May 12, 2017 at 8:02 p.m.
Housing plan is a great opportunity
Editorial
Some offers are too good to be true.
With others, the risk is so small and the potential reward so large as to make the path forward clear.
The City of Portland is staring at such a situation in the form of a development proposal from Herman Kittle Properties.
A representative from the Indianapolis-based firm attended city council’s May 1 meeting to propose a plan to develop a 40- to 50-unit housing complex at the site of the Sheller-Globe south building on Bridge Street, a 15- to 20-unit senior housing complex at the former Jay County Hospital building at 510 W. High St. and three new homes at sites where blighted houses were demolished.
Council members made no commitments on the proposal at that meeting. That was prudent. It’s always a good idea to take some time to consider a project rather than rushing to a decision.
When the same company proposed a housing complex at the former site of the book bindery on Wayne Street, it made sense for city council to question whether it was the best use of that property. Located near Hudson Family Park, that could be considered a rare piece of prime real estate within the city limits.
But that’s not the case with the current proposal.
This time around, Herman Kittle is looking to develop a pair of Portland’s most problematic properties.
The Sheller-Globe south site that has been vacant for decades. A new housing complex there combined with the efforts of TLS by Design to the north and Jay County Event Center across the street could transform the neighborhood.
The former hospital building is in better shape, but has struggled to find a permanent tenant since JCH moved to its current location.
With the previous proposal, questions were also raised as to whether the city has a need for the type of housing Herman Kittle is proposing.
Now we know the answer.
A Jay County Development Corporation housing study conducted by National Land Advisory Group early this year showed a demand for apartments. It suggested 136 to 162 new units, mostly in the low- and very low-income categories.
The current proposal would help fulfill those needs.
There may well be pertinent questions to ask about Herman Kittle’s plans, but the only concern we’ve heard is that the city uses the dilapidated former Sheller-Globe site to store equipment. That would be a silly reason to forego this opportunity.
If the projects work out as planned, they will result in the transformation of a couple of long-time city eyesores. Even if they don’t, it’s hard to imagine either property will end up in any worse shape than it currently stands.
Given that combination of potential reward and minimal risk, Portland should jump at the opportunity. — R.C.
With others, the risk is so small and the potential reward so large as to make the path forward clear.
The City of Portland is staring at such a situation in the form of a development proposal from Herman Kittle Properties.
A representative from the Indianapolis-based firm attended city council’s May 1 meeting to propose a plan to develop a 40- to 50-unit housing complex at the site of the Sheller-Globe south building on Bridge Street, a 15- to 20-unit senior housing complex at the former Jay County Hospital building at 510 W. High St. and three new homes at sites where blighted houses were demolished.
Council members made no commitments on the proposal at that meeting. That was prudent. It’s always a good idea to take some time to consider a project rather than rushing to a decision.
When the same company proposed a housing complex at the former site of the book bindery on Wayne Street, it made sense for city council to question whether it was the best use of that property. Located near Hudson Family Park, that could be considered a rare piece of prime real estate within the city limits.
But that’s not the case with the current proposal.
This time around, Herman Kittle is looking to develop a pair of Portland’s most problematic properties.
The Sheller-Globe south site that has been vacant for decades. A new housing complex there combined with the efforts of TLS by Design to the north and Jay County Event Center across the street could transform the neighborhood.
The former hospital building is in better shape, but has struggled to find a permanent tenant since JCH moved to its current location.
With the previous proposal, questions were also raised as to whether the city has a need for the type of housing Herman Kittle is proposing.
Now we know the answer.
A Jay County Development Corporation housing study conducted by National Land Advisory Group early this year showed a demand for apartments. It suggested 136 to 162 new units, mostly in the low- and very low-income categories.
The current proposal would help fulfill those needs.
There may well be pertinent questions to ask about Herman Kittle’s plans, but the only concern we’ve heard is that the city uses the dilapidated former Sheller-Globe site to store equipment. That would be a silly reason to forego this opportunity.
If the projects work out as planned, they will result in the transformation of a couple of long-time city eyesores. Even if they don’t, it’s hard to imagine either property will end up in any worse shape than it currently stands.
Given that combination of potential reward and minimal risk, Portland should jump at the opportunity. — R.C.
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