Work Begins on Crew Housing Subdivision

Workers started moving dirt in mid-October on Holdrege’s newest housing development, Crew Subdivision in east Holdrege.

The subdivision is part of local efforts to bring more workforce housing to the community and could result in more than 40 new living units once completed.

The community received a $318,500 grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s rural workforce housing program and a $250,000 grant from the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority to help fund infrastructure for the subdivision. The Phelps County Development Corporation earmarked $250,000 in LB840 sales tax funds to secure the grants and to put toward the project.

PCDC Executive Director Ron Tillery said it was important that PCDC partner on the project to provide seed money to serve as the local match required to receive the grant.

“We are doing that because workforce housing is critical to our community,” Tillery said. “If we can’t house them, we can’t employ them.”

Mesner Construction of Central City is the developer for the 10-acre property that sits just south of the Sunrise East Subdivision.

Tillery said Phase 1 of the Crew project will include building 10 duplexes (20 living units) that will be available to rent based on income in 2020. Mesner Construction will build these duplexes along with three townhomes (six living units) that will be available for market rate. The townhomes will have three bedrooms, two baths and two-car garages.

Tillery said PCDC has decided to jump start Phase 2 of the project to capture some savings of having both projects going at the same time and to speed up the completion of the project.

PCDC plans to purchase 19 lots in the Crew subdivision in 2020 and will offer the lots for sale to contractors, preferably local contractors, or to potential home owners looking to build custom homes.

“PCDC will work through its Housing Development Committee to devise a strategy to make the lots available at the lowest cost possible for housing contractors,” Tillery said. “Our goal is to offer fully improved lots for under $20,000.”

PCDC leaders met with the Phelps County Builder’s Bureau in mid-October to explain the new subdivision and provide details on opportunities for local contractors and subcontractors to work on the duplexes and homes.

Tillery said the City of Holdrege will soon consider strategies for paving East Street, which is the gravel road along the western boundary of the new subdivision.

For information about renting duplexes or purchasing lots in the new Crew Subdivision, please contact PCDC staff at (308) 995-4148 or email Ron@PhelpsCountyNE.com.