Title
Redevelopment of Seminary Lane (B)
Explanation
A number of months ago, the Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Board (FAPS) discussed several issues concerning the Seminary Lane property on the Northwest 5th Avenue Corridor. The Board discussed a general frustration with the negative impact Seminary Lane has on the neighborhood and with its ongoing crime and management issues. The Board believes that if Seminary Lane were to redevelop, the impact on the district would be significant.
Staff arranged for Mr. John Cherry of the Gainesville Housing Authority to attend a FAPS meeting. At that meeting, the Board discussed several suggestions for how the development might better fit into the neighborhood. One of the suggestions included the possible use of the Façade Grant program to help incorporate CPTED techniques into the development.
After the FAPS meeting, staff heard from an architect who works with the Housing Authority and provided information about the Façade Grant program. However, staff has since heard that the Housing Authority has abandoned that plan due to cost considerations.
The Advisory Board remains frustrated by negative impacts the Seminary Lane development has had on their efforts to revitalize the neighborhood. The Board is concerned that the buildings may be in disrepair and believes that the management of the development could be handled differently. The Board is requesting that the CRA do whatever it can to move this site into the redevelopment process.
Fiscal Note
None at this time
Recommendation
Fifth Avenue Pleasant Street Redevelopment Advisory Board to the CRA: Explore the possibilities of demolishing and redeveloping the Seminary Lane housing project as a mixed use (retail/condo) building.