City breaks ground on new workforce housing project
Work underway with units expected to be available by August 2024; units will be mostly income-eligible
Local dignitaries and business leaders gathered on Thursday, August 3 to ceremonially break ground on the Cedar Ridge Apartment complex on Progressive Ave. just north of Northcentral Technical College.
Construction is currently underway on the complex which will include 40 workforce housing rental units with a combination of income-qualifying and marketrate units as well as a clubhouse and common space.
The city had sold the parcel to Commonwealth Development Corporation to develop the project utilizing tax credits through a program with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). Unlike other income-eligible apartments that have been constructed in the past, once completed the property will be on the city’s tax rolls.
“On behalf of the Medford Development Foundation and the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce, we are excited for this project. Three years ago a group of people came together to look at the housing needs of our area, at that time it was identified that workforce housing was lacking in our community. We thank the city council, the mayor, and city coordinator Joe Harris for all their hard work in making this project happen,” said Billie Hartwig of the Medford Area Development Foundation. “Thank you to Commonwealth for helping fill a hole in our great community. We are happy to be turning the shovel on the Cedar Ridge Development today.”
Earth work for the project is being completed by Melvin Companies. Company representatives noted they are making efforts to utilize local firms as a way to reduce costs, noting that when it comes to site preparation and foundation work local contractors know what the soils are like in the area. They said throughout the project they would be utilizing local and regional subcontractors where possible. The project is expected to be completed by August 2024 with pre-leasing to begin in spring 2024.
