wondering, if we do get a chance to get better restaurants, shopping etc in Williston, are they going to be run out of town too?
    This town NEEDS to grow! "

    Goodridanz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:42 PM:

    " I grew up there & have since left 10 years ago. It still sounds like the same "Good old boys" are running the town. What a shame to be a bunch of sheep in line with the drummer. It's no wonder people have left & not come back. It's time to clean house of all these crooks in your local office(s) & run them out. "

    what are you thinking wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:15 AM:

    " I get so upset with people like round 2 and concerned. What do you folks think running developers like Marcil and Valley out of town is really going to get you? If no one is buidling new apartments and the demand for housing keeps increasing your rents are going to go up. For example, if I owned an oil field service company and needed a place for my employees to stay I would contact the owner of existing apartment buildings and offer them higher rent to get the current renters out of the builing so I had room for my people if thats what it took. Bottom line people is fewer apartments, higher rent. "

    Igorant Williston wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:43 AM:

    " Oil is now below $70/barrel(14 month low). You see it to continue to drop. What does Williston have to show from all this oil money? NOTHING, except higher taxes. Nice work. This is too little, too late. The oil bust is near.

    Way to build up the infrastructure. "

    james wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:03 AM:

    " i called valley realty to inquire as to a waiting list for these prospective apartments. i was refered to marcill as they will be the renting agent. intristing, don't ya think? "

    concerned wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:41 PM:

    " Valley is not "stepping up" as one put it. All they are is the puppet and the puppet master is Marcil,that's all. Very smart man. "

    round 2 wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:38 PM:

    " I bet my money that Valley Realty is putting there name on the project but Marcil is running the operation and raking in the cash. I will also bet that once the buildings are completed, they will sell them of to the Marcil Group. I know these people all too well. Pretty slick Valley Realty, you got them, good job. "

    Marti wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:35 AM:

    " "these guys" are actually one of the same. If you read the article, he was involved as a partner with the previous developer. So "these guys" know what happened already. Valley group is coming in to BUILD apartments, not take over old ones and double the rent. A little different scenerio here. The few residents were not angry angry because Marcil BUILT new apartments, they were angry because he also bought up other apartments and jacked the rent. "

    Itll happen again wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:17 PM:

    " Don't worry Williston, you will just run these guys out of town too. "

    Paul wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:43 AM:

    " Good, I am glad that Valley stepped up to the plate. Even though he was partnered with Marcil in the previous 2 apartments, maybe Valley will be a little more mannered in handling the frustrations of some of the local citizens. Thanks Valley for stepping up. "

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