Cambridge Police Chief Shawn Machin announced the promotion of Tyler Johnson to detective and welcomed new officer Derek Gregorich during the Cambridge City Council meeting July 1.
Johnson joined the department last July and came to the Cambridge Police Department with 10 years of law enforcement experience from several different agencies. Johnson moved into a detective position in May that was made vacant with the promotion of Tanner Hagen to deputy police chief.
“His previous experience helped Tyler to quickly move through our field training program and begin helping us fill open shifts almost immediately,” Machin said. “Since getting off field training, Tyler has served as a field training officer with other officers and he has also helped set up a new training that we’re working on to help us better respond to active shooter type threats.”
Machin has been impressed with Johnson’s work as detective.
“Since moving into this position, Tyler has continued to excel and impress us with his abilities and work ethic,” Machin said.
When Johnson’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and riding his motorcycle.
Gregorich joined the department last August; Cambridge is the first law enforcement agency he has worked for.
“Since completing his field training in mid-December, Derek is leading the department in traffic stops, approximately 745 since Dec. 13 of last year, and in DWI arrests with 19,” Machin said. “Derek’s traffic stops and DWI arrests are both significantly above the department average. To give you an idea of just how high above average he has been, the next closest officer has over 400 less traffic stops then Derek. I really appreciate Derek’s work ethic and his strong desire to keep our roadways safe.”
When preparing for Gregorich’s swearing in ceremony, Machin asked him about his time so far on the department, and Gregorich said he views each call as an opportunity to help him learn something that can help him improve his skills.
When Gregorich is not working, he enjoys bass fishing, snowmobiling and is hoping to try pickleball in the future.
Housing study findings
Max Mullins, vice president of Maxfield Research and Consulting, presented the results from a Cambridge comprehensive housing study that was authorized by the council.
The approach with the study was to identify current and future housing needs for residents in Cambridge and provide framework for meeting housing needs. The goals with the study were to address short and long-term housing needs, provide recommendations guiding future housing development and providing tools/policies to implement the plan.
The study looked at 11 townships and three cities, encompassing Isanti, Chisago and Kanabec counties, with the data being collected during the winter and spring of 2024.
Mullins provided data regarding population growth for the city of Cambridge between 2000 and 2020.
“There has been nearly a 75% growth rate since 2000 and going forward we’re projecting some pretty healthy growth rates as well, roughly 20% this decade,” Mullins said.
Driving this growth rate are the millennials, in the 40s age range, and older residents, those aged 65 and older, Mullins said. He said this is where the bulk of the growth based on the percentage change will occur in the next five years.
Mullins spoke on the residential building permit trends for the city of Cambridge from 2010-2023.
“We are seeing quite the influx of multifamily construction over the past seven to eight years,” Mullins said. “A lot of that has been led by multifamily market-rate rental housing as well as some senior housing projects.”
Mullins highlighted the extremely low rental housing vacancies. He said overall there are 1,483 total units with a 1.3% vacancy rate. Breaking it down with affordable housing, there are 174 total units with a 0% vacancy rate ($1,073 for a one-bedroom); 1,127 units for market rate with a 1.8% vacancy rate ($1,183 for a one-bedroom); and 182 subsidized units with a 0% vacancy rate.
“We always say 5% is equal of where you want to be,” Mullins said. “You want some vacancies, you want some turnover and you want to be able to have some options as a renter, and there’s really nothing today.”
As for rental projects in the future, Mullins said there are mostly market-rate projects planned, but some are designated as affordable. The Bridgewell apartment building located at 203 22nd Lane SW, Cambridge, opened earlier this year with 65 affordable apartments. Mullins said there are currently four rental housing projects totaling 438 market rate units currently under construction or being planned in the cities of Cambridge or Isanti.
When Mullins made the presentation, there were 21 active listings with an average price of $300,000 and a median price of $366,000. He said several of these listings were spec homes.
“There are not a lot of options for home buyers today,” Mullins said. “There is very sparse inventory and very few multifamily units as well.”
As for lot inventory and supply, Mullins noted there are 120 vacant lots within eight active subdivisions. There are another 100-plus vacant lots in Isanti and the townships. Regarding the new construction market, he said it’s a mix of build-to-suit and spec lots. There are no national builders but a mix of local builders. Most of the single-family home sales are between $300,000 and $400,000.
Looking to the future, Mullins said the research shows a demand for 900-plus general occupancy units through 2035. Of those units, 447 should be for-sale single-family units and 210 should be for-sale multifamily units. He said the research shows also a demand for 850 senior housing units by 2035.
For-sale housing recommendations to 2035:
- Single family:
• Recommend three-to-five-year lot supply.
• Lot supply sufficient in short-term. Long-term more platted lots.
• Need for diverse lot types (walk-outs, look-outs, etc.).
• Demand for 450 single-family homes (after existing vacant lots absorbed).
• Demand across all price points.
• However, entry-level difficult to build due to development cost.
- Multifamily:
• Demand for 210 units.
• Strong demand for association-maintained product.
• Popular with older adult and senior households.
• More affordable price points compared to single-family.
- Potential housing types:
• Detached townhomes/villas.
• Twin homes/townhomes.
• Quad homes/rowhomes.
As for rental housing recommendations to 2035, Mullins said there is a demand for 900-plus units, including 128 market rate, 38 affordable and 96 subsidized.
The entire housing study is close to 200 pages and is available to view on the city of Cambridge’s website by clicking here and downloading the July 1, 2024 City Council Packet. For an abbreviated PDF version of the housing study (30 pages), click on the PDF that is included with this story.
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