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Legacy CDC seeks $255,000 city developer participation payment for 24-home Gifford Pond project
Summary
Legacy Community Development Corporation asked Port Arthur to enter a developer participation agreement for $255,000 to install water, sewer, drainage and streets for 24 homes at Gifford Pond.
Legacy Community Development Corporation presented a plan on Aug. 12 asking the City of Port Arthur for participation in infrastructure costs for a 24-home development at the Gifford Pond site.
Vivian Belew, executive director of Legacy CDC, told council the project aims to construct 24 homes with sales prices ranging from $215,000 to $350,000 and that the development would include mixed-income families, modern house plans and a water-view park-like setting. "In 2025–26 our goal is to construct over 24 new homes in the city of Port Arthur at our Gifford Pond location," Belew said.
Financial request: Belew said the estimated cost to install infrastructure — water, sewer, drainage and streets — is $850,000. Legacy asked for a standard developer participation agreement in the amount of $255,000 (30% of the infrastructure cost). Legacy's stated investment was $595,000 in infrastructure and over $6,000,000 in construction — described as an average of about $250,000 per house.
Program benefits: Legacy said participants would receive home-buyer counseling and certification at no cost, may qualify for up to $70,000 in down-payment assistance, and would receive post-purchase counseling to support long-term retention of the homes. Legacy said the project also would add to the tax rolls and expand housing supply in Port Arthur.
Council response: Council members welcomed the proposal and asked procedural questions about the participation agreement process. Councilmember Dan Doucette reminded the presenter that the developer participation application is a paperwork process that is run through the city's accounts department. Several council members acknowledged prior discussions about the project and expressed support for moving forward.
Next steps: Legacy said the presentation was part of its formal request; councilmembers and staff indicated they would work through standard administrative procedures to process any developer participation agreement application.
Ending: No appropriation or formal approval of funds was made at the meeting; Legacy presented the request and council members signaled support and asked staff to process the application.
