The former Val-A Motel in Ellison Bay could provide Door County a template for how to address attainable housing in the future. The town of Liberty Grove electors approved its purchase last week after officials deemed the property could be useful down the road to address the housing shortage in northern Door County. Liberty Grove chairperson John Lowry estimates 5-12 units could be created on the parcel in an area facing a current workforce rental apartment deficit of 140. Lowry says this could encourage other municipalities to take similar steps.
The town of Liberty Grove and the Door County Economic Development Corporation will work together to see what will be the possibilities of developing the site before getting final plan approvals from the electors. The DCEDC announced earlier this month that Door County is hundreds of apartments short of what is needed to meet the current demand.