Backus working toward housing for seniors

BACKUS -- The Backus City Council voted Monday night to hire an architect to design senior town houses for the city.

Envirotectural Activity of Pierz will develop designs and construction documents, consult with engineers and take the city through construction bidding for $3,500.

This will be the first project the city undertakes in conjunction with the Backus Economic Development Authority, formed in 1999. The EDA will obtain construction bonds to build eight units, with rent repaying those bonds.

Backus voted last July to pay $500 down toward purchasing property and conducted soil tests on the land last fall. Estimated market value for the land is $12,500.

The two-bedroom town homes are expected to rent for about $600 per month. The rent is expected to cover heat, garbage collection and property maintenance services.

Each unit will have a single-car garage and appliances provided.