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Pinellas County Housing Authority to manage Dunedin properties, backs Flats on Main with $10 million
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Summary
Pinellas County Housing Authority told the Dunedin City Commission it will manage the Dunedin Housing Authority and is contributing $10 million toward the Flats on Main Street, a 78‑unit affordable project on SR 580; developer Archway Partners says HUD approval and city permits remain and construction will take about 15 months after closing.
At a Feb. 3 Dunedin City Commission workshop, the Pinellas County Housing Authority outlined plans to manage the Dunedin Housing Authority and support the Flats on Main affordable housing project with a $10 million contribution.
Neil Brickfield, executive director of the Pinellas County Housing Authority, said the authority seeks to expand its county footprint and bring management capacity and resident services into Dunedin. "Our mission is to provide quality affordable housing and improve the lives of residents," Brickfield said, describing PCHA's role operating vouchers and units countywide.
Elise Minkoff, PCHA's programs lead, told commissioners the authority will begin asset mapping around any new property, survey tenants, and develop programming based on local partnerships. "We are planning a resource fair for Dunedin this coming spring," she said, citing workforce and lender partnerships as examples.
Developer Archway Partners, represented by Dave Hayslip, said site-plan and jurisdictional reviews are largely in hand and that the team has a fully executed general-contracting agreement with Pike Construction. Hayslip said the project has received approvals from state and regional permitting agencies and that HUD must still provide its required sign-off: "We're pushing for a February closing; with the HUD approval and the government shutdown we might be delayed to March, maybe April," he said. Hayslip and staff estimated construction at about 15 months from breaking ground and advised allowing an 18‑month buffer.
Commissioners asked about tenant selection and neighborhood impacts. Staff and Archway said an interest list is open now and a formal wait list will open roughly 90 days before occupancy. On whether city employees or residents could be given priority, Hayslip said recent changes to regulations and Florida Housing requirements mean any local preference would need legal clearance: "We're talking with our attorneys," he said.
The commission also pressed PCHA on governance and funding. Brickfield described the authority's funding mix (including Section 8 vouchers and self‑generated property revenue) and said PCHA has a five‑member board with gubernatorial appointments: "We set a goal over 20 years ago that we wanted to be financially independent from HUD," he said, noting contingency plans if federal funding changed.
Commissioners raised neighborhood concerns including construction impacts, erosion controls and the safety of children walking to nearby schools. Archway said it will use silt fences, limit construction hours, and maintain ongoing communication with neighbors and the city.
Next procedural steps: staff said an interlocal management agreement between Pinellas County Housing Authority and the Dunedin Housing Authority will go to the PCHA board on Feb. 18. Commissioners expressed general support and asked staff to continue community outreach and to return with final documents for any city-level approvals.
What's next: PCHA and Archway will pursue HUD approval and final city permit sign-offs; the commission will monitor the interlocal outcome after the Feb. 18 PCHA board meeting.
