Dollar General proposed at former OJ Juice site; 43-unit workforce housing concept also under review

In a development update, staff said the former OJ Juice property has an application submitted for a 9,000-square-foot commercial building with Dollar General identified as the prospective tenant for the north parcel. The south parcel is proposed for a 43-unit workforce housing project that would pursue state workforce housing tax credits.

"They have submitted an application... That lot is, right now, as a part of that redevelopment is being proposed to be split into 2 parcels," the staff member said, describing the retail parcel and a separate parcel proposed for workforce housing. Staff said if the tax credits are awarded (decisions expected in late December to early January) the project would proceed to entitlements and aim for construction in 2028 and occupancy in 2029.

Staff also noted the multi-family applicant intends the units to serve workforce households at targeted AMI (area median income) levels; staff described the qualifying income ranges in general terms and identified typical occupations that would qualify (retail workers, food-service employees, home health aides and first-year teachers). The board received the update as concept review only — staff said the project is still in application and will require additional entitlements, financing and public approvals if tax credits are awarded.

Why it matters: If the retail and workforce housing projects proceed, the developments would increase retail options downtown and add housing targeted to workers, potentially altering local housing supply and downtown foot traffic over the next several years.