By Jacob Mathias

Plans for a new 56-unit apartment complex were approved unanimously by the Wisconsin Rapids Common Council on Tuesday night bringing additional housing to the east side.

The apartments are being built by S.C. Swiderski, a real estate development company based in Mosinee, Wis., that has three other developments in Wisconsin Rapids including the Birchwood, Countryside and Countryside Estates apartment complexes.

“We do really well with the apartments we have there,” said Chris Karch, a project manager for S.C. Swiderski. “We have not seen any lack of a need. We seem to prosper with our other sites and the market itself has been growing in rentals all over the place. More people are renting as they’re moving into areas.”

The units will be built on an undeveloped piece of land near Mid-State Technical College at 731 32nd St. N, about 100 yards south of Washington St. The development will consist of four buildings, two containing 12 units each and two with 16.

Two and three bedroom units will be available with each including a private entrance, in-unit laundry, balcony or patio and a detached single stall garage.

Construction should begin late this summer for early in the fall according to Karch. A completion date is not known at this time.

Adam Tegen, Wisconsin Rapids Director of Planning and Economic Development said Rapids hasn’t had a formal study to determine if housing is needed.

“From the information we’ve heard from various apartment developers when they’re looking at the area, one of the biggest issues in Rapids is the age of our housing stock,” said Tegen. “The vast majority were built prior to 1980, so they’re aging. Some are getting run down, but newer housing stock is a need.”

Karch said rent prices are unknown at this time.

Information on S.C. Swiderski rentals can be found here.