The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 19, for a vote on something that hasn’t been in discussion for over a year—the donation of the old middle school property for the development of affordable housing to the Salem Housing Authority.
In attendance included board members Nathan Kinsey, Rick Letchworth, John Whelan, and Catherine Dent. Also in attendance included City Administrator Sally Burbridge, City Clerk Tammy Koller, Economic Developer Carrie Sutterfield, among other city staff.
Not in attendance was Mayor Greg Parker.
The only resolution on the agenda for the night was Resolution No. 24-2025, a resolution authorizing the donation of property by the City of Salem to the Salem Housing Authority for the development of 40 affordable housing units, with an estimated project cost of $12 million. As listed in the resolution within the meeting packet, the property is located at 301, 303, and 305 East Tenth Street, the old middle school property.
Last year in April 2024, the board discussed and approved the donation of the old middle school property to the Salem Housing Authority—however, the donation was contingent upon the Salem Housing Authority receiving a grant to fund the project. This donation of property was met with public outcry from residents surrounding the property, who leveled concerns for the infrastructure not being able to support more residents, particularly the sewer system.
• For further information on last year’s discussion, visit coverage of a past special aldermen meeting that took place April 24, 2024, located at https://www.thesalemnewsonline.com/news/local_news/article_22aae9d6-0702-11ef-9ad5-eb4b396388b2.html
• Concerns regarding the infrastructure surrounding the old middle school property can be seen in coverage of a past aldermen meeting that took place April 23, 2024, located at https://www.thesalemnewsonline.com/news/local_news/article_700ec9ca-06ff-11ef-81b1-1fd98c882096.html
With that historical context provided, that brings us to Tuesday’s meeting.
“I have received many emails, and I’m sure that every other alderman, alderperson up here has, as well,” shared Letchworth, “I have understood people’s feelings on this matter. I have heard you.”
Since residents felt strongly about the potential development—both for and against—the board chose to take a vote from the audience rather than hold public comments or a hearing. This vote resulted in a draw: those in opposition were asked to stand, with a count of eight; those in favor were asked to stand, with a count of eight.
The potential developer of the property, Chad Hartle, RCH Development Inc., was invited to discuss the plans. According to the RCH Development Inc. website, Hartle has over 38 years of experience as an affordable housing developer. The website, with more information and projects Hartle has completed in the past, can be found at https://rchdevelopmentinc.com. Hartle provided architectural plans to the board members of the property. According to Hartle, he’s completed several plans similar in the past, which he described as successful.
The affordable housing units will feature a number of units that will be market rate, with no income restrictions and available for seniors to rent. Some units will be 60% adjusted median income, and some will be 30%, said Hartle. The units will feature supportive services for all residents, provided by the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, with a staff member present to provide services 32 hours a week. Further, the Salem Housing Authority will be managing member of the project.
“It’s a very competitive process,” shared Hartle, keeping expectations of residents and board members in check. “It’s not a sure thing, by any stretch of the imagination. There’s only enough resources for the state to fund probably 30 of these (developments) statewide, and there’ll be applications for probably 130. Usually, there’s about a 25-30% success rate.”
According to Hartle, he further described that Salem and Dent County has “almost” the most points out of any county in the state of Missouri, due to the amount of poverty—making it more desirable for the development of affordable housing units.
Again, Hartle emphasized that there is a chance the housing units will not be funded this year—in which case, Hartle and Salem Housing Authority will be given a chance to speak with the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) and discuss desired changes and resubmit the application for next year.
If Salem is chosen for participation in the program, along with the development of 40 affordable housing units for seniors, Hartle will be donating $400,000 toward sewer and other improvements to assist the development.
“I will be putting $400,000 toward sewer improvements and any other improvements that will help this development, if we’re approved,” said Hartle.
“This donation shall be applied by the City specifically toward sewer system improvements to support the proposed housing development and benefit the surrounding community,” reads the text of Resolution 24-2025.
Applications for the MHDC program are due Sept. 17, stated Hartle.
According to the text of Resolution 24-2025, the project is contingent on several items:
• Salem Housing Authority and/or project developer securing necessary financing and funding commitments required for the project
• The board rezoning the property to Multi-Family Residential (R-3)
• Salem Housing Authority and/or project developer submitting a complete site plan to the board for review and approval, prior to issuance of any building permits
“One talking point that I have on this matter is the gift of $400,000,” shared Letchworth, following Hartle’s description of the project. “Which is a substantial amount of money to help us with the infrastructure that so many folks are concerned with. The majority of my emails that I received today, (infrastructure) was mentioned, and so I feel like we are taking steps necessary to try to fix the sewer infrastructure portion of this.”
“That donation, along with funding the city currently has, allows us to do some upgrades in, what I believe, could be a better way,” shared Burbridge. “We don’t have those plans yet, but it could be a better way that will not be at the cost of our ratepayers.”
“Sally, am I wrong? When we were talking about the replacement of the sewer line […] it just wasn’t financially feasible?” asked Whelan, for clarification.
“Yes,” answered Burbridge.
“But with this kind of contribution, it is feasible?” asked Whelan.
“Correct,” answered Burbridge.
Further, before moving on to the vote, Kinsey offered comments regarding several concerns from citizens in his inbox, including concerns about flooding, sewage backups, and parking. Kinsey noted ongoing work in the area to help ease water backup on properties, stating that $400,000 could potentially be used for another pump station.
Sewage issues may stem, shared Kinsey, from sump pumps tied into sewage lines, which could be fixed by redirecting or upgrading systems. Parking concerns centered on how narrow Hickory Street is, but the proposed plan routes traffic through 10th Street. Kinsey added that, regarding disparaging comments about the developer himself, Hartle has completed 46 developments with over 1,500 units in 36 years, about half for seniors, indicating Hartle’s credibility.
With that being said, the resolution was read by Koller, and Kinsey made the motion to approve, and Whelan seconded with a vote as follows: Kinsey, yes; Whelan, yes; Dent, no; Letchworth, yes. The board approved Resolution No. 24-2025.
