Projects & Initiatives

  • Switchback Village Multifamily Project

    Grand Marais City Council has approved and conveyed the property to the HRA for housing! Additionally, at its December meeting the IRRR approved the HRA’s grant request for $500,000 for infrastructure.
    The City’s Planning and Zoning Board will review a rezoning request to change the property to R-1 on February 15th at 5:15.

    UPDATE 5-4-23

    Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to allow Switchback Village, the 51 unit apartment project, on HRA property. Now we wait for spring growth to conduct a wetland delineation and get ready for summer construction!

    Update 9-2023

    The wetland delineation identified the existence of wetlands across the 16 acre property. The developer has secured wetland credits to enable construction, the property transaction has closed, and everything is ready to go. However, due to an avoidable delay caused by the public bidding process, the project will now commence construction in the spring of 2024.

  • Tofte single family homes

    The HRA is partnering with the Town of Tofte to construct single family homes behind Birch Grove School.

    The preliminary site plan is subject to change as we learn more about the site.

  • Envelope and Energy Improvement Pilot Program

    This pilot program is a collaboration between the Cook County HRA, City of Grand Marais, Cook County Local Energy Project (“CCLEP”), and Cook County Public Health (the “Team”). The program is designed to address window and insulation problems in homes for income-eligible homeowners throughout Cook County.
    Replacing faulty windows and improving seals and insulation will help preserve our housing stock and reduce energy consumption by:

    - Reducing ice damming
    - Reducing water intrusion (and future damage)
    - Minimizing cold air infiltration
    - Conserving heat in homes

    - Improving air circulation with operable windows

    In July of 2023, the HRA Board approved $20,000 for this program. The HRA also applied for and has been awarded an additional $50,000 from the NE MN HOME Consortium for this program. The Team is working on finalizing the program terms and documentation, with the goal of launching by the beginning of 2024.

    Click Here

Get Involved with Housing in Cook County

Click on the entities below to learn more!

  • Hamilton Habitat is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides "affordable living" one house at a time. Their homes are built through donations and community support.

  • Grand Marais Apartments is a 16 unit, affordable senior apartment building at 315 1st Ave E in Grand Marais. The Board is currently looking for members to help guide the future of the property. Contact Mary Petz for more information.

  • Serve as a member on the HRA Board! Terms are currently staggered and at least one will come due each year until 2027. Click here to see if there are openings.