The quarterly review of the City of Salem’s Strategic Plan had positive news on solving the city’s housing shortage.
Economic Development Director Lea Dellicarpini reported on Friday ground has now been broken by Scott Conant on the construction of the first five apartment buildings that will make up the 72-unit Hilda Garden Apartments on Airport Road south of the Lamplight Apartment complex.
Dellicarpini explains, “He’s met with some of our major employers, and they’ve expressed their needs for housing for their workers. We anticipate those phases going pretty quickly, but he’s going to build them as fast as they are filled. As soon as that first phase is full he will start the second phase.”
Salem City Manager Annette Solo says the apartment complex will not increase the flooding problem on Airport Road as it will have containment facilities to hold runoff. She says solving the overall drainage problem on Airport Road will require extensive work over multiple years and will need Illinois Department of Transportation assistance. Solo says some of the flood waters are coming as far as Interstate 57.
Dellicarpini was also pleased to report new single-family housing was being built on the former National Guard Armory property at North College and West Warmoth as well as a new home on Porter, and two planned on Newport Drive. Multifamily and single-family homes are planned on the former bus barn property at South Marion and East Lake Streets. Dellicarpini says she is excited local developers have risen to the challenge of solving the city’s housing crunch.
Dellicarpini also announced the vacant land south of the Holiday Inn is being targeted for the development of another motel.
Public Works Director Travis Sanders noted permits for $5.4-million in new construction have been issued so far this year, well ahead of recent years. He reported his department is concentrating on repairing failing sanitary sewers, making drainage improvements, and tearing down dilapidated homes.
The group was told city Finance Director Keli Ross is taking grant writing training to allow the city to apply for more grant dollars. Dellicarpini says while the application for grants has increased, they have been relying on outside assistance.
Overall, Dellicarpini is pleased with how the strategic plan is being worked and that no issues are having to be added as they address those identified in the initial plan.
