In 2018, City Hall had the opportunity to execute a "right to first refusal" on the property, meaning the municipal government had the opportunity to buy it before anyone else. However, City Council was wavering without clear direction, and the opportunity was fading quickly.
In response, I laid out a new vision for the site: Mixed-income, mixed-use development that would maximize the number of affordable units on site and serve an an anchor for the redevelopment of a long-ignored downtown corridor.
Leveraging media coverage and public support, I was able to persuade City Council to approve the purchase, acquiring the property for $5.2 million (only 50% of its fair market value) and ensuring it will house low-income neighbors for generations.
