HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Manager MemoCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO :
Chairman and Members
February 23rd, 2017.
DATE ; FILE
City of Miami City Commission
Personal Appearance
Lorraine Hibbert
Daniel J. Alfons
FROM:
City Manager
SUBJECT:
REFERENCES:
ENCLOSURES:
On March 13, 2008 pursuant to Resolution No. R-08-0122 the Miami City Commission approved
an amount of $250,000 to Neighbors and Neighbors Association, Inc. (NANA) to provide special
Economic Development activities for the commercial rehabilitation in District 5, which included
an amount of $100,000 to rehabilitate the restaurant (Shrimp, Wings and Things), owned by Ms.
Lorraine Hibbert. The original scope was to extend the capacity of the restaurant, purchase of
equipment and replacement of windows and doors. They could not complete the original scope of
increasing the capacity of the restaurant because Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department
required them to extend the water main to be able to increase the occupancy level. The amount
needed was above the amount provided for the project. For that reason, the project was scaled
back so it could be completed. This required a redesign of the project which caused additional
delays but in the end all contractors were paid and the project has a certificate of completion from
the building department (Attachment "A").
On June 12, 2015, Ms, Hibbert applied for the Commercial Facade program through Rafael
Hernandez Economic Development Corporation (RHEDC) to rehabilitate the exterior of the facade
of the property. On November 13 and December 2, 2015 the non-profit facade agency bid out the
project (Attachment "B") and no bids were submitted on either dates; therefore, the project could
not start. RHEDC is currently having organization difficulties and therefore unable to manage the
Facade Program. The staff of the Department of Community and Economic Development stepped
into the shoes of RHEDC to try and complete projects already started by the organization.
Currently, Martin Luther King Economic Development organization has commercial facade funds
for use in Liberty City and can assist the owner with any facade work needed. There have been
numerous meetings with the owner and Mr. Grady Muhammad with the District 5 office to help
resolve any issues she may have. This has included exempting the requirement of securing a 40-
year certification before putting the project out to bids. Additionally, the owner had requested
funds to pay for the 40-year certification which is not eligible under the Facade Program.
On January 17, 2017, an Economic Development Loan Program application was provided to the
owner upon request by Mr. Grady Muhammad. The response from Mr. Muhammad was that the
owner does not want a loan. This department can only provide funds for facade improvement or
an economic development loan to a for -profit entity.