County approves resolution supporting "The Commons at Saint Anthony's" community project funding request

Kent Hance, lead developer for The Commons at Saint Anthony's, asked Potter County for a resolution supporting a congressional community project funding request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for rehabilitation of the former Saint Anthony's hospital site.

Why it matters: The developer said federal community project funding would reduce borrowing needs for the low'income housing tax credit project and speed construction of affordable housing units; the county's resolution is a routine local-government endorsement required for the congressman's submission.

Hance, who described a multi'year development effort and unexpected remediation costs from mold and asbestos, asked the court to support Congressman Jackson's community project request. "Congressman Jackson has agreed to submit a community project funding request with HUD," Hance told the court, adding that county support is customary and that the project "falls within" HUD's economic development initiative for clearance, demolition, rehabilitation and construction.

The developer said Potter County would not bear liability or reporting duties if HUD awards funds. "You have no liability whatsoever," Hance told commissioners when asked whether the county would have responsibilities; he said Potter County could receive up to a 1% administrative payment, which he estimated at $83,000, to assist with application or administrative tasks but said that the congressman had filed the…