The Residences at Sawyer's Walk (Block 55)

The Block 55 development project is a successfully completed mixed-use development that transformed a 3.44 acre vacant lot into a vibrant community hub. This massive project features a 1,400,000 square foot layout that blends residential spaces with a 925 space parking garage and 250,000 square feet of major retail and office spaces. It serves as a major commercial center anchored by top tier retailers like Target, Burlington, and Aldi, and also houses the new North American cruise headquarters for MSC Group. The development was made possible through a strategic land transfer to the developer at a discounted value of over $18 million, with those proceeds strictly earmarked for future reinvestment back into the SEOPW CRA redevelopment area.

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Community Impact

This project acts as a major economic and housing anchor by delivering 578 affordable residential units to the neighborhood. The housing is tiered to protect low-income residents, with half of the units dedicated to families earning less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and the remaining half targeted at families earning between 50 percent and 80 percent of AMI. To support aging community members, the SEOPW CRA approved an $8 million Housing Subsidy Agreement have been allocated over 5 years with Block 55 Residential, L.P. to dedicate 289 of these affordable units specifically to seniors aged 62 and older. This initiative successfully improves quality of life, expands diverse housing options, and creates robust economic and employment opportunities within Overtown.