2 new affordable housing projects coming to Bradenton. One to replace movie theater
Manatee County officials paved the way for more than 100 units of affordable housing in their final public meeting before the summer recess.
Two separate projects came to the board for approval at a Land Use Meeting earlier this month. Each aimed provide more than 50 units for residents with low income.
While construction timelines were not discussed, board members said they were excited about the opportunity to add apartment units with cheap rent at a time when housing prices have skyrocketed.
Commissioners have shown a renewed interest in providing assistance to those experiencing the housing crisis. Earlier this year, the board voted to approve new jobs dedicated to connecting homeless residents with resources.
In addition to rising inflation and property values, the cost of rent in certain parts of Manatee County is about $200 higher than it was last year, according to data from RentHub.com. The median price of home sales in Bradenton is about $125,000 higher than it was a year ago, too.
Both projects were approved unanimously by county officials.
Hope Village aims to support struggling families
The first project, called Hope Village, is dedicated to keeping at-risk parents housed and on the path to economic independence, developers say. The community will provide a variety of services, including programs that teach financial literacy and other counseling resources.
Help to Home, a local nonprofit organization and homeless resource group, plans to build at least 53 apartment units on 4.8 acres at 1825 30th Ave. W. in Bradenton.
Each unit is expected to be about 600 square feet and serve as temporary housing while residents work toward their goals over 18 or 24 months.
“We want to give families a chance to escape the cycle of poverty and potential homelessness,” said Rachel Layton, a planner representing the developer. “We do this by helping moms and dads achieve better family life and independence so that their children have safe and stable homes.”
Layton explained that Hope Village will screen applicants to search for parents with low income. Once approved, property managers will work together with the residents to come up with a long-term plan to achieve financial stability.
Commissioner Misty Servia described Hope Village as a “life-changing” addition to the county’s housing market. Other board members heaped on the praise for the project, as well.
“As someone who didn’t have an address between the age of 15 and 17, this really touched me,” said Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who has spoken openly about her battle with homelessness. “This is really refreshing.”
“This is the exact project we’ve all been talking about we need here. It’s got the wraparound services and smaller, affordable units,” said Commissioner George Kruse.
“This is a proof of concept that we can these done if we get the right team together and the right focus,” he added.
Hope Village has support from community leaders, too. Several groups and residents spoke in favor of the project during the public hearing.
“I can tell you that this plan that was presented to you is a critical need for our community,” said Capt. Rick Gerken, who oversees the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s homeless outreach unit. “These folks are investing in people, not investing to raise money.”
The main concern from Manatee officials was that the project didn’t seek to maximize the number of units it could build. Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Kruse pushed Help to Home to consider increasing the number of planned apartments.
Under the county’s development rules, the property could fit 43 more units, Kruse noted.
Layton said the developer is open to the idea of adding more units. Hope Village is expected to come back to the board for final approval later this year.
Ellenton movie theater may become housing
The second project is an alternative to a project the board approved in December 2018, when developers said they aimed to build a movie theater, a hotel and additional retail space near the Ellenton Premium Outlets.
But the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted customers’ demand for movie theaters, developers say.
“The whole COVID thing and what’s going on made theaters a whole different story. We’re sad about that, as well, but life isn’t the way it was two or three years ago,” said Caleb Grimes, a land use attorney representing the developer.
Instead, the 7.9-acre property on the corner of Factory Shops Boulevard and 60th Avenue East could become the home of a four-story apartment building. The project is slated to bring 235 units, with 59 of them designated as affordable housing with lower monthly rent.
“This provides an opportunity to cap the rental rates and provide a dynamic environment with a retail perspective,” said Steven Guasch, co-founder of Defined Companies, the developer behind the planned project.
Guasch said the apartment building would be designed to reflect West Indies architecture and feature “resort-style amenities,” such as elevators, a clubhouse for residents and an indoor/outdoor fitness center.
“We desperately need housing of all kinds, but when I hear a portion of it will be affordable, I’m very excited about that,” Servia said. “I think this is a very exciting place for people to live with all of the shopping around it.”
Commissioner James Satcher, who represents that part of the county, voiced concerns about the traffic in the area despite voting to approve the project’s general development plan.
“It’s not a good spot to put more cars,” Satcher said.
County staff said a major improvement to 60th Avenue East is in the works, which should resolve some of the congestion.
