HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibitTO:
FROM
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Arthur Noriega, V DATE: August 8, 2022
City Manager
SUBJECT: Request to Waive Competitive Sealed
Bidding Procedures,
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Museum
Hector Badia, .V REFERENCES:
Interim Director— Office of Capital Improvements
ENCLOSURES: Exhibit "A" Lord Cultural Resources Proposal
The Office of Capital Improvements (OCI) respectfully requests the waiver of the competitive sealed
bidding procedures pursuant to City Code 18-85 (a), in order to develop the master and business plan for
the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (HVKBP) Museum. OCI request authorization to engage the
consulting firm Lord Cultural Resources, to develop the master and business plan.
The scope of work consists of 4 phases that include the creation of an integrated concept plan,
governance and operating structure, development of design requirements and communication and
community stakeholder engagement activities on a duration of approximately 8 months. These
deliverables are a condition set by Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs (MDC-DCA) to
authorize the execution of two agreements for the release of $20.5 million in grants for design and
construction of the museum. Both grants were allocated approximately 20 years ago.
Lord Cultural Resources is the global practice leader in cultural sector planning. Since 1981 they have
helped to create, plan, and operate cultural spaces and places in more than 460 cities, in 57 countries
and 6 continents. In 2006 Lord Cultural Resources was engaged to prepare a business plan and
projections for the Virginia Key Beach Park Museum but the project was not implemented, partly as a
consequence of the recession of 2008-10. Collaboration with Lord Cultural Resources in an updated
master and business plan will allow the OCI to significantly reduce costs and provide an expedited set of
deliverables to the County, preventing any loss of the $20.5 million in funds from the county allocated
approximately 20 years ago.
Background:
The Virginia Key Beach Park was established in 1945 in response to a direct action protest held in May
1945 at Baker's Haulover Beach. Access was demanded for African American to the county's white -only
beaches. Establishment of the "colored" beach was a significant early victory in civil rights movement. In
the year 2000, a citizen protest against plans for development of a private ecotourism resort on the site of
the historic Virginia Key Beach Park led to the establishment of the Virginia Key Beach Park Civil Rights
Task Force (planning effort).
This Task Force led the way for the planning of a civil rights museum. The first funds for the project came
in 2001, almost 20 years ago, when the Miami -Dade Board of County Commissioners approved allocation
from County Convention Development Tax Funds for park improvements and construction of a museum
for up to $5 million.
In 2002, the Miami City Commission established the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust to oversee the
development of the historic park property and to implement the goals established by the Task Force. In
2002 the park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2003, the Virginia Key Historic Beach Park Trust masterplan was prepared by Wallace Roberts & Todd,
LLC f Judson and Partner.
In 2004, through the county's Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond, which county voters
approved in 2004, the city was awarded a reimbursement grant totaling $15.5 million for the museum.
Lord Cultural Resources is the global practice leader in cultural sector planning. Since 1981 they have
helped to create, plan, and operate cultural spaces and places in more than 460 cities, in 57 countries
and 6 continents. Examples of cultural projects related to the HVKBPT scope executed by Lord are the
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.; the Dusable
Museum of African American History in Chicago IL; and the International African American Museum in
Charleston, SC.
In 2006 Lord Cultural Resources was engaged to prepare a business plan and projections for the Virginia
Key Beach Park Museum but the project was not implemented, partly as a consequence of the recession
of 2008-10.
In 2019, Miami City Commissioner unanimously passed a resolution committing to help the park with the
museum's operational cost post -construction. The resolution was another requirement for the release of
funds allotted over approximately 20 years ago from Miami -Dade County totaling about $20.5 million for
design and construction of the museum.
In light of the above mentioned, and pursuant to Section 18-85, as amended, it is respectfully
recommended that you, as the City Manager, waive competitive sealed bidding methods, via this written
findings and reasons herein. Said waiver shall need to be ratified, confirmed, and approved by the
Commission, by a four -fifths (415ths) affirmative vote, during an advertised public hearing.
Your signature below confirms your approval of waiving competitive sealed bidding methods for the use
the services of Lord Cultural Resources,
Should you agree with the request, please sign below. Thank you.
Approved:
'' lJ
Arthur Noriega, V
City Manager
Cc: Annie Perez, CPPO, Director, Procurement Department
Ferando Ponassi Boutureira, Assistant Director, Procurement Department
Hector Badia, Interim Director, Office of Capital Improvements
Lakisha Hull, AICP, Director, Planning
David Snow, Assistant Director, Planning
Jacqueline Lorenzo, Interim Director, Department of Real Estate & Asset Management.