Sanford delays closing on Willing Park Court purchase as HUD guidance lags
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Summary
Sanford staff told commissioners the Fifth Amendment to the purchase contract for the Willing Park/William Clark Court properties extends the closing six months while the city awaits HUD isposition guidance; commissioners pressed for a timeline and whether funding is in place.
Assistant City Manager Craig Bridal told the commission the city will extend its purchase contract for the Willing Park Court (William Clark Court) properties by six months while it waits for federal guidance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"We're waiting on the disposition guidelines from HUD so we can go to closing," Bridal said, and he described the current amendment as the fifth extension on an agreement first signed in July 2023.
The extension was explained as a stopgap to keep the deal alive while the city and the Sanford Housing Authority complete required documentation. Bridal said staff had submitted requested materials, including additional letters of support and an updated five-year plan, and that both the housing authority and city continue to press HUD for a disposition schedule.
Commissioners pressed staff on the timeline and on whether the city has development funding if HUD clears the property. One commissioner asked plainly whether the city has the funding mechanism for developing the property; staff answered that the city has funds set aside to purchase the site and planned development funding from impact fees, but that longer-term development funding had not been fully identified.
Commissioners said they want clearer milestones. Several asked the city manager to provide a short timeline of next steps and realistic completion dates so progress can be measured at future evaluations.
No formal vote was taken during the work session; the Fifth Amendment was listed for action at the regular meeting later that night.
