HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-13-0066 Cover MemoSEOPW Board of Commissioners Special Meeting
October 24, 2013
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK 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: 13-01212
Subject: Resolution Authorizing Grant to Miami Dade
College for Hospitality and Culinary Institute.
References:
Enclosures: Supporting Documentation; Legislation
BACKGROUND:
The attached Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") authorizes the issuance of a grant, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to
Miami Dade College ("MDC") to underwrite costs associated with the current operation of the Hospitality and
Culinary Institute ("Institute"). This Resolution also authorizes the issuance of an additional grant, in an amount
not to exceed $900,000, to MDC for operation of the Institute at the Ebenezer Church, 300 NW 11 Street,
Miami, Florida ("site"), for a four-year period, in an amount not to exceed $225,000 per year, provided that said
additional grant only be available to MDC upon reimbursement of funds from the U.S. Department of
Commerce's Economic Development Administration in connection with the adaptive re -use and rehabilitation of
the site.
MDC began operating a program that offered job training and employment opportunities in the hospitality
industry to residents of the Redevelopment Area. Recently, MDC has expanded its operations to include the
provision of culinary arts training (collectively "Hospitality and Culinary Institute"). The Board of Commissioners
has previously provided grant assistance to MDC for the Institute, as authorized by Resolution Nos. CRA-R-
CRA-R-10-0025, CRA-R-10-0059, CRA-R-11-0053, CRA-R-12-0014, and CRA-R-13-0006.
Given the success and expansion of the Hospitality and Culinary Institute, MDC is in need of dedicated space
for its operation. The CRA currently owns the historic Ebenezer Church, 300 NW 11 Street, Miami, Florida
("site"), and wishes to see the site actively programmed. However, while the CRA has agreed to allow the
Hospitality and Culinary Institute to operate at the site, the site is in need of rehabilitation. in turn, the CRA, with
the assistance of the City of Miami and MDC, applied for a grant in the amount of $900,000, from the U.S.
Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration ("EDA"), for the adaptive re -use and
rehabilitation of the site. EDA issued a grant award to the CRA on October 1, 2013, which acceptance of said
grant award is also being considered by the Board during its special meeting on October 24' 2013.
MDC has requested assistance with continuing its programming of the Hospitality and Culinary Institute, and its
anticipated expansion onto the site. This Resolution would enable MDC to receive $50,000 in grants funds to
continue its current operations. The disbursement of EDA's grant award to the CRA is on a reimbursement
basis. As such, the disbursement of the additional grant funds would only occur upon reimbursement from EDA
for the costs associated with rehabilitation of the site. Moreover, the disbursement of additional grant funds
would occur over a four-year period, which would enable MDC to strategically plan for future operations, and
identify and apply for other sources of revenue.
JUSTIFICATION:
Section 2, Goals 4 and 6, at page 11, of the 2009 Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment
Plan ("Plan") lists the "creati[on of) jobs within the community," as well as "improving the quality of life for
residents" as stated redevelopment goals.
FUNDING:
$50,000 are to be allocated from SEOPW Tax Increment Fund, entitled "Other Grants and Aids" Account Code
No. 10050.920101.883000.0000.00000. $900,000 to be allocated from the same tax increment fund upon
reimbursement of funds from EIOA.