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Home My WebLink AboutItem #76 - Discussion Itemz,, u- 7 j i G'. h at t (i }F Td efamar olio OAtE City Manager j fW�JECT: FROM V ctor H. De Yu=e.' ice Mayor R�FERENCEB: ENCLOSWRES: Please include members of the Overtown Advisory Board to disense,the situation regarding the Overtown Shopping Center. items o.f, R. particular concern are the police mini -station and the.status.of the-. grocery store'. Thank. you . z cc: , Honorable Mayor .and ;Commissioners Aurelio Peres Lugonee, Legislative Administrator a e rd L'C"Y>; 7`Y ' rat sF 1 4`j �3��' U.�;, Y t� j f .:N L-i�y,-,1�"�+T a t. 4i'tl; ''�c'C.•I"§nl t ,I'a -+ 4 M � M i { Y.L ' y �-,g fo: Mayor Xavier Suarez a Co"I ssi *nor Yi cter OeYurre Commissioner Miller Dawkins ter. tht"y Commissioner Rosario Kennedy a Nnsftw Commissioner J L 1 ummer t ;; vKlrRtar From: Bill Perry At President vertown Advisory Board, Inc. ei chwft ekeendlefd You perhaps have been bombarded with recommendations relative to needed improvements in Overtown. We the members of the Overtown Advisory Board, Inc. welcome Am.MokA&e► all of the attention that is being directed at our oon.la►,eenNn*, community and appreciate the concern expressed by t hMdeSropme various organizations and individuals. lK� *r We do not wish to have others believe that nothing has 9rwherFew loh"nn been happening in Overtown. This Board has been GeoWKn= attempting to move on several items we consider to be Rok"Kohmky of benefit to the total community. We consider this an k"keseww opportunity to gain the Commission support of our VANkmS"rM priorities and to request the City Manager present you Rev. John V.VV to with proposed legislation for enactment of the attached' "Call to Order". Ann -Mole A&w SICIMARIAT c c :Cesar 0 d i o Father Marquess Barr rti w >� q Y �, r Matthew Schwart3c George Knox " 7c+ rat HR ' v � S Y.1.7s+aittedinto lle ••/� y S b } r cozmeatjo r tl r itel t On E jyja J;" VIA � it Clerk Clerk r��}=,u i9ae „A. ><-; ��y y6r..'dt k h 7p' f tl ,x,s1 x sX4 b S - l4 � '* f '"' fit �TP�� .1.'�a � �•� i y W-P4 J 1 y 2' Ire i ' d 7.klaf#S rr 3a T ?'j , �z i 1 h ti . 407 N.W. bt Street, Miami,;FL 33128 �::� a k. S' ,' 'i iti`� 3S •y +w - i• r" "' ,, t i I i 3, 7iii�.�'+`�4C"a +tic:• - _—___- _ _ __. _. _. __— — � ..i.s..� r. ._ ,., ., . x. c�T. ... .�L ��BL.�.k:7e��.al.� � � � - !ti a° �'�'"rt� � 1' � -i''��o il- ,� 777-7771% Y!: is"WOMON ftefrt6w Advisory board, fte, (00) has recopitiited that Oftrt6w MUSt initiate and maintain viable pW#r&m#/&Vt1V1tJO# t6 "WWO the Owlit?) of life of Its residents. R"Idsnts in O"rt6wn have suffered from a sense of erosion of both B#Jolborhood and family structure. Many of them have given Up and NOV therefore harbor feelings of hatreds, distrust and alienation. In the past, many whites and Hispanics have been Indifferent to the problems of this commnunity. to fa&E, much attention has been concentrated 0# Improving the image of Miami without addressing the real issues. Wo must all (African Americans, mg2o Americans, Hispanic Americana), however, realize the problems occurring in the Overtown community seriously "pot Miami, Dade County, and South Florida, Our call to action solicits the participation of all concerned Individuals .,and groups to participate in the revival of this community. It is Imperative that the City of Miami take the lead in effectuating __a t 144.4 1 and economic changes relative to Overtown, WU need Most of us hold to the opinion that It has been and continues to be through planned neglect that Overtown has been allowed to deteriorate to Its present status. Although we deem it essential that the residents and business persons in Overtown be the key actors in plans for this community, We welcome sincere support from persons external to our community. However, we Insist that such support is coordinated in tandem with on -going activities. In November, 1980, Martin Fine's description of Miami, in his A City of Two Tales very succinctly describes Miami about one decade laters "within the shadows of the prospering downtown core and only a few blocks from the shoreline of beautiful Biscayne Bay, Miami's decadence lies. Here Is located its slums, deteriorated neighborhoods and Its hopeless and frustrated citizens. It Is the home of the disadvantaged, the breeding ground of crime and delinquency and 0 33 the source of future occupants for the jails and hospitals of this In the midst of Its 43 %,%w