(Okoboji)– The Okoboji City Council Tuesday evening heard plans from developer Marc Steffes for a 26-unit mixed use apartment and business complex being proposed for some land just north of McDonalds. Steffes said he plans to apply for an Iowa Workforce Development Grant to help fund the 7 million dollar project. Steffes said local support is needed in order to apply for the grant…
Steffes said they would likely be requesting a five year abatement, but said that could be scaled back. Councilman Dan Sanders expressed reservation over a five year abatement…
Councilman Jim Hentges added the abatement on a residential type of project would be a first for the city of Okoboji and could set a precedence in the future. Steffes indicated he’ll have a civil engineer on the project put together financial projections for various abatement scenarios, with that information to be forwarded to city officials for further consideration.
And there could be a wrinkle in the project. City Administrator Michael Meyers says it was presented as 26 apartment units with four small businesses when it was presented to the city’s Board of Adjustment. The proposal as it was presented to the city council Tuesday evening was for 46 apartment units and four small businesses. ***UPDATE*** City Administrator Michael Meyers tells KUOO news he spoke with the developer’s representatives today (Wed.) who said the information presented at Tuesday’s council meeting indicating a 42 unit development was incorrect, and that it is actually 26 units that is being proposed.
