CRA authorizes 30-day notices seeking developers for four vacant lots for affordable housing

The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of West Palm Beach unanimously approved resolutions to publish 30‑day notices of intent to dispose of four CRA‑owned vacant lots and solicit proposals for affordable housing development.

Kelsey King, CRE project manager, presented Resolution 25‑13 for the lot at 519 LA Kirksy Street (also identified as Fifteenth Street). King said the parcel was purchased by the agency in February 2006, is about 0.14 acres (just over 6,000 square feet), is currently vacant and zoned MF‑14 (multifamily low density). King told commissioners that the CRA will seek proposals prioritizing increased homeownership and affordable housing; under state law staff said the agency must publish a 30‑day notice of intent to dispose under section 163.3803(a), Florida Statutes. King said the CRA expects qualifying buyers to be in the 60–100% area median income (AMI) range and gave an example construction cost “around 400,000” that, when combined with land donation and subsidies, could produce a roughly $300,000 purchase price for a home.

The board approved Resolution 25‑13 by voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.

Project manager Gina Baker presented related notices for three Northwest historic‑district parcels under Resolutions 25‑14, 25‑15 and 25‑16: 401 Division Avenue (vacant corner lot near Friendship Baptist Church and close to the Fantasy Island project), 639 Fourth Street (across from St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and near Fantasy Island) and 631 Sixth Street (adjacent to Styx Promenade). Baker said these lots are part of a portfolio the agency acquired around 2010 and described the intent as infill affordable housing. She said proposals will be evaluated for developers’ ability to prequalify prospective buyers and to navigate the city’s historic‑preservation review; she also said there may be opportunities for accessory dwelling units on some parcels, but the properties do not carry MF‑14 or MF‑20 density designations that would allow larger multifamily buildings.

Baker said staff expects the notices to be published immediately and remain for about 30 days with a deadline around May 20; staff plans to return to the board with recommendations by the June 9 meeting and, if selected, to have a purchase and sale agreement executed by July 7. Baker said the target affordability level for these historic‑district parcels is approximately 80% AMI.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about price limits, allowable unit types and whether prospective developers have been preselected. King and Baker said no development partners have been identified; staff explained an unsolicited proposal triggered the Kirksy notice but that the agency had not committed to that proposer and is following the statutory notice process.

The board approved Resolutions 25‑14, 25‑15 and 25‑16 by a single motion and a unanimous voice vote.

Actions at a glance: • Resolution 25‑13 — 519 LA Kirksy Street: approved to publish 30‑day notice of intent to dispose (staff said parcel ≈0.14 acres, ≈6,000 sq ft; target buyer 60–100% AMI). • Resolutions 25‑14, 25‑15, 25‑16 — 401 Division Ave; 639 Fourth St; 631 Sixth St: approved to publish 30‑day notices for affordable‑housing proposals (staff said parcels were acquired ~2010; proposals must address historic‑preservation review).