Developers for the River North Ridge subdivision gave the Waupaca Common Council a construction update on April 2, reporting that underground utilities for the first residential phase and the apartment site are installed but that aboveground utility work is delayed by wet site conditions.

Alex (last name not provided), representing the developer, said the sanitary and storm sewers and water mains are in for the apartments and the first residential section, and that developers had collected more than 100 email addresses from prospective buyers and renters through the project website. “The electric and gas was supposed to start yesterday, but it looks like they're going to be delayed for a week or two because they went out there and just said it is way too muddy for that to happen,” the presenter said.

Why it matters: the developer said once gas and electric are installed, finishing touch work can be completed and builders plan to start six homes immediately (selected house plans that have performed well in other subdivisions) and to begin 43 apartment units in the first phase. Developers told council members financing for the houses and apartments is in place.

Details: the presentation showed typical unit mixes for apartments (12-, 10- and 9-unit buildings in the plan) and offered example price points for single-family models (an example listed at $269,900 for a two-bedroom plan). The developer said the apartment buildout is planned in two rounds so several buildings can move forward roughly simultaneously to speed lease-up. Developers encouraged residents to view rivernorthridge.com for ongoing updates and asked for patience until the ground dries.

Council response: council members asked mainly about timing and expressed support; Mayor Brian Smith and other council members thanked the developers for the update.

Implementation risk and timeline: weather and site drying were cited as the principal near-term constraints; developers estimated a one-week to two-week delay for electric and gas work because of mud and frost, after which foundation and building starts could proceed.