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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-11-0006 01-24-2011 Backup' P O +NG DOCUMENTATION. OMNI PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 697 N. Miami Ave, Loft # 2 Miami, FL 33136 (T) 305 527 7332 (F) 305 402-0311 January 13, 2011 City of Miami CRA Attn: Pieter Bockweg 245 NW 5th Street, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33128 RE: GRANT REQUEST FOR MULTI -USE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL SPACE SEED FUNDING Mr Bockweg, Please find attached a formal grant request for the Grand Central Park project on the Old Miami Arena site, located at 721 NW 1t Avenue. This unique concept of a temporary park / recreation space which is self financing will both beautify and activate one of the largest vacant sites in the Overtown / Park West neighborhood. The multi -use space will be primarily used for outdoor entertainment and recreation uses and to provide inexpensive, secure parking to the community and visitors to the area. Planned activities include concerts and activities such as a drive in movie theatre, flea / farmer's markets and outdoor recreation. Future projects include adding a mini -skateboard park to the site to serve a much needed community need. The project has also been designed to be environmentally sustainable, including catchment ponds to collect storm water runoff and allow for filtration back into the aquifer rather than continuing to pollute our waterways. This will allow for educational opportunities for our children in how to develop sustainable projects and demonstrate how they work. Organi7.ations such as Arts for Learning are already planning to include the park in their youth programs for 2011. The activation of a formerly vacant space will bring thousands of people to the neighborhood. Events and activities on the site will result in local job creation and opportunities for local businesses. The OMNI PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (OPWRA) plans to offer the space at no charge at least once per month to local community groups such as the Overtown Optimist Club for fundraisers and other community activities. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Phase 1 of the $311,727 project has already been completed $111,199 of the total cost has been funded though in -kind contributions or donations. OPWRA is requesting a CRA grant of $199,528 to complete the seed funding of the project. Rent, operations and maintenance will then be self financing through for profit events and activities, which ensures that the project will not become a burden on taxpayers in the future. Mr. Straub, owner of the site, is also requiring a personal guaranty from myself, which will ensure that the project will remain viable for the two year duration of the project. Grand Central Park is already beginning to gain press coverage and both national and international interest. We feel that in addition to the abovementioned benefits, the park will generate innumerable PR opportunities for the neighborhood, City of Miami, and the Community Redevelopment Association due to the unique nature of the project and its impact to the community. A documentary, "how to build a park in 30 days", will coincide with the project, and is planned to be submitted at the Sundance film festival. Thank you for your support on this exciting project. We look forward to presenting it to the CRA Board of Directors. Thank you for your support, Bradley Knoefler I a I %ItAli %taTiv ....,00 I'll IlLskilltlittittli '''' '. il.1.61,_ „Iii 1111R 410 2 4 Itikt Ot aaaaaa Ili lilt* f' ..1."-* 1va4$4*4 114 0 * r It i II 10111 r 4 t OK 1, I a it1414. . „ s a V Multi -Use public sports and event space Community Garden - Nursery SUPPORTING 1 DOCUMENTATION Bandshell Sod or artificial turf OSM '.ftaltitE0OSFIMWECEM ,r20092rIMITtl." 