FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today announced an initiative to help meet the need for housing that is affordable to seniors and Frederick County’s workforce. A Request for Proposals has been issued to affordable housing developers seeking proposals for two County-owned properties. The effort supports the Executive’s vision of advancing fairness and equity in the community, and creating affordable housing.
Issued this week, the Request for Proposals seeks ideas for a 10-acre parcel at Sebastian Boulevard and Md. Route 26 in Dearbought, and 4.5 acres on Alan Linton Boulevard East next to Tuscarora Elementary School. The County Executive is seeking proposals that are designed and designated as affordable housing for seniors or as workforce housing that provides below-market housing options. Proposals that include environmentally friendly features, energy efficiencies, and activity space for residents also will receive greater preference. Ideally, the proposals will blend into the existing neighborhoods. Selected proposals will undergo a public process to ensure community input.
“Advancing affordable housing options by leveraging county-owned surplus land implements the Livable Frederick master plan goal to ensure that housing options are available and accessible for people of varying income levels who want to live, work, raise a family, and retire in Frederick County,” Executive Gardner said during her public information briefing. “And it aligns with our efforts for fairness and equity to ensure that all people have access and the opportunity for housing.”
A similar process was used when the former County office building and school at 520 N. Market St. in Frederick became available. As a result of the winning RFP, the County partnered with a local nonprofit and developer to create 59 apartments at that location, with many of the units offered at below-market rates.
Proposals will be accepted through Aug. 30. The full Request for Proposals is available online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Bids.
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