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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-20-0015 Bid Waiver Memo-Grant Agreement�i ..ia Alex Diaz de la Portilla , Board Chair Omn*i CRA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Board Chair Alex Diaz de la Portilla and Members of the CRA Board FROM: Jason Walker Executive Director BACKGROUND: Jason Walker Executive Director DATE: September 24, 2020 SUBJECT: Recommendations and Findings to Waive Competitive Negotiation Procedures per City Code, authorizing the allocation of Grants funds to Wynwood Haus, LLC for the development of properties located at Folios: 01- 3136-003-0140, 01-3136-003-0150, 01-3136-003-0160, 01-3136-003- 0170, 01-3136-003-0180, 01-3136- 003-0190 located within the boundaries of the Omni CRA. The Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") is responsible for carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects within its redevelopment area in accordance with the 2010 CRA Redevelopment Plan ("Plan"). On September 13, 2016, the CRA approved and adopted Resolution No. CRA-R-16-0042, adopting the City of Miami's procurement ordinance as the process in which any and all services and goods are procured by the CRA. The Wynwood Haus, LLC company submitted a grant proposal request to the CRA. Wynwood Haus LLC, a for profit entity, possesses a unique approach to affordable housing. The principals of Wynwood Haus have a history of developing successful housing units in Miami- Dade County. Their proposal for development of this mixed use project consists of a boutique 224-unit for -rent development project with over 5,200 SF of ground floor amenity retail. This concept is an ideal project for the Omni CRA area. The 2010 Redevelopment Plan on page 41, Section C-2 lists the objective of the CRA to, "Provide incentives for the development of a variety of housing choices, including affordable, special needs and a workforce housing." Additionally on page 41, Section C titled, Variety of Housing", subsection D-3 specifically states the "Provision of incentives for the construction of new housing to attract downtown workers." The proposal is also consistent with Section D of the plan on page 42 Section D "Improvements to the Public Realm" "to "[e]nhance the areas' visual attractiveness to businesses and residents." This project is consistent with Florida Statute 163 and also the goals and objectives of the 2010 Omni CRA Redevelopment Plan. The plan also highlights working with private entities on page 42 A-1 to, "Provide incentives for redevelopment of blighted properties." Wynwood Haus now requests grant funding for the development project in the amount of $1,100,000.00 dollars to underwrite a portion of the costs for the development of the project. RECOMMENDATION In light of the above mentioned background information, rehabilitation of the building and the Grantee's past business successes and the CRA's identified objectives in the CRA's plan to reduce slum and blight, and in consideration of the Executive Director's pledge to allocate grant funding to further the plan and activate the area, an approval of a bid waiver is recommended. An approval of a waiver of the formal requirements of competitive sealed bidding methods as not being practicable nor advantageous to the CRA as set forth in the City Code of Ordinances, as amended, specifically Sections 18-85 (a), and the affirmation of these written findings and the forwarding of the same to the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency for ratification by a four -fifths (4/5t") vote is respectfully requested.