HomeMy WebLinkAboutRenovation ProjectLittle Havana Activities & Nutrition
Centers of Dade County, Inc.
Rafael Villaverde Senior Center Renovation Project
Project Scope:
Little Havana Activities & Nutrition centers of Dade County, Inc. ("Little Havana") has called the Rafael Villaverde
Senior Center located at 700 SW 8th Street Miami, FI 33130 its base of operations since 1986. This location, the
agency's largest, houses the agency's Executive Offices, a senior center, a child day care center, an adult day
care center, the Horne Health Agency, and the Pro-Salud Clinic. This site, centrally located on the corner of SW
8th Street and 7th Avenue further serves as the agency's biggest and best form of advertisement for its services.
In an effort to ensure that the property reflects the quality of the services that it provides to the community
Little Havana is requesting funds to paint the exterior of the building, including the trim, doors, windows, and all
wooden surfaces. Ensuring that the building is properly painted and all exterior surfaces are neat and well taken
care of creates additional curb appeal to the block.
Prior to painting all exterior surfaces, the property will be pressure cleaned to ensure that any and all dirt, loose,
chipped old paint is removed. Pressuring cleaning all surfaces will ensure that the new paint will adhere
properly to all newly painted surfaces thereby extending the amount of time necessary to repaint. Once
pressure cleaned, all surfaced will receive two coats of premium paint.
In addition to the exterior paint, Little Havana is also requesting funds to replace its only existing elevator. This
three stop car was placed on the property in 1986 when the building was purchased by Little Havana. Excessive
wear and tear on the elevator, coupled with the fact that it is outdated, has caused interruption of services to
center clients. Frequent services calls have also created added expenses, taking funds that could be put to
better use, including providing additional services to area frail, low-income seniors.
When the elevator is out of services for repair issues, seniors who cannot safely climb stairs or use assistive
ambulation devises such as walkers or wheelchairs cannot readily receive assistance from our social services
departments. Additionally, adult day care clients must be relocated to the first floor auxiliary location for
services. These disruptions create difficulties in providing adequate services to our seniors.
The new elevator will meet with all safety standards and ADA and code requirements.
All services requested herein will be performed by properly licensed professionals.
Time Line:
In an effort to expedite the completion of this project, Little Havana will make every effort to have both projects
on -going simultaneously.
Taking into account approval of the budget and City permitting procedures, the project should take an
estimated 90 days to complete from the time of the award of funds with every effort made to complete the
project by December 31, 2010.
Budget:
Installation of new elevator: $ 60,000
Exterior Building Paint: 58,000
Total Project Budget: $118,000
Assistance to the Elderly, Inc.
5617 NW 7 Street
Miami, Florida 33126
August 13, 2010
Mr. George Mensah, Director
City of Miami
444 SW 2 Avenue 2nd Floor
Miami, Florida 33131
Dear Mr. Mensah,
Assistance to the Elderly, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization seeks a grant of
$220,000.00 from the City of Miami for support of our Relief Project in efforts to meet the
demands of structural improvements to our facility. We are grateful for the support we
have received from the City of Miami in the past and think this new proposal may be of
comparable interest.
We think this project is very much aligned with the goals of your grant to provide funding for
the rehabilitation, reconstruction and improvements of housing facilities serving elderly
individuals.
Our organization, established since 1990, has been serving the Miami -Dade community for
twenty years offering services such as Assisted Living, Respite Care, Memory Care for
residents suffering from Alzheimer's and Hospice Care. Recently we were honored by the
Alzheimer's Association, Florida Social Workers Association and Vitas Hospice among others.
The project for which we are requesting funds will make a difference in the lives of the
residents and overall facility in the following way:
1. Installation of Security Devices:
a. Installation of a security camera system encompassing the entire building such as
resident hallways and Alzheimer's unit will prove useful in case of emergencies. In
addition, placing cameras to the exterior of the building will provide a safer
environment where residents.
b. Installation of a security gate will secure and sections out the exterior backside of the
building where residents can take walks such in common areas and prevent non -
visitors, or strangers out.
c. Repair metal fire exit doors will provide adequate security.
d. Installation of an elevator system such as security coding for floors requiring added
supervision such as Alzheimer's Units will provide a safer environment for the
residents and visitors.
e.. Restore the condition of the floor within the elevators which is necessary for safety
reasons will provide a safer surface for residents and visitors to walk on. It will also
facilitate easier flow of traffic for those in housekeeping and/or room service.
2. Improvements to increase Energy Efficiency:
a. Changing the light fixtures in the resident hallways will save energy, and promote a
safer environment for our residents as well as support fall prevention. This will also
decrease mood disorders and promote a livelier environment for residents to interact
and socialize while minimizing retirement home stigmas.
b. Tinting glass windows located in common areas such as elevator lobbies will reduce
indoor heat and save energy.
3. Replacement of Principal Fixtures and Equipment:
a. Replacing main kitchen equipment that is necessary to run day to day functions of a full
kitchen serving three meals per day to 303 residents.
b. By repairing the outsource connections to the main generator we will be better
equipped to support our disaster plan in the event of a hurricane or electrical outage.
This will also require us to replace the Base Tank due to rusting and decomposition.
c. Replacement of 180 regular toilets to 180 handicap toilets, will address the need for
residents who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairment.
d. Replacement of flooring in resident units which have been damaged due to wear and
tear allowing for a safer surface for residents to walk on.
e. Replacement of damaged kitchenettes in resident units to provide adequate and
functional furnishings that will also prevent accumulation for bacteria infested surfaces.
f. Replacement of present water fountains on each floor to meet the needs for residents
who use wheelchairs or are handicapped.
The project will take no more than 18 months meeting specified requirements and we expect
the results to provide residents with better lighting and adequate controlled temperatures, a
secure and safe environment, adequate toilets and water fountains for handicap residents
and those with impaired mobility, restored flooring and kitchens, and functional equipment
to meet the demands of day to day functions of the facility.
We thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Evelyn Torres, Community Development Manager
Assistance to the Elderly, Inc.
5617 NW 7 Street Miami, Florida 33126
305-267-2700 Ext. 200 Fax:305-267-2708
Email: etorres@residentialplaza.com
cc: Lilian Blondett, Assistant Director