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Habitat for Humanity building home in Mendota · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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  Speaker 1: Habitat for Humanity building home in Mendota. Written by Matthias Warner.
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  This article is being read by an automated voice brought
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  to you by Everlett. The City of Mendota sold a
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  vacant lot to Habitat for Humanity for one dollar, rejecting
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  bids of eight thousand dollars and twelve thousand dollars. To
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  prioritize affordable housing over immediate revenue, Habitat for Humanity will
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  now recruit a family in need and break ground in May,
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  with construction finished by early September. The project marks the
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  second Habitat home in Mendota in eight years. The city's
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  decision prioritizes long term community benefit over short term gain.
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  Under a redevelopment agreement, Habitat must build a home on
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  the lot, ensuring the city eventually recovers its investment through
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  property tax revenue. We accept what's in the best interest
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  of the City of Mendota, Attorney Michael gilfoyle, said. City
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  Clerk Emily McConville explained the financial logic. As of right now,
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  I think the city has about thirty thousand dollars into
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  that lot with legal fees and tearing down and dealing
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  with the asbestos. McConville said, so it was a point
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  for the city to recoup some of its money eventually
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  with property tax. McConville clarified that a building plan for
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  the property at twelve oh five Jefferson Saint has already
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  been submitted. Gilfoyle noted that Habitat for Humanity is subject
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  to the Redevelopment Agreement and a contract stating that the
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  organization agrees to build a home so the city gets
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  a tax base. Habitat for Humanity Executive director Jessica Brayfield
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  said the organization is grateful for the city's partnership and
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  First State Banks commitment as a premier build partner. Right now,
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  we're on the hunt for a local family that's in
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  need of affordable housing, Brayfield said. We hope that we
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  can get some applicants rolling now, and we want to
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  get moving as soon as possible. Brayfield said that Habitat
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  for Humanity built a home in Mendota about eight years ago.
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  The family is still there. They still love their home
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  and still love Mendota. She said. We're looking for another
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  family just like that.