Lake City, FL | June 5, 2025 — With nearly 60 community members in attendance, the groundbreaking ceremony for Sweetwater Apartments – Phase II marked a historic and emotional moment for Lake City. Hosted by the Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation (CDC) in partnership with ReVital Development Group and Birdsong Housing Partners, the event celebrated the start of a transformative project aimed at expanding access to affordable, hurricane-resilient housing in the region.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and hope as community leaders, housing advocates, and residents came together in recognition of a long-awaited milestone. For Lester and Mary McKellum, Executive Directors of the Greater Lake City CDC, the event was deeply personal. “We’ve waited nearly 40 years for this day,” they shared, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the development teams for bringing the project to life.

Michael Allan, President of ReVital Development Group, called it “an honor to be part of a project that will truly change lives in Lake City,” while Steve Auger, CEO of Birdsong Housing Partners, reinforced the group’s long-term commitment to the community. Birdsong Housing Partners and ReVital Development Group presented the McKellums with a commemorative shovel and plaque to honor the significance of the day, and their invaluable contribution to making the project a reality.

Sweetwater II will add 48 energy-efficient, storm-resilient apartment homes reserved for households earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), with dedicated units for families at or below the 30% and 40% AMI thresholds. It is the first new construction multifamily affordable housing development in Lake City in over two decades.

Located on a 6.58-acre site near NE Martin Luther King Jr. Street and NE Joe Coney Terrace, the land was acquired by the CDC with funding from Columbia County. The development will be protected under a 50-year Land Use Restrictive Agreement (LURA) and a 99-year ground lease, ensuring long-term affordability for generations to come.

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What sets Sweetwater II apart is its resilience-focused design. Backed by the Florida Housing Coalition and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the project was engineered to meet the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety’s (IBHS) FORTIFIED Multi-family Program standards—among the highest in weather resilience. Sweetwater II will be one of the first multifamily developments in the state of Florida to receive this coveted designation.

Initial planning has already begun on the next phase, Sweetwater Apartments Phase III, which will offer 24 three-bedroom two-bath affordable units; 5 units will be set aside at 50% of AMI and 19 units set aside at HOME High Rental Rate (the lower of HUD published Fair Market Rents or 65% AMI). Sweetwater III will utilize the same development team and will be located on the same site, directly adjacent to Sweetwater II. The Phase III development is expected to break ground in early 2026 and complete construction in early 2027.

This groundbreaking represents more than just the start of construction—it marks a renewed commitment to inclusive growth and equitable development in Lake City. As the city looks to the future, Sweetwater II will stand as a symbol of what’s possible when partnerships, vision, and community come together.

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About The Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation, Inc.

The Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation, Inc. (“CDC”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 in Lake City, Florida. The mission of CDC is to inspire the community by developing opportunities that benefit low to moderate income individuals and families. CDC strives to enable a sense of pride in ownership and respect in the community. By building an outstanding reputation based on respect and trust, CDC has mutually beneficial relationships with the local governments at both the City and County level. CDC upholds the values of improving community through design, education, and mentoring.

About ReVital Development Group

ReVital Development Group is a real estate development firm whose mission is to preserve, create and sustain high quality, safe and affordable housing that supports economic security and access to opportunity for all.  Offering extensive knowledge of real estate finance combined with an expertise in multifamily development and value-add, Revital often works closely with community stakeholders and partners with non-profit organizations, housing authorities and local government agencies to deliver projects that seek to support community objectives, with an emphasis on neighborhood revitalization through affordable and workforce housing.  www.RevitalDevelopment.com

About Birdsong Housing Partners

Birdsong Housing Partners is a team with successful experience in the development and construction of affordable housing communities of significant size and complexity. This experience spans the affordable housing industry and includes housing for low-income families and seniors, housing with supportive services for households at risk of homelessness, housing for Farmworkers and their families, and Housing for Persons with Special Needs.  www.BirdsongHousing.com.