By Joe Morey
News Editor
On Monday, Nov. 30, the LCO Tribal Governing Board (TGB) received an update from Jason Weaver, LCO Grants Department, on the plan to build a new subdivision at the Four Corners area in the northwest corner of the intersection. Weaver reported that Coleman Engineering completed their next phase of the project, a topographical survey and layout which lays out a plan for approximately 30 units.
“It’s estimated to be about $1.4m on infrastructure and we could pursue some HUD grants and I.H.S. funding for that,” Weaver said, but TGB member, Glenda Barber, said she is concerned they would have to aim for low-income units if they use HUD grants. The TGB is planning on these units to be built for working families.
“There is a real need for more housing at LCO for our workforce. Some of our workers live as far away as Ladysmith and Spooner and drive to work every day,” Barber stated. In recent discussion, the TGB said the purpose would be for families who make too much annually to be in LCO Housing. They would be designated as rent-to-own homes with a flat rental rate for all the homes. The rent wouldn’t be based on income.
The land surveyed consists of 50 acres on the Northwest corner of Froemel Road and Round Lake School Road across from both the new Fire Hall and new Daycare Center. There will be a 10-acre buffer between the new community and Akikindaag and 40 acres for the new home developments.
TGB Member Don Carley, asked when they plan to stop building up that area because of oversaturation of homes, to which Weaver replied the area is appealing because of its access to current infrastructure and he said the topography is good. He said there was talk in the past of making this a multi-use area.
“We wouldn’t even have to start with water and sewer because you could start with several homes along the road and they could tap into the water main on Schoolhouse,” Weaver explained.
The TGB is budgeting $500,000 to $700,000 to build the first four homes in the lot but haven’t decided on where they would be located within the plan.
Weaver noted the units will sit on one-acre sites so there’ll be plenty of room for whatever the TGB decides to build. They could develop townhomes or even apartments. Any way the TGB wants to go, Weaver explained.
Each lot is large enough with plenty of space between them and with water and sewer laid out, it makes it easy for anyone to lease land in the subdivision and build their own homes with water, sewer, light and a fire number. This would also help them get loans.
Weaver noted that electric would have to be put into the subdivision and Jump River Cooperative is currently checking into whether they can handle 30 more units.
“Coleman Engineering is currently meeting with LCO Police and Fire to determine any safety issues for the subdivision,” Weaver noted. He added that Brian Bisonette, Conservation Director, is looking it over to make sure we are protecting the area.
