Salem aldermen approve donation of city land for 40-unit senior housing development

Salem aldermen voted to adopt Resolution 24-2025, authorizing the donation of city-owned property to the Housing Authority of the City of Salem for a proposed 40-unit senior housing development. The council recorded the vote after a presentation by the project's developer and a discussion of infrastructure implications.

Developer Hartle told the council the project would include a mix of market-rate units and income-restricted apartments, with some units targeted at roughly 60% of area median income and others at about 30%. "I'll be putting $400,000 toward your sewer improvements and any other improvements that will help this development if we're approved," Hartle said, pledging direct funds to upgrade sewer infrastructure tied to the site.

The nut graf: the city’s donation and the developer’s pledged contribution aim to bolster an application to MHDC’s competitive funding program, which Hartle said has limited statewide funds. He told the council the application is due Sept. 17 and that typical success rates for similar rounds are about 25–30%.

Hartle described the site plan as fourplex buildings with a clubhouse and a reserved 40-foot strip on 9th Street that would not be sold. He said the Housing Authority will serve as the managing member and that supportive services will be provided on-site by South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, with a staff presence about 32 hours per week. Hartle estimated total development costs around $12,000,000 and said some units will be market-rate (no income restriction) while others will carry income limits.

City Administrator Sally Burbridge said the developer’s $400,000 pledge, combined with city funds, would allow the city to pursue sewer upgrades without passing immediate costs onto ratepayers. "That donation, along with funding the city currently has, allows us to do some upgrades in what I believe could be a better way," Burbridge said, describing the pledge as a direct community benefit.

Council members asked technical questions about flooding and sewer backup in nearby basements, noting that sump pump hookups and current drainage patterns can contribute to backups. One member outlined street and parking concerns on Hickory and 10th streets and asked whether a pump station or pressure line had already been considered; members said the extra funding makes some previously cost-prohibitive infrastructure options feasible.

The clerk read the resolution by caption; Alderman McKenzie made the motion to adopt Resolution 24-2025 and Alderman Whalen seconded. The council recorded votes of yes from Alderman McKenzie, yes from Alderman Whalen and yes from the presiding official, with Alderman Dent voting no. The motion carried.

The resolution grants the mayor flexibility to sign documents necessary to advance the donation and related agreements, allowing staff and the housing authority to proceed with final application materials and site work discussions. The council did not open a public hearing at the special meeting but staff invited residents to submit questions by phone or email for follow-up.

Next steps: staff said they will continue coordination with the housing authority and the developer to finalize technical plans and to prepare the MHDC application before the stated deadline. If state funding is not awarded this round, Hartle said he will seek feedback from MHDC and reapply in a subsequent cycle.