On Thursday, September 26th, the Minnesota Housing Commission approved a $2,950,000 Workforce Housing Development grant to the City of Wabasha for a 50-unit market-rate apartment building in downtown Wabasha. This was key funding that was needed to move the project forward on a $12,333,100 development project.
The purpose of the grant program was to help small to mid-sized cities with proven job growth and demand for workforce rental housing, to build market rate residential rental properties (www.mnhousing.gov).
“Wabasha was competitive as we were able to show, through a housing study we completed last year, a strong, unmet demand for housing in Wabasha in order to meet the needs of our workforce,” said Caroline Gregerson, City Administrator for the City of Wabasha.
The City of Wabasha and its Port Authority selected Keller-Baartman Properties LLC, of Red Wing, to be its development partner on a city-owned site. The site is located at the intersection of Alleghany Avenue and Second Street, steps away from Wabasha’s historic Main Street and the many amenities of downtown including the Mississippi River, public library, and many local businesses, including the National Eagle Center. Wabasha’s project was selected out of a state-wide competitive process, with 48 applications from across the state.
It is part of a larger strategy begun by the Wabasha Port Authority and the Wabasha Area Team for Community Housing (WATCH) two years ago to look at ways to create more housing in Wabasha. To learn more about WATCH and how to get involved, click here.
“We are really pleased to have secured this grant. The Port Authority has recognized for a long time that there is a huge need for housing here. With the expected high-end finishes and downtown location, this is going to be a great project to attract new residents Wabasha,” said John Friedmeyer, the Wabasha Port Authority President.
The apartment building will be a four-story building, with studios, one, two, and three-bedroom units, an exercise room, a community room, and 38 underground parking stalls. The project will be under construction next year, with apartments expected to begin leasing at the end of 2026.
“This is a great location and beautiful community, and we are very excited to be moving ahead with this project,” stated Robert Keller, from Keller-Baartman Properties.
Want to know more about the project or have questions? Please click here to see updated FAQ sheet: Frequently Asked Questions Apartment Project
