Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-82-0504P r H CITY OF MIAM1. FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM To Howard V. Gary 047E May 24, 1982 FILE City Manager S',E i E�- Little Havana Community Cente Rental Policy FROM Dena Spillman, Director REFERENZES Committee of the Whole: Department of Community Development June 17, 1982 City Commiss: ENCLOS'.:RE.S Agenda It is recommended that the City Commission establish a rental fee policy for all agencies occupying office space in the Little Havana Community Center. Presently, only organizations occupying space in the new building (970 S.W. 1st Street) are required to pay rent. All agencies, with the exception of the Food Stamp Program and the City's Entrant Assist- ance Program, pay $4.50/sq.ft. for rent which includes utilities and janitorial service. The Food Stamp Program currently pays $8.50/sq.ft. but provides its own janitorial service; the City's Entrant Assistance Program, funded by a State grant, pays $10.00/sq.ft. for rent, which is allowed by the grant. Although we have been advised by several real estate brokers that similar office space in Little Havana would rent for approximately $10.00/sq.ft., the City has provided office space substantially below market rate in exchange for the benefit of the services provided to the community. Since most of the agencies housed in the new building _ are subsidized by Federal Revenue Sharing and/or Community Development funds, an increase in rent at the Center would result in the demand foi an increase in Community Development and/or Federal Revenue Sharing fui for the agencies, which are not available. Since the cost of operating the Center has substantially increased as a result of the elimination of CETA public service employment coupled with inflation and escalating utility costs, the only option presently available to increase revenues is to examine our current rental policy for Building A tenants. There are presently 10 organizations occupying 3995 sq.ft. in Building A. Most tenants in Building A are the original tenants of the Center and/or former occupants of Building B, which was demolished last year. They have never been required by Commission action to contribute rent. Most do not receive any City subsidy. Two of these agencies, the Florida State Commission on Hispanic Affair and the Cuban Journalists in Exile, have funds budgeted for rent and pay almost $4.50/sq.ft. The remaining eight agencies have advised us that they do not have funds for rent. 82-504- r Howard V. Gary 5/24/82 pg. 2 t At $4.50/sq.ft.,.an additional revenue of $10,948.50 per year would ! be generated if rent were charged for all office space in Building A. While we have had several requests from agencies for office space, most i are requests for free space. We have not solicited requests from social service agencies that may be willing to pay for the space. Attached is a list of organizations that presently occupy office space in Building A, indicating their current use of space. If the City Commission authorizes rent for Building A tenants, we would recommend that those agencies that are unable to remain at the Center due to lack of funds for rent,be allowed to use the meeting rooms for free. We normally charge non -tenants for the use of meeting rooms. It is requested that this item be brought before the City Commission for discussion. /mal �- - 82-504- c` r \. Building A Tenants Cuban Museum: 330 sq.ft. - This agency is presently waiting to occupy space granted to them by the City in the Fire Station located on 1300 S.W. 12th Avenue. They use the Center's space during most weekdays and some weekends to research and collect Cuban art and historic documents in Miami with the goal of creating a Cuban museum. They pay no rent in Building A. Industrial Home for the Blind: 550 sq.ft. - They use the space daily to house a factory for the blind, primarily packaging soap for sale. They rent 1811 sq.ft. in the new building and could probably consolidate their space. They pay no rent in Building A. Florida State Commission on Hispanic Affairs: 1500 sq.ft. - This agency provides on -going research into the problems and needs of the State's hispanic population. They also provide information and referral to State agencies. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They presently pay $4.50 for 1308 sq.ft. Chicos, Riverside Baptist Church, and Cultural Hispana: 300 sq.ft. - These three agencies share an office since they infrequently work the same hours. Chicos provides free drama classes for children and theatre presentations by children; Riverside Baptist Church provides counselling; Cultura Hispana coordinates lectures and films presentations on the hispanic culture. These agencies do not pay rent. National Association of CB of Florida: 440 sq.ft. - The agency uses the space to store a radio communication system and to hold meetings through- out the week and on weekends. Their purpose is to assist the police in matters of civil defense and crime prevention through the use of CB radios. They do not pay rent. Brigade 2506: 440 sq.ft. - The agency uses space at the Center to store a historic collection relating to the Bay of Pigs invasion as well as to hold meetings for the members. They pay no rent. Cuban Journalists in Exile: 260 sq.ft. - The agency operates weekdays and assists exiled journalists. They maintain a library and information useful for their membership. They pay $4.50/sq.ft. for 254 sq.ft. Cuban Dentists, Pharmacists and Architects in Exile: 175 sq.ft. - This organization attempts to assist exiled professionals obtain certification that would enable them to practice their profession in the United States. The office is used frequently during weekdays, weekends and evenings. They do not pay rent. 82-504---