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Developers seek city resolutions for two Beaumont affordable-housing projects; staff scores differ
Summary
Two developers requested council support for state tax-credit funding: KCG Companies proposed a 63-unit Riva Ridge project at 5695 Concord Road and ITEX proposed a 100-unit Batten Arms rehabilitation; city scoring gave Riva Ridge 27 points and Batten Arms 18 points; staff said resolutions of support are needed by Feb. 18 for state funding rounds.
Two developers asked Beaumont City Council for support of affordable-housing proposals that would be submitted for state low-income housing tax credit consideration; staff presented a scoring summary and explained next steps.
Why it matters: City resolutions of support can increase a project's competitiveness for Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) tax-credit rounds. One application (a ground-up 63-unit project) scored higher on the city's amenity matrix; the other is a proposed rehabilitation of an existing 100-unit senior complex.
Projects presented
- Riva Ridge (5695 Concord Road) '0 KCG Companies (presenter: CJ Littner) proposed a roughly 2.5-acre development adjacent to the Target on Concord Road. The proposal described 63 rental homes: about 40 traditional three-story walk-up apartments plus 8'12 single-story cottage-style units. Units would target households between 30 percent and 60 percent of area median income; the developer said it expects to hire locally for construction and operations. Staff scoring for Riva Ridge: 27 points (amenity-proximity and density preferences contributed to a higher score).
- Batten Arms rehabilitation (behind Lowe's) '0 ITEX Group (presenter: Kenny Ball) described a proposed acquisition and full rehabilitation of a 100-unit, three-story senior building constructed in 1983. Ball estimated a rehabilitation scope of roughly $70,000 per unit to address ADA, mechanical, common-area and unit upgrades; the project is under contract pending due diligence. Staff scoring for Batten Arms: 18 points (lower amenity proximity points reduced the score).
Staff scoring and process
City housing staff explained the scoring matrix, which awards points for proximity to groceries, high-frequency transit, medical facilities, licensed child care, community centers, schools and parks with sidewalks; the city also awards preference points for cottage-style or lower-density housing. Staff said both developers must return Feb. 18 with their applications and asked the council whether it wants the city to provide resolutions of support for one, both or neither project. The resolutions are part of the developers' competitive package for TDHCA.
Council reaction and policy context
Council members split on preference. Some members said rehabilitating an existing building addresses an urgent need by improving existing substandard units; other members said ground-up construction near amenities supports broader neighborhood revitalization and offers new, higher-quality units. Staff warned that awarding support only to the rehabilitation project might not make the city competitive against projects in neighboring jurisdictions that already have support.
Next steps
Staff will return to the council on Feb. 18 with the developers' final applications and potential resolutions of support. Council members asked staff to include options (for example, fee waivers or other local incentives) that could increase a project's scoring advantage if council wants to prioritize one application.
Ending note: Developers and staff were asked to return with requested materials and the council will decide whether to authorize resolutions of support ahead of the TDHCA application deadline.
