MONROE — Amid a significant housing shortage in Monroe, a developer and city officials heralded the start of a new housing project on the city’s northwest edge near Walmart on Friday, Jan. 5.
On a gray winter day, they broke ground on the so-called Haven Hills project, which will be built in increments over time on a 90-acre parcel project that the city is pitching for mixed-use, residential development.
“It takes a community to make things happen and here we are,” said Monroe Mayor Donna Douglas.
She was joined by City Administrator Brittney Rindy, other common council members, and city staff for the Haven Hills ceremonial groundbreaking event, in which the developer unveiled sketches of some of the multi-family dwellings they plan to construct.
One of the developers, Thomas Taylor, a native of Ireland who still speaks with a slight accent, said he first encountered Monroe after buying a hobby farm several years ago near Woodford. His frequent trips into the city from the farm piqued his interest in investing here, he said. He is working with partner Andrew Golebiowski to help turn the rolling fields of corn into an initial batch “several” four-unit buildings.
“There’s definitely a housing shortage here in Monroe,” said Taylor. “And we are happy to work with the city to do something about it.”
The City of Monroe Common Council at its Dec. 18 meeting approved a developer’s agreement and a final plat for the Haven Hills Development LLC. The area across Wis. 11 was primed for new development, initially, by the construction of the Walmart store nearby, and the Alice Place apartment community. Those units, some of the first new apartments in Monroe in years, were built as rent-controlled apartments for those 55 and older.
Early in the development process for the empty land, there were several interested developers already working on potential proposals, city officials said. Then officials announced that an initial, just over seven-acre parcel will be used for the much-needed build four-plex residential units. The timing, officials emphasized, couldn’t have been better.
“This is a case of being in the right place at the right time,” said Golebiowski. “This is an exciting day for all of us and it is a celebration of where we are” in the effort.
Rindy also welcomed the new project, as several officials lauded the partners for being easy to work in the design and acceptance stage; and committed to Monroe.
“It’s been a long time for us desiring to see this development,” said Rindy.
Once the initial group of four-unit buildings is built, the developer will consult with the city on the next phase until the entire project is complete. Long term, various plans for the land have included both single- and multi-family structures; a public park and stormwater retention ponds.
Douglas said the project is a first step toward addressing a lingering housing shortage — particularly in starter homes and apartments. The city is failing to keep pace with the demand from workers at some of Monroe’s biggest employers, such as Colony Brands, Minhas, Kuhn and Klondike Cheese, officials have said.
“I’d really like to thank them (Golebiowski and Taylor) for stepping up to the plate,” said Douglas. “We’re looking forward to seeing these constructed in our city.”