HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter-Rev. Dr. Ralph M. RossCITY COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 2005
OVERTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT WITHPOINCIANA-SAWYER WALK
Mr. Chairman, Honorable Commissioners and all other Officers, Mr. Manager, Madam
Clerk and Mr. City Attorney: 1 am Reverend Dr. Ralph M. Ross, Pastor and Teacher at
the Historic Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Overtown.
I thank you for the opportunity to comment on the issues before you today. Since I spoke
on the issue of Overtown Redevelopment at Commissioner Allen's well -attended and
organized Town Hall Meeting this past Saturday, I will not utilize much time reiterating
what I said. Instead. 1 will file for your records a copy of my statement on behalf of
several pastors and church leaders who met and discussed this redevelopment.
However, [ will emphasize the principles that we agreed upon as the minimum
relationship between our government leaders, any developers who are coming to
Overtown and our residents and religious institutions. Those five principles are the
following:
1 That the redevelopment process follow the goals and objectives of the Southeast
Overtown park West Redevelopment Plan that was completed in 2004, and is
based upon the previous plan adopted in 1982.
2. That the CRA and the City Commission follow a transparent, open process in
redeveloping Overtown.
3. That you as the CRA Board or as our City Commission do not entertain any
pocket items or non-prepublicized emergency ordinances, resolutions or motions
related to the development of Overtown.
4. That no proposals to grant ownership, leasing of city controlled real property in
Overtown be placed on the agenda or the CRA or this City Commission without
prior presentation to the community. (Please be advised that religious leaders are
willing to make our facilities available for such presentations.)
5. That the major concern in all redevelopment proposals and plans be the
affordability of housing for the present residents of Overtown.
In closing, I share the faith in this body to do what is right as 1 do in our present District 5
Commissioner Allen. We helped to build Miami in the past, and we must be a part of
building Miami's future.
Thank you.
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
ITEM 0.1 ON