Commission approves process to seek developers for Legacy single-family housing, including workforce units

The Alachua County Commission on Sept. 23 authorized staff to pursue a grant-application process to select a developer for the Legacy Community Development site, which staff said is planned for at least 30 single-family homes combining market-rate units and a workforce-housing component.

Staff recommendation and goals: Ralston Riadika, housing director, presented a refined approach after earlier proposals failed to meet board expectations. Staff recommended using a competitive grant application to select a market-rate single-family developer with the financial capacity to include a workforce housing component. Key staff criteria included demonstrated single-family experience, financial strength and community engagement. The workforce units would target households in the 50% to 120% area median income (AMI) range, with a stated emphasis on being mortgage-eligible in practice.

Board action: Commissioner Anna Prizia moved to accept staffrecommendation. Voting unanimously, the board authorized staff to release the grant application and evaluate responses; staff will return to the board for final terms and a grant agreement with the top-ranked proposer.

Funding and community intent: Staff advised that the county may offer the land and consider infrastructure funding consistent with the Wild Spaces Public Places sales-tax program for the workforce-housing portion. Staff said they will consider mixed housing types where necessary (for example, attached units or duplexes) to achieve a financially viable project while emphasizing single-family character where feasible.

Ending: Developers will be asked to present conceptual site plans, financial feasibility, community engagement plans and development timelines; staff will evaluate applicants and return with a recommended grant agreement for the board's approval.