Affordable Housing Development (Aka The Pearl)

The City of Solana Beach is soliciting a qualified affordable housing developer to redevelop The Pearl, a fully entitled 12,920 square foot mixed-use project located at the 500 block of South Sierra Avenue in Solana Beach, California. The project will deliver 10 very low-income rental units—with a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations—as well as 795 square feet of commercial office space and 53 subterranean parking spaces, including ADA-compliant and electric vehicle-ready stalls. The City will transfer the land to the selected developer via a long-term ground lease ranging from 55 to 99 years at a nominal rent of $1 per year, accompanied by a binding 55-year affordability covenant that restricts all units to very-low-income households as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 50105. The developer will be responsible for all aspects of the project—including planning, financing, construction, ongoing management, and maintenance—for the full term of the affordability period. The development must adhere to a 35-foot height limit, comply with California Building Code Chapter 11B and the California Green Building Code, integrate renewable energy through the CEA Green program, and follow the Sand Compatible Opportunistic Use Program for soil management during excavation. Proposals must be submitted in physical form by October 1, 2026, to the City’s planning office, and must include a cover letter, a detailed approach to development, a preliminary project timeline and proforma, summaries of qualifications, résumés of key personnel, and three professional references, all within strict page limits. The City will evaluate submissions based on alignment with project requirements, the strength and experience of the proposed team—particularly in California affordable housing projects—budget realism, and responsiveness during interviews, using a best-value approach rather than a lowest-price determination. Developers must demonstrate experience working with public agencies and capacity to meet stringent construction milestones, with a required bond to ensure timely completion. The project site requires specific compliance with environmental, accessibility, and climate goals outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan, and all deliverables must satisfy federal, state, and local codes including ADA standards and EV charging requirements. No federal acquisition regulation clauses apply, as this is a municipal procurement under California law, and no electronic submission portal is provided—only hardcopy submissions are accepted. Financial support from the City beyond the ground lease is possible but not guaranteed, and proposers must clearly outline