Group to host second meeting to brainstorm solutions

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Henning EDA will host a second housing oriented meeting with local representatives as it seeks to address a shortage of affordable housing options in the community. 

During its regularly scheduled meeting last Thursday morning, Henning EDA President Andy Eckhoff highlighted the success of the housing study and subsequent community meeting. He said approximately 10 people attended the last meeting and he has heard from several other people who may be interested in constructing affordable housing options in Henning. 

“I have been getting a few other questions from people who couldn’t make it,” said Eckhoff. “We had a couple of builders there who might be interested in doing a couple of things”

Henning EDA member Nathan Thalmann encouraged the group to continue pushing forward with the housing study and a second brainstorming meeting to address the housing shortage in town. Since any kind of expansive housing project would likely not happen for another year, the EDA is hoping to schedule a meeting by mid March to early April with representatives from West Central Initiative, CEDA and building investors. 

“If anyone is going to do a building project it is going to be a year out at least,” said Thalmann. 

One of the shortcomings the housing study identified was a lack of city-owned property that could be utilized for building or housing projects. The city currently has a lot available next to Country View Apartment building, but otherwise most of the land that could be developed in the city limits is privately owned. The group discussed potentially purchasing some of the dilapidated properties in town, tear them down and get the land ready for an investor to construct housing. 

City clerk/treasurer Jenna Kovarik said there may be grants available for buying a dilapidated building and tearing it down, which could help to offset the city’s expenses into the project. 

The group will identify potential properties over the near future and continue to explore grant opportunities.

In addition to housing, deputy clerk/treasurer Jenny Lynch said there are also ways to expand business offerings in the community by capitalizing on popular things that already bring people to town. For example, she highlighted the large amount of people who come to Henning for high school sports, or in the summer at the baseball and softball fields. She said something as simple as a drive through coffee shop or fast food options could be a popular addition to town when some of the restaurants are closed later at night. 

The Henning city staff has created a vision board from community input that included everything from a mechanic to a walking path to a dentist, ice cream shop and coffee shop.

The Henning EDA said it will continue to explore options for both housing and business additions for the community. 

In addition to the housing study, the Henning EDA once against discussed the rent for one and two bedroom apartments at the city-owned Country View Apartment building. Rent was increased in late 2024, but is reportedly much lower than other comparable apartment buildings in the region. 

In the past, Eckhoff and city staff members said they have heard a concern from investors who find it difficult to construct a multi-family home facility in the community as they would not be able to compete with the rent at Country View. 

Currently, rent for a one bedroom apartment ranges from $615-625 per month, which utilities, while a two bedroom apartment is $725 per month, which also includes utilities. The only utility that is not included in the rent is electricity. By comparison, other apartments in the community rent for closer to $900 per month and does not include utilities. 

In order to get a better idea of comparable rent would be at Country View, the Henning EDA asked the city staff to compile a list of comparable apartment buildings in the region to see how much, if any increase, should be gradually taken over the next few years.