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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-84-1440J84-1198 M84-1234 (11/8/84) RESOLUTION NO. 84-JL440 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE USE OF $2090009 }, PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO THE WYNWOOD COMMUNITY ECONOMIC 'DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FROM TENTH YEAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS } TO FUND THE ACQUISITION OF A MARKET ANALYSIS K. k OF THE WYNWOOD COMMERCIAL AREA BY A QUALIFIED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT IN ORDER TO >` IDENTIFY VIABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE WYNWOOD COMMERCIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. 3_ = WHEREAS, the City Commission, is committed to economic development and the expansion, of trade and commerce; and t; WHEREAS, the promotion of economic development in the City of Miami's neighborhoods is an important part of the City's ' development strategy; and WHEREAS, business activity in the Wynwood Commercial x. District has declined rapidly over the past 10 years; and WHEREAS, the Wynwood Board of Directors voluntarily e terminated its 1984-85 contract agreement with the City of Miami; and WHEREAS, the Commission, directed the administration, to review strategies and provide a recommendation to continue the operation of economic development programs in the Wynwood Commercial Business District; and WHEREAS, the administration presented five (5) alternative strategies for the Wynwood area at the November 8th Commission meeting; and 1 WHEREAS, it was recommended that the City let a Request For Proposal (RFP) to conduct a market analysis of the Wynwood Commercial area; and ' WHEREAS, based on the findings of the market analysis, the N City will then let a RFP seeking a community based organization to implement the objectives identified in the market analysis; and CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF DEC n4"44 RESOLUTION No. REMARKS. WHEREAS, the City Commission, passed Resolution No. 84-868 allocating $37,750 of Tenth Year Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBGF) to the Wynwood Community Economic Development Corporation; and $23,260.33 of the said $37,750 has not been expended; and WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development is requesting that $20,000 of the unexpended 10th year CDBGF ($23,260.33) be allocated to fund the acquisition of a market analysis of the Wynwood commercial area by a qualified economic development consultant; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The use of $20,000 previously allocated from Tenth Year Community Development Block Grant Funds to the Wynwood Community Economic Development Corporation is hereby authorized to fund the acquisition of a market analysis of the Wynwood commercial area by a qualified economic development consultant in order to identify viable economic development projects for implementation in the Wynwood Commercial Business District. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of DECEMBER , 1984. MAURICE A. FERRE MAURICE A. FERRE Mayor i ATTEST: PREPARED AND APPROVED BY: i ROBERT F. CLARK$ DI APPROVED -.kS—.T-Or*FORM--AdW--CORRECTNESS: 84--1440 4 Howard V. Gary To. City Manager FROM: Charlotte Gallogly %Y Director 0f Department of Economic Background CITY OF MIAM1, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM November 16, 1984 DATE: FILE: Funding Allocation to SUBJECT: Let a Request For Pro- posal to Conduct a Market Study on the REFERENCES: Wynwood Commercial Busi- ness District velopment ENCLOSURES: December 13th Agenda "It is recommended that the City Commission ratify and confirm Motion No. 84-1234 approving the attached resolution allocating $20,000 of Tenth Year Community Development Grant Funds appropriated by the passage of Ordinance #98-34 to let a Request For Proposal (RFP) to conduct a market analysis of the Wynwood Commercial Business District to identify viable economic development projects that would enhance the growth and revitalization of the Wynwood Commercial Business District." The Community Based Organizations (CBOs) have been the City's primary outreach vehicles to assist the various neighborhood commercial districts in addressing their economic development needs and priorities. The Wynwood Community Economic Development Corporation (WCE'DC) was under contract with the City for the past three (3) years for the purpose of developing and implementing economic projects in the Wynwood business district. During the 1983-84 contract period (7/1/83 - 6/30/84), WCEDC experienced many internal problems which affected the stability of the organization. In December 1983, the organization's Executive Director passed away and the position of Executive Director was given to the Senior Business Developer on staff. The new Director's tenure lasted until May, 1984 (5 months). Upon the new Executive Director's resignation, the Assistant Director also resigned. This action left a staff of three people to maintain the operation and objectives of the corporation. The Board of Directors voted to have the remaining Business Developer serve as the Acting Executive Director until the internal affairs of the office could -be resolved. 