Arcadia Board okays low-cost housing proposal
By Joe Van Haelst

Chris Karsten of the Wayne County ARC requested approval of a pilot plan for the construction of 25 units of low-cost housing, in the old Roosevelt School building. The property has already been approved by the zoning board for this use and the ARC would pay $7000 per year in place of taxes for 20 years.

The housing would benefit developmentally disabled individuals in a minimum of 13 apartments; other tenants would be low-income individuals and families. The property is currently off the village tax rolls. Twenty-four-hour supervision would be in place to assist in the care of the disabled and would be run by the ARC.

The Town Board approved the plan 4 to 1 (Town Councilman Michael DeJohn voted against). It will be sent to the Village of Newark for final approval. Local landlord and developer Rod Graybill discussed with board members the dilemma of existing empty apartments. According to Graybill, more than 100 units are currently available for rent.

Karsten reminded the board that no taxes were currently being paid on the property and that it had been in a real estate agent's hands for several years. There were no takers for the property at the $47,000 asking price. He added that the need for housing for disabled people exists. Karsten also reported that the Federal Home Loan Bank had awarded a one-time grant of $350,000 to aid in the renovations and to help lower rents to the disabled.

The entire cost of this project would be about $1.4 million.

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