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Following research and review of the proposal, and meetings with East to West Development <br />Corporation staff, alternatives such as lessening the quality of finishes, and/or substituting less <br />expensive building materials were discussed that could marginally reduce the price for each <br />single-family home. Unfortunately, due to the recent dramatic price increases in building <br />materials, and shortages of materials, it is difficult to quantify future costs savings that could result <br />from these changes. <br />Ultimately, the selection committee determined it would not recommend award to the sole <br />proposer, as it is not in the public interest. The RFP gives the Board "the right to accept or reject <br />any and all proposals in whole or in part and to waive any technicality or irregularity." The RFP <br />also provides that "the County may, solely at its own option, seek additional Submittals with this <br />or a similar Submittal in the event the County, solely at its own option, determines that the <br />quantity and/or quality of Submittals received is insufficient to meet the County's needs and/or <br />that award of a contract arising from this RFP would not be in the public interest." <br />On February 23, 2022, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) met and considered <br />the proposal received for the Gifford Gardens project. At the meeting, Committee members <br />voiced concerns regarding the price of the houses being too high, and ultimately did not support <br />the project for that reason. Since there is still a desire among the Committee members for <br />redevelopment of the Gifford Gardens site with affordable housing, a workshop is scheduled for <br />April 27, 2022, to identify more viable alternatives for affordable housing. <br />At the workshop, the price points, aesthetics, equity building potential, and community building <br />potential for options including townhomes, condominiums, apartments, and different types of <br />single-family homes will be discussed. Following the workshop, it is anticipated that a new RFP <br />will be developed based on the findings. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />In the interest of providing a redevelopment project for the Gifford Gardens property that offers <br />housing within the financial reach of the community members which it intends to serve, and in <br />line with the recommendations of the selection committee and the AHAC, staff recommends that <br />the Board of County Commissioners reject the proposal from East to West Development <br />Corporation for the redevelopment of the Gifford Gardens site with single-family homes. <br />Following the April 27, 2022 AHAC workshop, staff will return to the BCC with a summary of the <br />workshop and a new RFP, as appropriate. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />1. East to West Development Corporation Gifford Gardens Site Proposal <br />2 F 03 <br />