Developer hired to build 50 affordable housing units at Munson Elementary School site
ZANESVILLE — Local officials' quest to build housing on the former Munson Elementary School site has reached a turning point.
The Muskingum County land bank recently signed off on a deal with Woda Cooper Companies, a Columbus-based housing developer, to redevelop the Brighton Boulevard property once the building is torn down.
Previous: Munson Elementary could be demolished, making way for new housing
According to a letter from the company obtained by the Times Recorder, Woda Cooper plans to install 12 one-bedroom apartment, 26 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom apartments. All will be available to low-income individuals.
Affordable housing units
Ten units would be set aside for those with an income at or below 30% area median income, 10 for those at or below 50%, 10 units for those at or below 60%, and 20 units for those at or below 80%.
Initially, officials wanted to flip the property to be used for that purpose. It was going to cost millions more than expected, so they scrapped that idea and went for demolition and a new build instead.
The land bank is still waiting on $585,000 set aside from the Ohio Building Demolition & Site Revitilzation Fund, part of a state program designed to remediate brownfield properties. That grant would go toward tearing down the building.
Woda Cooper is also seeking American Rescue Plan grants to help foot the bill of redevelopment. The land bank will then transfer the property to them and they will move forward with the project.
An entity of the Zanesville Metropolitan Housing Authority will manage the multi-family complex.
A timeline hasn't been set.
ecouch@gannett.com
740-334-3522
Twitter: @couchreporting
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Developer will build multi-family housing once Munson is demolished
