Passersby will have noticed over the past several weeks, on the south side of E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, various tradesmen and building improvements to an apartment complex, located between Dollar General and Morrison Community Food Pantry, NFP. It was built in 1970.
Photographed left-to-right, Wednesday, November 6, 2024, are Gary Camarano, Whiteside County Economic Development Director and Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone Administrator; Owner and Project Manager David Bader; Bader’s good friend, Noor Milád. “The (yet-unnamed) apartments are more modern, with a cleaner look, and are at an affordable price,” Bader explained.
The New York colleagues are First Responders.
Bader had a little time on his hands and took the “opportunity to try something, and get involved in real estate on a large scale. You have to take risks in life to get ahead [financially.]” His skill set includes “management and software; managing a budget; balancing credit cards. There are systems in place, so no one comes knocking at the door [for payment.] Renters can make a payment at their bank or pay online; no cash is needed.”
His second goal was to help Veterans find affordable housing. Bader was contacted by Davenport[, IA,] Veterans Administration for housing of two Veterans.
Affordable housing tenants helped clean up the property. “These are people who take pride in where and how they live. Esthetics are important.”
“The hardest thing is finding reliable people to work with. That is the recipe for success.”
That is where Milád stepped in. He power-washed and scraped the bricks. Over three days, Milád covered the bricks with two coats of gray paint. Trim will be painted white. Avila’s Roofing of Sterling applied soft green siding and gutters. Wireless internet is available from T-Mobile. There is potential for a laundry facility on the property. Milád’s photos record his progress from October 29, October 31, and November 6.
A new HVAC unit was installed for the largest remodeled apartment. It has nearly 1000 sq ft of livable space and two bedrooms. Bader explained, “A local business owner asked to rent [here], and we completed it just for him.” There is an enclosed bonus space at the front.
Ninety percent of the property’s 23 units are remodeled. Upstairs are eight apartments. Several one-room, studio apartment are in place; there are two renters per unit in some cases. Several women have apartments. Bader has “three or four more apartments to rent. I want to be done by the end of the month,” he said.
He will receive a tax credit for this large renovation.
On Friday, November 8, 2024, Camarano noted, “The 631 E. Lincolnway project is a great example of one of the ways the Whiteside Carroll Enterprise Zone incentives can stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization, in economically-distressed areas of our Region, through State and local tax incentives. David Bader is investing in the community, transforming an apartment complex in need of some TLC. [He is] creating a rental property that is an improved addition to our area’s rental options.
“The Enterprise Zone incentives, in this case, provide the project with an exemption from sales tax on building materials used in the property’s rehabbing and a five-year property tax abatement on the improvements to the property. The incentive can reduce some of the risks in the project and help improve the chances of a successful project. I am glad to see Mr. Bader making this investment and creating a quality rental option for the community.”