STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A 2019 housing study shows almost 500 rental apartments are needed in Door County. A new development discussed during Wednesday’s plan commission for the City of Sturgeon Bay may help ease the problem.
When it comes to the housing shortage in Sturgeon Bay— employers say the shortage is leaving their employees in less than ideal living situations.
“In recent conversations we had an x-ray tech living in storage shed, said CEO of Door County Medical Center, Brian Stephens. “An in-patient nurse living in back of yoga studio because it has a kitchen and a shower.”
To address concerns, Northpointe Development, an Oshkosh-based group, is proposing a four-story, 53 unit building on the west part of the City near the water.
A mix of one and two bedrooms, to be rented at market rate. According to the 2019 housing study, market rate for a one bedroom in Sturgeon Bay could range from about $700-$1,000.
Mariah Goode with Door County’s Land Use Services Department says market rate housing is only a fraction of what the whole County needs.
“We need everything. We need rental, we need multifamily. We need year-round. We need seasonal. We need housing for seniors. We need apartments. We need starter homes for people to buy.”
The concerns of also still needing affordable housing were raised by a committee member. Which the developers say they do have interest in building in Sturgeon Bay.
Currently, the City has more than eight affordable housing units being built in the now closed West Side School.
“Our goal is to build additional affordable housing in your community,” said Andy Dumke, with Northpointe Development. “We don’t like to come in and do one project. Our hope is to have an additional 100 units in sturgeon bay and majority affordable housing.”
The Plan Commission also discussed an expansion of ten more townhomes to Maritime Heights, an already existing development in Sturgeon Bay. Rent would be just below market rate. The lot for expansion is currently a parking lot for Sunset School.
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