If coming up with the down payment is an issue, you could find a joint venture partner - someone who has the cash and is willing to partner with you on the project.

I've always used the Lowes Project source mini blinds. 

For example, multi family units are sparse in my area, and since I only invest close enough to home so I can actively manage my projects, I crossed that investment option off my list.

This is one way to secure the price and funding for the project by the owner. 

This seems like a project contractors would love to jump on.

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.
Purchase price: $955,000 Cash invested: $150,000 Sale price: $1,685,000Had to drop price to sell in recession. (dates approximate)What made...

I am curious to hear any and all creative PR strategies when bringing a mixed-use property project to completion.

For example, if you had said you had 5 years of experience as a construction site project manager and were looking to go into building homes for owner-occupied residential real estate and needed some start up and living capital...I'd feel a lot more confident like you have on vision of what the future looks like. 

I spoke with the city manager and he was eager to help with any project I have in mind.

That's 50k you have to come up with out of pocket to finish the project, making the total cost 250k with the bank only financing 200k of it.