Alexander Baker Building renovations discussed

David Salene of David Salene Inc. is a private consultant based out of the Twin Cities who has worked for Citizens for Backus for more than two years. Salene presented information and a survey regarding possible renovation plans and options during a meeting Monday.

According to Salene, the purpose of the meeting and survey was for the Citizens of Backus Board, who are taking the reins on the project, to determine if there was enough community interest to move the process forward.

When Salene asked the group how many were thinking of looking into some type of senior housing in the near future, almost everyone raised their hand.

“Right there shows me there could be interest,” he said.

The idea to turn the AB Building into apartments has been in the works for several years.

“The community of International Falls has had interest in making this building into an apartment complex for quite some time,” Salene explained.

When decisions were being made how to further develop the Backus complex, Salene said the adjacent AB Building was placed on the back burner and wasn’t involved in that process.

“The third floor of Backus has been remodeled and now has two long-term, commercial tenants and there is vacancy for one more and we’d love to fill that space,” Salene said. “The Backus building is truly becoming a community gathering space and I think it is a great thing.”

Once renovations were successfully completed at Backus, attention turned to the redevelopment of the AB Building.

“It has a lot of needs to make it a livable, usable building,” Salene said.

Salene and the board came together to think of what the best use of the historical building would be. He said raw assumptions have been made to pursue the apartment complex idea.

“The size of the building limits the number of units we would be able to create,” Salene said. “An architectural team, a mechanical team and an environmental team went through the building and they defined a budget of $11 million.”

Salene was quick to note there are several variables that can alter the budget.

“This project is going to need outside money because it can only support so much,” Salene said. “The tone right now with it being a rental project, is that we can get some grant money to help fund — should it move forward.”

LeRoy Winkel asked if the units would be rentals only or if a condominium option had been considered.

Salene said the proposed 16-20 units would be only rentals and some kind of annual contract would be established.

A number of organizations have expressed interest in making the first floor of the AB Building a daycare facility. Salene said should the daycare fall through and the rest of the project move forward, about 10 additional units would be considered.

Salene explained that the concept of the apartment complex would be more geared towards the senior community, “but there is not any form of restriction that says it would be seniors only.”

“Some people don’t like that concept, some people do,” he added. “There is no rule that says it would only be available to seniors.”

The two-and-a-half page survey has questions about an individual’s current living situation, if they are ready to move, if they would need housing that allowed pets, if sheltered parking would be desired and other general questions about the potential facility.

Salene said he hopes to accomplish two goals from the survey. One is to get input on what people are looking at and thinking of in regards to senior housing. The second goal is to gather a list of people who could have interest in living in the AB Building should the project go through.

“This list would simply be a tool we would use to communicate with people,” he said.

A statement of pricing and square footage of potential units is also included within the survey. A one-bedroom apartment would be approximately 717 to 864 square feet and cost $900-$950 per month to rent. A one-bedroom apartment with a den would be roughly 1,057 to 1,082 square feet for $1,000 to $1,050. A unit with two bedrooms would be 1,171 to 1,223 square feet and cost $1,125 to $1,200 to rent monthly. All rental figures would include utilities, excluding cable television, Internet and telephone services.

“Don’t read these numbers and panic,” Salene told survey takers. “It is a high number. We’re looking for people to tell me ‘you’re crazy, it should be something else.’ This number is simply one that fits with the proposed financial model.”

Salene said feedback on issues like the rent pricing gives board members the ability to take the planning process and make it more complete for definite decisions.

“We want to see this building become some kind of housing,” he said. “But, if it makes no economic sense, we won’t do it.”

Mary Jo Winkel questioned the project’s timeline.

“After we compile the information from two meetings and completed surveys, we will determine if this is a process we want to continue,” Salene explained. “If there is enough interest, then we will start to aggressively look at the feasibility of development. I’d say from the day a decision is made to the day it opens doors, I’d say about a year and a half. But today is the first hard step.”

However, Salene added, he hopes a decision on whether the project will move forward could be determined within 60-90 days.

“In a month, we will hopefully be able to discern whether there would be enough support or not.”

An architectural rendering was on display to give people an idea of what the exterior of the apartment complex could look like, should the project be pursued.

“It is not an absolute or finished design,” stressed Salene. “It just gives a sense of what we’re trying to achieve long term.”

Salene squashed rumors that other companies were vying for a chance to renovate the AB Building.

“There was a company looking at the historical structure a few years ago, but that did not prevail,” he said.

Other comments, which Salene referred to as “picky” questions, appeared to indicate interest among those at the meeting to move forward with the project.

The questions, to name a few, focused on what finished units would look like, what appliances would be included and how long guests could stay.

“I most certainly take the picky questions as an interest,” Salene said. “I take the little detailed questions as a very strong positive.”

Surveys can still be filled out and comments are still welcome, Salene concluded. Anyone interested in filling out a survey can access one online at www.backusab.org or call Ward Merrill or Hoa Sobczynski at Backus at 285-7225.