New senior housing project to address Lamar’s growing needs

LAMAR, Mo. — A new senior housing project is in the works for the city of Lamar.

Those involved say it's filling multiple housing needs in the community.

"We do have senior housing, but we don't have anything to this degree," said Rick Oeltjen, Lamar Mayor.

A 55-and-up independent senior housing community will be coming soon to the land between the Walmart and Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar.

"We have a senior citizen center here that is very active and we get requests from them quite often," said Oeltjen.

"Believe it or not, we were at a council meeting a few months ago on our phone the next day, rang... probably about 15 phone calls. People want to be on the waitlist and we hadn't even announced that we would just happen to go to the city council meeting," said Kim Lingle, MBL Development President & Owner.

MBL Development President and Owner Kim Lingle saw the need in Lamar.

"We did a market study in Carthage and it just kind of blew us away that the need for senior housing. And so that's kind of what we did and said. Same thing in Nevada recently, the same thing in the Lamar when they did that study. And just right across the state line. We also finished one in Parsons, Kansas this past summer," said Lingle.

The eight million dollar project calls for 38 two-bedroom, one-bath units around 908 square feet each, with carports, estimated to cost between $600-$750 a month.

A 3,000 square foot rec center will also be a focal point.

"A workout facility or a full kitchen computer station. And basically TV and entertainment center," said Lingle.

The hope is to fulfill two community housing needs in one.

"We feel like once we get this project completed, many of our elderly residents will opt to move to this housing development, which will open up available housing in the city," said Oeltjen.

MBL Development recently received a low-cost loan from the Missouri Housing Development Commission for the project.

The city committed a letter of financial support, as well - the mayor expects that to be minimal.

"I have to give kudos to the city and the support they gave us and the council and the mayor. They've all been very, very supportive and we really, really look forward to coming to Lamar," said Lingle.

"I just see it as being a really good thing for our city, for our citizens to have this opportunity, and in the county as well," said Oeltjen.