DDA moves to split lot, advance first Ernest Drive employee house with $500,000 contract cap

The Forest Park Downtown Development Authority voted March 27 to split the parcel at Ernest Drive and to authorize legal counsel to prepare a construction contract capped at $500,000 for a single-family home at 4523 Ernest Drive.

The move follows a budgetary proposal from contractor Steve Bernard that estimated the full build-out of two houses at roughly $1.028 million. Director Ladait and Bernard reviewed line items at the meeting, distinguishing "hard" construction costs from "soft" costs such as plans, permits and structural-engineering fees; Bernard said the contractor percentage is how "I get paid" and stated that the hard-cost line items as presented were intended to be complete.

The DDA's mayor, Angeline Butler, told the board she wanted to proceed without delay and said, "I do not want to prolong this project any longer." Board members agreed to focus on splitting the lot and building one house first to reduce near-term cash needs.

Board members also directed staff to seek alternatives to fund a second home rather than drawing the full amount from DDA reserves. A second motion passed directing staff to explore financing options and crowdfunding, and to have the finance office create a separate restricted account for any donated funds.

Planning staff said the project will require a lot split and possible rezoning or variances; Director Dozier said a plat showing the split must meet zoning minimums and that grading differences on the site may require additional review. Dozier estimated the lot split and related planning work could be completed in roughly two months if expedited.

Board discussion focused on cost containment and timing. Members asked for an itemized breakdown of the "soft" costs and for further follow-up with Bernard to drive costs down. Director Wiggins said there is about $300,000 available now in DDA accounts and noted the DDA's investments in Georgia Fund 1; the finance director committed to return with financing-rate and liquidity options within about a week to 10 days.

The motions passed on voice roll calls. The board asked staff to return with a revised, itemized cost estimate and to hold the option of a special called meeting if additional budget decisions were required.

Reported next steps include preparing a plat to split the lot, securing any necessary planning approvals, obtaining a more detailed soft-cost itemization from the contractor and advancing a contract with TPI Group (the recommended builder) with a not-to-exceed $500,000 construction cap for the first house.