Aug. 26—JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown City Council will consider submitting a Community Development Block Grant application to the state of North Dakota to acquire land for a three-phase development of affordable senior housing near Walmart.
The Jamestown Finance and Legal Committee approved a public hearing date of Tuesday, Sept. 2, to hear the request from Beyond Shelter Inc. to submit a Community Development Block Grant application to the state. On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Finance and Legal Committee also added the request from Beyond Shelter to the City Council’s agenda for its meeting on Sept. 2.
Beyond Shelter is the nonprofit that is a general partner in the affordable senior housing project that will be called the Buffalo Manor Apartments which will be located west of Walmart.
The Community Development Block Grant Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities principally for low- and moderate-income people, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website.
The city of Jamestown is the name and sponsoring unit on the final application for the Community Development Block Grant.
The application says funds from the Community Development Block Grant would be used to acquire 7 acres of land located near 1104 25th St. SW. Beyond Shelter will develop the land to support senior affordable rental units west of Walmart.
The city would be the entity that receives the funds if the Community Development Block Grant application is approved, and Beyond Shelter would receive the funds from the city.
Buffalo Manor Apartments will consist of 39 affordable senior housing units — 33 one-bedroom units and two-bedroom units. If there is demand for more affordable senior housing units, Beyond Shelter plans to add two more phases — each consisting of 39 units.
The estimated cost is more than $15.4 million for the construction of the 39-unit senior housing apartment building. Construction is expected to start in fall 2026 with completion expected in fall 2027.