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Council authorizes RFQ seeking partners to deliver nine affordable units at Civic Center site
Summary
Council authorized release of an RFQ to solicit developer qualifications to design and deliver nine affordable units at the Town of Ross Civic Center (targeting ≤80% AMI). Staff emphasized HCD obligations and a long funding timeline; proponents and some council members urged caution about site feasibility and costs, but council voted to proceed to meet deadlines.
The council authorized the town manager to release a Request for Qualifications to identify qualified developers and community‑based partners for a small affordable housing project on Town‑owned property at 33 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Project Manager David Kelly said the RFQ asks for proposers’ qualifications and concept‑level approaches to deliver nine affordable units targeted at households ≤80% of area median income to satisfy the town’s housing element (Program 3a).
Key RFQ milestones in the staff presentation: release on Feb. 19, statements of qualifications due April 3, staff shortlists and interviews in April–May, with potential selection and negotiation by May/June. Staff noted HCD obligations and the need to show progress on implementation. Council members pressed on cost and feasibility: one councilor cited a KPA cost estimate for the full facilities master plan that placed some site work at $25M+ and asked how the town could expect developers to respond without clarity on site demolition, utility relocation and environmental review. Staff and project manager responded that developer proposals would specify financing approaches and that some demolition/utility work could be negotiated or borne by the developer depending on deal terms. After deliberation, council approved the RFQ motion (3–0–2 recorded).
The RFQ will be issued to attract private firms, nonprofit affordable‑housing providers and educational or philanthropic partners; staff plans to return with shortlisted candidates and any recommended exclusive negotiating agreement.
