HIBBING—The Hibbing Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), following action taken by the Hibbing City Council and the HRA Board of Directors on July 10, has made application to the Minnesota Housing Finance Authority to secure vital funding for a new housing development to be built at a city-owned parcel of property on the 4000 block of Fifth Avenue West in Hibbing.
“The HRA is excited to move the proposed Cobb Cook Place Apartments housing project forward, and feels the alternative site in the 4000 block of Fifth Avenue West has greater potential than the initial site,” Hibbing HRA Director Jackie Prescott is quoted in a joint statement of the HRA and City of Hibbing on Thursday.
The project name remains Cobb Cook Place, after the initial site, for application purposes, but the HRA has the option to change it if they are successful in obtaining the funding needed to move the project forward, Prescott told the HRA Board on Wednesday.
On June 26 the alternate site was first discussed by the Hibbing City Council, following the council rescinding its action on June 5 to sell the HRA the original site—a parcel on Fourth Avenue West, commonly known as Cobb Cook Park for $1, contingent on funding.
The original site choice sparked some public opposition, as concerns were raised about a loss of green space and a century-old neighborhood park.
“We have created a new, stronger partnership with the HRA, and that’s the best thing that has resulted from all of this. Plus, hopefully we can move forward with a new housing project,” Hibbing Mayor Pete Hyduke is quoted a news release from the city on Thursday. “We will soon be doing environmental assessments there, because regardless of this project, we would need to do that as starting point to move forward on that property in any capacity.”
At its June 10 meeting the Hibbing City Council unanimously approved a purchase agreement with the Hibbing HRA for the alternate site, parcel 139-0050-04676, about five acres of city-owned property, located east of Grace Lutheran Church, according to information obtained from the city. The council also also unanimously approved a resolution in support for the Cobb Cook Apartments proposal, specifically designating certain parcels for the development, during the meeting.
The council heard from a few residents during the public forum portion of the meeting, where questions were raised about location of roads, extension of utilities, and possible future development in that area, according to the city. A representative from Grace Lutheran Church was also present.
One resident raised opposition to the proposed housing, stating he feels there are other priorities other than housing, and concerns about property valuations.
The HRA board held a special meeting on June 10, at which directors unanimously approved a resolution assigning the alternate parcel on the 4000 block of Fifth Avenue West to Cobb Cook Place. Included in the resolution is a commitment by the HRA to provide $100,000 in funding specifically allocated from the levy received from the City of Hibbing for predevelopment costs.
“We thank the council and the city for taking another look at our project and considering alternatives,” Prescott is quoted in the news release. “We are excited to move the proposed Cobb Cook Place Apartments housing project forward and feel this alternative site in the 4000 block of 5th Ave. W. has greater potential than the initial site.”
The HRA is pursuing funding from the MFHA to construct three buildings with 52 workforce housing rental units. The proposed project referred to as Cobb Cook Place (for application purposes) complexes would include a three-story apartment building (one- and two-bedroom units) and townhomes (three- and four-bedroom units). This new housing development could house a minimum of 110 people.
“We heard the community and are grateful to the City of Hibbing for the additional diligence,” Prescott said. “As a result, this re-evaluation has led to stronger partnerships and better communication. While there are many details yet to be determined, the need for housing remains great in our community. By moving this application forward, our community is paving the way for increased housing and a better housing stock—for ourselves and our surrounding communities.”
“My hope is that through this process other communities see us—the City and the HRA—come together with a new, unified approach to housing,” she continued. My other hope is that the questions that arose and the conversations that have taken place have helped our community to understand that low-income housing is necessary for essential workers and those who have lacked support in their lives.”
“We are confident in our application and will hope for a favorable funding response from the MHFA come December,” Prescott concluded.
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