community. inhumane conditions exist plenty. inhabitants do not participate at the banquet tables of growth and prosperity In this community. They are the victims of apathy and 0 Indifference of a community which hopes that by some form of magic Is the problem will disappear. It Is a forty year old hope. (D 0 0 Xts residents 'desperately cry out for help, but their shrill voices 0 are deafened by the noise and clatter of construction tools, building the sleek now structures, which enjoy the beauty and serenity of Biscayne Bay, an asset which belongs in common to all of the citizens Of Miami. A 0 Ghetto residepts seek real and meaningful solutions to their housing to and economic problems and are eager to participate in their planning and implementation. They receive instead, announcements of the creation of new boards and committees to study the problems. Funds allocated to Its deteriorated neighborhoods are In miniscule ..... proportions, with built-in assurances of a continuing defeat." LL S.; MA 00 AMW kw� k...r .0 ]...., acv t t-o Rsr1.'A�'a1�Ek3itxpW7 t . the, Overtown Shopping Center was built in the early 198000 to provide a much needed shopping facility to this commity. However, for various reasons the shopping center has not been operational for several years. the OAR has put together a proposal to serve as manager for this facility►. Under the management of the OAB, the shopping center should be immediately prepared for opening, including the supermarket. A request has been made to the members of the Downtown Development Authority to lend technical assistance and other related resources to the OAR to assure an effective and successful operation of the center. We will insure that the center becomes an income generating operation. historic village The Historic Overtown Folklife Village is a two (2) block area located adjacent to the downtown Miami Central Business district, in the heart of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Redevelopment area (see attachment). The Historic Overtown Folklife Village represents a unique urban redevelopment opportunity. The area is a mixed arts center concentrating on an African American and an African Caribbean theme. This mini -entertainment district shall include replica's of former centers of entertainment such as the Rockland Palace and the Harlem Square. The Village will be African American owned and managed. Conceiveabl y, there could be a wax museum with life-size models of Billie Holliday, Count Basis, Sam Cook, etc. - former frequenters of Overtown. - The Overtown Advisory Board has designated the Village as a high priority project. We requested the Downtown Development Authority Board members adopt this project and participate with us to insure implementationt the overtowa Coordinator — Overtown currently has a wide range of agencies providing a variety of 4_ services. Additionally, there have been many offers to provide assistance by agencies, departments, etc. Many of these groups, departments, agencies, etc. perform the same services. There must be more coordination and collaboration. ! 2� The Overtown Advisory Board, Inc. request that an Overtown Coordinator to coordinate activities of all agencies and organizations in the Overtown area be appointed by the Manager. The Coordinator should report directly to the City Manager with the County contributing to the salary for this position. The Overtown Coordinator should 'have direct access to the County Manager, City Manager and the State Director of HRS. - Submitted into the .public y record in connection with - item AL. -on •�'- $9-180� j Mat tY' ircii Cite Clerk'>'` k f; j. fW f't' ) 4.:} A" k �Ws$' z . ,s,,,wr�iss.-.ee 9•r .e;iY arts., . �r r _ �11f ettvtab k MOW hoar h6gh a problem in t�r�to�+» for ere�e time♦ i�►,e i �rrrtor�n hdv�rory boa�� inc, would ldke its Join Authoritysa � tthe'o�aagl D of the D&watown Development Auti',ority Spo ONW*ers or Commerce to exert influence upon the County. State, federal overnMent and to persuade them to immediately initiate an affordable housing program. — �' The program should include rehabing some of the existing units, oanderattation end demolition of existing substandard units and replacing • these units with new affordable dwellings. The local banking industry moat come forth to play a key role in this regard. Cb • : Y L culd care young children in the Overtown community Lack adequate Many infants and yo g rs - the Arena chid care and support