(Atlantic) The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors met with Vision Atlantic representatives at the site of the new Camblin Hills housing development this morning.
Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President, pointed out that contractors are currently working on pouring slabs for the ten tiny homes that will be built this year.
There will be smaller single-family homes ranging from 1,200 to 1,300 sq ft on the main level, each with a two-car garage and an unfinished basement. A public park will be included in the development, and a Child Development Center will be located on the northwest corner. A walking and biking trail will wind throughout the entire community. Construction on some of the condominiums is also underway. Additionally, there will be lots available for purchase, allowing individuals to build their own homes. Larger, custom homes ranging from 1,800 to 1,900 sq ft on the main level, with a three-car garage and an unfinished basement, will also be featured. In the far northeast corner, during the second year of the housing development, three-story townhomes will be built.
This year, Bateman said they are putting up 48 total units, ten being the tiny homes and the other 38 will be for sale.
Bateman stated that all construction documents for the Child Development Center and YMCA expansion are complete, and everything is ready for bidding. She explained that they are currently waiting on funding, as they continue to raise the $39 million. Since contributors can make pledges over three to five years and the full amount isn’t yet available, they will need gap financing through the USDA to move forward with construction.
Currently $27-million in pledges and donations have been made toward the Child Development Center and YMCA expansion projects, with $4 million to be raised to implement the Lakin Foundation’s $8.6 million grant. Donations of any amount are welcome. To learn more on different ways you can support the project, visit visionatlantic.org.
Bateman also addressed the $8,000 fine from the DNR for stormwater runoff violations. She explained that the detention basin temporarily captures stormwater and slowly releases it into Bull Creek. However, there was an intake with a hole in it, which allowed some stormwater runoff to flow directly into Bull Creek. Since the runoff contained dirt, this was considered a violation. Vision Atlantic paid the resulting fine, but Bateman wanted to clear up some rumors surrounding the incident.
