Workforce housing slated for north Sarasota

Correction: This article has been updated to incorporate comments from Lance Bullock and Jim Moore, who are behind the financing for the project. The previous price range for proposed homes has been updated to reflect their input.

Yet again, the name Harvey Vengroff has come to be associated with a plan for affordable housing.

Local homebuilder Fortson Homes has an option to purchase about 5 acres of land on Old Bradenton Road from Vengroff with plans to build 18 affordable single-family homes. The firm, which has built workforce housing in Sarasota and Manatee counties, has submitted a pre-application for a new development on the east side of North Water Tower Park.

Lance Bullock and Jim Moore, local entrepreneurs who are financing the project, said the homes will be marketed for less than $200,000.

“Honestly we can’t build them fast enough,” said General Manager Ric Drudi said. “There are so many buyers in that range.”

The city of Sarasota has struggled with a lack of affordable housing — even defining the phrase has been difficult for city leaders. 

But, Vengroff, with recent City Commission approval, has forged ahead with plans for a 393-unit affordable apartment complex on Fruitville Road. 

Vengroff acquired the land for the Forston Homes project, which is located at 4529 Old Bradenton Road, for $700,000 as part of a larger land deal in 2004, according to records filed with the Sarasota County property appraiser.

The property is zoned for five single-family homes per acre.

“Obviously the option is contingent upon how the approval process goes,” Drudi said.