HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-13-0064 Cover MemoSEOPW Board of Commissioners Special Meeting
October 24, 2013
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWNIPARK WEST
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Board Chair Michelle Spence -Jones
and Members of the CRA Board
From: Clarence E. Woods, III
Executive Director
Date: October 18, 2013 File: 13-01205
Subject: Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of EDA
Grant for Rehabilitation of Historic Ebenezer
Church.
References:
Enclosures: Supporting Documentation; Legislation
BACKGROUND:
The attached Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") accepts funds, in an amount not to exceed $900,000, consisting of a grant
award from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration for the adaptive re -use
and rehabilitation of the historic Ebenezer Church, 300 NW 11 Street, Miami, Florida ("site").
Through grant support from the CRA, Miami Dade College ("MDC") operates the Hospitality Institute, which
provides training and employment opportunities to residents of the Redevelopment Area. MDC has expanded
the Hospitality Institute to include culinary arts training; however, MDC is in need of dedicated space to operate
the expanded programming.
To assist MDC with its expansion, the CRA has agreed to allow the Hospitality Institute to operate at the site,
but the site is in need of being rehabilitated. In an effort to assist the CRA with leveraging its funding support of
the Hospitality Institute, the CRA applied for a grant in the amount of $900,000.00 from the U.S. Department of
Commerce's Economic Development Administration ("EDA") for the adaptive re -use and rehabilitation of the
site. The application also required participation by MDC, and the City of Miami ("City"), given that the CRA is
one of its agencies.
On October 1, 2013, EDA awarded a grant, in an amount not to exceed $900,000.00 for the adaptive re -use and
rehabilitation of the site ("grant award"), and requires the City and the CRA to accept the award within thirty (30)
days. Acceptance of this grant award would enable the CRA to rehabilitate the site and allow MDC to continue
its expanded programming.
JUSTIFICATION:
Section 163.370(2)(g), Florida Statutes, allows a community redevelopment agency to to borrow money and to
apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the
Federal Government."
Section 2, Goal 1, at page 11, of the 2009 Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Plan
("Plan") provides for the preservation of historic buildings and community heritage as a stated redevelopment
goal. The Plan, at pages 89 — 90, also describes the Ebenezer Church, 300 NW 11 Street, Miami, Florida
("site"), as being historically significant, and encourages the renovation of such buildings throughout the
Redevelopment Area.
FUNDING:
This Resolution does not commit funding.