Redevelopment Process Moves Forward

About three weeks ago, the housing authority issued a "request for qualifications" to find qualified and interested developers for the public housing redevelopment project.

Ten companies responded - three with Florida experience and seven others.

The developers with Florida experience are:

• The Carlisle Group, which built the Willow Creek Apartments in North Port,
• National Development of America, which built the Bayou Oaks Apartments in Sarasota.
• MICHAELS DEVELOPMENT CORP., Mariton, N.J.: Since 1963, Michaels has built 40,000 homes in 27 states, Fl sites include Belmont Heights Estates in Tampa.

A committee including Bill Russell and Karen Curry from the Housing Authority's staff; public housing residents Valerie Buchand and Marjory Mack; Gail Miller, chief finance officer for Sarasota County; John Hawthorne Newtown Redevelopment manager; and the Rev. Patrick Miller of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Newtown will evaluate the qualifications of the developers on a point system based on various factors such as experience with public housing, Florida experience, etc.

The housing authority and the consultant group hired to help select the developer will then negotiate with the top ranked companies to choose the best developer for the Sarasota project. Selection is targeted for early summer.

The SHT article about this process is linked here.