There were plenty of tasks for city staff after the July 19 tornado, but an application submitted to the Iowa Housing Finance Authority will be paying big dividends in April of 2019.

City Administrator Jessica Kinser and Housing and Community Development Director made the application to reserve a portion of IHFA tax credits specifically for Marshalltown in the wake of the devastating tornado. The tax credits make construction of affordable — or below market rate — housing more lucrative to developers.

The timing was ideal, since the twister destroyed many low-income units, or did severe damage to others as it cut its swath through the northern part of Marshalltown.

Chief Operating Officer J.B. Conlin of Conlin Properties in Des Moines congratulated Kinser and Spohnheimer for being proactive during a telephone interview with the Times-Republican Thursday.

Conlin is one of perhaps three developers who at the Oct. 22 city council meeting indicated their interest in using the tax credit program to build more affordable housing.

Development Director Brian Sweeney of Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners of Cedar Rapids was another.

Since Oct. 22, Conlin said staff have been busy preparing a pre-application which was due earlier this week.

“It (the pre-application) is a rough sketch for what the building will look like, with plan and site plan details,” Conlin said. “If the pre-application is approved, then a final application is submitted before the end of the year.”

An award will be made in April.

Conlin said his company is proposing a “senior” project at affordable rents for those 55 years or older or with disabilities. Spohnheimer said Conlin Properties is considering a five-acre site off La Frentz Lane. That property was donated several years ago to the city in hopes in would be used for a south-side fire station.

However, that idea was stopped when city residents voted overwhelmingly in 2017 to build a joint police-fire faculty.

That project is under construction in the 900 block of South Second Avenue.

Conlin said his company has had their eye on Marshalltown for some time.

“We have managed properties in Marshalltown before, but never owned any,” Conlin said.

A news report featuring Mayor Joel Greer, who Conlin met several years ago, also was a motivator.

“I contacted Mayor Greer that we were interested in providing housing in Marshalltown … he texted me back in 10 minutes,” Conlin said. “The mayor and several city councilors came down to look at our portfolio and a relationship was established.”

Conlin said his company specializes in utilizing the IHFA program.

“It is a great benefit for the communities the affordable housing is built in, because we take money from investors … they could be on either coast … nine times out of 10 it is from outside the state … they put funds into the project as an investor. We in turn hire contractors to build the units with rents which are lower than they normally would be. Not only does the construction activity come to the community, but the community benefits in getting property taxes.

“Additionally, we hire residents to serve as apartment managers or maintenance workers. For every 100 units built it sustains about 30 jobs.”

Spohnheimer said it bodes well for Marshalltown that housing developers with outstanding track records are interested in doing business here.

Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners Project

“We want to construct a new building on the property adjacent to Marshalltown Senior Residences including the city-owned parking lot at 213 E. Main St.,” Sweeney said. “We will be proposing 44 new units of “workforce” affordable housing. That will include, one, two and three bedrooms apartments. It is possible the three-bedroom units would be attractive to families.”

City staff and the city council have been working with CEAP on the new housing project which will include review and approval of a development agreement between the company and city.

About Conlin Companies

Conlin Properties, Inc. was established in May of 1986 by James and Roxanne Conlin as a fee based property management company to serve the needs of single family condominiums, mobile home courts, commercial office space and multi-family dwellings owners and users. This company was originated in 1977 as Mid-Iowa Management, and was sold to First Group on 1984 and became First Realty Property Management. It was re-established by Mr. Conlin in 1986 as Regency Management and Investment, and assumed its current name in 2000 as a part of the Conlin Companies.

The company is headquartered in Des Moines and manages properties throughout the Central Iowa area. The firm has approximately 75 employees throughout its various divisions.

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Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or

donahey@timesrepublican.com