The Altoona Redevelopment Authority recently voted to advertise a request for proposals for a builder to construct single-family, market-rate homes on a six-lot tract in Fifth Ward.

The action is in keeping with a push by the authority and City Council to rebuild the city’s housing stock.

The city has American Rescue Plan Act money available to subsidize the project, and bidders can ask for any amount they wish — if they wish to ask for any.

“ARPA funds are available for the project on a reimbursement basis,” the RFP states. “The developer should indicate the amount of grant subsidy requested, and how those funds would be used, to make the project viable.”

“Tell us what it will take,” said Interim City Manager Nate Kissell at the authority meeting.

Preference will be given to subsidy requests that would be used for infrastructure like sidewalks, storm or sanitary sewer or water lines, according to the RFP.

If a subsidy ends up part of the development package, the homes would need to be sold or rented to income-eligible households — those earning no more than 120% of median income for the area, according to the RFP.

Ownership or tenancy at that financial level would need to be maintained for 20 years.

For owner-occupied units, the financial requirements would be memorialized with a deed restriction.

The authority wants work to begin this year.

Subsidy funds need to be spent by September 2026.

If there’s a subsidy, state prevailing wages will apply.

EADS has created two potential concept plans for the project — one calling for three duplexes fronting 14th Avenue and one calling for three two-unit townhouses fronting 19th Street, with carports at the back of those lots.

The authority is looking for two- or three-bedroom units.

Proposals must include a site layout that includes off-street and on-site parking, a project schedule, a plan for the number of units to be built, the square footage of each unit, availability of funding, the purchase price to be paid for the ground, proposed sale or rental prices and the cost of all major phases of work — including engineering, construction, materials, project administration and contingency.

The authority is working to clear the title to the property.

The builder chosen for the project can accept the existing uncertain title; begin work while waiting for the city to finish clearing it; or wait to begin work until the city clears it, according to the RFP.

The builder should have completed previous similar projects, have enough funding available for the project, have experience in housing and park design, experience on land developments within the city and a team that includes design professionals and subcontractors, according to the RFP.

The authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Proposals are due by March 30.

For more information, call Community Development Director Diana White at 814-949-3470 or email her at dwhite@altoonapa.gov.

The authority could act as the developer if it receives no favorable proposals — “as Plan B,” suggested authority member and city Mayor Matt Pacifico.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.