The fact that Great Bend has a massive housing shortage is a given, but Matt Gillam was not expecting the interest he has received on the new multi-million-dollar apartment complex now taking shape on Grant Street.
“We’ve been inundated with calls,” said Gillam, vice president of development for Leawood-based Overland Property Group and project developer. “It’s been off the charts.”
The $7-8 million 48-unit apartment complex, known as the Reserves at Trail Ridge, is located on the west side of Grant Street across from Wal-Mart. The apartments are considered income-qualified housing.
“We’re starting to go vertical,” he said. The club house has already been framed out, the slab poured for the first housing unit and the utilities are going in for the second unit.
“The weather has worked out well for us,” Gillam said. They hope to have their first tenants moving in by mid to late summer.
“The apartment complex is indeed taking shape and would seem to be right on schedule,” said Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington.  He is impressed not only with the Grant Street location, but also with the four-plex development at Washington and 29th streets and the homes in Amber Meadows.
Now, as the walls go up, Gillam expects the number of calls on the apartments to increase. Overland Properties will have a website up by next month with information for prospective residents.
The site will also have a link to an on-site camera that will have a live feed of construction progress, Gillam said.
This is phase one of the project, Gillam said. They hope to be ready for residents by May, weather permitting. The phase includes 48 apartments.
 This facility will feature a clubhouse with amenities such as a fitness facility, barbecue and picnic area, paved walking paths, children’s playground and sports court.
Overland Property Group has been awarded tax credits by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for part one. Credits for the second phase, which includes 48 more apartments, would require separate approval, Gillam said. 
“I believe 96 units is barely scratching the surface of what Great Bend needs,” Gillam said. So, the tax credits should be easier to get.
 In another project, Ross Vogel, owner of Kansas City-based Employer Housing Partners LLC, is developing eight single-family homes in the Amber Meadows addition. There are at total of 42 undeveloped lots in Amber Meadows, all of which are owned by the city.   
Partington said the water and sewer is in place at Amber Meadows. They are doing survey work this week and should begin dirt work later this week for the drainage and street work.
The contractors plan to begin concrete work on the curb and guttering and the street work next week, Partington said. They plan to begin on the south boundaries of the property and move to the north, and hope to begin construction of the houses on March 2.  
“We hope to have them done by mid fall,” Vogel said. So far, there are several under contract already.
These will be three bedroom, two bathroom homes with unfinished basements and two-car garages. They will have around 1,450-square-foot on the main floor with and open floor plan.
The cost will be in the $190,000 range. “It’s a good price,Vogel said, adding that it fits the local market.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the community on this project,” he said. There may be other projects in the future.