Dear editor,
The Iola Planning Commission met Jan. 18 to consider rezoning to allow construction of 51 new apartments at the old Arkhaven site. I attended and spoke but I was unprepared. My apologies to the committee and those attending.
Iola would gain so much with the new apartments. The biggest thing that has been mentioned is homes for workers in our industries. That’s extremely important. Our first priority at Iola Industries is to keep the industries that we already have. Our industries need workers and those workers need places to live.
There are also many other positive aspects to consider if the apartments were built. Let’s assume we’ll get 10 new kids for our schools. The base state aid per student this year is $4,706. With our weightings — at-risk populations of students, vocational courses, etc. — the aid is actually figured for budgetary purposes as $7,153 on average. Think of that amount times 10 kids times 10 years. That number is $715,300 just for our schools. We might not get 10 new kids, in fact the chances are we’ll get even more.
Every apartment will house folks that will buy groceries, eat at our restaurants, buy gasoline, buy clothing, go to the movies, go to the Bowlus, etc. As a lifelong small town merchant, I know the benefits these apartments would bring to our retail community. Additional sales tax revenue to Iola and Allen County should also be considered.
I realize that everyone who moves there may not be new to our community, but surely some of them will be.
The developers estimate a sizable investment and they will pay property taxes on that investment — also new money to local coffers.
There is no guarantee that any new homes would be built there if the apartment complex is not approved.
New houses aren’t being built elsewhere in town despite the fact many available lots exist.
The builder said the rents will be $450 for one-bedrooms and $650 for the two-bedroom units.
Since the Iola Register reported that I spoke in favor of the rezoning, I have been contacted by numerous people who support the new apartment project. If you are someone who favors the new apartments, please speak up. Call or email council members and tell them you want the property rezoned to multi-family use, write a letter to the Register, go to the 6 p.m. meeting on Feb. 14 at Riverside Park. Don’t sit back and think “someone” else will do it. You don’t have to write a long letter, just write one that says you want the city council to approve the rezoning. Your voice can make a difference.
Mary Kay Heard,
Chairman of the Board,
Iola Industries
