CLINTON, Iowa – The historic Wilson Building in downtown Clinton is almost ready for its next chapter.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house have been planned for noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 20, for the updated building, now called Wilson Lofts, located at 217 Fifth Ave., South. The event is open to the public. The ceremonial ribbon will be cut at noon.
The updated Wilson Building features ground floor commercial space, and 33 apartments on the upper floors. The project took about 10 years from concept to completion, and cost $15.6 million.
“Through the commitment of our board of directors and many partners, I am proud to announce the ribbon cutting and grand opening date for the Wilson Lofts,” said Brian Hollenback, president and CEO of Economic Growth Corp. (GROWTH), the Rock Island-based non-profit organization behind the Wilson project.
“Through a global pandemic, supply chain shortages, and so many other challenges, the road to completion has had many bumps. But those challenges have only served to push our team even harder to get us to the finish line. We believe the Wilson Lofts is something the entire community can be proud of,” he said in a news release.
Mr. Hollenback added: “For over nine years, I, along with the entire GROWTH team, have put our entire hearts into the Wilson Lofts. I cannot thank everyone enough for their commitment, and to our board, past and present, who over the course of many years made brave, bold decisions to see this catalytic project through. This is a celebration for everyone.”
GROWTH’s team members involved include: Cindy Berg, chief financial officer; Andrew Fisher, construction director; Carey Jorgensen, director of property management for GROWTH and Home Base Property Management, LLC; and Beth Payne, senior vice president. Mr. Hollenback, the organization’s president and CEO, oversaw the project from concept in late 2013 to its completion in 2023.
The development team for Wilson Lofts includes:
- Economic Growth Corporation, developer.
- Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, legal.
- RDG Planning & Design, architect.
- Bush Construction, general contractor.
- Home Base Property Management, LLC, property manager.
The Wilson project was initially expected to be complete last summer. But that date was pushed back by supply chain issues.
The former offices in the Wilson Building’s upper stories have been transformed into 33 new residential apartments ranging from two-story, townhome type apartments to lofts from 975 to 1,275 square feet, and one- and two-bedroom rental units from 483 to 1,224 square feet. In addition, 26 units are designated at market rate, and seven units are designated as workforce housing for those earning 80% of the area median income. Rents range from $800 to $1,375 a month.
The ground floor commercial space was redeveloped into two different uses. The front half facing Fifth Avenue South was converted into two business incubators: the Clinton Culinary, a kitchen incubator providing incubator spaces for start-up culinary businesses; and Makers on 5th, a new retail/business incubator designed to help start-up retailers and entrepreneurs. The rear half facing Sixth Avenue South was redeveloped into seven townhome-type apartments with their own individual entrances.
Wilson Lofts has a waiting list exceeding 100 potential residents interested in being the first to call it home. Home Base Property Management, LLC, Wilson Lofts’ property management company, is currently accepting applicants for its wait list for an April 2023 move in.
To begin the process, individuals can complete a pre-application by visiting www.Wilson-Lofts.com or www.HomeBasePM.com and click “apply now.” Applications can be mailed upon request by calling (563) 212-5744. A property management office also is on-site and will open once a property manager is hired. The property manager will be hired on a temporary full-time basis to show units and help with the initial lease up. Once the property is leased up, the position will become part-time.
