Despite brisk sales and rising prices, the city is intent on maintaining attainable housing options. “We recognize not everyone can afford a $400,000 home,” Closser explains. “So we’ve been working with developers on projects that create affordability without sacrificing quality.” One example is The Madison Reserve, a planned 240-home Arbor Homes development featuring smaller lots and homes priced around $230,000. “It’s about giving teachers, young professionals, and first-time buyers a chance to live here,” Closser says. “It’s workforce housing done right.” MIXED-USE GROWTH AND SENIOR LIVING Not all new development is strictly residential. The Somerset Crossing project will bring 288 smallerfootprint homes—many geared toward residents 55 and older—along with retail frontage on Lafayette Street. “It’s a smart design,” Closser says. “Retail up front, housing behind, and amenities in between.” Built by K. Hovnanian Homes, Somerset Crossing will include roughly $4–5 million in amenities, from recreation areas to walking paths.The development’s design aligns with the city’s broader goal of blending residential convenience with nearby services like healthcare and banking. Healthcare, too, is expanding. Madison Health, in partnership with Ohio State University, completed a $20 million hospital expansion a decade ago and recently opened both a new urgent care center and primary care office near Walmart—strengthening 98 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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