HomeMy WebLinkAboutrecommendation memoJ'UN-16-2004 11:53 CITY MANAGERS OFFICE
305 416 1019 P.01
TO :
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Honorable Mayor & Members of June 15, 2004
DAM:
SUBJECT :
Joe Arriola W r REFERENCES
City Manager
ENGLO8URtS:
the ctp Commission
BACKQROUNP:
PA1 - Mr. Jumel rn16-re
Re: Little I-f. ti Garden/Place
Karnoken
Ff LE :
Shortly after receiving the request for a personal appearance, staff contacted Mr. Jutx l Calixte to
ii quixe about the nature of his concerns and address them where appropriate. Below please find a
brief synopsis of the concerns he would like to address before the City Commission:
■ Little Haiti Freedom Garden/Place Kamoken - Mr. Calixte requested an update on the
status of the proposed improvements to the site owned by Muni -Dade County on the
Southwest corner of Nr. Nliami Avenue and 62nd Street (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.). 1-3is
major concerns included: 1.) Status of repaving work slated for the alley servicing the homes
adjoining the garden; 2,) Timeline for completion of the improvements, including the installation
of new toil, utilities, and landscaping on the site; and 3.) Status of the availability of funding for a
proposed statute/ memorial to honor Touiesaat L"Overture.
• Caribbean Marketplace - Mr. Calixte inquired about the status of the planned improvements
to the Caribbean Marketplace.
• General Street & Sidewalk Conditions in Little Haiti - Mr. Calixze wished to address the
Commission regarding the condition of streets and sidewalks in Little Haiti and inquire about the
status of planned improvements, specifically the proposed improvements to reconstruct and
beautify NE 2rd Avenue.
STAFF REPORT:
With respect to Mr. CAihrte's articulated concerns, staff has following to report!
• Little Haiti Freedom Garden/Place Kainoken - Staff has been 'working to identify funding
to finalize the improvements proceed. Public Works utilizing its existing contract with H & R
Paving will be commencing the paving to the alley adjoining the garden on Wednesday, June
23 This work is scheduled to be completed approximately6 -7 days after commencement.
The (tty Manager has authorized staff to proceed with the balance of the above lined
irnproveznents for the garden. Funding for said improvements is available in a Parks &
Recreation Department capital Account. The Division of Asset Management in the Dept. of Real
Estate & Economic Development is currently in discussion with the Office of iarni-Dade
Commissioner Barbara C arey.5chuler and Miami -Dade Cote ncy's Dept. of Public Works
JUN-16-2004 11:53 CITY MANAGERS OFFICE
305 416 1019 P.02
regarding the granting of a permit to allow for the requisite improvements to be made with
M1arni•Dade Counsyassuming the on -going maintenance at the site.
■ Caribbean Marketplace - The marketplace is currently envisioned to serve as a 12,000 square
foot general purpose community building in the proposed cultural complex of the Little Haiti
Park. Potential programmatic elements for the marketplace include a lobby, general office space,
art gallery, community meeting room, classrooms, vocational training room, dark room, and an
arcade/promenade/plaza. The building will be supported by a 30 space parking lot. The total
project cost is estimated at $3.9 million.
Currently, the Capital Improvements Department is considering cost feasibility of a proposed
option to restore the existing structure, as opposed to the demolition and new construction
alternative. No final decision has yet been made,
• General Street & Sidewalk Conditions in Little Haiti - As part of the on -doing repaving
effort citywide, H & R Paving has been doing extensive work throughout the Little Haiti area.
Attached is a list of master schedule of work for street, sidewalk, and curb improvements which
outlines the work completed to date and future work planned 'within District $. Many of the
streets listed herein are within the Little Haiti Community. A nwdel block project is also
planned for a northern section. of Little Haiti bounded by N. Mliami Court to the West, NE 82nd
Street to the North, NE 2fld Avenue to the East, and NE 79th Street to the South.
Ce: Alicia Qum° Scriber, Chid of Operau / lc?Mary Conway, Director of Capital Irapra ar Transportation
Stephanie Grizde)4 Director of Public Work
Jorge Orbe, Deputy Director of Capital Improvements
Karen Cooper, Sr. Assistant co du GwMamgor
TOTAL P.02