systems. we urge our newest neighbors supporting the and the Miami Heat - to masignificant vuae as a child careestment by center establishment of a ChildDevelopmentediatrics and education. including pre and post natal core, p it to also envisioned that the Center will provide training to prepare persons for jobs in the child care industry. R�alka are currently underway with Jackson Hospital and Camillus house to seek their input and support. Mducati� We call upon the Dade County School Board to revisit its forcedand victi�rises boundaries which further disrupts neighborhood integrity African American youth by one way bussing. There is a need for more creative appr oaches to keeping our youth .in school and offering them relevant, experience based instruction. The Student Cashiers of Overtown Program (SCOOP), implemented by DCPS, 0118 , and the Miami Department of Off -Street Parking, is an example of a highly a):r arc tT;tie effective program advanced through agency and CBO collaboration. Such efforts should continue and be expanded, to Include: 4°�� Su�� 4 . ra 'Srr L"'.yY G( -outreach vocational training programs Specific job preparation and training -Identify a community facility where a complete food service progsaM {, may be established for training residents and serving the community j ¢' -Teaching African American youth their true history commencing M African history through the diaspora, slavery, Reconstruction and t into the present. ' Submitted into the - Publia record in connection with item t , _ , a Ma H'xx�u 89-'180+� Ci#p: a ;�F. r. 'i.'�( :i. ;}{'1f-• =-f. ! _ .: �'-. : '!S_>:vr. Z1 ✓.ir:%. :! 7.,�.,,4.� d'^t .i i, 7r.:'.,`rµ s':`.3'"a{,.r',V' :#h�3! �'r „SC3 - }; � { yt''•`.'3•, �lr.,.&JY1 ,�. �,� �, {� }tl�i`rY a��Mt �'T:�TS p��T-w}�Ao Trq anrn'+; r ��E �c d. F�— � 3 "'^f.T•s... ,a. www,y. hS t'i b AIR t 4 { k3,y .R X 1 3 � �t = tbe ctmttnual killing of African American sales by Hispanic ANOrifth pelts& officers wart ceaseb pot only is there a serious racial problm In *or community, but we are of the opinion that this same problem exists within the department. we recommend the following: -1mimediate review of cases wherein African American cope have beers terminated due to policy infractions with the intent of re -instating those meriting reinstatement -Operate the Overtown mini -station 24 hours per day -Organize cuaeunity rap sessions with cops and young African American males -Significantly increase the number of African American cops assigned to Overtown -Establish a Miami Civilian Review Panel raplement a program where all cops assigned to Overtown will devote X number of hours per shift to walking the street# including preparing them to positively interact with residents -Use the same manpower utilized for reverse sting operations to Intensively patrol specific areas during varying period# of time. Ovestown Charette 4 we propose an extremely intensive planning process to focus on the Historic Village and extending north to M.N. Ilth Street. Community residents and business persons, Miami -Dade Jr. college, University of Miami and Downtown business interest to focus on the designated area for the purposes of constructing a time phased plan to determine land use, new housing, rehab housing, commercial development and community support institutions. th i ' Buz f E Persons engaging in this process should know from the outset that e r product shall receive the same priority treatment as the Knight Center, Bayside, Bayfront Park, and the Arena. This process alone will enhance a•strong sense of community and ownership. If orchestrated properly and appropriate commitments come Forth, the process should also serve to heal. many of the deep wounds brought on T. by race and class related problems. Cbaclusion x dk �- : „ It is essential that commitments be determined, milestones set, `and'' �f marketing strategies underway as soon as possible. The city must call upon all of its resources and influence to make this proposal a reality. r ` Overtown has been long overdue. i t Submitted into the public - z record in connection with ;. item on i :) Many Hirai _f. . -, City Clerk _t j t `c '; t J 7. ,..::':.. iV.': YY:• 2 :.j E `+'' ? t:`- 9 tom`, 4f it i.`.,. '•d ;y fjfF xi: ?f .t ..,�SS'P Etx it,:?�`.+..:.$; rr�':r t�•'f'i4;i �`){tlr �`tl:fJ!•� ,s;_ 7r'�.'�,#.','A ,:'�s,.``,Iti�� F3�..r lr '=� ;y ..k'wy �.,�. �" � ✓�'�� ''�:�'�z�i� � Ff `,t �D!v h tor +:f td nv**A.. F 5 C `-.EVI � jo i7 w' - {' _ r