GLADSTONE — Two representatives of Gladstone’s Housing Commission attended the Gladstone City Commission meeting on Monday and invited commissioners to see for themselves the condition of Fairview Manor — a low-income housing facility — at later dates.

The Housing Commission is a government-subsidized body. Unlike governmental divisions like the Department of Public Works or the Electric Department, it does not operate under the City Commission; instead, it governs itself and usually does not require the approval of the City Commission to carry out its decisions, although the City Commission does appoint its board.

However, a measure the housing commission is suggesting — the demolition and reconstruction of Fairview Manor — would require consultation with local government and a letter of support from the mayor, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Housing Commission has referenced HUD’s Section 18, which establishes guidelines for demolishing and disposing of public housing structures, and Section 202, which could potentially provide funding for the development of supportive housing for very low-income persons at least 62 years of age — if qualifications are met.

In November of 2018, U.P. Engineers and Architects (UPEA) inspected Fairview. The report they produced included observations about the repeatedly-flooded basement of the late-1960s building, most notably that water flows into the sump continuously, at a rate of 27 gallons per minute (38,880 gallons per day) on an average day.

“It is apparent that the water table elevation is higher than the basement floor slab elevation,” the UPEA report read.

Since boilers and electrical breakers are located in the basement, UPEA recommended taking measures to protect them and prevent further deterioration, including reinforcing the masonry columns, encasing the boiler area behind a watertight partial wall two-and-a-half to three feet tall, and coating the walls with waterproofing paint. They noted that work may be cost-prohibitive.

Also in 2018, the housing commission went through another HUD program to revamp the other property it manages. Following its conversion, the former Bayview Manor is now Waterview Apartments. According to a letter from Housing Commission Board President Paula Waege dated Sept. 4, 2024, Fairview could not meet the same qualifications and is still in need of a solution.

In August of 2024, Architects Group Limited produced a “needs assessment” outlining a lot of work that could be done to modernize the building, which came with a $6 million estimate. Some of those items were suggested for tenant safety, while other line items like the removal of planter boxes and replacement of exterior lighting were for reasons such as lack of use, for more modern appearance, and for energy efficiency.

Upon hearing that the Housing Commission was seeking to tear down Fairview Manor, City Manager Eric Buckman issued a letter to the Housing Commission and its executive director, Michael Lindahl, requesting “a presentation to the City Commission with your reasoning and possible options.”

Lindahl and the Vice President of the Housing Commission Joseph Maki came to the Nov. 25 meeting.

“What I’m going to propose to the City Commission is that each member of the City Commission get ahold of me, and I give you a tour of (Fairview Manor) and let you come to your own conclusions about what you think about the facility,” Maki said from the podium Monday evening.

“I will show you some engineers’ … estimates of what it would take to invest in that building, and some alternatives for better expenditure of public money and how we can go about achieving that without disrupting the lives of the people who live in the facility, because they’re pretty upset by the fact that this building is getting beyond its useful life. That’s their home,” Maki said.

Lindahl started by saying that he’d entered his role in 2009, “and if I would have been taken into the basement of that building, I would never have accepted the job. My first day of work, I went downstairs and I heard a river, and it was flowing, and nobody had done anything about it.” He said they’d tried several measures since, “but that place should have never had a basement.”

The Daily Press has reached out to the Housing Commission and hopes to tour Fairview Manor and find out what ideas they may have for its razing and rebuilding, plus the rehoming of the residents of the 50-unit building.

“What we’re talking about isn’t a closure immediately,” Lindahl clarified. “This is something that we’re looking at well down the road.”

Also at Monday’s City Commission meeting:

-A letter of resignation from 90-year-old Planning Commissioner Alger Strom was “accepted with regret,” as Commissioner Brad Mantela worded it in his motion. Strom had served on the commission for 24 years, and Community Development Director and Zoning Administrator Renee Barron said that his perspective was always appreciated, as was his ability to diffuse situations with citizens.

– An updated letter of agreement with the local union IBEW 906 was approved to reflect new employment law prohibiting public sector agreements requiring union membership as a condition of employment.

– Following a need stated by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to repair and replace sewer lines, Gladstone accepted a proposal for professional services from C2AE for $957,150. The city had already been approved for funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the project earlier this year.

– Draw #28 for the wastewater treatment plant improvement project — a payment of $337,200 to Staab Construction — was accepted. A change order was also approved, to the fiscal effect of increasing the contract price by $33,868. In an update, Wastewater Superintendent Rodney Schwartz said that the project is close to being finalized, but that they’re still waiting on a couple of pumps. 40% of the contingency costs have been utilized.

– Outstanding liens property owners may have — whether they be for unpaid utility fees, tickets for code violations or the like — will be applied onto their winter 2024 tax bills.