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Skeptical crowd warms to complex
By MICHAEL SANDLER, Times Staff Writer LARGO -- They came with figures, fliers and photos to quell the fears within the room. They mentioned firefighters, police officers and teachers as possible tenants. For more than an hour, representatives from the Pinellas County Housing Authority gave the Largo City Commission and the packed audience of residents a strong sales pitch about their possible plans for the apartments at Ashley Crossing. But the words that mattered most came when they promised what they would not build. "In layman's terms, this is not public housing," said Angel Tua, deputy executive director for PCHA. "Let's make that clear." Tua and Realtor John Stone of Colliers Arnold went before the commission to request permission to purchase the 278-unit abandoned apartment complex off Rosery Road so the housing authority could turn it into an affordable housing complex for families earning 60 to 80 percent of the median income ($47,700) in Pinellas County. A private developer initially had plans to remodel the 1969 building. But HUD, which had guaranteed the loan, foreclosed on the property after the developer defaulted on a payment in 2000. The law says Largo must have an opportunity to purchase first. If not, the housing authority wants to pursue it. City officials initially said they had no interest, but the commission requested a discussion with the housing authority after hearing several homeowners expressed fears of having a public housing project in their neighborhood. It came before them last week during the monthly work session. After listening to Tua and Stone, and allowing the 25 residents an opportunity to ask questions, the commission seemed convinced. "Barring any new information, I've made up my mind," said Commissioner Pat Gerard. "I think we ought to give them the go-ahead to purchase." Commissioner Harriet Crozier agreed. "Sure, every place will have problems," she said. "But it is not what they envision it to be. In big bold letters, they said it is not (public housing). I don't see it as a detriment to the neighborhood." Many were relieved when Stone showed photos of other affordable housing units acquired by the housing authority, such as Hamptons at Clearwater and East Lake Club Apartments. Ashley Crossing would be similar, he said. The housing authority would buy the property for $13-million and spend up to an additional $2-million on renovations. About 222 units would be offered at 80 percent of the fair market rent, from $572 for a studio to $797 for a 1,300-square-foot apartment with two bedrooms and two baths. The other 56 would go for 60 percent ranging from $459 to $582. Stone said people earning less than $38,150 (80 percent) and $28,620 (60 percent) would qualify, many of them city workers who could use a break on housing. "A lot of us don't think of ourselves in that category, but that's what it is," he said. "Teachers, cops, firefighters fit into the 60 percent level. School teachers can't live near the school because they can't afford the $850 rent. They can afford $650." Not everyone was sold. Ron Poole lives in walking distance from the apartments on Paradise Lane. He opposes the plan for affordable housing. He said he might approve if the authority would guarantee it will rent all the units, but he worries about what will happen if they can't fill the place. He sees too many apartments crowded together in an ugly complex with no playgrounds. He's convinced it will end up as housing projects. "It's not a place people would want to live," he said. "It's a place people have to live. That does not attract happy people." Stone said the housing authority would not manage the property. A third-party management company would be hired to keep it in good condition and the bonds ensure constant cash, unlike private companies that are more subject to risk. Commissioner Marty Shelby said he would prefer to see a private developer take control, but sees no reason to object to the housing authority's request. "The concept of affordable housing as they presented it is different than the perception people had," he said. "I thought it was a valuable discussion." -- Michael Sandler can be reached at (727) 445-4174 or sandler@sptimes.com.
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
