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BETTER WAY OF MLAK _
BETTER WAY OF MIAMI, INC.
W 80(3N.W.
5 634 3409 - Fax: Miami) Florida
35 3524 27
A Ll�
BETH LANG, R.N., C.A.P., L.C.S.W
Executive Director
July 18, 2008
h6fikkI!W O KIM!
Dept. of Community Deve �pmer'
IJUL 2V V4
Mr. George Mensah, Director DIRECTORS OFFICE
City of Miami Dept. of Community
and —Economic Development
444 SW 2nd Ave. 2nd Floor
Miami, FL 33128
Dear George:
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c,<,N ;jiunity Deveilopmer
Re: 2007 $80,000.CDBG Allocation to
Better Way Apts. (Renovations)
'JUL 22 2408
Lillian and Gesette of your staff have asked me to write explaining the current situation
with our Better Way Apartments property at 665-675 NW 17 St.
As you may be aware, last year we were awarded an $80,000. City CDBG allocation for
renovations to be made at the this site, a 56 efficiency unit, four building complex
serving the disabled under HUD Shelter Plus Care/SRA project funding. Two rounds of
bidding within the last year had failed to produce a viable bid for the work we wanted to
do.
We were recently in the process of adjusting our bid requirements for the extent of work
to be..done when we were approached by the Univ. of Miami with an offer to buy the
Better Way Apts. Property and build us a new project elsewhere! They are interested in
our 1.3 acre parcel to complete their proposed 7+ acre `Research and Development
Center' site. The UM Asset Management folks so far have met with our: -administrative
staff and our Board of Directors to present their need'and discuss potential pians for
relocation :.and continuation of our project.
Although we have nothing formal from them as yet, I feel .it would be wrong :to proceed
with our renovation efforts when chances are very good' that our project will be demol-
ished and rebuilt elsewhere... and apparently, fairly soon! Accordingly, I am requesting
that this CDBG money be reallocated elsewhere where it may be more quickly used for
good purpose.
C4�
- Florida Da artmont of
Children & Families
Page 2
I want you and Comm. Spence -Jones to please know we are most appreciative for
your positive consideration for our project as well as the work done so far by your staff to
make it happen!
We will keep you apprised of any developments pertaining to the renovation project if
and when they occur.
Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Cc: Board of Directors
Hon. Michelle -Spence Brown. Comm.