A pair of projects could provide options for low-income housing in St. Joseph.

Two developers pitched their proposals to the City Council's Community Development Block Grant Committee on Monday. The groups do not seek local tax dollars, only a council resolution that would help them apply for tax credits from the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

MRE Capital of Prairie Village, Kan., wants to build 58 single-family houses on a tract of land west of Kovac's Grocery Store in South St. Joseph. The development, called Meadowbrook Heights, would include 19 three-bedroom homes and nine two-bedroom houses in its first phase, along with a community building. Phase 2 would add 18 three-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom houses.

With six basic designs and eight color schemes, MRE hopes to avoid a cookie-cutter look.

"We've tried to blend in to the community as best we could," said Jake Mooney of MRE. "That being said, we're going to be the newest thing going in that neighborhood by 30 years."

The houses would be rental properties for 15 years, after which tenants can purchase the homes. MRE's main selling point is that if renters think of the house as their home, they will take better care of the property, especially with the option to purchase the property at a discount after 15 years.

The development would put a new burden on the sewer system that already backs up in the area. To address the problem, the developer has plans to upgrade the nearby pump station. The developer also must pay to extend the main sewer line to the new homes, which could reduce costs for neighbors who currently are not connected to the system.

Council members Mike Bozarth and Barbara LaBass said it would be important for the developer to talk to neighbors to calm any fears about the new development. A previous developer planned to build a mobile home park on the site, only to have fierce neighborhood opposition scuttle the project.

"If you get the sewer problem solved, I think you have it licked," Mr. Bozarth said.

Representatives from MRE said they had favorable reactions during their two meetings with the South Side Progressive Association. Mr. Bozarth suggested the group hold a third meeting to discuss development plans with the immediate neighbors - an idea the developer agreed to pursue in the near future.

Another developer, Fulson Housing Group of Lee's Summit, Mo., pitched a similar development project for the South Side last year on the site of the former McKinley Elementary School. Though the group was not approved for tax credits, it has returned with a new proposal, this time for Downtown.

Matt Fulson, president and owner of Fulson Group, wants to renovate Wesley Senior Tower at 1002 Francis St. He described the proposal as "no frills" with a focus on building infrastructure that had deteriorated over the years. The renovation would replace the existing plumbing, electrical and heating and air conditioning systems and would add new windows. Mr. Fulson estimated it will cost $3.8 million to renovate the 111-unit building.

The project would require residents to relocate both within and outside the building. Mr. Fulson said the group would first look for volunteers who would move to a comparable apartment outside the building - at no cost - during the 12 to 15 months of construction. Other residents would move to empty units within the building for about 90 days while renovation work is completed on their floor. All residents are expected to return to their apartment after the renovations.

"Hopefully after we do our first set of units and people have a chance to kick the tires, they'll want to come back," Mr. Fulson said.

The council will vote on resolutions in support of the two proposals Monday.

Clinton Thomas can be reached at clintonthomas@npgco.com.