By Robert Williams

Editor

Turnkey Solutions & Development Vice President and Developer Jason Francis met with the Frazee City Council in a work session on Tuesday, March 10, to discuss future housing development possibilities after residents of Red Willow Heights and the Frazee Economic Development Authority (EDA) failed to come to an agreement on covenants changes that would allow a potential multi-family build on the front of that development.

Subsequent discussions about residents allowing townhomes were also unsuccessful, but both parties admitted that they had found a proper way to coexist on future decisions for development.

During the process, Francis made an impact on Frazee leaders and the meeting was held to open up discussions on other locations around town, specifically the oft-referred lots by Dollar General, and other destinations for multi-family housing on city-owned property.

“I think I speak for the council that you and your company are the right developer for our community,” said Mayor Mike Sharp.

Sharp led right into the Dollar General area noting the council is “highly motivated to get developed,” and the fact that some of that property is already zoned multi-family.

“It may be better suited for a larger-scale, multi-family housing development,” he said.

That was the main issue in the Red Willow area. The EDA wanted to construct apartments, but the residents had covenants allowing only single-family housing or a change to commercial zoning. Residents were highly against multi-family construction in their neighborhood.

Sharp asked Francis what his level of interest was in the Dollar General area.

“We’re definitely interested in working with you and the community here to try to put something together,” Francis said.

Turnkey currently has multiple apartments in construction in Lake Park and Barnesville, along with townhome designs and concepts underway in Lake Park and another apartment in Audubon. 

“So, we have a fair amount of projects in the area that we have collaborated with the city and the EDA in all locations, similar to what we’re trying to propose here—to put some development together,” Francis said. “I’m interested in all options to explore.”

Francis stressed that he wants to make sure his construction is the right fit within the community  he is building.

“Making sure they are the right fit; making sure they pencil out for the city, the community, and myself,” he said. “Those are the ones that seem to perform well, manage well, and seem to have less problems.”

Francis’ main question involved demographics on what type of residents the city is expecting to attract.

Sharp noted the current Lake Park set-up, where Turnkey has built a variety of housing options into a development is what Frazee is looking for on the future Maple Avenue lots.

Francis discussed the high-dollar construction costs for housing projects of this nature. One thing that makes his company different from many other developers is the fact he is backed by cash investors.

“They are very interested in continuing with every project we work on,” said Francis. “At the end of the day, they are investing to make sure it pencils and they can get some rate of return on their dollars.”

Sharp briefly discussed TIF financing, tax abatement, and other incentives that he believes will be necessary to complete the project, but discussions remained more of a big picture focus and specifics were left for another time.

“This is a need in this community,” said Council Member Jim Rader. “We’ve seen some individuals take some risks opening some businesses in town just over the last couple years and I would really like to see us provide an opportunity for them to have customers nearby and we do have a lot of people who are looking for housing here, too.”

Both parties plan on contributing to a timeline leading to conceptual designs. Francis has a comprehensive list of needs that the city can provide prior to mapping out actual costs or completing designs.

“I’m interested in exploring anything provided it’s a good fit and you feel the city will support it,” said Francis.

A basic timeline to begin a site mapping of the lot by the Turnkey Design Team is June. A second meeting between the council and Francis is tentatively scheduled for the regular council meeting on Wednesday, April 22.