Committee approves transfer of 64 Garfield Avenue to redevelopment agency for affordable housing

The City Council committee voted June 3 to transfer 64 Garfield Avenue to the Economic Redevelopment Agency so the parcel can be offered for affordable housing.

Nick Cicatelli, the city’s Director of Real Estate, told the committee the property is a city-owned lot of roughly 64,150 square feet that the city plans to put out for affordable housing in accordance with the committee’s terms. "We have three items to cover. First one is the transfer of 64 Garfield Street, which is a 64 150 square foot uh city-owned lot. Um and the intention is to put it out there for affordable housing in accordance with the terms and conditions uh this committee has laid out," Cicatelli said under oath.

Committee members discussed eligibility preferences for future solicitations. A councilmember asked that the parcel be reserved for affordable housing; staff said it would include a preference for households earning about 80% of area median income in the public listing to community development partners. Councilwoman Graves moved to approve the resolution; Councilman Espinal seconded. The motion carried with all four members present voting in favor; Vice Chair Aguilar was recorded absent.

The vote transfers the parcel to the Economic Redevelopment Agency so that agency can manage a public solicitation with the stated affordable-housing preference. The committee did not set a specific timeline for the solicitation during the meeting. The committee recorded no public opposition to the transfer during the item.

Next steps are for staff and the redevelopment agency to publish the solicitation with the stated preference and proceed with procurement and selection under the agency’s usual procedures.