City Council approves housing bonds

Kenneth Jessee had his bags packed. \nHe was ready to leave his home at Willow Manor, 3100 S. Walnut St. Pike, a facility for low-income and disabled citizens, in search of something better.\nBut moments after the Bloomington City Council approved $3.5 million in development bonds to Grandview Care Inc. to refurbish the facility, he had a change of heart.\n"I didn't know this was coming," he said. "I am so pleased."\nWednesday evening, in a short session at City Hall, the city council unanimously approved a proposal submitted by Grandview in a preliminary vote. Once final approval is given, Grandview plans to build a new community center as well as making the current building more accessible for people with disabilities.\nBesides the construction of a community center for the complex, the project includes a variety of renovations for the existing 190 units, including replacing appliances, upgrading the fire alarm system and landscaping.\nWillow Manor will continue to house low-income and disable citizens, said Nathan Hadley, executive assistant for economic development.\n"We will continue to accept Section Eight vouchers," said Terry Keusch, a Grandview consultant. "Grandview Care is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to foster affordable housing."\nKeusch also outlined plans for the proposed renovations.\n"In addition to the community center," he said, "we will be making interior and exterior renovations, the primary goal of which will be to make the units more energy efficient and more handicap accessible."\nPhil Stafford, director of the Evergreen Institute, said he was pleased with the results of the meeting.\n"They have good intentions," he said, after asking several questions of Grandview's representatives. Stafford was curious as to whether or not the number of current units would change and if their configuration would be modified.\nKeusch said the number of units will go unchanged and that a "unit by unit inspection" would determine what needs to be done to each individual residence. He also said there would be no need for any residents to move.\n"Tonight, I'm happy," said Jessee, a resident battling with AIDS. "It looks like now everything is on the upward swing."\nCouncil members gave preliminary approval to the request with an 8-0 vote. Council member Anthony Pizzo was absent.\nThe council had one other item on the evening's agenda, postponing a vote on declaring 1403 and 1405 West Sixth St. as an economic revitalization area and and approve a tax abatement for developer Gene Moncel.\nThe council has until their Nov. 14 meeting to vote on the resolution before it is automatically defeated. \nThis Wednesday, the council will tackle a move to ban alcohol consumption in public parks. The measure is expected to die, council attorney Dan Sherman said.