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Council committee updates Golden Oaks senior-housing plan: $27 million, roughly 100 units, residents raise oversight questions
Summary
The Senior Citizens, Families and Environment Committee reported the Golden Oaks (Newburgh senior housing) project is in financing and design, estimated at about $27 million for roughly 100 units with a three-year completion timeline; residents and council members raised concerns about transparency, Housing Commission autonomy and use of CDBG funds.
Councilmember Eileen McDonnell, reporting from the May 20 Senior Citizens, Families and Environment Committee, summarized a multi-topic meeting that included an update on the Golden Oaks senior-housing project (referred to as Newburgh senior housing).
According to the committee report, the project cost is approximately $27 million and will be funded through state and federal sources. The project is in financing and design phases with an estimated year for design and two years for construction — a three-year timeline to completion — and about 100 units are planned.
Residents and council members raised several oversight and transparency questions during the meeting and the public comment period. A resident noted $1.8 million appearing in the general fund related to Silver Village and pressed whether Housing Commission funds and the city’s general fund are properly separated. Another resident said public access to Housing Commission agendas and documents has been inconsistent.
City Attorney Eric Goldstein clarified that the Housing Commission is governed by State of Michigan statute, that the Housing Commission operates as a distinct entity and that, under that statutory framework, the Housing Commission is not always required to get City Council approval for spending decisions. Council members said the Housing Commission posts monthly financials and that CDBG and other federal grant materials for the commission are available online.
Council asked staff to follow up on specific resident concerns such as trash collection methods at Silver Village, potential tree removals at Golden Oaks, and public notice of Housing Commission meetings. A contact number was provided for further resident follow-up.
What happens next: The project remains in financing and design phases; residents were encouraged to review Housing Commission financials and attend the commission meeting scheduled at Newburgh Village next Tuesday. Council referred related legal and environmental resolution drafting to the law department for committee review.
