City Council

a. SELECTION OF NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE AS THE CITY’S\nDEVELOPMENT PARTNER FOR THE ORANGE BLUFF AND WALNUT BLUFF\nWORKFORCE HOUSING SITES.\nSummary:\nIn April, the City Council and Housing Authority Board authorized staff to issue a\nNotice of Funding Availability (NOFA) totaling approximately $10 million to\nleverage toward the development of the Orange Bluff and Walnut Bluff\nworkforce housing sites. Staff received six proposals; after conducting an\nextensive selection process, including in-person interviews and onsite property\ntours, staff recommends National Community Renaissance (National CORE) as\nthe preferred development partner. As one of the largest nonprofit developers in\nthe United States, National CORE has a strong reputation for developing\nhigh-quality properties. Among the distinguishing features of National CORE’s\nproposal was its comprehensive redevelopment plan to fund the cost of\ninfrastructure improvements, not only for the workforce housing sites, but also\nfor the Heritage Square and Town Center Northwest sites. National CORE also\nproposed a robust social services component, including the development of a\n5,000 square foot Boys and Girls Club. Staff recommends the City Council and\nHousing Authority Board select National CORE and direct staff to negotiate an\nExclusive Negotiation Agreement to effectuate the next steps in the\ndevelopment process. Over the next few months, staff would negotiate the\nterms of the ENA and return to the City Council and Housing Authority Board\nwith the final recommended document for approval.\nStrategic Plan Goal(s):\nGoal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability\nand resilience.\nGoal No. 3 Economic Development: Improve the local economy, support local\nbusinesses, and create a vibrant downtown core.\nGoal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical\ninfrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.\nRecommendation:\nStaff recommends the City Council and Housing Authority Board select National\nCommunity Renaissance as the City’s development partner and direct staff to\nnegotiate an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) for the development of the\nOrange Bluff and Walnut Bluff workforce housing sites.\nRECESS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY