Housing authority says $166,000 payment requested; developer selection, Robinwood plan moving forward

The Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA) told the Annapolis Housing and Human Welfare Committee on Dec. 16 that it has submitted a payment request to the city for repairs and is advancing multiple redevelopment efforts.

HACA Director Maddox Evans said, "HACA has submitted its first request for payment in the amount of $166,000 to the city," and that the authority expects that request to be followed by additional requests as work progresses. He told the committee the $166,000 request reflects contractor estimates and maintenance personnel costs and is part of a larger $250,000 first tranche of grant funding available to the authority.

Why it matters: The payments fund repairs and staffing the authority says are necessary to address outstanding violations identified during recent federal, state and city inspections and to make vacant units ready for occupancy.

Evans said HACA has hired a maintenance operations supervisor who began Dec. 9 and that contractors are being scheduled to begin work in January. "We have one scheduled to be on-site Jan. 6 to commence turning, at least to begin with 18 units," Evans said. He said sites included Robinwood, Eastport Terrace, Harbor House and Bloomsbury/Bloomsburg Square.

Evans described ongoing inspections this fall by HUD-required inspection teams, state inspectors and city inspectors and said HACA has compiled a list of required corrections at its sites.

Choice Neighborhoods developer selection

The authority said it received three formal proposals in response to a solicitation for master developers for the Eastport Terrace and Harbor House Choice Neighborhoods project, and that an evaluation committee is reviewing those responses.

Evans said the authority and its partners held a prequalification conference and site tours that drew "about 10 to 12 firms" expressing interest, but that the pool narrowed to three teams that submitted full proposals. He said interviews with proposers are planned for late January and that staff hope to select a developer for board approval by the end of February.

City staffers Eric Wyshinsky and Chris Jakubiak are serving on the HACA evaluation panel, Evans said.

Robinwood redevelopment planning

Evans described early-stage planning for the Robinwood site, saying the authority is developing pro forma financial scenarios and exploring increased density within the site's current planned development limits. "There are a few different scenarios we're thinking; both will include increased density," Evans said, adding the authority does not expect to require zoning changes for the potential density increases described.

Evans said the authority is estimating the timeline to secure financing at "about at least 12 to 18 months." During the discussion a committee member cited a funding range, saying the project could require "between $66 million and $85 million." Evans said funding sources under consideration include state, county and city funds, tax credit investor financing and other capital sources. He also said planners are considering mixed income and mixed-use options, community amenities and possible improved pedestrian access to Annapolis Middle School.

Next steps and oversight

Evans said HACA is reviewing developer proposals now and will conduct interviews in January. He said the authority will provide the committee with updates, and he invited questions from members. Alderman Shandemeyer asked for and was told the committee could be provided information about the three firms after the evaluation committee has completed procurement review steps.

Community impacts

Committee members emphasized the project's potential to change concentrated, low-income housing patterns. Evans said the authority intends to include resident outreach and public meetings later in the winter to gather input as financial scenarios are refined.

Ending

Committee and HACA staff set interview and review steps for January and February; staff asked the committee to expect further updates as procurement and financing proceed.