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Rosewood Estates, LLC
Box Butte Development
Corporation (BBDC) saw a housing need in Alliance.
There were houses on the market, but some of them were
not what the workforce wanted. They either wanted new
houses, or they wanted the larger, older homes. Some of
the larger, older homes that were desirable are still
occupied by long-term owners who are aging. BBDC’s
Executive Director, John Olafson, was at a Nebraska
Department of Economic Development briefing where
housing was being discussed. Excel Development Group
was also present. John spoke with one of the
representatives, Pamela Forster, discussing housing in
Alliance and the possibilities of Excel Development
coming to build in Alliance.
From
the conversations between John and
Pamela, a growing partnership was formed. Pamela
brought some information to Alliance about their
programs. This information was presented to the City
Manager, Pam Caskie. After some discussion, a
moderate-income senior housing project was proposed.
This would give the seniors a new, one-level duplex to
rent and free up some of the larger, older homes for
resale. It would have an impact on several facets of
the housing market in Alliance.
Excel Development
Group proposed a two-phase senior housing project that
would provide new, one-level,
maintenance free duplexes for residents 55 years old and
older. This project will begin with 18 units, or nine
duplexes. Sixteen of the units will be two bedroom
units, with two being three bedroom units with attached
garages. The Alliance Housing Authority was brought in
as a partner with Excel to oversee the project and
manage the rentals. A maintenance person will be
provided to Rosewood Estates so that there will be no
maintenance or ground work being done by the residents.
A community building
will be included in the Rosewood Estates area. This
will provide a central location for the residents to
meet or to use for family functions. Area organizations
have donated items to the project, such as volunteer
labor from the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
(RSVP), the city with electric upgrades and waiving
permit fees, the Alliance Housing Authority for part of
the housing study and fees, Excel for part of the
housing study, fees and attorney fees, and BBDC for
equipment for the community building.
Funding came from
private investment through Midwest Equity Group and
public funding through NIFA, NEDED HOME funds and
FHLBank of Topeka for the Rosewood Estates project
through Excel Development Group.
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