SARASOTA, Fla. — New workforce housing is coming in Sarasota as city commissioners greenlight a proposal for a city-owned attainable housing complex.
If all goes as outlined in the plan presented by City Manager Marlon Brown, the project could be completed within the next two years.
The unanimous vote followed an hours-long spirited discussion about how visionary this idea was for the city to create, own & operate its own workforce housing.
City leaders gave staff the marching orders to purchase two pieces of property on Main Street, right across from City Hall, for $7.4 million.
The proposal calls to build two 12-story buildings with nearly 200 apartment units including retail space and three levels each for a parking garage.
Along with around 200 parking spots for residents, the parking garages would have at least 100 public parking spots.
The apartments ranging from 1-to-3 bedroom units would house workforce personnel like teachers, nurses, city workers and first responders as well as retail and hospitality sector employees making under $120,000.
"The cost of a house right now is close to $500,000. Just think about that. Nobody's buying homes. They are downsizing and living in apartments and they have to be able to afford those apartments," said Kyle Battie, District 1 Commissioner, City of Sarasota.
The plan also looks to cap rent at under $1200 and is getting support from various community organizations some of which had representation at the meeting.
"I'm excited that the city is working on some creative concepts for more affordable housing and we want to make the lives of the people that perform and provide that service more enjoyable by living close to where they work," said Julie Leach, Executive Director of Westcoast Black Theater Troupe.
"They will not need to commute from Port Charlotte, North Port into downtown. It'll take all those cars off the road and put the workers and all that workforce where the workplace is," said Jon Thaxton with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
Thaxton's organization has pledged $1.5 million toward the project with conditions that stipulate it must be owned by the city in perpetuity and also be a part of the city's affordable housing goals.
Not everyone is on board citing congestion and the use of $4 million on funds from the city's trust fund for affordable housing meant for families on low income.
"It's the mechanics of where we put it. There is plenty of space in the City Of Sarasota and within the city limits to put affordable housing without having it congest our Main Street any more than it already is," said Melissa Furman of Sarasota.
City commissioners discussed details of the proposal including the various recommendations and how city staff would embark on achieving the project.
The vote would now permit the city manager and the city's attorney to work with local philanthropic organizations including the Barancik Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. They are also going to look into working with government entities including the state to find avenues to bring the project into reality.
The city manager said the plan is to begin construction by the beginning of next year and complete the buildings as early as the end of 2025 or the summer of the following year.