HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-16-0025 Cover MemoSEOPW Board of Commissioners Meeting
May 23, 2016
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Board Chair Keon Hardemon
and Members of the CRA Board
Date: May 13, 2016 File: 16-00526
Subject: Resolution Authorizing a Grant to Black
Archives History and Research Foundation of
South Florida, Inc. for the Lyric Theater
Cultural Heritage Institute and Expenditure for
Tenant Improvements.
From: Clarence E. Woods, III References:
Executive 'Director
Enclosures: Supporting Documentation; Legislation
BACKGROUND:
The attached Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") authorizes a grant, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, to the Black Archives
History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. ("BAF") to underwrite costs associated with the
continued operation and programming of the Lyric Theater Cultural Heritage Institute for the 2016 calendar year.
The Board of Commissioners, by Resolution No. CRA-R-15-0012, passed and adopted on March 30, 2015,
authorized a grant, in an amount not to exceed $433,000, for operation of the Cultural Heritage Institute at the
Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex and for the provision of job training services to residents of the
Redevelopment Area at the Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex. With the CRA's continued funding, BAF was
able to successfully open the historic venue and has hosted exciting programing such as the South Florida
Marching Band Precision Camp, Lyric Live, Living Legends, and ICONS. Additionally, BAF was able to forge
partnerships with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Florida, Big Bus, the Bass Museum,
and Coca-Cola. Further, the CRA currently leases office space from the BAF at the Lyric Theater Cultural Arts
Com plex.
BAF now seeks support from the CRA to continue operations of the Lyric Theater Cultural Heritage Institute for
the 2016 calendar year. The additional funding requested will assist in expanding BAF's marketing and media
efforts, create and attract more programming at the Lyric Theater, and continue to develop its archive collection.
This request also includes $50,000 for programming of the Ward Rooming House, which is owned by the CRA.
The CRA has previously provided BAF with a grant to program the Ward Rooming House by separate
resolution, however, this year BAF included the Ward Rooming House grant in this request.
JUSTIFICATION:
Section 2, Goal 1, at page 11, of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency Plan
("Plan") lists the "preserv[ation of] historic buildings and community heritage" as a stated redevelopment goal.
Section 2, Principle 6, at page 15, of the Plan states, "local cultural events, institutions, and businesses are to be
promoted" as a stated redevelopment principle. Further, Section 2, Principles 8 and 14, at page 15 of the Plan
states that "older buildings that embody the area's cultural past should be restored" and the area's sense of
community should be restored and unified culturally.
Page 93 of the Plan states that "[t]he CRA will assist in The Black Archives, History & Research Foundation of
South Florida, Inc.'s on -going efforts to rehabilitate the theater and make available related support facilities".
FUNDING:
$500,000 allocated from SEOPW Tax Increment Fund, entitled "Grants and Other Aids," Account No.
10050.920101.883000.0000.00000.