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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPowerpoint Presentationr.n m u Thursday, July 9, 2009 Report to the City of Miami Commission TRANSFORMING AND STABILIZING LIBERTY CITY 2008-2009 o Due to the changing economic times in the local economy over the past year, "The Trust" has adopted a Total Spectrum Housing Approach to stabilize the community while addressing the various housing needs in the area. o This involves a dual strategy of 1) Homeownership preservation through outreach with existing homeowners, investors and real estate professionals; and 2) The expansion of the tax base and quality of the housing stock by New Construction through partnerships with private and city -funded developers. o The Liberty City Trust, formerly known as The Model City Trust, was established in accordance with Ordinance, 'No. 12859 to provide oversight and facilitate revitalization efforts and activities to be undertaken in the Liberty City area. o The Trust was restructured in November 2006 to focus on four majors areas of concern affecting residents in Liberty City. o Housing o Economic Development/Jobs o Youth and Education o Community Planning/Outreach o Crime Prevention and Removal of Negative Perceptions CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS & STAFF o Gail Birks, Chair Mission: Community Development and Job Creation o Zarifa Brown -Reynolds, Esq. Mission: Redevelopment of Recreational Programming for Liberty Square o Eric Thompson, Member Mission: NW 15th Avenue Revitalization o Patricia Duncan, Treasurer Mission: Youth Programming and Corporate Support for Liberty City Schools Staff o Elaine Black, President/CEO o Iris Hudson, Finance Manager o Vincent Burnett, Development Manager o Brandyss Howard, Communications Manager o Rachel Dones-Walker, Housing Specialist o Patricia Reeves, Administrative Assistant AFFORDABLE HOUSING FROM JULY 2008-2009 10 Single Family Homes: By City -Funded Developers Abraham Villas: 8 Completed Townhomes 31 Single Family Homes: By Private Developers Coral Place: 100 Affordable Rentals 14 (28 units)Duplexes: By Private Developers AFFORDABLE HOUSING FROM JULY 2008-2009 Construction in Progress Biscayne Housing: 60 Senior Rentals CD Building: 7 Transitional Housing Units 32 Rental units under construction 7 Homes under construction by Private Developers by Private Developers HOUSING & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES The current economic climate offers many development opportunities for residential and commercial investors in the Liberty City area. The "Trust" has recognized this phenomenon, and through its Total Spectrum Housing Approach, has specifically done outreach to private capitalists, investors, real estate professionals, and existing Liberty City property owners to stabilize the community, rehabilitate properties, encourage real estate commerce, and expand the real property tax base. The Liberty City Open House, held June 24, 2009, of which housing professionals, realtors, community development corporations, government agencies, and venture capitalists, were all in attendance, highlighted the community's treasures and development opportunitie within the Liberty City community. AFFORDABLE HOUSING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly "First -Time Homebuyer" workshops to certify and educate prospective buyers on the home buying process. c 205 Liberty City residents have received homebuyer certification --- making them eligible for housing subsidies up to $95,000. Strategic Partnerships 5 Credit Counselors were certified to provide debt resolution management and financialliteracy to Liberty City residents. The Liberty City Trust has partnered its efforts with banks such as Bank Atlantic, Wells Fargo Bank, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust and City National Bank. Our housing partners include Housing Foundation of America, Metro Miami Action Plan. r The Liberty Trust conducted workshops at various locations to attract a broad segment of the market. During the months of January through June 2009, workshops were held at New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church, New Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Now Faith Deliverance Tabernacle and New Resurrection Community Church. HOME STABILIZATION A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly workshops to educate homeowners on the foreclosure process; and provides foreclosure prevention counseling to homeowners. y As of January 2009, The Liberty City Trust has assisted 13 homeowners by negotiating loan modifications and short term forbearance plans. Y The Liberty City Trust has partnered its efforts with banks such as Chase and Sun Trust, local Attorneys, Realtors, the Housing Foundation of America and Neighborhood Housing Services. Over a dozen Liberty City residents have preserved their homes through our foreclosure prevention and housing initiatives. HOUSING A COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACH The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly workshops to stabilize the community through Foreclosure Prevention Clinics Credit Counseling Trainings Provision of Homebuyer Education Courses Over a dozen Liberty City residents have preserved their homes through our foreclosure prevention and housing initiatives. 5 Credit Counselors were certified to provide debt resolution management and financial literacy to Liberty City residents. 'aPv111 1 I IWI„OI VIBIHoir, 205 Liberty City residents have received homebuyer certification —making them eligible for housing subsidies up to $95,000. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES The Liberty City Trust facilitated the placement of over 20 Liberty City residents in construction jobs for Biscayne Courts during the period from May 2009 to November 2009. Three contractors were also selected by the developer as local based -minority firms to provide sub -contracting in the areas of painting, security and staffing/payroll management. o Through the efforts of the Liberty City Trust, a 2 year landscaping contract valued at over $185,000 was secured for the maintenance of M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard (N.W. 62 St) by a Liberty City based landscaping company. