Solicitation for Multifamily Affordable Housing: Callahan Neighborhood

• Question: In response to an interested proposer’s inquiry about the City’s available CDBG-DR (Hurricane Ian) funds, the City responded as follows:
  Answer: Thank you for your interest. The City did not receive a direct allocation of CDBG-DR. The allocation went to Orange County and any future application for funding would go through them.  As part of the solicitation, one of the Development Requirements states:

• "If available, the Transfer Agreement will require the successful proposer to apply to Orange County for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding which will leverage non-competitive 4% Low Income Housing Tax credits and Tax-exempt bonds."
  
  

• Question: In the submittal, can we add CDBG-DR as a source if there is not an active solicitation from the County at this time? 
  Answer: Yes, you can tentatively add it as a source. Per the Development Requirements set forth in the Solicitation document, if CDBG-DR funds become available, the successful proposer will be required to apply to the County for such funding.  

• Question: This property is owned by the City, will it be leased or sold? 
  Answer: Pursuant to the section of the Solicitation document titled, “Transfer of Title,” the City will convey title to the Property via special warranty deed at an anticipated purchase price of $1, all in accordance with the terms of the Transfer Agreement. 

• Question: Is there any allocated City funds to this project?
  Answer: Direct funding from the City has not been assigned to this project at this time but is noted as a potential incentive, subject to funding availability. Available development incentives offered by the City for affordable housing are listed in Exhibit D to the Solicitation document. 

• Question: Please provide the environmental reports. 
  Answer: Environmental Reports are now available on the website under "Related Documents".

• Question: Is the project expected to cover the cost of the Underground/Relocation of Electric Distribution Facilities?  We think so; but want to confirm. 
  Answer: Yes, all associated costs on and off-site. 

• Question: Is it the City's desire for this project to be senior or family?  The Solicitation does not specify the population to be served; and it does not have a preference for larger units (Piedmont specifically had a preference for 3- and 4-beds). 
  Answer: There is no preference.

• Question: I noticed the zoning states with a bonus the maximum allowed is 96 units but could we potentially get more with Live Local or is 96 the max?
  Answer: Per the solicitation, page 2, last sentence of the second paragraph: "Based on the Zoning and required affordability established for this solicitation (see Development Requirements below), the Project may qualify under the Live Local Act which could allow for increased height and density along with the Master Plan Approval being reviewed administratively." 

• Question: Do you know when Orange County may put out their solicitation for CDBG-DR?
  Answer: No, unfortunately at this time we do not know when Orange County will issue its solicitation for CDBG-DR.

• Question: Is this Solicitation still due on October 24th? A similar solicitation in Tampa has been pushed back to November due to Hurricane Milton so just wanted to confirm. 
  Answer: Yes, it is still due on October 24th at 3 p.m. 

• Question: Regarding putting together a tentative timeline for submittal, what is the timeline to recommend a proposer to City Council and then to finish the project?
  Answer: The City anticipates presenting the Selection Advisory Committee’s recommendation to City Council on December 9, 2024. A timeline for completion of the project has not been established but will be set forth in the Transfer Agreement described in the solicitation document as determined by the City and the successful proposer. In addition, the second paragraph of the section of the Solicitation document titled, “Anticipated Deal Structure” states that “the developer shall comply with such requirements as the City determines to be in the public interest, including the obligation to have approved permits and financing and to begin substantial construction within 12 months after closing of the transfer of title of the Property to the developer.”
  
  
• Question: In lieu of providing the Audited Financial Statements, can we note that upon successful award of the project we will submit them or add a line item demonstrating financial health?

  Answer: Since proposals are due today, in fairness to all proposers the City is not in a position to modify the Evaluation Criteria and any Required Submittals at this time.

Click HERE(PDF, 17MB) to view the Solicitation document.