Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 2, Issue 9

125 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 COLUMBUS , NEBRASKA “because an apartment complex in Columbus hadn’t been built in over 20 years prior to these two. So, we’re making good progress but, like I said, we are right in the middle of recruiting some more housing development because we have such a great economy going on and we don’t see that changing in the near or extended future.” Another addition to the affordable housing stock is a 34-unit complex called Cherry Creek. The former hospital building, which houses the city’s senior center on the first floor, is also being converted into senior living accommodations. Bulkley knows the city is working hard but has more work ahead. He explains, “We really are trying to address the housing shortage problem by putting a diverse projects pool out there. I think we’ve done a good job of that, but we still have a lot of work to do on that front.” The city’s public school is working hand in hand with local businesses and industries with but the city is working hard to solve that issue. Like much of the nation, we could use a lot more move-in ready housing than we have right now, but we’ve made a good dent in increasing housing stock. Back in 2017, we were producing 75 new units every year and we’ve increased that by nearly 400 percent.” The city has received a few grants to help out and they’re offering low interest loans to developers. They’ve recently added two apartment complexes. The first finished complex has 84 units and was sold out before it was complete. The second has 180 units spread across six, 30-unit buildings. The first two have opened and are already fully occupied. The company is close to filling the next two buildings that should be finished in September. The last two are scheduled for completion in December. A small percentage of those units are affordable housing. “It’s great and very much needed,” says Vasicek, Library and City Hall Rendering