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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-12-0030 04-30-12 BackupNEW WASHINGTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, INC. 1601NW 3RD AVENUE BUILDING # D MIAMI, FLORIDA 33136 Phone number: 305-576-5101 04/02/2012 Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones, Chairwoman City of Miami South East Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency Re: Quarterly Report — 4th Quarter 2012 Dear Chairwoman Spence -Jones, Please find below New Washington Heights' summary of activities for the SEOPW CRA grant project: Overtown Folk Life Fridays for the quarter of February - March 2012. Summary of Activities Project: Overtown Folk Life Fridays Background: The Overtown 9th Street Mall was conceptualized by New Washington Heights CDC and community stakeholders in 1979 and was incorporated in to the original SEOPW CRA Redevelopment Plan in 1981. Put forth as an integral project to help rid the Overtown area of slum and blight (brought on by the federal government's policy of Urban Renewal) and to promote sustainable economic development activities in the area. The project has been a sporadic investment by the SEOPW CRA over the past 30 years. Fast forward to 2009, the SEOPW CRA rediscovered one of the hidden jewels of the historic Overtown community — the Overtown 9th Street Mall and began investment anew. Under the management of New Washington Heights CDC, Overtown's 9th Street mall has been home to Folk Life Fridays, the only hub of economic d development activity within the Overtown Community which gathers Soul Food, Hispanic and Caribbean food, vendors, entrepreneurial retailers, internationally renowned entertainers, local Dj's, with a mix of residents, professionals and tourists enjoying good food, fun in Miami's Sun and a blend of Pop, R & B, and oldies but goodies music. Accomplishments: New Washington Heights has implemented Folk Life Fridays for the past quarter. The Festival Aerated from April 2011- March 2012. During this time, over three hundred fifty six residents have been employed. These employment opportunities have been in the areas of entertainment, clean up, set up, break down, police, printing, decorating, and marketing. New Washington Heights has been successful in contributing to the economic development activity of the Overtown Community. On average, twenty-five food and retail vendors participate each NEW WASHINGTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, INC. 1601NW 3RD AVENUE BUILDING # D MIAMI, FLORIDA 33136 Phone number: 305-576-5101 month during Folk Life Fridays. Each vendor staffs their booth with an average of 3 employees and generates, approximately $400.00 in revenue during the project's four hour of operation'. As a result, each day of the project's operation success includes: • $9000 worth of economic activity is generated • 75 City of Miami residents are employed • 25 Local businesses/entrepreneurial ventures are sustained • The positive reputation of the Overtown Community increases • Crime is deterred for no incidents of crime or civil dispute have been reported during hours of operation • Slum and blight decreases because the maintenance of a public facility is maintained Quarterly, this amounts to: • $37,500 worth of economic development activity for an area that prior to this project did not exist • 400 hours of employment for City of Miami residents that would not be possible if this project did not operate Next Steps: In order to maintain past gains and build on Folk Life's successes, New Washington Heights will continue to trengthen its ties with Overtown businesses, including the Historic Lyric Theatre (once through with renovations), community partners and the business and tourist industries. Moreover, we will pursue additional operating support generated from corporate sponsorships and grant funds. In Summary, Overtown's Folk Life Fridays is a generator of viable economic development activity for the Overtown Community and warrants the sustained investment of the SEOPW CRA. Businesses make money, residents are employed, public space is maintained, crime decreases and the reputation of the community to improve. We thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the economic development of the Overtown Community. On behalf of New Washington Heights, local vendors, and the Overtown Community we thank the SEOPW CRA and you for your sustained investment in the economic development of Overtown. We look forward to managing Folk Life Fridays for the next quarter! Sincerely, kie Bell Executive Director Project Manager — Overtown Folk Life Fridays ' New Washington Heights obtained this information from tracking utilized tents, observation, and with the help of vendors through surveys via phone interviews.