EDC Urges Support For Morgan Drive Housing

NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City Area EDC urged city commissioners Monday to support North Star Housing’s latest housing project.

Andrew Danner of North Star Housing said there is ample demand for recent senior housing units constructed near CHI Health St. Mary’s including a waiting list of 70 qualified buyers.

Despite the popularity of senior housing, Danner said it appears that single family dwellings are in the greatest demand in Nebraska City.

North Star Housing is proposing an extension of Morgan Drive and utilities for 36 lots. The project would include 28 homes that qualify for federal financing. He said the price to buy the house will not be more than people are already paying for rent in the $400 to $800 range.

Danner said Nebraska City may qualify for federal housing projects because it is a destination community for people displaced by flooding.

Dan Mauk of Nebraska City EDC said it has been great working with North Star Housing with senior housing and noted the significance of the waiting list.

Mauk: “There’s 28 units that came on with the particular project, which is more units in any particular give year for probably more than a decade and it still didn’t impact the overall housing market materially, so it indicates that demand is pent-up. If we can address that we have a chance to grow this community.”

Danner said it could cost $900,000 to extend Morgan Drive, but the lots are the best in Nebraska City for building.