$1.3 billion GlobeSt.com

Jackson said he had closed the door on the Clipper bid, but that didn't mean Clipper couldn't try knocking for admittance. The firm would need to explain in detail how it planned to keep the 46-building complex affordable at a purchase price that factors out to more than twice what residents currently pay.

"We remain convinced that we can provide the assurances that Secretary Jackson, and other officials, responsibly require. We agree totally that affordability is a defining core value at Starrett City. This will not change," a spokesperson for Clipper says. "We ask only that we be given a fair opportunity to present our fully detailed plan to achieve that goal, and we are grateful that the Secretary has said he will listen to our proposal. We are confident, that after appropriate scrutiny and review, the Secretary and others will join with us in believing that our approach is not only sound and achievable, but is also the right plan for maintaining the affordability, and the quality of life at Starrett City, that we all so greatly value."

The spokesperson tells GlobeSt.com that Clipper plans to present its full plan in the near future, but declined to specify what exactly that means.