Progress made on Kingsford apartment plan
KINGSFORD — Talks will continue on a developer’s proposal to bring eight new apartment buildings to the Evergreen Heights area, with Kingsford officials optimistic about reaching an agreement in time for the first phase to begin this year.
Michael Moroni of Moroni Building Inc. of Kingsford wants to purchase about 8 acres of city property north of his Evergreen Heights Assisted Living complex. The parcel is west of Westwood Avenue and south of Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The proposed price is $10,000 an acre.
Moroni already has successful projects in the Evergreen area, namely a residential subdivision, senior living, assisting living and memory care units, City Manager Tony Edlebeck noted.
The newest venture calls for 26 to 28 retirement apartments, with the first of the eight buildings to go up this year.
The city had wanted to retain a right-of-way for a public street, but Moroni countered with a plan that has only private roads. Moroni would be responsible as well for utility installation and maintenance.
City council members discussed the concept Tuesday but will rely on Edlebeck and City Attorney Bruce Brouillette to work through the details.
If a deal can be reached, the purchase agreement will come back to the council for approval.
In other action Tuesday, the Kingsford council:
— Heard Edlebeck report the smallest of the city’s four operating water wells is out of commission. The pumping equipment in the well, located east of Ford Airport, was last replaced in 1999, he said. The city will advertise for proposals for another pump replacement.
— Approved a contract adjustment on a 2016 Michigan Department of Transportation project to repave 0.31 miles of Breen Avenue from Lawrence to Birch streets. The city will pay an additional $15,986 towards the project, which was aided by a $128,000 federal grant. The initial project cost was $190,544.
— Heard council member Dennis Baldinelli compliment the public works crew for its response to the Jan. 10-11 snowstorm.
— Authorized expenses for two days of child forensic interview training in Escanaba for public safety officers Ryan Pericolosi and Rodney Woodward.
— Supported the 2017 Pine Mountain Music Festival with a half-page program ad at a cost of $191.