1 rt 444, USD Fa, fttnt,'TZ-V 410 1115 N 1§0 ar,7 (.1e -*A° t391 , Security fence DOCUMENTATION GRAND CENTRAL PARK BUILDOUT AND INITIAL INVESTMENT Total cost Financed CRA Funding Phase I improvements* $ 63,699 $ 63,699 $ - Landscape design $ 10,000 $ 8,000 $ 2,000 Sitework $ 20,000 $ 20,000 Fencing (960 Ilf @$18.00) $ 17,280 $ 17,280 Compost / soil for Berm $ 22,500 $ 22,500 $ - Signage $ 2,000 $ 2,000 Landscape materials $ 32,000 $ 32,000 Landscape Labor $ 18,000 $ 18,000 $ - Royal Palm relocation $ 2,500 $ 2,500 Grant writing support $ 3,000 $ 3,000 Milled Asphalt (60,000 s!f) $ 27,000 $ 27,000 $ 217,979 $ 112,199 $ 105,780 Security Deposit Initial start up rent $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 68,748 $ 68,748 $ 93,748 $ 93,748 TOTAL FUNDS TO BE DISBURSED $ 311,727 $ 112,199 $ 199,528 CRA CONTRIBUTION $ 199,528 Sources of funding Grand Central donation* City of Miami Compost donation Local Off landscape Hand on Miami in kind contr TOTAL FUNDING SECURED $ 63,699 $ 22,500 $ 8,000 $ 18,000 $ 112,199 *improvements which are owned by Grand Central and currently generate parking income GC will donate improvements to OPWRA to allow self financing of the project. $ a 8 a i ii ■a l ai a a av'as "3ia alaualknitii :sultanas -gam a l a a N a l a l 114ia. a a la i Ik I ,;«1II{l1i11111 l '[i yell jI Iq' 1 1. 1611[!' IEIII�I�il a ;; EMI it I li .kl! .3 lki I k AFTER e 6 PHASE 1 IMPROVEMENTS Chi±i of itm,V.>xt TOMAS P. REGALADO MAYOR January 12, 2011 Mr. Brad Knoefler OMNI Park West Redevelopment Association 697 N. Miami Avenue — Loft #2 Miami, FL 33136 Dear Mr. Knoefler, SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE MIAMI, FLORIDA33133 (305) 250-5300 FAX (305) 854-400] Thank you for reaching out to the City of Miami in support of the Grand Central Park project on the old Miami Arena site. The City of Miami has agreed to donate the compost required from the Virginia key site for the green areas of the park. Thank you for your continued support of the Overtown community and your commitment to beautifying the neighborhood. Sincerely, Tomas Regalado Mayor SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION 11 Stren4tN n a VOLUNTLili ranst^n 425 NW 26 Street Miami, FL 33127 305.646.7200 ww.handsonmiami.org Hands on Miami is proud to partner with the Omni/Park West Redevelopment Association's efforts to improve our community through the creation of temporary park space at the site of the old Miami Arena. This project involves the removal of invasive exotic vegetation, mulching the entire grounds, and reintroducing native plants to the area. This project provides service learning opportunities and instills environmental stewardship in those students and adults who participate. Hands On Miami will serve as an in -kind sponsor and will provide volunteer supportliabor in the creation of this much needed park. According to the Independent Sector, the Florida hourly volunteer wage is $18.20. Hands On Miami will provide 1,000 hours of volunteer service for a total of over $18,000 of in -kind support. This incredibly impactful project strongly complements the work of Hands on Miami and we look forward to a continued partnership with Omni/Park West Redevelopment Association in improving our local communities. Sincerely, 7/effO____ Nathan Reiser Program Manager (305) 646-7200 ext. 215 Nathan@handsonmiami.org Transforming communities • Engaging volunteers • Strengthening nonprofits GRANDCENTRAL 697 Norlh Miami Ave. t Miami FL 33136 PH. 305.377.2277 www.grandoentralmiami.cam OMNI Park West Redevelopment Association ATTN: Brad Knoefler 697 N. Miami Ave Loft # 2 Miami. FL 33136 January 4, 2011 RE: Donation of improvements at 721 NW 1st Ave to OPWRA Dear Mr. Knoefler, Please let this letter serve as a formal committment from GC Lounge, Inc. (d/b/a Grand Central) to donate the improvements that we have funded on the property located at 721 NW lst Ave to the OMNI Park West Redevelopment Association. During 2010, we funded approximately $63,699 of improvements on the Old Miami Arena site in order to eliminate one of the largest areas of blight in the neighborhood and contruct an affordable interim parking facility for our customers. Normally, any income (such as parking and events held on the site) would be received by Grand Central as a return on our significant investment in improving the site. However, in the spirit of neighborhood cooperation and to serve as a catalyst for the Grand Central Park project, we have agreed to donate these improvements to OMNI Park West Redevelopment Association. In order to partially fund this exciting project. Upon