Full occupancy at White Pines

The new White Pines Apartment building in Cloquet is now full, according to Debra Shaff, executive director for the Cloquet/Carlton Housing & Redevelopment Authority, who said the building was full on Dec. 27.

Created in response to a 2014 housing study that showed a serious shortage of housing in Cloquet/Scanlon, particularly for lower income levels, the 35-unit building focuses on affordable housing for people who have some income, but can’t afford a market rate apartment. Rates are determined according to a tenant’s income.

Adjacent to the Aspen Arms apartments at 950 14th St. in Cloquet, the new building was constructed on land already owned by the HRA.

Shaff responded to comments made at two recent Cloquet City Council meetings that some of the workmanship on the project was poor, something that union officials and State Rep. Mike Sundin said would have been avoided if the project had been constructed by union workers.

Shaff said when the building first opened, there was a problem with a water line that leaked but it was repaired the same day. Sheetrock damaged by the water leak was repaired shortly after.

“It was a simple repair,” she said.

Shaff noted that all the contractors on the job were paid prevailing wages.