HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #45 - Discussion Item(J
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M E M O R A N D U M
TO: City Commissioners DATE:
FROM: Mrs. Ann -Marie Adker SUBJ:
Overtown Advisory
Board Representative
February 14, 1985
Concerns/Interest of
Overtown Residents
1. Overtown Advisory Board. The monitoring mechanism for the
Redevelopment area (four blocks 6th - 8th Streets, south
and First Court - 3rd Avenue). The redevelopment area is _
the first phase of an overall rehabilitation designed for
Phase 2 in Overtown, which we know can further lead to the
displacement of residents of Overtown. The Overtown Advisory -
Board has the relationship with the residents who feel this
body obligated to solving their every day problems. The
Board is asking they be authorized to monitor all of Overtown
(5th Street - 23rd Street south; First Avenue - llth Avenue, =
in some section; First Avenue - 7th Avenue.
2. Overtown Park West Administration. Why was this office —
moved from 275 N. W. 2nd Street to 100 West Flagler Street,
Suite 901? The present location is not accessible to con-
cerned residents of Overtown.
3. We have found Overtown in joint ventures with Community --
Development allocations in the past that never enhanced the
residents of Overtown. For example, the Jobs Program with us
from the inception is doing a good job, but has no residents -
orlstaff. Who would this joint venture with Park West bene-
fit,the residents? Are we depending solely on construction -
jobs and at what percentage or basically depending on tax
increment financing?
4. Our Community based organization (Overtown Economic Develop-
ment Corporation) receives $37,750 for operational cost and
salaries; and is expected to leverage $12,500. I ask how?
We have found this to be an ongoing problem, black organiza-
tions funded for failure, or forced out of business by some
technicality.
5. Are there double standards or is this the way the system
works. Dave Abrams, a former administrator with the Housing
Department under Community Development, now executive director
of the Indian River Development Corporation, has a choice
of bidding for parcels in the redevelopment area. Is this not
a conflict of interest?
6. It is essential that Overtown be given an economic base,
housing alone, though top priority now can never enhance jobs
after the completion of construction.
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Memo to City Commissioners
Page 2
February 14, 1985
7. The land lord, tenant problem is a major concern in Overtown.
We have found wehre buildings are in Code violations. Land-
lords are constantly going up on rents because it is more
lucrative to rent to narcotic dealers and suppliers. Residents
are working with the Police Department by giving information
that leads to a bust and two hours after, it is business as
usual leaving the citize s in a retalitory position. The
Supreme Court under State 895.05 (2) (a) Racketeers Influenced
Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), which reads, "All property
real or personal, including money, used in the course of,
derived from or realized through conduct in violation of a
provision is subject to civil forfeiture to the state." I
am asking the City Attorney's Office, can this be made a
City Ordinance, where the landlord is responsible for illegal
actions involving his/her properties.
Thank you for listening.
/c