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS AND COMMERCE * The Liberty City Trust is committed to revitalizing key businesses corridors while working with City departments, residents and business owners to bring additional economic opportunities to the community. The 15th Avenue Charrette was conducted, with participation from the Capital Improvements and Planning departments on May 19th, 2009 to plan for future infrastructure improvements in the area. * The Liberty City Trust, in conjunction with the University ; of Miami, facilitated the District 5 Business Enhancement Fair, in which over 150 participants attended. Attendees received instruction in business certification, consultation, procurement opportunities, website design and management training. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STREET IMPROVEMENTS o The replacement of sidewalks, as well as the milling and resurfacing of various roads in the Liberty City community was coordinated by The Liberty City Trust and the City of Miami's Capital Improvements Program department. Areas of which work was performed include, but are limited to: N.W. 12th Avenue to N.W. 17th Avenue between N.W. 45th Street and N.W. 62nd Street/ M.L.K. Blvd. o The Trust, in conjunction with the Office of Economic Development has facilitated the remediation of the contaminated site located at 1199 NW 62 Street through a Federal EPA grant. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEW BUSINESSES The Liberty City community experienced a variety of new businesses during the past year. The re -opening of Church's Chicken on N.W. 54 St, Georgia Boy Sub Shop on w N.W. 15 Avenue, Blessed Catering on N.W. 7th Avenue, are all new venues that provide quality goods and services to Liberty City residents. Through the efforts of "The Trust," entrepreneurs are investing private capital into the community. YOUTH AND EDUCATION 1111.100, YOUTH AND EDUCATION UNITE FOR PEACE FESTIVAL a The Liberty City Trust served as a participating partner for the 2009 Youth Unite For Peace Rally. This event brought together youth throughout District 5 to celebrate peace and unity in the community. a The Liberty City Trust also partnered with P.U.L.S.E. and the City of Miami's Solid Waste department to survey and educate youth during the event on the usage of the HOTSPOTS program to anonymously report crime. YOUTH AND EDUCATION MIAMI NORTHWESTERN SENIOR HIGH *The Liberty City Trust facilitated the donation of over $35,000 worth of school supplies, furniture and equipment to Miami Northwestern Senior High School. The donation was made through an on -going partnership with The University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine and the Property/Surplus Department. *Donated equipment such as copiers, overhead projectors and desks will be combined with computers and other office supplies that were donated by Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones in 2008 for the creation of the Miami Northwestern Parent Resource Room. The location will serve as a business center for copying, resume writing, employment searches and tax preparation. 1400 EDUCATION UT1 ,AND N 2009 CA AND TEEN CLEAN city e job placement of over 75 Liberty i The Trust facilitated m the through Commissioner employment you th to receive summerorkAmerica's Youth on the Move Michelle Spence -cones and h the District 5 Summer Program. job opportunities throng Teener Additional youth will receive in an effort to create a cleaner, g Teen Clean summer program community. COMMUNITY PLANNING/OUTREACH ilh Illlili 0110,1 1111 COMMUNITY PLANNING/OUTREACH CIRCLE OF BROTHERHOOD FOR CHANGE a On Thursday, January 29, 2009, The City of Miami Commission formed a resolution to create the Circle of Brotherhood Task Force to address criminal activity in Liberty City. The task force, under the leadership of The Liberty City Trust, mobilized more than 300 Liberty City residents in identifying strategies and recommendations for anti -violence initiatives to present to the City of Miami through community forums, rallies, door-to- door surveying and youth outreach. o ' 'The following organizations served as dedicated `Warriors for Change' for the Circle of Brotherhood, of which its success would not be possible: Girl Power Muhammed's Mosque 29 P.U.L.S.E. Liberty Square Resident Council Switchboard of Miami Greater Miami Service Corps City of Miami Community Relations Board Apostolic Revival Center 15th Avenue Business Association Neighbors and Neighbors Association M.A.G.N.U.M./ W.A.A.I.V.E. o Belafonte Tacolcy Center COMMUNITY PLANNING/OUTREACH HERITAGE TRAIL PROJECT 2009 OLD FASHION TEA HONORING NANCY DAWKINS On April 4th, 2009, The Liberty City Trust, in partnership with the Liberty City Heritage Trail Committee, held an "Old Fashion Tea" to honor community pioneer Mrs. Nancy Dawkins for giving more than 60 years to Liberty City through community service. The event served as the first in a series to celebrate: celebrate: "70 YEARS OF PRIDE 1939-2009. The committee will also hold a "Liberty City Heritage Family Rib Cook -Off , and Desert Showdown in partnership with the District 5 July 4th Family Fest, as well as a Memorial Service and Old Time Picnic on August 1st to reunite the 35 Railroad Shop families whose homes once stood on Charles Hadley Park that were destroyed. COMMUNITY PLANNING OUTREACH EVENTS .111 Warriors for Change Rally Xmas_on 15thAvenue Neighbors for Safety Rally Liberty Square Community Garden: Presidential Voter's Harvest of Love Registration Drive M.L.K. Day of Service Liberty City Youth Day ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS o We would like to acknowledge the following departments for their diligence and continued commitment to the revitalization of the Liberty City community: o Office of Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones o City of Miami Commission o Office of the City Manager o Model City N.E.T. Office o City of Miami Police Department o Sanitation o Solid Waste o Public Works o Parks and Recreation o Capital Improvements o Building and Zoning o Community Development o Community Relations o In addition, we say thank you to all of the City of Miami departments for their support. The revitalization of Liberty City can only be achieved when we work as a TEAM!! 1i09uo11gy'1l