Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Scott McDaniel, Center, cuts the ribbon to the completed Canterbury Estates apartments in Sidney. The housing units are designed for residents with disabilities. The project was funded with local, state and federal sources.
The arctic winds didn't stop the celebration as state and local officials and recent residents came together to celebrate the completion of Canterbury Estates.
"This is a project that started about six years ago," said Scott McDaniel, Sidney Housing Authority Board member after the ribbon cutting.
In November 2018, officials broke ground on the project, announcing six two-bedroom and four one-bedroom units to be built specifically for residents with disabilities. McDaniel said Wednesday the project is a result of city planners seeing the need and facing the long process of fundraising and designing.
The project was completed at a cost of a little more than $2 million.
The Housing Authority successfully accessed federal funding, administered through the State of Nebraska, to assist with the project. With initial construction bids coming in higher than anticipated, developer Canterbury Estates and Housing Authority officials worked with partners to secure added funds through the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
HTF - a federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program administered on behalf of Nebraska by DED - is available to Nebraska nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities to provide housing for low-income individuals and families.
The apartments are designed with an open-air feeling. The front door opens to the living room and the kitchen behind it, with bedroom(s) utility room and bathroom to the side. Bathrooms are designed with walk-in showers and the utility room has a front-loading washer and dryer. Residents are also presented with trash removal, paid renters insurance and passes to the Stage Coach bus service.
The exterior design of the units compliments the neighborhood with similar architecture of the nearby apartments.
Sidney Mayor Roger Gallaway commended the housing authority board for its dedication in seeing the project to completion. He said the project began during a period when the Sidney community was struggling, and to see the project completed tells the dedication of the board.
"We're really happy to see this project come to life," said Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Hope Fenney.
Kristi McClung Western Housing Consultant for the governor's Economic Development office, was also present at the ribbon cutting Wednesday. She said the project was funded to assist low income residents and residents with disabilities.
"It's been a pleasure," said Rick Lehl, contractor, Total Quality Maintenance. "The City has been great to work with."
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