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They currently are looking at an empty lot behind the Dairy Queen on
Lincoln's northwest side. They would start with a complex with 41 to
42 bedrooms that would offer easy living accommodations for people
55 and older.
The men have been involved with building several designs of these
complexes. The single-level complexes focus on offering added
services within the complex, such as a central dining room, beauty
salon and so on. Others are more suited to independent living.
Designs include all one level, two or three stories.
The design they brought along diagrammed a single-level complex
they are working on in Indiana, and they would consider that design
for Lincoln. The units have options of one or two bedrooms that
commonly rent for $300 to $475, Childers said.
The men came to the council because they are planning to apply
for assistance that requires evidence-based need to build the
complex. This can be demonstrated in a number of different ways,
such as if the property is in an enterprise zone, TIF district,
Block 6 or other economic incentive program. Applications receive
points for each identifier of need or support. Of those options, the
men have identified two that fit the piece of property they are
looking at.
They could gain up to five points for being in an enterprise
zone. The property that they are considering is already in the
Lincoln/Logan County Enterprise Zone. However, that zone is
currently written to benefit only industrial or commercial
development.
The enterprise zone would enable them to buy building materials
tax-free and receive property tax abatement for a time.
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 City attorney Bill Bates said that we would need to amend the way
our enterprise zone is written for them to be able to use the
benefits that it offers. That would take some time, he said. The
amendment would have to go to a public hearing; pass Lincoln, Logan
County and Sangamon County (because of the Formosa extension); and
then it would be sent to the state of Illinois, which manages the
program, for approval.
Bates said, "This council isn't going to commit to anything
without actual plans."
He suggested if they were to start now, it might be ready for the
April application that the men are looking at, but it could not be
ready for the December application that they had mentioned.
Hess and Childers said they understood this and considered their
visit just the opening of discussions.
Hess said that they would also gain points for a letter of
support from Mayor Beth Davis stating that the city is behind the
project.
Council members suggested a couple of ideas that would evidence
the city support and possibly gain them some points in their quest
for funding. One was that the area would need sidewalks and it may
require sewer modifications.
Mayor Beth Davis told them, "No doubt, that would be a nice asset
to that neighborhood and a nice asset to the community."
[Jan
Youngquist]
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