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Seeking support for senior housing
Community important part of development application to receive tax credits
By Kevin M. Smith
A Kearney man hopes a letter-writing campaign will be what is needed to bring more senior housing to town.
Almost two months ago the Kearney Board of Aldermen approved a resolution of support for MACO Development Co. to build a senior housing complex in Kearney.
MACO, based in Clarkton, bought a 7.8-acre site between the east end of Major Street and north of Washington Street in Kearney four years ago and wants to build 55 1,100-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment units for senior citizens.
“I really feel our town needs it,” said Pete Kingery, a local senior citizen.
To make the project economically viable for the developer and have a reasonable rent, however, MACO needs tax credits from the state to finance the complex. This September will be the fourth time in as many years MACO will apply for tax credits from the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
While the Kearney Board of Aldermen has shown support with a resolution each year; Kingery said he is hoping extra support will help.
“He’s just gung-ho on this,” Dan Sanders, of MACO, said about Kingery.
Sanders said Kingery’s letter-writing campaign should prove helpful.
“Citizen input is big to them,” Sanders said.
Among the factors that the commission considers for application approval is public support.
“One of the things they look at is, ‘Is there public support? Is there public opposition?’” Sanders said. “Support in the community is vital in one of their considerations for this.”
Kingery said he would like to move to a senior citizen apartment, but doesn’t have much opportunity in Kearney.
“I see the need in Kearney for additional senior housing,” Kingery said. “If you look at the waiting list for seniors to get in — there are tons for both number of people and time to get in.”
The waiting list at Kearney Senior Housing, 211 E. Major St., has about 30 people on it for the 50-unit complex, said to Dan Miller, board member for the complex.
There are a couple of units available at Chase Properties, but those apartments are not exclusively for senior citizens, said Stacy Chase, property manager. All 16 units are on the ground level and handicap accessible.
Another place for senior living in Kearney is Westbrook Care Center. But that is senior living with assistance with things like meals and emergency care. Kearney Senior Housing and the proposed development by MACO would be for independent senior living.
“That’s for people who don’t want a house but don’t need meals,” said Steve McDonald, owner of Westbrook. “We’re a little different than they are.”
McDonald said he does think there are enough people Kearney to support more senior housing.
“I think there’s always going to be a need,” McDonald said.
According to a study by market research firm Claritas, 9.51 percent (7,377 residents) of the population within a 15-minute drive of Kearney are 65 years old or older. Another 10.79 percent (8,369 residents) are ages 55 to 64. That’s up from 9.16 percent (5,376 residents) 65 and older and another 8.43 percent (4,947 residents) ages 55 to 64 in 2000. Claritas predicts that to jump to 11.24 percent (9,926 residents) 65 and older with another 11.95 percent (10,552 residents) ages 55 to 64 by 2013.
“I think there is a need for it,” said Gene Irsik, who helps with the Kearney Senior Center lunches.
Irsik said there are about 50 senior citizens attending the lunches. And that growth has prompted the Kearney Community Foundation to pursue moving the lunches from the Veterans of Foreign Wars building to bigger one — with the help of a grant and renovations.
With the growing need and growing support, MACO officials are hopeful that will help get this project going.
“Hopefully, community support will be that last little piece, maybe, to push it over the top and get it approved,” Sanders said.
He said there would be public hearings — usually in October — and that’s another good avenue to show support.
“It helps greatly,” Sanders said.
Kingery said he hasn’t put form letters in as many locations as he would like, but did receive a positive response after making an announcement at a recent Kearney Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
“It’s going pretty good,” Kingery said about the letter-writing campaign. “It’s not quite what I hoped for.”
To sign a form letter for Kingery to send to the Missouri Housing Development Commission, contact Kingery at 628-4789. Form letters are also available to be signed at KCB Bank, Kearney Trust Co., Once & Again and The Kearney Courier.
The application for the development to receive tax credits for financing is in September, so Kingery said he needs form letters to send to the commission as soon as possible.
The details
To voice your opinion about the senior housing project by MACO, send letters to:
Janelle Thorne, director of rental productions
Missouri Housing Development Commission
3435 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64111-2415
Kearney Editor Kevin M. Smith can be reached at 628-6010 or kevinsmith@npgco.com.
