Groundbreaking Held for Affordable Housing Apartment Project

North 14th Avenue south of Georgia Street was lined up with vehicles late in the morning of Sept. 9 when a formal groundbreaking ceremony took place for The Avenue, a new affordable housing development being built southwest of the intersection.  

Developer Brian Spoerl of Spoerl Commercial has started excavation work on the first phase, a three-story, 39-unit apartment building. The project received low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), and the city approved a development agreement that provides tax-increment financing incentives through Tax Incremental District (TID) #6.

Spoerl, who was able to purchase a city-owned lot for $100 as part of the building site, thanked Sturgeon Bay officials for their efforts in making the project possible...

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Leo's notes: In a market shaped by tourism, seasonal demand and high housing costs, adding year-round rental options is critical to ensuring that the people who sustain local businesses and services can also live in the communities where they work. Next step is to create affordable homes for purchasing.