GRANTS AWARDED More than $100K in grants were awarded by South Central Iowa Community Foundation (SCICF) to go toward charitable causes in Union County. Who received these grants? Find out on page 12A.
ONE-HITTER
Creston senior Nate Haley tosses a onehitter in resumed game against Clarinda Wednesday. Read more about the Panthers victory in SPORTS, page 7A.
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THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014
WORK IN PROGRESS
TIMELINE of EVENTS • In January, Atlantic private developer Don Sonntag — who has built more than 175 condominium units in the Atlantic area — made a presentation to Creston City Council proposing to build at least 14 condominium units in the Cottonwood Subdivision.
■ Iowa Department of Economic Development approved the city’s waiver request to lower the LMI rate for the proposed Cottonwood Subdivision project from 43 to 28 percent.
He proposed two options. They included a 1,229-square-foot condominium on a slab with two bedrooms, two baths, large one-car garage with an estimated cost of $149,950. Sonntag said a second garage can be added to this floor plan for about $12,000.
on population — is different for every county in Iowa. The reduction to 28 percent is good news for taxpayers because more of the tax revenue generated from condominium properties in the Cottonwood Subdivision could go directly toward paying off the debt service for the condo project. (Read more about the proposed condo project, right) The city is currently working with Sonntag to find locations in Creston — away from Cottonwood Subdivision — to build low-to-moderate income housing using the money that would be set aside. This LMI rate reduction is one of several moving parts for this project as Taylor and city attorneys continue to prepare a proposal with Atlantic private developer Don Sonntag — who wants to build at least 14 condominiums in the Cottonwood Subdivision. “I don’t have a timeline for when the proposal will be ready,” Taylor said. “The
By KYLE WILSON
CNA managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
City officials have waited about three weeks for this news. Mike Taylor, city administrator, told Creston City Council late last week that Iowa Department of Economic Development approved the city’s waiver request to lower the LMI (low-to-moderate income) rate for the proposed Cottonwood Subdivision project. It was reduced from 43 to 28 percent. “When bonding for a project like this the state Taylor requires 43 percent be set aside for LMI projects,” Taylor said. “So, if we borrow $1 million, we were required to put $430,000 aside for low-to-moderate income housing.” That percentage — based
The second option proposed is a 1,459-square-foot condo with two bed- Sonntag rooms, two baths, double car garage and (unfinished) walkout basement. Estimated cost for that floor plan is $259,950. Infrastructure costs for this project — estimated at $750,000 — include sewer, public streets, sanitary, storm sewer, water and grading. The city would pay for the infrastructure costs through bonding. • In February, Tionna Reed Pooler — financial advisor for the city — outlined the financial risks involved with the project being proposed by Sonntag. Her analysis estimated the infrastructure cost involved with this project could increase taxes for each Creston household anywhere from zero to $50 annually for a period of at least 10 years — depending fully on the project’s success. • In March, about 20 Crestonians — city council members, local real estate agents and interested Creston citizens — went on a two and a-half hour bus tour all across Atlantic to view condos built by Sonntag. That day, many on the tour asked Sonntag if he could provide a third pricing option for a 1,459-square-foot condominium on slab that includes two bedrooms, two baths, double car garage in the neighborhood of $190,000 to $200,000. • In April, Sonntag came back with a number of $229,950 for the third pricing option. • In July, the city recieved notification Iowa Department of Economic Development approved the city’s waiver request to lower the LMI (low-to-moderate income) rate for the proposed Cottonwood Subdivision project. The city was also successful in this waiver process in the late 1990s with the James Addition when LMI was reduced from 38 to 25 percent.
Please see CONDO PROJECT, Page 2
SWCC storm drain completion expected July 28 By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
Construction on Southwestern Community College’s storm drain is expected to be completed before August on campus, and construction at Crestmoor Golf Club was completed in June. The storm drain, part of the college’s construction for Spartan Court, leads from the college campus, through Crestmoor’s course, under Highway 25 and
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Copyright 2014
Volume 131 No. 28
CNA associate editor jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
A hostage situation ended in an arrest and no injuries Wednesday morning in Ringgold County. According to a Ringgold County Sheriff report, Randy Longstreath, 51, of Bethany, Mo., was arrested after an hours-long standoff at 2423 County Highway J-55 where his wife, stepson and another adult male were staying. Longstreath gained access to the home and discharged his shotgun, threatening everyone inside, according to the news re■ Randy lease. Longstreath has Ringgold four charges County Sheriff called in support against him from the Iowa including going State Patrol’s armed with Tactical Team A and a crisis negointent. tiator based out of central Iowa. Alex Murphy, a spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol, said before the teams arrived, everyone was able to escape the house safely. The standoff continued for a total of six hours with law enforcement. “Our negotiator spent more than three hours talking to the get the guy out of the house and put down his weapon,” Murphy said. According to the Ringgold County Sheriff report, after Longstreath placed his weapon on the porch, the tactical team moved in and took Longstreath into custody without incident at 4:30 a.m. He was taken to the Ringgold County Hospital where he was evaluated and released to the Ringgold County Jail. Longstreath has been charged with domestic abuse assault, first-degree harassment, firstdegree burglary and going armed with intent. He is being held with no bond while awaiting his initial appearance before the Ringgold County Magistrate.
The 2014 Ringgold County Fair Queen Kaitlyn Klommhaus poses by her 2003 Ringgold County Fair Princess portrait displayed at Ringgold County Fairgrounds Wednesday. Klommhaus, who was escorted by Ryan Parrott and sponsored by Tull Farms, is the daughter of Kevin and Shellie Klommhaus of Mount Ayr. CNA photo by SARAH BROWN
Please see SWCC, Page 2
FRIDAY WEATHER
PRICE 75¢
By JAKE WADDINGHAM
Ringgold County Fair Queen
into Summit Lake. Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, said the project was grouped into the bid for dirtwork. The cost for the bid was approximately $80,000. Spartan Court is expected to be finished in July, with a final walkthrough July 31. Furniture will arrive the first week of August, and students will begin moving in
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Ringgold County hostage situation ends in arrest
2014
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