Sauk Prairie School District and developers to build affordable housing with vast new project

The Sauk Prairie School District announced at their meeting Monday the largest investment in housing in Sauk Prairie history: an ambitious housing development for district-owned land south of Sauk Prairie Hospital. It is a $71 million dollar investment from three developers that will greatly expand affordable housing and provide childcare facilities. There will be six buildings of 15 to 20 apartments each, with a shared childcare center. The developers have agreed to keep rent rates below market value for ten years. There will also be five buildings with 30 to 40 luxury apartments, with both a pool and a clubhouse. In addition, there will be 30 2-unit owner occupied condos. Superintendent Jeff Wright, in his presentation, noted that they hoped older folks in the community would downsize into these condos, opening up larger houses for new families. The finished project may also include an independent senior living building if the right partner can be found. The target date for the project is 2026. The District will sell the land for $2.2 million; $1.5 million due on purchase and $700,000 repaid over time. Part of the proceeds from the land sale will be put in a fund for future district land expansion needs. Wright said as part of the agreement with the developers the district will get two apartment units for free—just having to pay utilities. He said the district can use these units to house their visiting Mandarin teacher next year, for example, or to help a late hire find a place to live temporarily while searching for housing. 2-bedroom apartments will cost $1,200 a month for rent, a price that Wright said an “entry level educator [at Sauk Prairie School District] can afford.” Wright said in meeting with the developers and Realtor Tracy Thompson, they created a design where they could meet Sauk Prairie’s affordable housing needs. “We didn’t want the land to sit vacant,” said Wright. The school board will vote to approve the land sale at their next meeting.