Taylor University is partnering with Granite Ridge Builders to construct two houses in the Upland community.
This comes at a great time as it is becoming difficult for new Taylor faculty to find housing close to the university.
“It was really challenging finding housing in the Upland area," Lyndsey Rupp, assistant director of resident life programs, said. “The rentals that are available are typically reserved for college students or large families. The only real way to know what is available is through word of mouth – which is difficult for many new faculty who are new to the community.”
The partnership on the first two houses is a test run to see how well Taylor and the firm work together. If this is successful, it could develop into a long-term relationship.
“What was particularly interesting to us about them is that they have access to some special financing,” Ron Sutherland, special assistant to the president said.
They have access to federal government financing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This allows individuals below a certain salary threshold to qualify for a reduced interest rate with no money down.
Something Taylor valued was that they could help make these houses more affordable to people.
“Not every builder is committed to helping with that area, so it made them more unique as we looked at them for this project,” Sutherland said.
These two houses will be on 8th Street past the Kessler Student Activities Center following the Muselmen House on the left.
Construction will begin within 30 to 45 days and the goal is to have the houses finished by Thanksgiving of this calendar year.
They will initially be open to anyone working for Taylor for a time period of 60 to 90 days. If they are not filled during the given time, the homes will then be opened to the public.
The terms of the partnership are that Taylor will put money toward building one of the two houses and Granite Ridge Builders will put the money toward building the other. When the house is sold, Taylor will get their money back.
“That was the way the partnership was structured, and it particularly encouraged them to give it a try,” Sutherland said.
If this collaboration proves to be successful, the university has big plans to build more houses within the community.
The goal, if things run smoothly, is to work on the Kershner Commons, which is a housing development in Upland.
There is currently a lot of land that is already a housing development. There are many additional lots where houses can be built. However a road needs to be built to connect the development to the community.
“What we would do is partner with the firm and figure out how to get the money to put this road in,” Sutherland said.
This is something Taylor is very invested in. They are looking to improve the community of Upland.
While the process seems difficult, it has already been approved by Grant County. The only thing that needs to be done is for the contractor to get a permit to build the road.
So far, the university is very happy with the relationship they have with Granite Ridge Builders.
“They’ve been a great partnership to work with, we’re really pleased with the firm and how we’re working together,” Sutherland said.
The firm has been handling all the sales and has a good knowledge of the price of what the lots and houses would sell for.
As the test-run of the two houses on 8th Street are being built, the University is excited for what the future holds.
“I think new houses for future faculty is a good idea, both for purchase and rentals,” Rupp said.
With more homes in the area, future Taylor faculty will be able to live closer to campus. This would help Upland and Taylor.
Adding housing in the community helps because it brings more people into the town who pay taxes. This can be used to help out with sewage and water systems along with school systems and other beneficial means to improve the town.
“Taylor has been blessed to be given or purchase land over time and we would like to deploy for the benefit of the town and the university,” Sutherland said.
