The City of Asheville is seeking submittals from qualified developers to develop a City-owned parcel located at 338 Hilliard Avenue, currently in use but due to be vacated by the City’s Parks Maintenance Facility by Jan. 1, 2017.
The City is making this site available for a development of affordable multifamily rental housing. The Asheville City Council has made expanding the supply of affordable housing a key element in its Strategic Operating Plan. Asheville has a serious affordable housing supply deficit, according to the 2015 Asheville Regional Housing Needs Assessment and Market Study.
In its October 2014 work session regarding a Comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy, Council confirmed that the redevelopment of Parks Maintenance for affordable housing would be the first example of a strategy to repurpose strategically located City-owned property for affordable housing purposes.
The City is open to either a long-term ground lease or a direct sale to the chosen developer. The actual terms will be negotiated with City staff based on the chosen submitted proposal and are subject to final approval by the Asheville City Council.
The selected developer under this RFP must agree to promote community participation and ensure openness and transparency in the development process by consulting with and regularly updating neighborhood groups about the project.
A qualified developer will have experience with affordable multi-family development, and a design and management team that has ample experience and an excellent track record. The most competitive proposals will have the greatest percentage of affordable housing needing the least amount of City financial support, have high quality design, and commit to the longest period of affordability. The minimum requirements are that 51% of the project be affordable to households earning 80% or less of area median income, with 20% affordable to households at 60% or less of area median income, and that it remain affordable for at least 20 years.
The Request for Proposals can be found on the City of Asheville website as “RFP for Development of Affordable Housing at 338 Hilliard Ave.” A site visit for prospective developers has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. June 2 onsite at 338 Hilliard Ave. Questions can be directed to Jeff Staudinger at jstaudinger@ashevillenc.gov or at 828-259-5723.
