OTTAWA — The issue of moderate income housing took up most of the time during a two-hour meeting of the Ottawa City Commission Wednesday night. At issue were two different housing developers who wanted the city commission’s support for applying for a $400,000 state grant. The grant would help build new housing for middle-income tenants. A debate of sorts broke out when one developer, Fairway Vista Project, noted the company’s rental rates would be around a $100 a month. The competing developer, Prairie Fire Development Group, took issue with the rates. That company would offer rents from $595 a month to $895 per month. During subsequent discussion, commissioners Mike Skidmore and Blake Jorgensen expressed support for Fairway Vista because the company’s proposed development would have more housing units. However, commissioners Sara Caylor and Emily Graves supported Prairie Fire because of their cheaper rates. That left the commission deadlocked. Commissioner Eric Crowley, a contractor, abstained because he does business with Prairie Fire. After a long discussion interrupted by a 10-minute break, Jorgensen changed his mind and agreed to support Prairie Fire for the housing grant. The commission voted 3-1, Skidmore dissenting, to support both developers, but they indicated to state housing authorities they prefer that Prairie Fire get the grant. The housing development would be near Lincoln Elementary School.
Thursday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m.
