The Heights, Bluffs invites the public to celebrate its upcoming completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, November 19, hosted by the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony will be followed by guided tours of the project on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours will run from 1 pm to 5 pm.
“The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 1 pm”, announced Lin da Jurek, Executive Director of the Chamber. “We are excited to welcome the newest addition of housing for our community,” added Jurek.
Project Manager Gary Latz remarked, “The Heights, Bluffs is the first phase of a much-needed housing project. The ability of Cook County to provide a range of acceptable housing options is critical to enable the area to attract talented workers.”
This need for housing was underscored at the recent annual awards gala for the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, where Project Manager Gary Latz was nominated for Business Leader of the Year. This nomination recognized the impact of this project on the community and the hard work of many individuals who have worked on and led the project.
The Heights project has been in planning and now development for over 3 years. Completion of construction and tenant move-in is targeted for the end of 2025 or early 2026. Latz is part of an investment group called Cook County Real Estate Fund, Limited Partnership, that includes fifty separate investors, who collectively invested over $3 million to launch this project.
Latz noted that “Nearly all our investors have strong ties to Cook County. They live here now. They lived here at one time. They have friends or relatives living here. They have long and deep connections with the area as tourists, hikers, campers, canoe enthusiasts, musicians, and artists. They have invested in The Heights because they know the importance of housing in the area. This is truly a local initiative, local investment, and local impact.”
According to Latz, creating the financing package was the most difficult part of the project. In total, The Heights cobbled together a package of equity, loans, grants, and special programs from seventeen different sources. “We have an amazing set of partners – both private and public – who all believe in the project, and are willing to support it,” Latz added.
Tips for the Tours
• Tours will begin immediately after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, at 1 pm.
• Tour guides will escort small groups through selected parts of the building.
• Tour groups will start every 15 minutes.
• Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Guests are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear while on the property.
• The elevator will not be operational on the date of the event. Guests will have to walk up two flights of stairs to see the entire tour. However, all three types of units – Studio, 1 Bedroom, and 2 Bedroom – will be shown on the first floor.
• Additional information and resources will be on hand to answer questions about leasing.
• Tour times are squeezed in between lunch and dinner events for Empty Bowls, which will be held at Up Yonder on this same date. Have lunch at Empty Bowls and then walk over to The Heights for the ribbon-cutting and tours. Or stop by later in the afternoon for a tour, then follow up with Empty Bowls for dinner right after your tour.
About The Heights, Bluffs
Apartments at The Heights, Bluffs include Studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units ranging from 427 sq. ft. to 840 sq. ft. The three-story modular construction building is serviced by an elevator. Price points address both market-rate units and income-qualified rates.
For more information about The Heights, Bluffs, call Bachand Property Management at 715 394 4667 or visit our website www.TheHeightsBluffs.com. Latz also updates a weekly blog each Friday/Saturday at www.boreal.org. Search for Heights to locate the blog.
About CCREF Hwy 61 LLC and REVocity
Established in 2022, CCREF Hwy 61, LLC is owned by Cook County Real Estate Fund Limited Partnership. The limited partnership is managed by a local group from Cook County that joined REVocity to establish a real estate fund. REVocity helps smaller communities get meaningful real estate projects identified, financed, and completed. They start by identifying cities that will benefit, and then bring local investors, businesses, and partners together. This collaborative approach – called impact investing – gives civic-minded community members an opportunity to invest to enhance their local economy and receive a financial return. REVocity currently has fifteen established community real estate funds. Their investors range from private individuals to businesses and nonprofits. REVocity is an affiliate of Rebound Partners, an integrated investment and management company based in Northfield, Minn.
