City set to annex trailer park land for senior housing

The City of Port Washington was expected to grow by 2.3 acres Tuesday night.

That’s because the Common Council was expected to annex a former trailer park it owns on South Spring Street.

The former trailer park, which is in the Town of Port Washington, is expected to be sold to Horizon Development Group, which wants to construct a 40-unit, three story apartment building for people ages 55 and older on the land.

The city acquired the former trailer park in 2007 and has been seeking a buyer since then, but interest has been negligible because electrical high lines cross the land, there are railroad tracks on the east side of the lot and the neighboring trailer park are seen by potential developers as a detriment.

But the fact that the parcel is less than a mile from the senior center and downtown Port is a plus for Horizon, which cited that as a reason it decided to pursue the project.

The senior housing facility, which would be worth an estimated $2.8 million when completed, would include underground parking, a clubroom with a kitchen, outdoor patio, fitness center, storage lockers and secure entries.

Tenants would be required to meet age and income qualifications, he said, adding that the one-bedroom units would rent for between $365 and $845 a month and the two-bedroom units for $761 to $1,000.

But the development would also require creation of a pay-as-you-go tax incremental financing district where the developer, not the city, would pay the cost of development upfront and be repaid a portion of the money through increased taxes on the land.

Horizon, which is pursuing tax credits for the development, has received the initial approvals it needs to continue pursuing the project, City Administrator Mark Grams said.

The firm has said it could begin construction in spring 2020 with completion of the project in spring 2021.