1� 84-1440 4 Howard V. Gary Page 2 Simultaneous to the above events occurring, 14CEDC was not approved to receive State funding in the amount of $100,000 for the 1984-85 fiscal year. Therefore, the Corporation's only source of funding for the 1984-85 fiscal year was from the City of Miami Community Development Block Grant Fund in the amount of $37,750. On September 28, 1984, the Acting Executive Director along with the other two remaining staff, resigned their positions and formally informed the Department of Economic Development (DED) of their action. Faced with having to operate an office and a staff of three with only $23,000 in remaining City funds, the loss of the $100,000 State grant and the requirement to generate $12,250, the Board of Directors for WCEDC voluntarily terminated its agreement with the City for the 1984-85 fiscal year. Issue At the October 10, 1984 City of Miami Commission meeting, the Commission directed the administration to review the situation related to the closing of the Wynwood Community Economic Development Corportion and to provide a recommendation to continue the operation of the neighborhood commercial economic program in the Wynwood business district area. At the November 8, 1984 City Commission meeting, the following five (5) alternative strategies were identified and presented to the City Commission in order to determine how the City should proceed in continuing an economic development program in the Wynwood business district. 1) The Puerto Rican Opportunity Center (P.R.O.C.) The PROC expressed an interest in overseeing the operations of WCEDC and proposed the following: a) To organize a new Roard of Directors for WCEDC. b) To hire a Program Director with the remaining budget allocated for WCEDC. c) To operate the WCEDC program from the office of P.R.O.C. therefore saving rent and other office expenses. d) To use P.R.O.C. staff when needed to assist WCEDC in performing its functions. 84-1440 C Howard V. Gary Page 3 We noted that the Puerto Rican Opportunity Center did not have economic development experience. The organization is primarily a social service agency. 2) Small Business Opportunity Center (SBOC) Under the 7th year Neighborhood Economic Development Program (1981-82), SBOC was responsible for delivering economic development services to the Wynwood neighborhood. Under SBOC's proposal, SBOC would open a satellite office in the Wynwood neighborhood and supervise its operations from the SBOC headquarters in Little Havana. The remaining WCEDC funds would be allocated to SBOC for the purpose of hiring a staff person and renting office space in the Wynwood area. The responsibility of meeting contract requirements and objectives would revert to SBOC. 3) Allapattah Merchants Association (AMA) The AMA expressed a desire to incorporate the Wynwood program under the management of AMA. Due to the close proximity of the Allapattah neighborhood to the Wynwood neighborhood, AMA would extend the boundaries under which it is responsible for operating to include the Wynwood target area. AMA possessed sufficient staff and resources enabling it to cover the Wynwood neighborhood with the addition of the remaining funds in the WCEDC budget account. 4) Provide additional funds to WCEDC The present members of the Board of Directors of WCEDC stated that if the organization had more money with which to function it would still be operating. They stated that WCEDC required between $50,000 - $75,000 to operate. 5) Request For Proposal for a Market Study The DED would let a Request for Proposal seeking a qualified economic development consultant to do a market analysis which would identify viable economic development projects that would enhance the growth and revitalization of the Wynwood Commercial Business District. This alternative was reviewed because Wynwood was the only community that has not had a market study conducted. 84-1440 Howard V. Gary Page 4 In assessing the Wynwood business district, there is a noticeable lack of commercial revitalization and growth occurring in the area. Based on the alternatives outlined above, and the assessment of the Wynwood commercial district, the DED recommended to the Commission that the City let a Request For Proposal (RFP) to conduct a market analysis of the Wynwood commercial area. As presented at the November 8th Commission meeting, the above recommendation to let a RFP was approved and adopted by the City Commission. Additionally, the Commission agreed to add $10,000 to DED's budget to hire a temporary business developer to maintain the continuity of efforts in the Wynwood commercial district. Recommendation As recommended, the City will let a RFP (see attached) to conduct a market analysis and feasibility study which will include but not be limited to the following: 1. Survey and analyze the Wynwood commercial district and identify the threats, problems, opportunities and issues affecting the existing and potential markets for the area. 2. Compare the existing supply with the existing potential demand for office and/or retail goods and services. 3. Determine the specific use of available land in the immediate area adjacent to the business district for potential industrial redevelopment, regional commercial usage and/or residential development. 4. Determine if the present area zoning requires changing to enhance potential commercial and industrial development of the area. 5. Determine if there is a need to expand the local businesses presently established in the commercial district. 6. Identify the existing pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns in the Wynwood business district. 