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Council authorizes RFQ to find partners for 9 affordable units at Civic Center despite concerns about timing and costs
Summary
Staff presented an RFQ to solicit development partners for nine affordable units at the Civic Center (targeting —80% AMI). After prolonged debate over phasing, site costs, and timing relative to a new citizens' committee and master-plan uncertainty, the council voted 3-2 to authorize release of the RFQ.
Project manager David Kelly outlined a staff-drafted RFQ to solicit qualifications from developers and nonprofit partners for a proposed nine-unit affordable-housing project at the Town-owned Civic Center (33 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard) as part of the housing element (Program 3a). The RFQ targets rental units for households at or below 80% of area median income and asks proposers to demonstrate financial capacity, small-scale affordable-housing experience, and community-engagement approaches.
Several councilmembers and members of the public raised concerns that issuing an RFQ now could deter serious proposers because the facilities master plan may change, substantial public-works site work (including demolition of existing public-safety or public-works buildings and new infrastructure) could be costly, and environmental review/CEQA may add time. Staff and supporters argued that HCD timelines and the long lead time for developer funding make it necessary to begin the solicitation. After debate, the council authorized the town manager to release the RFQ to solicit statements of qualifications (motion passed 3-2).
