In its continued pursuit to expand workforce and affordable housing options on the Island, the Town of Hilton Head Island earlier this year issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a private development partner.
It received 10 proposals from experienced firms interested in the Town’s initiative to create a vibrant, well-planned neighborhood on its Northpointe Tract. "We intend to identify the best partner to help the Town develop a sustainable neighborhood that provides quality, affordable homes for people who live and work on our Island – our teachers, our healthcare workers, restaurant workers and others," said Mayor John McCann.
The proposed neighborhood will be located on more than 12 acres of land off William Hilton Parkway next to the north end post office. It is within proximity of the Island Recreation Center and the Hilton Head Island public school campus.
"We are continuing to make great strides toward our strategic goals for workforce and affordable housing. Our request for qualifications resulted in several great responses for this initiative," said Town Manager Marc Orlando. "The Northpointe Public-Private Partnership Housing Advisory Committee that Town Council appointed in June is assisting Town staff with its review of qualifications to determine who best can help us achieve our vision."
The Advisory Committee
The advisory committee consists of Town Council Members David Ames, Tom Lennox, and Alex Brown, along with Scott Wierman and Kumar Viswanathan, representatives of the public who have experience in finance and real estate development. Wierman is President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, and Viswanathan is the Founder and President of Asset Management Associates, a real estate investment company.
The advisory committee held its first meeting on July 18 and began reviewing the qualifications of prospective partners. They will continue that process at a meeting on Monday, August 15, at 9 am at Town Hall. The initial portion of the meeting will be open to the public and then transition to an executive session where committee members and Town staff will discuss the proposals and select the finalists.
Next Steps: Interviewing and Recommending Finalists
Following the August 15 meeting, finalists will be notified and asked to prepare detailed development proposals. Town staff and the advisory committee will review the proposals, conduct interviews with the finalists and provide a recommendation to Town Manager Marc Orlando. Orlando anticipates recommending a development partner to the Town Council this fall and having the project under contract by the end of this year.
The advisory committee will also work with Town staff on development of criteria to determine who is eligible for housing as part of this initiative. Committee members will continue to meet and discuss housing policy recommendations at regular intervals until the project is completed and full occupancy is achieved.
Site Work
Contractors for the Town are surveying the Northpointe Tract where the proposed neighborhood will be developed. The survey work includes identifying trees and topography, and evaluating infrastructure needs such as roads, pathways, water, sewer, and other utilities. The developer and the Town will use the survey results to design a sustainable neighborhood.
Follow Our Progress
For more information or to follow the progress of the workforce and affordable housing initiative on the Northpointe Tract, visit the Town's Capital Improvements Program Dashboard at www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/cip/ or email Ben Brown, Senior Advisor to the Town Manager, at BenB@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
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