Council considers proposal for seniors housing complex

A downtown businessman expressed concern about the practice of closing the street in front of his shop.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- City council is mulling a proposal by a developer to construct a $3.5 million seniors housing complex on the city's east side.
A three-story, 50-apartment building along Lexington Avenue near Continental Drive is being proposed by Hudson-Hanover Companies of Hudson.
Dick Buchanan, company president, asked council Tuesday to endorse his application to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
Tax credits sought: Hudson-Hanover is seeking federally funded tax credits from the state agency. The credits would allow the company to subsidize rents at the apartment complex, Buchanan explained.
Being proposed is renting two-bedroom apartments to income-qualified people age 62 and over for $450 per month.
The annual income ceiling for renters would be about $18,000.
A marketing study suggests that Salem needs more housing for seniors, Buchanan said.
Some council members said they are concerned that the streets in and around the project site may be unable to handle the additional traffic the apartment complex would create.
Legislators promised to consider the request, however, and respond in the next few weeks.
If the project is approved by the city, construction could begin in about six months and be finished in about a year, Buchanan said.
Negative impact: In other business, a downtown shop owner said the growing practice of the city closing South Broadway Avenue so it can serve as the site for a variety of events may cost him business.
Norbert Hettinga, co-owner of Lion and Lamb Christian Resources, a book and gift shop on South Broadway Avenue, told council he's hopeful other locations can be found for festivities.
Hettinga cited as examples various concerts, an Easter Egg Hunt, farmer's market and bike nights that are held periodically and that close South Broadway in front of his store.
Closing down the street, one of downtown's main thoroughfares, can be hard on business, especially when customers are coming from out of town and are unfamiliar with the city, Hettinga said.
"I'm not against any of these events," he said. But "there must be some other areas that these events can take place. Please don't close our street to traffic we have worked so hard to build."
Councilman Walt Bezeredi, D-4th, suggested that maybe some events could be held in one of the municipal parking lots that ring the downtown.