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CNI urban-farm plan replaced after land sale; staff proposes placemaking and infrastructure as alternative CCIs
Summary
Because the parcel identified for an urban farm is being sold for affordable housing, city staff said it cannot be used for the CNI critical community improvement (CCI) and proposed using previously committed city funds (about $1,650,000) for placemaking and enhanced infrastructure instead; HUD approval is contingent on a housing financial closing.
City staff explained that the original CNI CCI—conversion of the Scott Brown junkyard to an urban farm—can no longer proceed because the parcel has been sold for affordable housing. Steve Ellen reviewed the consequence: the city had earlier committed $1,650,000 toward that CCI and must identify an alternative eligible neighborhood improvement. Staff proposed a placemaking package (enhanced bus stops, new street lighting, intersection improvements and bike-pedestrian trail work on Addison Avenue) and said HUD has reviewed the concept and asked the city to proceed while HUD awaits the housing project's financial closing.
HUD liaison Marcia summarized prior HUD engagement, noting HUD approved the revised approach in March 2024 contingent on a housing closing on the Southward Village redevelopment. Council members emphasized the need to keep the community benefits and asked staff to produce a schedule showing when the city's infrastructure commitments will be implemented. Staff said other committed projects (Roberto Clemente Park phase 2, STARS expansion, police headquarters leverage) exceed the originally promised value and that the city will pursue HUD concurrence for the alternative CCI items.
Next steps: staff will approach HUD to confirm acceptance of the placemaking/infrastructure items as the alternate CCI, produce an implementation schedule and continue coordination with neighborhood stakeholders.
