{"id":389043,"date":"2026-09-03T06:26:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T06:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/389043\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T06:26:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T06:26:14","slug":"habitat-seeks-to-revive-failed-east-sixth-street-townhome-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/389043\/","title":{"rendered":"Habitat seeks to revive failed East Sixth Street townhome project\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

A failed\u00a0 24-unit affordable housing development in downtown Apopka is getting a second chance under Habitat for Humanity, but the nonprofit warned city staff Wednesday that additional costs could jeopardize the project.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The application concerns the former Cornerstone at Sixth site at 350 E. Sixth St., where Hannibal Square Community Land Trust previously planned an estimated $8.1 million development consisting of 24 affordable townhomes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cLast month, Habitat for Humanity bought this property, and if you\u2019re aware of the history of the property, another not-for-profit owned it and tried to develop these townhomes and didn\u2019t have the financial wherewithal to make it happen,\u201d Ed Schrank, Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka\u2019s chief construction officer, told the Development Review Committee.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Orange County terminated its developer\u2019s agreement<\/a> with Hannibal Square Community Land Trust after the nonprofit encountered financial problems and failed to make sufficient progress on the project.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Orange County Property Appraiser records identify Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka as the owner of parcels within the proposed development.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Habitat is trying to move forward with substantially the same 24-unit plan under the name Apopka Townhomes. The construction documents describe the July application as a submission for \u201cre-permit\u201d and contain plans dating from the earlier development.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Schrank said Habitat was assured during its due diligence that, subject to city code changes made since the previous approvals, the project could proceed largely as designed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, city staff identified outstanding comments that must be resolved before the construction site plan can be approved. Planning and zoning manager Bobby Howell said the density appeared to comply with the property\u2019s allowance of 10 units per acre and characterized some of the other comments as procedural or cleanup matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Schrank told the committee that Habitat cannot afford to lose any of the project\u2019s 24 units and still make the development financially feasible. Habitat must raise about $3 million beyond the anticipated proceeds from selling the homes, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cA private developer couldn\u2019t make this project work as designed, but we can and we will,\u201d Schrank said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He asked staff to distinguish between changes required by city code and improvements that might be desirable but are not mandatory.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s a want-to-have as opposed to a must-have, we ask that you look back to what was approved two years ago and don\u2019t let perfect be the enemy of good in this thing,\u201d Schrank said. \u201cWe\u2019re on the edge financially, and if our cost increases a little too much, we\u2019re going to have to sell the property and not develop it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may not be able to make it perfect,\u201d he added. \u201cLet\u2019s try for good. Twenty-four affordable houses is a good thing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Howell offered to meet separately with the project team to work through the remaining comments.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe definitely want to help you get this project built,\u201d Howell said. \u201cThis is a good thing for the city.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The DRC recommended denial at this stage because comments remain outstanding. Howell said the 24-unit development does not require public hearings and can receive approval at the DRC level once the outstanding issues are resolved.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n

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