SUBJECT:    APPROVAL OF BUSINESS TERMS FOR A CONSTRUCTION AND PERMANENT LOAN TO FIRST COMMUNITY HOUSING, OR ITS DESIGNATED PARTNERSHIP, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EL PASEO STUDIOS 

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT: 1

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving business terms for a construction/permanent loan of up to $4,019,475 to First Community Housing, or its designated partnership, for the development of a 98-unit studios development affordable to low-, very low- and extremely low-income households on approximately .50-acre site located at the easterly corner of Hamilton and Campbell Avenues (“Project”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

On June December 12, 2000, the City Council adopted a resolution to approve business terms for an acquisition and predevelopment loan of up to $2,220,800, a grant of up to $999,200 to subsidize 10 extremely low-income units, and an additional reservation of up to $1,715,000 for construction financing for the El Paseo Studios development.

 

On October 4, 2001, First Community Housing, or its designated partnership (“Developer”) will be submitting an application to the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) for an allocation of tax-exempt bonds.   

 

Developer will secure construction and permanent financing commitments and is seeking approval of a City construction/permanent loan of up to $3,877,448 during the construction and lease-up phases, and a loan of up to $4,019,475 during the permanent phase.

 

ANALYSIS

 

City staff has recommended that the City Council hold a TEFRA Hearing on September 25, 2001 for the issuance of up to $10,000,000 of tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds (“Bonds”) to finance the construction of the Project.     

 

The approval to issue the tax-exempt bonds and other recommendations related to the bonds will be completed under a separate report to the City Council on September 25, 2001.  The sole purpose of this report is to establish the business terms for the Housing Department’s construction /permanent loan to the project.

 

Project costs are estimated to be $15,072,431.  In addition to the funds available from bond proceeds, the developer will apply for an allocation of 4% tax credits under the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee’s (CTCAC) non-competitive funding application.

 

In conjunction with the closing of the bond financing, the City’s acquisition/predevelopment loan, which has a current outstanding balance of approximately $2,183,231, will roll into a construction loan during the construction period.   

 

Staff is recommending approval of business terms for a City construction/permanent loan, which will consist of a construction loan commitment of up to $3,877,448 and a permanent loan commitment of up to $4,019,475.  The City’s permanent loan amount consists of the City’s construction loan of up to $3,877,448 and estimated accrued construction-period interest of $142,027. 

 

Refer to the attached Fact Sheets for complete business terms for the City construction/permanent loan and related planning issues.                 

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH 

 

The developer held a neighborhood meeting on September 20, 2000 at Castro Middle School. Attendees included the Councilmember, neighborhood residents and City staff. The architect and Planning Department staff addressed questions and concerns.  Notice of a TEFRA hearing for the project’s bond financing was published on September 7, 2001 and will be heard by the City Council on September 25, 2001.

 

COORDINATION

 

Preparation of this memorandum was coordinated with the Office of the City Attorney.

 

COST IMPLICATIONS

 

No additional funding for the project is being recommended.

 

 

LESLYE CORSIGLIA

Acting Director of Housing

 

El Paseo Studios Studios

Fact Sheet

 

Development Team

 

Developer:                                            First Community Housing, or its designated partnership 

Architect:                                              Jerome King, AIA

Contractor:                                           Branagh Construction

Property Manager:                                John Stewart Company

 

Project Characteristics

 

Project Location:                                  Easterly corner of Hamilton and Campbell Avenues

Acreage:                                               .50-acre

Council District:                                    1

Project Type:                                        Studios

Group Served:                                      Low-; very low- and extremely low-income households

Number of Units:                                  98 (10 extremely low-, 46 very low-and 42 low-income households)

                                                                                        

Other Amenities:                                   Furnished community room with community kitchen, exercise facility, computer center, centralized laundry facility, landscaped courtyard and storage facilities.

Estimated Total Project Cost:                $15,072,431

Estimated Cost Per Unit:                       $155,800

City Grant Subsidy:                               $999,200 (for ten ELI units)

Anticipated City Subsidy

   at Permanent Loan:                            up to $4,019,475

 

City Grant Subsidy per ELI unit:            $99,916

Anticipated City Subsidy

   per Unit at Permanent Loan:               $45,676

 

Proposed Source of Funds (Construction)

 

Lender/Investor                     Repayment Type                               Amount           Status

Bonds                                      Interest Payment                                   $8,740,094      Proposed

City of San Jose                       Interest accrued                                    $3,877,448      Proposed

City of San Jose                       Grant                                                    $   999,200      Committed

Tax Credit Investor                   Capital Contributions                            $   100,000_    Proposed

                                                                                                Total    $13,716,742   

 

Proposed Source of Funds (Permanent)

 

Lender/Investor                     Repayment Type                               Amount           Status

Bonds                                      Amortized                                            $5,921,000      Proposed

City of San Jose                       Residual receipts                                   $4,019,475      Proposed

City of San Jose                       Grant                                                    $   999,200      Committed

General Partner                        Equity                                                   $     10,286      Proposed

Tax Credit Investor                   Capital Contributions (Equity)   $4,122,469      Proposed

                                                                                    Total                $15,072,430

                                                                                   

 

Construction/Permanent Loan Terms and Conditions: 

 
During Construction Phase

Loan Amount:                                       Up to $3,877,448

Term:                                                   24 months

Interest Rate:                                        4% simple

Security:                                               Subordinated Recorded Deed of Trust

Repayment:                                          City Permanent Loan, Including Accrued Construction Interest                         

Recourse:                                             The loan shall be recourse.

Subordination:                                      As allowed by State law.

Affordability Restrictions:                      55 year Affordability Restrictions for all of the units were recorded on the Property at the time of acquisition, and may be subordinated as permitted by State law.

 

Conditions:

 

1.      Standard conditions and documentation requirements for the Housing Department apply.

 

2.      Prior to close of the Construction Loan, the following are required:

a.                   Proforma Budget acceptable to Housing Department

b.                  Tax Credit Investor must be acceptable to Housing Department

c.                   Contractor and construction contract must be acceptable to Housing Department

 

During Permanent Phase 

 

Loan Amount:                                       Up to $4,019,475

Term:                                                   Up to 40 years

Interest Rate and Repayment:                4% simple

Security:                                               Subordinated Recorded Deed of Trust

Recourse:                                             The loan shall be non-recourse.

Subordination:                                      As allowed by State law.

Affordability Restrictions:                      55-year Affordability Restrictions for all of the units were recorded on the Property at the time of acquisition, and may be subordinated as permitted by State law.

 

Conditions:

 

Permanent Loan Conditions will be similar to Construction Loan Conditions.

 

Planning Issues

GP Designation:                                    Medium High Density Residential 25-40du/ac  

PD Rezoning Status:                             Approved

Building Permits:                                   Approved

Article XXXIV Status:                          Authority from Measure D (1994) is available

 

 

Estimated Project Development Timeline

 

October 2, 2001                                  Anticipated City Council Approval of Construction/ Permanent Loan

 

October 4, 2001                                  Deadline for Application to CDLAC

 

December 13, 2001                             Anticipated Announcement of CDLAC Allocation

 

March  2002                                        Anticipated Issuance of Bonds and Loan Closing

 

March 2002                                         Anticipated Start of Construction

 

July 2003                                             Anticipated Completion of Construction