MANSFIELD, Ohio–John Conglose of J.B. Conglose & Associates, LLC hopes to maintain the momentum for the proposed Mansfield Armory Project. Thursday, he met with the county commissioners to discuss the proposal in the hope of gaining their support.
The $10 million project would involve renovating the former U.S. Army Reserve Center Armory building, located at 271 Hedges St., to be used as housing for homeless people. One to three-bedroom townhouses would also be constructed near the building as part of the project. The houses would be rented to moderate and low income working people, as well as those who are transitioning out of homelessness.
Earlier this month, Conglose met with residents of the local neighborhood and the Mansfield City Council on separate occasions. He noted that Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker and Mansfield’s Economic Development Director Tim Bowersock have already submitted letters of support and that the local neighborhood is also in favor of the project.
He asked that the commissioners also submit a letter of support, stating that local support could better the chances of obtaining tax credit to finance the project. The Ohio Housing Finance Authority reviews whether or not the tax credits should be issued. The state agency receives up to 130 applications for tax credit projects annually, but approves only about 30, he said.
“If we don’t get the tax credit, it’s not going to work,” Conglose said of the project.
Conglose said the preliminary application for the tax credit must be in by Feb. 20, 2015 and then a final proposal by Aug. 20. If all goes well, the housing will be ready to occupy by the fall 2016 with full occupancy by winter of 2017.
The project would not, however, be entirely covered by tax credit.
Recalling a previous conversation that Commissioner Gary Utt had with Tony Delong, executive director at Richland County Veterans Service Commission, Utt said grant monies would be available if the project were to benefit veterans.
Conglose noted, “We intend to apply for those funds. When we first started doing our marketing, we found out that there was a significant number of veterans that were homeless and need assistance in the area, so the development we’re proposing is targeted towards low and moderate, but it’s also targeted to veterans.”
The armory building is currently owned by Mary McLeod-Bethune Intervention and Enrichment (MBIE). Conglose said MBIE and Trek Development Group out of Pittsburgh, PA would partner together to serve people of Richland County.
Conglose said of Trek, “They get involved in working with various supportive services agencies and helping them carry out their missions related to housing, and they have a pretty significant track record in western Pennsylvania and central Pennsylvania.”
He noted, “They approached me because they want to enter the Ohio market,” adding, “They liked the Mansfield area because some of the dynamics here are very similar to the communities that they work in. Also, geographically, as you know, it’s halfway between Cleveland and Columbus. This was a good starting point.”
Conglose said that Trek would manage the complex and MBIE would continue to run some of its current programs and collaborate with other agencies to help the tenants get back on their feet and into permanent housing.
After 15-30 years, MBIE would have the opportunity to purchase the property back, if they so desire.
Commissioners Utt and Tim Wert expressed concern in maintaining the management of the complex. Conglose noted that Trek has participated in about 65 similar projects, “And you can see that they don’t disappear. They fully intend to have a presence here in the community. And as I mentioned before, there will be a fulltime manager on the property.”
Another concern was whether or not the housing would be occupied by people from throughout the state. Conglose replied, “If you delve into the mission of MBIE, they are to serve the citizens of Richland County…The city of Mansfield alone will probably fill this.”
“We found out that there was a significant number of veterans that were homeless and need assistance in the area, so the development we’re proposing is targeted towards low and moderate, but it’s also targeted to veterans,” stated John Conglose.
