Church plan to build housing stymied
Proposal falters due to sudden interest in land from others.
million of the Community Redevelopment Agency’s money. Since then, other organizations — including the Palm Beach County Hous- ing Authority — have shown interest.
“I was a little disappointed. BOYNTON BEACH — St. John We got amendments to these Missionary Baptist Church proposals as late as this aftermembers filled City Hall on noon,” Commissioner Joe Tuesday night hoping offi- Casello said. “Out of all of cials would give them the the proposals I’ve looked vacant Ocean Breeze East through, none of them are land where the church’s a good business deal for the leader has proposed build- CRA.” ing affordable apartments The City Commission sitfor seniors. ting Tuesday as the CRA
But officials turned down board decided to hold off the proposal because of a on choosing a proposal, and high — and last minute — instead invited all interested interest in the Heart of Boyn- developers to put in their ton property from others. best project. Staff usually
The church partnered with ranks the proposals that are Roundstone Development submitted and recommends and said it could build the one to the board to choose. housing, but with about $10 That likely would not hap- pen until the fall. the city about $3.6 million
Developers have submitted toward the Town Square multiple plans for more than downtown redevelopment a decade to build residen- project, which includes starttial space at this 4-acre site, ing the rehabilitation of the and all failed. Most develophistoric high school. And ers have relied on awarded it wants to put $600,000 tax credits but haven’t been toward sprucing up nearby able to secure them. Sara Sims Park.
St. John and Dallas-based “We cannot afford to do affordable housing builder Sara Sims right now and this Roundstone said it didn’t project,” Vice Mayor Justin need those tax credits but Katz said. wanted the land for free. And Mayor Steven Grant and it wanted about $10 million Commissioner Mack McCray, over 20 years, with $1 mil- who is a member of St. John, lion in cash upfront, from the voted against the RFP proCRA. The land was appraised cess. at about $1.5 million. The “How much longer is it CRA paid $6.5 million for going to be vacant? I’m for the property in 2007. moving forward,” Grant said.
Tuesday’s decision came McCray credited St. John during ongoing 2017-18 bud- for having the initiative to get workshops for the CRA come to the table first. and the city. Before the Ocean
Breeze East discussion, the board said it wanted to give