Proposed Multifamily At 1718 W. 26th St.

[Urbannizer]

https://theleadernews.com/proposed-mixed-income-development-in-shady-acres-concerns-citizens/

 

Oak Forest’s Susan Dooley, the owner of dog daycare Polka Dot Dogs, has leased her 2505 Ella Blvd. location for a decade and enjoyed success there. So it came as a blow when one of her customers told her about a developer’s intent to purchase the land that included her business location.

A subsequent talk with her landlord confirmed what Dooley had heard.

 

The developer, the ITEX Group, is proposing a mixed-income, 180-unit project at 1718 W. 26th St., according to ITEX Director of Development Ali Morris. The working plan is for 55 percent of those units to be offered at discounted rates to those below a certain income threshold while the rest would be market rate.

 

“We want (the development) to look and feel like the neighborhood,” Morris said.

 

Shady Acres Civic Club board member Allison Newport said former District C Houston City Council Member Ellen Cohen referred ITEX to her as a contact and that the board met with ITEX in January.

 

“The developer was interested in getting design input, and (learning) how they can help the neighborhood, both of which are amiable goals,” Newport said.

Because ITEX is seeking to build affordable homes, it can apply for 9 percent federal tax credits funded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), which looks at a variety of factors in the application process. One of these factors, according to newly elected District C council member Abbie Kamin, is municipal support.

 

“Developers seeking the City of Houston’s support must submit an application to the city’s Housing and Community Development Department,” Kamin said. “The department evaluates the applications on various criteria including access to public transportation, economic opportunity (and) strong schools.”

 

Kamin said the application must meet a minimum of eight criteria, out of a possible 24, to receive a resolution of support.

 

“The tax subsidy criteria awards points for community letters of support, from civic clubs, nonprofits, HOAs, so community engagement is in the developer’s interest,” Newport said.

 

The meeting with ITEX took place Tuesday, Feb. 11. Newport said Dooley reached out to her, and Newport invited Dooley to attend.

“I hate to see her business displaced,” Newport said. “I was surprised that her landlord hadn’t previously informed her of the market listing and potential sale.”

 

Harris County Appraisal District records list Yaggi Real Estate Partners LLP as the longtime owner of both 2505 Ella Blvd. and adjacent 1706 W. 26th St., which is the address for the ITEX development. The total appraisal for the two properties is about $1.5 million. Preston Yaggi, of Lee & Associates, said that although he does not own the properties, he is representing family members in the possible sale.