West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

110 SE Watula Avenue Ocala Ocala, FL 34471 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory www.ocalafl.org Committee Minutes Thursday, May 19, 2022 3:00 PM 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Present Carolyn Adams Gorham Black III Barbara Brooks Vice Chairman Elgin Carelock Adam Lombardo Dwan Thomas Excused Ruth Etta Reed Late Chairman Reginald E. Landers Jr. 2. Proof of publication The public notice for the West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Meeting was posted on April 26, 2022. 3. Approval of March 17, 2022 minutes March 17, 2022 minutes RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Gorham Black III SECONDER: Carolyn Adams AYE: Adams, Black III, Brooks, Vice Chairman Carelock, Lombardo, and Thomas EXCUSED: Reed 4. Heritage Trail CRA Manager Gus Gianikas discussed the progress of the site work for Heritage Trail. The Selection Committee for Heritage Trail heritage art displays held two meetings regarding design of the artwork. The Committee and Cultural Arts staff are reviewing proposed designs for the four panels, which represents eight people. Additionally, the Cultural Arts Department is requesting approval to use Corten steel fence screening with silhouettes along the rear (north) property line instead of the simulated wrought iron fence. The proposed Corten fence would cost $31,000, which includes screening around the electric panel box in the northeast corner of the property. Cultural Arts & Sciences Division Head Laura M. Walker presented conceptual silhouette design ideas to the Committee. The artist will be donating over $55,000 worth Page 1 of 5 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes May 19, 2022 of labor costs. The Corten steel fencing around the electrical meter box will be placed to allow accessibility for maintenance. The Parks Department will be installing a landscape fabric along the steel fencing, which will reduce the growth of grass/weeds. Mr. Black requested clarification on screening for the right side of the trail. He suggested the City contact the property owner to discuss the artwork project. The goal is to prevent the artwork from being overshadowed by the property owners’ old fence. Ms. Walker responded the Corten steel screening will be placed in front of the existing privacy fencing on the adjacent property to the trail. The proposed Corten fence will be 6-feet tall with silhouette outlines (no cutout designs), which should hide the old fence. Mr. Gianikas noted City has not been able to make contact yet but will do so soon. He suggested painting the fence a dark green color and perhaps planting a jasmine vine. Member Adam Lombardo asked if the city could place shrubbery between the fences to hide the old fence. Mr. Gianikas explained how creating a gap can cause issues in the future and landscape maintenance would be difficult. Mr. Gianikas shared photos of the panel artwork that was presented to the Selection Committee. Ms. Walker noted the middle painting will be used as the cover art for the Bridges project, which will be distributed on Juneteenth. Mr. Gianikas commented the Selection Committee may need to have another meeting to review the silhouette design. 5. Other Project updates Mr. Gianikas discussed the 28-lot affordable housing project in and around the West Ocala Historic District. The city is under negotiation with two vendors and reviewing the building design plans that were submitted. The Negotiation Committee will be scheduling a meeting in June or July and the goal is to execute an agreement to start construction. Mr. Carelock asked if the homes will be marketed for sale. Mr. Gianikas responded yes; the plan is to have the majority of single-family homes owner occupied. Mr. Carelock asked when construction will start. Mr. Gianikas responded the anticipated construction start date is October 2022. Ms. Adams requested an update on the Tucker Hill project. Mr. Gianikas explained there is still a title problem with one of the properties. Ms. Brooks commented West Ocala consists of 70% rentals, and the goal is to create stabilization in the area. She asked how many of the units will be rentals. Mr. Gianikas responded the city received one proposal for a duplex rental. Ms. Brooks expressed concern regarding the high rental percentage in the area. Mr. Carelock spoke on challenges contractors face when building/selling properties. The city cannot prevent people from purchasing properties to rent out. Page 2 of 5 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes May 19, 2022 Ms. Brooks suggested cleaning up the area to create more housing opportunities to secure permanent residents versus temporary renters. Mr. Gianikas commented the City will be marketing the property at northeast corner of West Silver Springs Boulevard and SW 19th Avenue, the former GOCDC property, for redevelopment proposals. The property is zoned residential office (professional and business offices); retail uses is not permitted. Mr. Landers asked if the City had given any serious consideration to Mr. Jenkins proposal for the residential property. And added Mr. Jenkins requested the city donate the land. Mr. Gianikas explained the standard city process for requesting proposals for redevelopment of city owned property. The city posts available property through the city’s Procurement Department. Applicants submitting a proposal must provide the city with both development plans and detailed business plan for review. The property will be marketed for proposals during the summer. Mr. Landers requested the city email Mr. Jenkins the proposal details. Mr. Gianikas acknowledged the request. Mr. Carelock spoke on the challenges associated with Mr. Jenkins proposal. The estimated ownership debt for the development project amounts to $700,000-$800,000. He asked what the property is zoned. Mr. Gianikas responded the property zoned R-O, Residential Office. Mr. Thomas suggested the city create a partnership with an organization, such as Synergy. He anticipated the partnership will attract businesses to rent office space. Mr. Carelock suggested developing office condos to be purchased to cover expenses and create an association to manage the property. Ms. Brooks questioned if a manager/entity would be responsible for the property. Mr. Carelock responded each tenant would need to meet the qualifications to be approved for a unit, such as a homeowner’s association. Mr. Lombardo commented applicants would not need to qualify for $700,000; only $100,000. Ms. Brooks asked who will be responsible for the association. Mr. Carelock responded the association creates a Board and commented he knows several individuals who would be interested in purchasing the units. Mr. Black questioned if applicants will be able to qualify to be a member of the consortium. Mr. Carelock responded he knows four people with Incubator that would meet the qualifications. Mr. Thomas suggested creating a partnership with Incubator, which will result in cost savings for the city. The partnership will help create grant opportunities for new businesses expanding in Ocala. Mr. Gianikas commented the city will have interested businesses submit a Request for Proposal (RFP). Ms. Brooks recommended the city provide leadership resources to help businesses achieve Page 3 of 5 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes May 19, 2022 success. Mr. Thomas concurred and anticipated that business owners will be greatly interested in the office space. Mr. Gianikas commented the RFP will be posted within the next few months. The proposed RFP will be provided to the Board for review. He explained the selection process, which consists of a financial review of the project and the applicant. Mr. Gianikas commented the West Oak development received approval on Phase 2 last month. He provided an overview of the map and noted construction is taking place on the north/south connector road from NW 21st Street to NW 35th Street. Mr. Carelock asked what size house can be built on a 4,800 square-foot lot. Mr. Gianikas responded the minimum lot size is 40' x 120'. He anticipated the developer will build zero lot line houses. Mr. Carelock asked if the apartments will be placed on along SW 21st Street. Mr. Gianikas showed an overview of the master plan, which indicated apartments were proposed for that location. Mr. Thomas asked if the apartments will be affordable or mixed housing units. Mr. Gianikas responded the developer is building a mixture of housing units, and he believes a minimum of 10% must be affordable housing. Mr. Gianikas commented the Mary Sue Rich Community Center scheduled is tentatively scheduled to be open in December 2022. Mr. Carelock asked if the Mary Sue Rich Community Center was able to resolve the soil problem. Mr. Gianikas responded he did not receive an update this month. Mr. Thomas questioned if the project will be affected by supply chain issues. Mr. Gianikas responded he did not believe that was the case. 6. Development & zoning cases update Mr. Gianikas commented there are no other updates at this time. 7. Other business Ms. Brooks requested an update on Crystal Apartments and the affordable apartments project located at NW 21st Street & NW Martin Luther King Avenue. Mr. Gianikas responded he did not have updates at this time; but will provide them to the Committee when available. Ms. Brooks expressed concern regarding numerous apartment developments being built in the area. 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:41 p.m. Page 4 of 5 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes May 19, 2022 The meeting was re-opened at 3:42 pm for Jacqueline Genwright’s comments. 7. Other business Jacqueline Genwright, 8407 Butes Drive, Bowie, MD, stated her father was born and raised in West Ocala. She expressed concern regarding the living conditions for low-income residents in the area. She questioned if the Tucker Hill development project will be building around existing homes. Mr. Gianikas responded yes. Ms. Genwright commented the existing homes around the development are in great need of maintenance. She requested the Affordable Housing Program be taken very seriously and chosen applicants should be required to maintain their property. She provided an overview of the affordable housing homeownership requirements. She asked if the city utilizes an income bracket for the Affordable Housing Program. Chairman Landers responded the Board has no authority over the affordable housing qualifications. He noted the Ocala Housing Authority provides educational resources for homeownership. Ms. Genwright questioned how the city will ensure homeowners maintain their property. Mr. Carelock replied that the Ocala Code Enforcement Division regulates zoning compliance in the West Ocala area. Furthermore, the Tucker Hill development project is scattered across eight blocks in the community. Ms. Brooks suggested Ms. Genwright review the project site plans and spoke on the Committee's efforts to support the West Ocala area. Ms. Genwright expressed concern regarding the appearance of West Ocala. She suggested the city create a partnership with Habitat for Humanity International to create a plan to revitalize the area. Ms. Brooks spoke on the importance of organizations coming together to make a difference in the community and create more homeownership opportunities. The goal is to create a safe and healthy environment for the residents of Ocala. Ms. Genwright commented she is working with City Council to help revitalize the community and thanked the Board for their time. 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:01 pm. Page 5 of 5