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Housing update: Woodland Park phase 2 advances, Jesse's Village nears finish and city outlines funding pipelines
Summary
Housing staff updated the commission on ARPA and other housing funds, Woodland Park Phase 2 (144 units), Jesse's Village (22 units, CO expected in June), community land trust lot development and ConnectFree balances; commissioners pressed for action on several city‑owned lots and a neighborhood workshop was scheduled.
The city’s Housing and Community Development director briefed the City Commission on quarterly housing activity, ARPA balances and pipeline projects on Feb. 19.
Staff reported ARPA-affiliated budgets designated to housing programs and noted a remaining balance of roughly $1,000,000 after prior commitments. Woodland Park Phase 2 is under construction (144 units, 68 net new) and staff said the clubhouse building is expected to be complete in August; the mayor and GHA earlier described Woodland Park as a major leverage project for the Choice Neighborhoods application. Jesse's Village is a 22‑unit project with a tentative certificate‑of‑occupancy date in June. The Bridal (Bridal Community) Community Land Trust project has converted 10 city lots into 12 buildable units after a lot split and a duplex, and some of those homes are complete and sold to income‑eligible buyers.
Staff noted ConnectFree — a utility‑based incentive for affordable projects — has approximately $1,000,000 unencumbered and that staff awarded rounds of funding to developers on a competitive basis to support low‑income housing tax credit applications and other subsidies. The presentation included federal (CDBG, HOME), state (SHIP) and local resource descriptions and reminded commissioners that SHIP rules require minimum percentages for homeownership and very low‑income set‑asides.
Commissioners asked about motel conversions, the county’s legacy project, and several small city‑owned lots on 5th Avenue that have been vacant for years. Staff and community partners said a neighborhood workshop will be advertised to discuss 5th Avenue/ Seminary Lane block options and that surplus and RFP pathways are available to move lots into affordable development. Commissioners urged the manager to pursue surplus and partnership strategies if a larger block development cannot be immediately realized.
Next steps: staff will return with the Local Housing Assistance Plan for commission consideration (anticipated April), continue coordination on motel conversion timing with Alachua County, and advertise the neighborhood workshop for the 5th Avenue block.
