Murphy – A cloudburst kept dignitaries away from their shovels on Friday at a groundbreaking ceremony for a 56-unit affordable apartment complex that will be built behind the Walmart.
Valley River Apartments will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with rents based on income and ranging from $463 to $780 per month. The two- and three-bedroom units include two bathrooms.
Amenities include wood cabinetry, luxury vinyl tile floors, large floor plans with generous closet space, ceiling fans, hookups for washers and dryers, and outside storage lockers. Water, sewer and trash/recycling are included with the rent.
Community amenities include a laundry facility, gazebo, covered picnic area with grills, a resident clubhouse, playground and computer stations.
Successful applicants must earn 40 percent to 60 percent of median income for the Town of Murphy. Applications will be accepted about 90 days before completion. More information can be found at tinyurl.com/murphync.
No pets are allowed.
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom units will be 806 square feet; two-bedroom, two-bathroom units will be 1,053 square feet; and three-bedroom, two-bathroom units will be 1,213 square feet.
Income restrictions apply and 12-month leases are required. A waiting list is anticipated. There is a $30 non-refundable application fee, and credit, criminal and previous rental history will be checked.
Security deposit of one month’s rent is required.
Funding for the project came from N.C. Housing Finance Agency Tax Credits, Dogwood Health Trust, Churchill Stateside Group, and CAHEC Capital, Inc., a nonprofit financial institution that promotes community development.
Additional funding comes from a Community Development Block Grant obtained by the Town of Murphy.
The developer of the project is Western NC Housing Partnership, a 501(c)(3) that is known for high quality apartments built to market rate standards. It partners with state, regional and local agencies to develop affordable senior and workforce housing.
Raleigh-based Mills Construction Co. of S.C., Inc. is the general contractor.
The project was spearheaded by the Murphy Town Council under then-mayor Rick Ramsey and brought to completion under the present town council under Mayor Tim Radford. Both were at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“This is going to be huge for the Town of Murphy,” Ramsey said, pointing out that it will serve 56 families in an area where affordable housing is in short supply.
For some 20 months, a handful of local officials have been working behind the scenes to establish affordable workforce housing within city limits.
COVID-19 complicated planning for the project and increasing prices for building materials forced the state to approve $190 million in gap funding affecting 77 projects around the state including Murphy’s.
Price tag for the project was put at $9.5 million.