ABOVE: Work being done Wednesday afternoon on the new White Tail Ridge twin homes in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT– Work has begun on the development of several twin homes at White Tail Ridge in Fairmont. It comes about two years after the Fairmont Economic Development Authority (FEDA) accepted an agreement with Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) for the project.

White Tail Ridge, located near the intersection of Belle Vue Road and Redbird Lane, started as a collaborative effort between the city of Fairmont and Fairmont Area Schools. The district had owned 14 acres of land since the 1960s which it sold to the city for $1, with the understanding that for each lot sold, the school district would get $20,000.

Initially, lots were selling quickly but in recent years as sales became stagnant, the city began looking at other options and in early 2022, FEDA put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to develop eight of the lots.

Ned Koppen, Economic Development Coordinator, said, “Our part was connecting the property with a developer and now they’re building it out.”

SWMHP is a non-profit community development corporation with a speciality in housing.

“Housing needs seem to be everywhere these days,” said James Arentson, an architect with SWMHP. “That need ranges from starter homes, places for people to rent as well as new home ownership opportunities which is what we’re providing in Fairmont.”

Pam Schreier, a real estate development coordinator with the company, confirmed that they’ve been involved in the project for a few years.

“We did hold a community open house and had multiple survey boards asking questions what people were looking for, to buy or to rent, and some displays up of housing we have done,” Schreier said.

While there Schreier said they heard an interest in twin style homes which is why they ultimately decided to go that route.

Arentson said he thinks they would have moved forward before now had it not been for the interest rates and the market uncertainty that’s occurred in the last year.

SWMHP often works with local contractors when possible but oversees construction management on the projects.

“We broke ground just last week so it’s fresh,” said Arentson.

He said it should be done within a three month timeframe but is fully certain the homes will be done by the end of the year. Interested buyers can view them before then, however.

“Paul Determan has these properties listed with REMAX and the sale price per unit is $380,000,” Schreier said.

To start, two twin homes, or four units, are being built. They’re each 1,433 finished square ft. with a two stall garage, contain two bedrooms, two bath and main floor laundry. There’s also vaulted living, dining and kitchen space.

“Using twin homes increases the exterior space between the homes so there’s a generous backyard and a sideyard for each unit. We’re building four right now and looking ahead to build additional ones in the future,” Arentson said.

Speaking to what this housing development means for Fairmont, Koppen said, “In recent history we’ve had low inventory to choose from. When we have new choices that allows people to do a number of things,” he explained. “People new to the community have more to choose from and existing residents can move from one home to another and that frees up their home for someone else.”