File #: 15-151    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Action Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 5/1/2015 In control: City Council
On agenda: 5/12/2015 Final action: 5/12/2015
Title: Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Request to Approve the Donation of Vacant Lots to HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER PEORIA AREA for the Construction of Three (3) New, Affordable, Single-Family, Owner-Occupied Homes Located at 1833 N. ATLANTIC ST., 1915 N. DELAWARE, and 900/902 E. NEBRASKA. (District 3)
ACTION REQUESTED:  
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Request to Approve the Donation of Vacant Lots to HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER PEORIA AREA for the Construction of Three (3) New, Affordable, Single-Family, Owner-Occupied Homes Located at 1833 N. ATLANTIC ST., 1915 N. DELAWARE, and 900/902 E. NEBRASKA.  (District 3)
Body
 
BACKGROUND: Habitat for Humanity submitted a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) application for the 2014 CHDO certification process.  In their application, Habitat identified a proposed affordable housing project that included the construction of three (3) new, single-family, owner-occupied homes.  Habitat identified in their CHDO application that site control and the potential location of the builds is a project barrier and welcomed the opportunity to discuss site locations to leverage other targeted neighborhood strategies.  City staff met with Habitat and discussed vacant lots owned by the City, the feasibility of such lots for development, and the location of the lots to leverage existing neighborhood initiatives.  City staff and Habitat agreed that build locations in the East Bluff would complement the current neighborhood stabilization activities of various community partners (LISC, East Buff Neighborhood Housing Services (EBNHS), East Bluff Community Center, etc).  
 
In a separate City Council Request for Action, City staff will request the approval of $300,000 of HUD HOME funds to Habitat for their proposed CHDO project.  This Request for Council Action is to approve the property donation to Habitat for the CHDO project.
 
Below is a chart that summarizes the City ownership for the vacant lots:
Property Address
Date of Ownership
Comments / Notes
1833 N Atlantic Street
October 2013
Purchased from the County Trustee
900 E Nebraska
December 2013
Judicial Deed issued through Abandoned Property / Demolition Process
902 E Nebraska
October 2013
Purchased from the County Trustee
1915 N Delaware
April 1988
Bank Donation
 
The properties at 1833 N. Atlantic Street, 1915 N. Delaware, and 900/902 E Nebraska are located in the East Village Growth Cell (EVCG) Tax Increment Financing District (TIF).  Per State statue, before the City can agree to, convey or dispose of property located within a TIF, the City must provide a reasonable opportunity for alternative proposals to be submitted for the property.  As such, the City published a legal notice in the Peoria Journal Star on March 6, 2015 stating its intention to convey the property to Habitat for the project.  The notice allowed for other interested parties to submit alternative proposals or bids that would be accepted on or before Friday, March 27, 2015.  No other proposals or bids were submitted to the City for the properties at 1833 N. Atlantic Street, 1915 N. Delaware, and 900/902 E Nebraska.
 
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City will donate the vacant lots at 1833 N. Atlantic Street, 1915 N. Delaware, and 900/902 E Nebraska to Habitat for Humanity for their CHDO project (construction of new, affordable, single-family, owner-occupied homes).
 
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS:   The donation of the property is a part of Habitat for Humanity's CHDO project.  Habitat has met various community stakeholders in the East Bluff to discuss the proposed project.  Once approved by Council, Habitat intends to continually engage the East Bluff neighborhood in their development plans.
      
IMPACT IF APPROVED:  The City will donate the property at 1833 N. Atlantic Street, 1915 N. Delaware, and 900/902 E Nebraska to Habitat for their CHDO project.
 
IMPACT IF DENIED:   The City will not donate the property at 1833 N. Atlantic Street, 1915 N. Delaware, and 900/902 E Nebraska to Habitat for their CHDO project.  The City will retain ownership of the properties and continue to seek development opportunities.
 
ALTERNATIVES:   None identified at this time.
 
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Habitat for Humanity: 03135-150630
 
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
 
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable      
 
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
 
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.      
 
DEPARTMENT: Community Development