Prairie Hills going up by Garden Hills

A new upscale apartment complex featuring independent as well as assisted-living units is being built near Garden Hills in northeast Jamestown.

Unlike Garden Hills, Prairie Hills will be rented at market rates, said Marvin Brown, a Montana-based developer, meaning rents will be akin to similar apartment units in town. Brown was also the developer on the moderate-income-based apartment complex Garden Hills. He said Prairie Hills will be more comparable to the Meadows.

“The only connection between the two will be the same manager,” Brown said. “And we may cross over with some services.”

The three-story building will feature mostly two- and three-bedroom units, with just a couple of one-bedroom units. Units have patio or balcony decks, center island kitchens and walk-in closets, Brown said. The facility will also house an exercise facility and a community room. Plus, all the apartment units will have one- or two-car garages with some extra storage facilities.

“This is going to be first class,” he said.

So far, construction has been slow as the site has been plagued with rain water and drainage problems. Brown said a massive amount of dirt had to be brought in to raise the lot.

“Our target date was the first of June,” Brown said. “We were hoping to be a long ways along by now, but we had to address a number of issues. We’re still hoping to be enclosed by winter.”

The building will house 20 assisted-living units, offering a variety of services tenants can access. The assisted living facility will follow state regulations for providing services.

“We’ll contract with a company and they’ll offer different things,” he said. “The cost will depend on what services the tenants need.”

Prairie Hills will be flexible on its 17 independent living quarters, utilizing them as assisted living if necessary, Brown said. Tenants will be able to access services as they are needed.

The City Council approved a 60 percent property tax exemption from 2010 to 2014 on the assisted-living units, said Jeff Fuchs, city administrator. Then, for the following five years the exemption will be reduced on a graduated scale. Fuchs said there is no exemption on the independent living units.

Garden Hills has been highly successful, Brown said, with a waiting list.

“In the two years since it opened we haven’t had a vacancy,” he said. “In fact, I could use 20 more units. Garden Hills has been so successful that I’m considering another moderate-income facility.”

Garden Hills faced a lot of controversy on the City Council when the developers requested a tax exemption for the project. Brown said that’s why he’s hesitating on another such facility.

Other than that experience, Brown said, he’s been pleased with the cooperation he’s gotten, especially from city staff.

“The people we’ve worked with in Jamestown have been very good to us,” he said. “And hopefully we’re providing a service people there need.”

Sun reporter Toni Pirkl can be reached at (701) 952-8453 or by e-mail at tonip@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local business, prarie hills, garden hills, business, apartments