approval of the project, Grand Central will donate the $63,699 of improvements to allow OPWRA to generate income from them in order to permit the self financing of the project. We certainly feel that thiis. project can have enormous benefits to the Community and the Downtown area in general, as well as generate substantial positive press for the CRA and the City of Miami and give it our full support. Please feel free to contact me if you require any additional information. Aramis Lorie President 139 NE 1 sl Street, Suite 308 Miami, FL 33132 T 786.488.8347 LSRprod@aol.com Brad Knoefler OMNI PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 697 N. Miami Ave. Loft # 2 Miami, FL 33136 Date 1/12/11 Dear Mr. Knoefler, LSR Productions would like to express sincere gratitude for your Grand Central Park project that you are developing with Omni Park West Redevelopment Association. We see the beauty in helping our community to expand because in doing so we are expanding our collective Lifestyles to ad more quality to our neighborhood Downtown Miami. LSR Productions is a music production company committed to create a legacy for our local talents such as, performing artists, musicians & groups. We intend to use Grand Central Park for outdoor events and concerts to entertain our community while providing a platform for our local, Artists, Groups and Musicians to grow there careers and promote the Magic City of Miami. We also have connections with national and international acts we intend to bring to your venue for a global out reach in our primary effort with Grand Central Park promoting Downtown Miami. In closing, we are extremely excited and thankful to be apart such a noble project that I'm sure will affect the legacy of Miami and South Florida as a whole. Please feel free to contact me for any support regarding your project. Thank you! Best Wishes, Leroy Romans LSR Productions, LLC. 139 NE lst Street, Suite 308 Miami, FL 33132 786.488.8347 LSRprod@aol.com POPLIFE www.epoplife.com 6g7 North Miami Ave. I Miami FL 33136 PH. 786.683.3115 November 15`h. 2010 Brad Knoefler OMNI / PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 697 N Miami Ave. Loft # 2 Miami, FL 33136 Mr. Knoefler, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my excitement and appreciation for the Grand Central Park project the Omni/Park West Redevelopment Association is working on and developing. My company, POPLIFE, has been producing and promoting events in the Downtown Miami area for more than 11 years. We pride ourselves in the commitment we have made to the area, to generate business and expand Miami's cultural diversity. We are always interested in exposing our clientele to new and interesting venues. Grand Central Park will not only be an extremely welcome addition to the neighborhood, but also a unique platform on which to produce a multitude of events. At this time, POPLIFE would like to extend our commitment to downtown Miami to cover Grand Central Park as well. We are very excited to have the opportunity to showcase events in on what will be unparalleled location. Please feel free to contact me should my support for this project be needed. Sincerely, Barbara Basti POPLIFE, Inc. 780 NE 69th St. Miami, FL 33138 786.683.3115 Barbara©epoplife.com RATTLERS Oventown Coinnwnm Onmust Cam, Inc. 1101)13i`. 12 S Reet Matnu,1i. 33136 OMNI PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION Brad Knoefler 697 N. Miami Ave, Loft # 2 Miami, FL 33136 January 10, 2011 Dear Mr. Knoefler, SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Thank you for contacting us about the potential use of Grand Central Park for events and programs supported by the Overtown Community Optimist Club. As we spoke about on the phone, the Optimists are interested in working with the Omni Park West Redevelopment Association in programming youth activities in the park on an as needed basis and would be very interested in using the space for fundraising activities, potentially holding the Overtown Community Optimist Club annual fundraiser event and concert on the site. Thank you for your continued support of the Overtown Community and your commitment to beautifying the neighborhood. Sincerely, inanuel Washingto Executive Director 305-761-7443