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New upscale rental units opening soon

Bay Meadows will offer one-level units next to Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck


Bay Meadows, a set of six upscale one-level rental units designed especially for those age 50 and better, will be available for tenants this fall.

The units are located just across from the beach in Starbuck on Lake Minnewaska.

“There will be two singles and two double units to start,” said Dick Dreher, executive director of the Pope County Housing and Redevelopment Authority/Economic Development Administration, who has been overseeing the project. “It is a short walk from a nice restaurant/bar and right next to the beach. There is a marina and a boat launch close by and a bike trail that connects to downtown Starbuck and the state park. It is a great location.”

Bay Meadows is about four blocks from downtown Starbuck, which includes a grocery store, banks, clinic, post office, meat market, hardware store, more restaurants and other businesses.

“This is an attractive option for those people who live in the area and want to live along the lake, or for those who live outside the area and would like to retire next to the lake in a small community like Starbuck,” said Dreher.

Larry Kittelson was on the Pope County Board and Pope County HRA Board when he was first approached about a possible housing project in Starbuck. He said they first looked at the option of opening a cooperative. They visited other facilities and got some ideas. As the years went by, they decided that the best option for Starbuck would be upscale rentals.

“We determined that rental units would be a good fit,” said Kittelson, who has remained on the HRA board. “We have six units ready to go, and they are really nice units. We are scheduled to build six more, so we will have 12 units. I’m really happy with how they turned out.”

Each unit has a heated garage, indoor heat plus forced air, and a spacious 11×11 foot porch in the front entrance.

“The units include a very nice washer and dryer, upgraded appliances, and a water softener,” said Dreher. “And each kitchen has very nice maple cabinets and also an island.”


The HRA/EDA worked with Studio E Architects of Glenwood on the design. Stephanie Howe designed the exterior, and Megan Prescott designed the interior.

“We have two different interior styles in these units,” said Prescott. “One has a dark floor with a lighter kitchen and the other has a lighter floor and a darker kitchen.”

Comfort, ease and efficient use of space were all considered in the design.

“All the units have a gas fireplace and a nice spot above the fireplace to have a flatscreen TV if they like,” said Dreher.  “There are nice floor coverings and window treatments in each apartment. It is set up so it is very comfortable.”

Each apartment is also designed with seniors in mind.

“All of the units are handicap adaptable, so they have the proper turning radius. Someone in a wheelchair can essentially be in all of them,” said Prescott. “One of the units is handicap accessible, so it will have the hand bars installed and have easier access to the cabinets.”


Mitch Paulsen of Contegrity Group, Inc., is overseeing the construction of the units and is hopeful that the first unit will be available as early as this month.

“We are looking at one of the units being ready to go in the middle to end of October,” he said. “This has been a good group to be a part of, and we look forward to completing the project (this fall).”

If you would like to learn more about Bay Meadows, contact Dreher at 320-334-3042.

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