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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcommunity fields programNFL 2000 COMMUNITY FOOTBALL FIELDS PROGRAM Description of the organization It is the mission of BAME Development Corporation of South Florida, Inc. to promote the development of affordable housing to meet the needs of the low- income families and the elderly. BAME will engage in the development of residential homeownership and rental housing and will assist individuals and groups in becoming self-sufficient in owning, managing, and operating housing and other related enterprises. BAME was created out of the Greater Bethel AME Church in 1992. It was developed from a dream to its current status of a 501 (C) 3 CDC, and a Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDO). The creators of BAME envisioned the corporation promoting low income housing for families and the elderly, assisting low income individuals and groups to become self sufficient in order to own, manage, and operate housing, and other related enterprises in the Overtown area, and to promote strong economic development in an effort to reestablish property values and personal pride in the community. During this period, BAME has developed a home ownership training program that has enabled over 150 families and/or individuals to participate. BAME is preparing to break ground on a forty (40) unit subdivision of new construction single family homes, is a partner in the proposed tax credit development of a two hundred eleven (211) unit fourteen (14) floor multi -family low income project, and will soon begin construction to rehab a twelve (12) unit AIDS facility. Notwithstanding the above, BAME is involved in a number of other community social service projects and serves on several committees in Miami. Impact of the project and fixture sustainability This Project shall be coordinated by BAME in conjunction with the City of Miami Parks & Recreation Department. The City of Miami shall contribute the match funds and is committed to the continued maintenance of the facility. The football field is utilized by the youth football program operated by the Overtown Optimist Club. They have approximately 300 youths participating in their football league. Participants are from the Overtown area of Miami, which is located just north of downtown, and is within a low income Community Development target area. NFL 2000 Community Football Fields Program BAME Development Corporation of South Florida, Inc. Gibson Park Proposal Page 2 of 3 Description of the neighborhood: (Source of Data): Overtown Community Target Area Neighborhood Planning Program 1994-96 City of Miami Planning, Building and Zoning Department The Overtown area is located in the central section of the City of Miami, just northwest of the Downtown Target area. It is bounded by the FEC/Metrorail Iine right-of-way on the east; NW 5th Street and the Miami River to the south; NW 20th Street to the north; and 1-95 and SR 836 (east -west) Expressway on the west. The Community Development Overtown Target area encompasses the Townpark housing project, Rainbow Village housing project, Wheatly/Dorsey Park residential area, Highland Park residential area, Culmer residential housing project, and the Overtown section of the Southeast Overtown Park West Redevelopment Area. Overtown is primarily a low to medium density multi -family residential community with commercial businesses scattered along NW 3rd Avenue, between 9th and 20th Streets, and NW 14th Street, between NW 3rd and Miami Avenues. This community faces severe economic problems primarily because the income levels of many of the area residents are considerably below the medium income levels of the City of Miami. Approximately 40% of the property in Overtown is under government ownership (DCHUD). Overtown has the highest portion of female heads of households, and higher percentage of families below the poverty level in the City of Miami. The unemployment rate is higher in Overtown than the total unemployment rate for the City of Miami. The 1990 population of Overtown was reported at 11,9786, consisting of 83.37% Blacks, 2.80% Whites, 12.71% Hispanics and 1.12% Other. The census of 1990 reported 58% of the population with an education of less than a High School Diploma. Approximately 2,878 youths live in the Overtown area, with 66% of them living below the poverty level, as reported in the 1990 census. NFL 2000 Community Football Fields Program BAME Development Corporation of South Florida, Inc. Gibson Park Proposal Page 3 of 3 Description of the project: BAME proposes to utilize this project in support of its housing program. The football facility shall be utilized by the Optimist program, and the city's Parks and Recreation Department's year round and summer program. The Optimist football program has approximately 300 youths and is expanding. In the Overtown area, football has brought the community together, and the park is once again a gathering place for families to enjoy. During the season, hundreds of people turn out for a full -day schedule of games. This program can once again instill pride in the community. Sports, and football in particular can be utilized as the focus point for young people in channeling their desire to improve their quality -of -life through education. The Overtown Optimist Club participates in the Pop Warner Football League, and is the only tackle football program that serves the Overtown area. Miami's Parks and Recreation Department provides year-round activities, an after school program, and summer camp at Gibson Park. The Parks & Recreation Department currently has $ 62,500 in matching funds committed for improvements to Gibson Park, and includes the football field and supporting infrastructure. During the past year, more than $50,000 worth of improvements have gone into the football field. The entire park facility (including football field) is maintained by the Parks Operations Division. The proposed Budget for this project: Scoreboard & InstalIation $12,500 Bleachers $20,000 Sod $20,000 Top Soil $10,000 Water Fountains $ 5,000 Irrigation Repairs $ 5,000 Building Addition* $75,000 Fencing $15,000 Total $ 1 62,500 * To be utilized by the Optimist Football Program