The recently-completed four-plex on Rice Street in Blue Earth now has four units for sale.

On Dec. 7, the city of Blue Earth and its Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) culminated a years-long project when they listed the units in an HRA-owned four-plex on the corner of Rice and Eighth Streets for sale.

The property’s four individual units were each listed at $249,000. Two units were listed by Olson Nelson, and the other two were listed by RE/MAX Total Realty.

The HRA began its initiative to construct new, affordable housing options in Blue Earth several years ago, after the board updated the city’s housing study in 2019.

“The study identified various housing needs, including twin homes and town homes,” city administrator Mary Kennedy summarizes.

Following the study, apart from constructing the four-plex on Rice Street, the HRA also completed two additional housing projects: a twin home on Bluestem Drive and a twin home on Fourth Street.

“Each design was different to accommodate a different demographic,” Kennedy explains.

The HRA worked with Sq. Konstruction to complete the four-plex project on Rice Street. The resulting product has now added four units of housing to Blue Earth’s housing market.

Now that they are complete, each of the four-plex’s units offer three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a total of 1,040 square feet. Each unit also comes with a single attached garage, back patio, laundry room, appliances, and open-concept floor plan offering plenty of natural light.

Additionally, Kennedy explains that the units are part of a Common Interest Community, meaning that lawn care and snow removal are the responsibility of a ‘community,’ which is similar to an association, with all four unit owners sharing the cost.

Now that the Rice Street four-plex is complete, Kennedy says it is possible that the HRA will continue to research options for building or reconstructing properties in the future.

“Having an available housing market is important for the community,” Kennedy reasons.

She adds, “The HRA has many other incentive programs right now to assist buyers and builders, and they hope to get the word out about those.”

The incentive programs include a tax abatement program for individuals who construct a new home in Blue Earth, vacant lots priced at $1, and free plans and specifications to build a home in Blue Earth.

Kennedy also reports, “The city just lowered the lot price for the remaining lots in the Prairie View Subdivision to $5,000 through June, 2024, with the approval of a development agreement.”

She advocates for the importance of all types of housing in a community – from rental housing to subsidized housing, from housing for low-to-moderate income households to market rate housing.

“Our community needs all types of housing solutions to fit the needs of various residents and potential residents,” Kennedy explains. “Building homes is expensive and the housing life cycle has shifted over the past several decades, leaving communities like Blue Earth, and all around the state and country, in situations where creativity in attracting developers is of utmost importance.”

She concludes, “In addition to attracting developers, it is important that we take a look at how we can break down barriers for renters, encourage and make affordable private new construction, and mitigate any zoning deficiencies that prohibit residential redevelopment.”