Grand Forks County Commission approves Brookstone apartment pilot over community opposition

The Grand Forks County Commission on a 3-2 vote approved a pilot tax-increment incentive for the Brookstone Apartments, a proposed multifamily development the county says would add workforce housing as Grand Forks grows.

Supporters — including city and regional economic-development representatives and a Brookstone presenter — said the city and county face a tight housing market, citing an independent market study the presenter said showed a 3.5% vacancy rate among surveyed local managers and that 44% of renters are cost-burdened. "Brookstone will offer working people an opportunity to live within their means," the presenter said, adding that the development’s financing gap can be addressed in part through a pilot that reduces operating expenses.

Opponents during public comment, including landlord Bob Krauger, urged the commission to reject the pilot, arguing the program was not meant for multifamily housing and…