City Council passes housing revitalization, annual budget and luxury apartments
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- St. Joseph City Councilmembers renewed funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help with housing revitalization, adopted the 2026-2027 budget and made a decision on a proposed housing project headed to Frederick Avenue.
Second-year submittal of HUD grant and program funds
The City of St. Joseph's Planning and Community Development department will submit its Second-Year Annual Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Program Funds to HUD.
The Second Year Annual Plan is the year two action plan that addresses the housing and economic, social and civic needs of primarily low and moderate-income residents identified in the Community Partnership Strategy and Consolidated Plan.
The City is submitting the budget based on the prior year CDBG entitlement allocation of $1,461,211 and HOME Investment Partnership Program fund allocation of $371,994.89 awarded by HUD last June.
Approximately $401,704 went to 13 local programs for public service activities:
- Community Missions Emergency Shelter- $100,00
- Bartlett Center- $18,869
- Samaritan Counseling Center- $20,486
- Voices of Courage- $20,486
- Social Welfare Board Dental Program- $66,807
- United Cerebral Palsy- $12,399
- YWCA- $54,405
- Community Missions Juda House- $20,486
- Pivotal Point- $24,536
- AFL-CIO Community Services- $12,399
- Second Harvest Community Food Bank- $20,486
- Sisters of Solace- $13,039
- Youth Alliance- $17,296
$1,494,140 total went toward in-house programs. Around $1,192,598 of that total went toward rehabilitation projects, emergency assistance grants and public housing improvements and administration and oversight programs; $301,542 for a demolition program and $100,000 for economic job creation.
$351,994.89 in HOME Funds went toward funding for new construction projects and rehabilitation of existing housing units. $20,000 will provide administration costs related to the HOME program.
The City will request around the same amount for FY26/27, around $1,494,139 for in-house programs. For HOME Funds, the City is looking to request $371,994.89 for allocation.
Adopted Annual Budget sees $33K decrease compared to Proposed Annual Budget
Councilmembers adopted the City's potential Annual Budget for FY26-27. Compared to the proposed Annual Budget, an almost $33,000 decrease is noted in the budget councilmembers reviewed.
The proposed budget totaled $208,433,267, while the adopted budget totals $208,400,447.
Changes include a $25,000 increase to the City Manager for the community survey, a $20,000 increase to Computer Network Operations to fund rotating computer refresh needs, $23,111 increase to Building Development for additional salaries and benefits.
A $3,300 increase was added to the Administration budget for postage and a $1,300 increase went to Fire Maintenance.
The Parks Department saw a $49,409 decrease for the reduction in the subsidy to the Golf Fund for part-time wage adjustments.
The riverboat Gaming initiatives fund saw a $7,213 decrease in Gaming services for a benefit adjustment to the Security Guard position.
City revenue bonds to help finance luxury apartment project on Frederick Avenue
Council approved a resolution aimed at issuing the City's Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, which would finance luxury apartments at 3502 Frederick Ave.
The historic site was recently used as an old school building, and before that, it was part of the Missouri State hospital system.
Woodsobn Development Group, LLC looks to renovate the building to create an estimated $11 million luxury apartment complex, The Woodson- Luxury Apartments, with a total of 91 units.
The building is currently being gutted and the development group has secured Missouri brownfields tax credits and federal and state historic credits to help with financing the conversion of the building.
The proposed issuance of the City’s Chapter 100 Bonds is being offered to the Company to provide sales tax exemption on construction-related materials and to provide real property tax abatement on the increased value of the property as a result of the complete renovation of the building into luxury apartments.
The Resolution reflects the City’s intent to issue the Chapter 100 Bonds in an amount not to
exceed $12 million at a later date.
