01/04/06

Lopez to leave Grove Terrace

South County's only public housing complex came dangerously close to being shut down or taken over by the federal government in late 2003.

And then Peter Lopez came riding in as Venice Housing Authority's new executive director two years ago. The then 50-year-old began enforcing long-ignored federal housing rules, held residents accountable, maneuvered VHA through numerous Venice building code citations and corrected 21 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development violations.

Since his hiring Jan. 12, 2004, Lopez has taken Grove Terrace off of HUD's troubled housing list and into the compliance category. VHA and Lopez also are working toward a Feb. 1 deadline to apply for tax-credit financing to fund redevelopment and expansion of Grove Terrace from its current 50 apartment units to as many as 144 rental units.

So it came as a surprise to local officials when Lopez submitted his resignation letter Dec. 30.

"It goes without saying he's done a great job of turning the place around," said Rick Tacy, city council's long-time liaison to VHA. "When he came in, all the wheels had literally fallen off. ... Peter came in and only had three months to get it turned around.

"We could have just as easy done what Sarasota (city) did and turn (the housing authority) over to HUD. Instead, Peter and VHA turned it around themselves."

In the resignation letter, Lopez states that he has no specific plans. His last day on the job would be March 31.

Lopez declined to comment when contacted Tuesday, saying his resignation has not been officially accepted by VHA chair Richard Appell. The two have yet to meet.

Appell was surprised by the resignation letter, though he knew Lopez has received numerous job offers to work elsewhere.

"He came to us and got us out of trouble. ... He's a very talented guy," Appell said. "I know, if he wanted to, he could've left us a while ago. I was just hoping he'd stay with us a bit longer."

Goals accomplished

Lopez states in his resignation letter there were two principle objectives when he was hired:

* Improve VHA's administrative, physical and community properties.

* Identify and develop additional housing opportunities for the low-income population.

Goal No. 1 has been accomplished, by getting VHA off of HUD's most-troubled list.

Goal No. 2 has been "more elusive," and VHA's failure to obtain land other than its 6 acres on Grove Street appears to be the major reason Lopez is leaving.

Lopez has lauded the concept of mixing low-income, workforce and middle-income residents in a large-scale development. Some would be renters, some owners and no one would know which was which.

The land for this ambitious plan never materialized, leading Lopez to decide he should leave.

"Since then I was convinced that the VHA operations could not achieve a sufficient critical mass now, or in the medium term, to meet my professional goals as an agent of change nor my projections of future compensation," Lopez wrote in his resignation letter.

Operations Manager Deborah Bevan was recommended by Lopez to be his replacement, but Appell said it's too soon to discuss a replacement.

Appell said his executive director has never complained about his annual salary of $55,000.

However, Appell knows there are many troubled housing authorities in the country looking for someone with both operational and financial qualifications. Lopez not only handled day-to-day operations, but he used his certified public accountant credentials to balance VHA's financial records.

Redevelopment plans

Lopez is the one who came up with and identified the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit funding, and recommended the professional consultant and contractors for the job.

A public meeting is planned for Jan. 12 so neighbors can review the project. A deadline of Jan. 6 has been set for recommendations for a new name for the complex.

"As regards the name of the new development, I suspect that there will be little enthusiasm for keeping the current name so, I am requesting that you submit your choice of name by Jan. 6, 2006," Lopez wrote in an e-mail. "The development team -- Picerne, Kristen and VHA -- wants to send in the application (for Sarasota County assistance) by Jan. 13, 2006. By copy of this e-mail, I am requesting that Mr. Carter Canada -- president of the Residents Council -- poll his members to get their choices by the same Jan. 6, date."

Kristen Packard of Packard Consulting Inc. is leading the effort to win tax credits to fund what's estimated to be at least a $16 million project. A story in the Dec. 30 edition of the Venice Gondolier Sun incorrectly said the consultant was Packard's former employer, Trident Consulting.

Appell believes that Lopez' leaving will not derail redevelopment efforts at Grove Terrace. The project could be finished by March 2009.

"Even though Peter may not be here, we have a very strong consultant and construction company to get us through that. ... I will give (Lopez) a letter of recommendation wherever he goes," Appell said.

Some outside of VHA are not as optimistic about Grove Terrace's chances for redevelopment without Lopez.

City Manager Marty Black was unaware of the pending resignation until contacted for comment, and immediately expressed concern.

Lopez has been involved in every aspect of the redevelopment project, and losing him before the project's completion could only hinder it, Black said.

"They're gearing up for a very significant undertaking," Black said. "From my perspective, it would be unfortunate to have new leadership come in during this. ... Redevelopment of the site is a very difficult proposition."