April, 1968- Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) was established by the City Council of the Village of Pequot Lakes. Mayor Gilroy Arvig, Council members Al Morehouse, Richard Greer, Oren Halvorson, and Clerk Cleta Rush. The purpose of establishment being to determine “whether substandard areas exist in Pequot Lakes, which cannot be redeveloped without government assistance; and whether there is a shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling accommodations in Pequot Lakes available to persons of low income at rentals they can afford.”
January 1969- 1st meeting of the Housing Authority. Members appointed by the council: Otto Berg, C.A. McLaird, Lester Tweed, Irene Myers, Henrietta Greer. Secretary: Cleta Rush. By-laws adopted.
Fall 1969 – HRA Commissioners begin the process of working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to develop a low-income housing project for seniors.
1969 – 1974 - HRA Commissioners travel to other cities to view other projects; travel to Minneapolis, to HUD office; seek architectural and consulting firm to assist; held many meetings with residents, advisory members, and Sibley Township Residents, fearful of annexation. Planning Commission formed and sites identified.
April 1970 - Cooperation Agreement signed with the City. (Required by HUD. Purpose for Payment in Lieu of Taxes.)
August 1970 – Formal Application to the Department of Housing & Urban Development, for a 24-unit senior citizen housing project, under a government program called Public Housing.
November 1972 – Final application approval from HUD.
April 1973 – Construction begins on Sibley Terrace.
February 1974 – Sibley Terrace opened its doors. Eleven senior citizens were signed up to move in immediately.
1979 - HRA Commissioners explore expansion of senior housing. Application made to Farmer’s Home Administration for 24 unit senior project. Application revised to 36 units, 24 for seniors, and 12 for younger families. Property west of Sibley Terrace was acquired.
1980 – Construction begins on Parkview I & II. Project is a Section 8 New Construction, funded by Farmer’s Home, and subsidized through HUD Housing Assistance Payments.
June 10, 1981 – Parkview I & II open its doors.
March 1989 - HRA purchases Sibley Apartments from private owner and renames project Alpine Apts. Project is 8 units for seniors and is a 515 Rural Development subsidized building.
May 1997 – HRA purchases small corner lot on N. Oak St. and W. Grove St, from Joe Marcum, adjacent to the Public Housing. Discussion of expanding some new form of housing on this property along with excess property of Sibley Terrace.
July 2001 – HRA signs a Partial Release of Property/Declaration of Trust with the Department of Housing & Urban Development, to take portion of excess property from the Public Housing (Sibley Terrace) property, for future development. Process took 2 ½ yrs.
September 2001 – HRA explores options for building a market-rate project for seniors on property adjacent to Public housing. City rejects bonding.
January 2002 – HRA partners with Central Minnesota Housing Partnership, applying for the Community Revitalization Program (CRV) to purchase Kiser property on Gravdahl Drive.
May 2003 – CWC Board of Commissioners and CWCHRA pass Resolution approving Bonding for new project. Bond Counsel is Springsted & Assoc.
October 2003 – Two homes constructed and sold on Gravdahl Dr. per above.
Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners support Crow Wing County HRA and Pequot Lakes HRA sale of bonds for new project.
October 2003 – Construction bids opened for townhomes. Nor-son receives award.
December 2003 – Bond sale for construction of West Grove Townhomes. $1,280,000.
March 2004 – Construction begins on West Grove Townhomes.
March 2004 – Additional property on Pine St. purchased with partnership of Region 5 Housing Program. New home constructed by ICWC Program (Correctional Inmates)
September 2004 – West Grove Townhomes opens.
October 2004 - HRA purchases lot on Ash St. for development of new homes construction with Region 5.
March 2006 – HRA purchases Buschmann property on S. Oak St. in partnership with Region 5. HRA coordinates clean-up and plat revision. Region 5 dissolves housing program.
February 2007 – HRA partners with CWCHRA to sell S. Oak St. property to Habitat for Humanity for construction of 3 affordable homes.
January 2024 – HRA pays off USDA Rural Development mortgage loan for Alpine Apartments. The 8-unit complex is now market rate rent with many of the existing tenants using USDA Rural Development vouchers to keep it affordable.
CURRENT INVENTORY OF HRA PROJECTS
Sibley Terrace – 31203 N. Oak St. Public Housing. 23 1-brdm units and 1 2-bdrm unit. HUD oversight.
Parkview I – 31215 N. Heath St. Section 8 New Construction. 24 1-bdrm units for seniors, disabled. Exception of 3 units under age 62. MHFA oversight.
Parkview II – 3895 W. Grove St. Section 8 New Construction. 12 units total. 10 2-bdrm. units and 2 3-bdrm. units, for families and disabled with children. MHFA oversight.
Alpine Apartments – 31176 Pequot Blvd. – 8 units. 7 2-brdm. and 1 1-bdrm. HRA of Pequot Lakes oversight.
West Grove Townhomes – 8 patio townhomes for seniors 55 years and older. U.S Bank Trustee oversight. Crow Wing County HRA and HRA of Pequot Lakes Joint Powers Agreement.