New town houses coming along in Mt. Pleasant

One of three brand-new town house residencies in Mt. Pleasant is nearly complete on East Monroe Street.

The living spaces will be geared toward seniors who would like to downsize their living arrangement, while also not having to worry about outside care.

“Our project is going to be built for older seniors that can afford a nicer rental property,” project manager and State Rep. Joe Mitchell said. “They wont have to worry about the lawn or snow removal and all those sorts of things that are sometimes a burden for older Iowans.”

The creation of the town houses was originally an idea by State Rep. Joe Mitchell’s parents who wanted diversify their investments.

Mitchell said with the recent workforce and housing shortage, the town houses are a step in the right direction to help open up housing for younger families that would want to live in the Southeast Iowa area.

“Across the state we’re facing a workforce housing shortage,” Mitchell said. “What we’re doing and how we’re tackling this problem is saying, lets get folks to downsize from their single family homes and open those up for working class families that need a larger space.”

The first of the three planned fourplexes is nearly complete. Insulation is currently being put in. Mitchell says he hopes that the first unit will be done sometime in May.

The first unit will be 2000 square foot, with a one-car garage, two bedroom and two bath.

There will be a spacious living area on the second floor, along with a bedroom and storage. The first level will be an open layout with a living room, kitchen and dining room. There also will be a large walk in closet and bathroom connected to the master bedroom. A guest bathroom also will be on the lower level.

As of right now, concrete is poured for the second unit. It will be a bit smaller than the first, sitting around 1300-1400 square foot. It also will be two bedroom and two bath and very similar to the first, but with just one floor.

Mitchell hopes the second fourplex’s frame will be put up within the next month, and be fully built in late fall.

The third of the units has not begun the building process as they don’t have any of the material or lumber, but Mitchell anticipates the building process happening later this year.