The Bainbridge Island City Council is forming a council ad hoc committee to work on the Suzuki project.

The city of Bainbridge Island hopes to create a new neighborhood with affordable housing on the 13.83-acre undeveloped property at the southeast corner of New Brooklyn and Sportsman Club roads. Choosing a developer for the land began in late 2015, with Olympic Property Group eventually getting the nod from the city council to take on the project.

OPG told the council last year it will cost more than $4.2 million to develop the land into a new neighborhood that can support the eventual construction of 54 homes.

Using 54 units as a benchmark, OPG said the total development cost for the Suzuki property was pegged at $4,247,000 — or $78,648 per unit.

City officials originally thought that affordable housing on the land would be done by Housing Kitsap, but the city is now exploring options on finding a new and qualified affordable housing development entity to partner with the city on the Suzuki project.

At its meeting on Dec. 4, the council approved forming the committee. The motion was approved unanimously.

Council members who will serve on this committee include Councilwoman Rasham Nassar, Councilwoman Sarah Blossom and Councilman Matt Tirman.

The ad hoc committee is expected to meet in early January to begin the process to develop a recommendation to the full council for a new development partner to replace Housing Kitsap. The committee will coordinate with city staff, OPG and Housing Resources Bainbridge as discussions on the Suzuki project continue.

A date for that meeting has not yet been determined.