Habitat for Humanity of Marion County is hoping to develop 33 single family homes as part of the city of Ocala’s Imagine North Magnolia initiative.
The topic will come up during the North Magnolia CRA Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, July 29. During that meeting, which takes place in City Council Chambers at 110 SE Watula Avenue, two proposals that were received by the city of Ocala’s Growth Management Department will be discussed.
Habitat hopes to construct 33 homes that are either 1,066 square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom units, or 1,340 square-foot, 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom units. Both templates will come with driveways and 8’ x 12’ detached sheds.
Habitat for Humanity is a developer of affordable homes for sale that are generally 80% or below the area median income (AMI).
The city posted an “Invitation to Negotiate” (ITN) in May and received two responses. Unlike a request for proposal, which solicits vendors to submit finalized project plans, an ITN allows the city to enter into negotiations in order to work together with vendors towards finalizing plans.
Both proposals were for Project Area 1, the residential portion of project. Habitat’s proposal encompassed all four sections of that project, A, B, C, and D.
D&S Development also submitted a smaller proposal for 12 single-family homes in two sections (1A and 1D) of the project.
Project Area 2 is designated as Mixed-Use and Project Area 3 is designated as Commercial.
According to city records, both proposals request that the properties be donated and both organizations agree to comply with Ocala Affordable Housing Code. The organizations will also both apply to the Housing Incentive Fund for all homes.
The four parcels that Habitat hopes to use are located along NW 3rd Avenue in the North Magnolia district. They would be near and adjacent to a new park that is planned for the area.
Project Areas 2 and 3 include commercial properties along NW 1st Avenue and N Magnolia Avenue.