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Residential project back on the map
Alice Housing Project given 45-day extension for Platteville-based contractor to purchase city land
alice project map
The Alice Housing Project location, expected to take up 4.27 acres on the northwest side of Monroe near Walmart. The future residential property is expected to be a 47-unit, multi-level facility with 16 one-bedroom apartments and 31 two-bedroom units. The Monroe Common Council gave Pioneer Property Management an extra 45 days to purchase the land for development at their meeting May 17.

MONROE — A 47-unit housing project is back on City of Monroe agendas after a minor setback put the project on pause.

Council members approved the Alice Housing Project General Development Plan in September on the condition that developers purchased the property within 180 days. The plan includes changing the 4.27-acre property’s zoning to multi-family residential with a parking regulation modification to allow for only 75 parking stalls.

The Platteville-based contractor Pioneer Property Management had set to make the purchase, but their financing required an environmental study to take place beforehand, City Attorney Dan Bartholf told Common Council members May 17.

alice project
Residential building in Norwalk, Iowa that would be similar to what would be built in Monroe as a part of the Alice Housing Project

Because the 180-day timeline had expired, the city had to reapprove the General Development Plan before the change of zoning can occur.

Council members approved the plan unanimously but this time are giving Pioneer only 45 days to purchase. Bartholf said that they are hoping to close on the project within a week. From there, the project can begin to break ground.

The building site is located in the southwest corner of a 100-acre parcel of land behind Walmart. Pioneer Property Management Vice President Joe Marone said in 2020 that a similar project is up and running in Boone, Iowa. After breaking ground, the facility should be up and running in about 18 months.

The plan for the project nearly nine months ago was for a multi-level 47-unit facility with 16 one-bedroom apartment-style units and 31 two-bedroom units. Buildings are encapsulated with a door system and elevator.

alice project graphic
Exterior sample of a residential building in Norwalk, Iowa that would be similar to what would be built in Monroe as a part of the Alice Housing Project, expected to take up 4.27 acres on the northwest side of Monroe near Walmart. The future residential property is expected to be a 47-unit, multi-level facility with 16 one-bedroom apartments and 31 two-bedroom units. The Monroe Common Council gave Pioneer Property Management an extra 45 days to purchase the land for development at their meeting May 17.

The facility would be age restricted and residents are approved based on income level. Many of the stipulations in place would follow the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. Residents will have to apply and qualify to live there.

At a meeting in mid-November of 2019 the Monroe Common Council unanimously approved $600,000 in funding toward the proposed $8.5 million project, as well as the option for Pioneer Property Management to purchase the four acres owned by the city for $80,000. 

WHEDA approved the project in the summer of 2020.

Those with questions or who wish to have their name added to the list when availability is clearer should call 608-348-7755 and reference: Alice Place Monroe.