7. Determine if there is a need to improve current parking facilities in the Wynwood commercial distri.et. 8. Analyze present public transportation in the Wynwood area to determine if alternate bus routes and schedules can increase accessability to the commercial district and have a positive effect on business. 84-1440 it A Howard V. Gary Page 5 9. Identify the correlation between the businesses in the Miami Design District and the Fashion District and determine the benefit to the Wynwood area from increased interaction between the businesses in the three districts. 10. Prepare proforma financial statements for implementation of any potential project and identify specific private sources of funding. 11. Define the public benefits and costs associated with any necessary public expenditures. Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), which remains in the 10th year account, will be used to let an RFP seeking a qualified economic development consultant to prepare a market analysis and financial feasibility study to determine and identify viable economic projects that would enhance the growth and revitalization of the Wynwood Commercial Business -District. Based on the findings of the market analysis, the DED will then let a RFP seeking a community based organization to implement the objectives identified in the market analysis to administer an economic development program in the Wynwood area. A new contractor would be in place by July 1, 1985. CG/MYA/ju Attachments 84-1440 1% REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST AND STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR A MARKET ANALYSIS AND FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE WYNWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT The City of Miami is seeking a qualified consulting firm to conduct a market analysis and financial feasibility study to determine the potential for business expansion and commercial q. real estate development in the Wynwood neighborhood within the City of Miami. f. The study should include but not be limited to the following: 1) Survey and analyze the Wynwood commercial district and identify the threats, problems, opportunities and issues affecting the existing and potential markets for the area. 2) Compare the existing supply with the potential demand for office and/or retail goods and services. r. 3) Determine the specific use of available land in the immediate area adjacent to the business district for s potential industrial redevelopment, regional commercial usage and/or residential development. 4) Determine if the present area zoning requires changing to =T%3` enhance potential commercial and industrial development of the area. 5) Determine if there is a need to expand the local businesses presently established in the commercial district. 6) Identify the existing pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns in the Wynwood business district. 7) Determine if there is a need to improve current parking facilities in the Wynwood commercial district. 8) Analyze present public transportation in the Wynwood area to determine if alternate bus routes and schedules can increase accessability to the commercial district and have a positive effect on business. 9) Identify the correlation between the businesses in the Miami Design District and the Fashion District and determine the benefit to the Wynwood area from increased interaction between the businesses in the two districts. 84-1440 A Page 2 10) Prepare proforma financial statements for the implementation of any potential project and identify specific private sources of funding. 11) Define the public benefits and costs associated with any necessary public expenditure. The City of Miami has tentatively set aside $20,000 to compensate the consultants for these services. Firms should submit a letter of interest and statements of qualifications which should include the following items: 1) description of firm's experience in conducting market analyses and feasibility studies for business districts similar to the Wynwood Business District. Firms should include copies of these studies for review by the Selection Committee; 2) description of studies that have been completed for garment manufacturing/retail and interior design business districts. Firms should include copies of these studies for review by the Selection Committee; 3) description of studies that have been completed on any of the Greater Miami business districts. Firms should include copies of these studies for review by the Selection Committee; 4) scope of work; 5) proposed schedule of activities; 6) resumes of consultant staff to be assigned to this study; and 7) proposed minority participation in the project. i A panel consisting of representatives from the City of Miami and business owners from the Wynwood Commercial District will be responsible for reviewing the letters of interest and statements of qualifications. After an initial review, interviews may be �held with a select number of firms or individuals. The City of Miami does not take financial responsibility for costs incurred by consultants in the proposal or interview process. 84-1440 W1 it n Page 3 In order to answer questions, a at 9:00 a.m. on January 8, 1985 of Economic Development. pre -bid conference will be held at the offices of the Department Letters of interest and statements of qualifications (8 copies) should be received by 5:00 p.m. on January 18, 1985 and addressed to: Charlotte Gallogly, Director City of Miami Department of Economic Development 174 East Flagler Street, 7th Floor Miami, Florida 33131 84-1440