Title
Seminary Lane (B)
Explanation
Seminary Lane was a multifamily low-income housing development located on NW 5th Avenue. The property is approximately 5.9 acres in size; it is owned by the Gainesville Florida Housing Corporation (GFHC) and was managed by the Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA). The development was constructed in the same era as Kennedy Homes, and was deconstructed due to severe deterioration of the buildings which left the development largely uninhabitable. The property is located midway between Downtown and the University of Florida, in the heart of the Fifth Avenue community. It is cleared/ vacant, and its condition, large size, and central location provide great redevelopment potential. The CRA has long expressed interest in the long term vision for the property, and has communicated willingness to participate and assist in the development should the Gainesville Florida Housing Corp. and GHA desire to move forward with redevelopment of the site.
In April 2010 CRA staff and the Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA) staff presented an item to the CRA Board regarding the former Seminary lane property. CRA staff and GHA requested that we partner in the redevelopment of the former Seminary Lane properties. At the conclusion of the item the CRA board moved to “authorize staff to participate in the discussions with the Gainesville Housing Authority”.
In the following years discussion regarding the redevelopment of the property stalled, and the site has remained vacant and undeveloped. In June of 2013 CRA staff met with the Gainesville Florida Housing Corporation (GFHC) and the GHA to again discuss the possibility of partnering on the redevelopment of the site. This meeting led to GHA and GFHC sending a formal request of assistance to the CRA to aid in the redevelopment of the site. Subsequently, CRA staff sent a letter of response to both organizations outlining a tentative partnership agreement.
On July 19th, CRA staff presented ...
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