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Almost two months ago the Kearney Board of Aldermen approved a resolution of support for MACO Development Co. to build a senior housing complex in Kearney.
MACO, based in Clarkton, bought a 7.8-acre site between the east end of Major Street and north of Washington Street in Kearney four years ago and wants to build 55 1,100-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment units for senior citizens.
“I really feel our town needs it,” said Pete Kingery, a local senior citizen.
To make the project economically viable for the developer and have a reasonable rent, however, MACO needs tax credits from the state to finance the complex. This September will be the fourth time in as many years MACO will apply for tax credits from the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
While the Kearney Board of Aldermen has shown support with a resolution each year; Kingery said he is hoping extra support will help.
“He’s just gung-ho on this,” Dan Sanders, of MACO, said about Kingery.
Sanders said Kingery’s letter-writing campaign should prove helpful.
“Citizen input is big to them,” Sanders said.
Among the factors that the commission considers for application approval is public support.
“One of the things they look at is, ‘Is there public support? Is there public opposition?’” Sanders said. “Support in the community is vital in one of their considerations for this.”
Kingery said he would like to move to a senior citizen apartment, but doesn’t have much opportunity in Kearney.
“I see the need in Kearney for additional senior housing,” Kingery said. “If you look at the waiting list for seniors to get in — there are tons for both number of people and time to get in.”
The waiting list at Kearney Senior Housing, 211 E. Major St., has about 30 people on it for the 50-unit complex, said to Dan Miller, board member for the complex.
There are a couple of units available at Chase Properties, but those apartments are not exclusively for senior citizens, said Stacy Chase, property manager. All 16 units are on the ground level and handicap accessible.
Another place for senior living in Kearney is Westbrook Care Center. But that is senior living with assistance with things like meals and emergency care. Kearney Senior Housing and the proposed development by MACO would be for independent senior living.
“That’s for people who don’t want a house but don’t need meals,” said Steve McDonald, owner of Westbrook. “We’re a little different than they are.”
McDonald said he does think there are enough people Kearney to support more senior housing.
“I think there’s always going to be a need,” McDonald said.
According to a study by market research firm Claritas, 9.51 percent (7,377 residents) of the population within a 15-minute drive of Kearney are 65 years old or older. Another 10.79 percent (8,369 residents) are ages 55 to 64. That’s up from 9.16 percent (5,376 residents) 65 and older and another 8.43 percent (4,947 residents) ages 55 to 64 in 2000. Claritas predicts that to jump to 11.24 percent (9,926 residents) 65 and older with another 11.95 percent (10,552 residents) ages 55 to 64 by 2013.
“I think there is a need for it,” said Gene Irsik, who helps with the Kearney Senior Center lunches.
Irsik said there are about 50 senior citizens attending the lunches. And that growth has prompted the Kearney Community Foundation to pursue moving the lunches from the Veterans of Foreign Wars building to bigger one — with the help of a grant and renovations.
With the growing need and growing support, MACO officials are hopeful that will help get this project going.
“Hopefully, community support will be that last little piece, maybe, to push it over the top and get it approved,” Sanders said.
He said there would be public hearings — usually in October — and that’s another good avenue to show support.
“It helps greatly,” Sanders said.
Kingery said he hasn’t put form letters in as many locations as he would like, but did receive a positive response after making an announcement at a recent Kearney Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
“It’s going pretty good,” Kingery said about the letter-writing campaign. “It’s not quite what I hoped for.”
To sign a form letter for Kingery to send to the Missouri Housing Development Commission, contact Kingery at 628-4789. Form letters are also available to be signed at KCB Bank, Kearney Trust Co., Once & Again and The Kearney Courier.
The application for the development to receive tax credits for financing is in September, so Kingery said he needs form letters to send to the commission as soon as possible.
The details
To voice your opinion about the senior housing project by MACO, send letters to:
Janelle Thorne, director of rental productions
Missouri Housing Development Commission
3435 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64111-2415
Kearney Editor Kevin M. Smith can be reached at 628-6010 or kevinsmith@npgco.com.