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Home My WebLink AboutSubmittal-Dorothy Wallace-Letters to CommissionersACE Development Company, Inc. 12605 SW 93`d Avenue Miami, FL 33176 (786) 385-2245 Via Email: krussell@miamigov.com January 8, 2018 Commissioner Ken Russell City of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr. Miami, FL 33133 RE: Expanding OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove Dear Commissioner Russell: Submitted into the public record f r it (s) 3 on I City Clerk Thank you so much for your Op -Ed in the Miami Herald on January 3, 2018, wherein you championed the immediate needs of the entire Coconut Grove community, and especially the needs of what is now known as Village West or the West Grove —both monikers used by developers to rebrand a community to accommodate new residents at the expense of original homesteaders and/or settlers who weathered the storms of racism, Jim Crow and economic redlining. When I speak of the immediate needs of the entire Coconut Grove community, I am intentionally being inclusive. Considering the explosion of luxury rental and houses that have replaced the more modest homes near CocoWalk and around Tigertail Avenue, it is increasingly apparent that low to middle class families are being displaced and forgotten. However, few cities or areas can exist without economic diversity. Thus, while market rates are driving property owners to sell their properties to make way for luxury rentals and homes, the lack of economic diversity, which will result in a stratified society, can only undermine the rich and diverse pluralistic history of the Grove. Commissioner Russell, you so aptly pointed out that America's segregated housing patterns gave rise to what was then known as the Grove's "colored town." However, the economic disparities that accompanied such segregation also created a once rich and vibrant business community in the black section of the Grove. Unfortunately, market forces and urban renewal resulted in the demolition of several apartments and houses that once Tined U.S.1 and Douglas Road, both in the City of Miami and Coral Gables. Consequently, this reduced the black population that once supported the business community. This black population contributed and still does contribute to the Miami and Miami -Dade County's history. In fact, many of the incorporators of the City of Miami were black men who lived in the Grove. As you have learned, some property owners intentionally rented properties that were not up to code. These properties, however, were homes to families with children who attended the local public schools in the Grove. Since these families were forced to relocate, these children have had their education and lives disrupted. Expanding the Omni CRA to include certain sectors of the Grove will aide in facilitating the revitalization of the most economically depressed area of the Grove, which will contribute to 29i -Scbm(4I-Dorok ulallAeQ.- LAWS 4oCorantsw1eeS Submitted into the public record f:. r ite n(s) (\C on _JL_UL\ I . City Clerk Commissioner Russell January 8, 2018 Page 2 of 2 ensuring that the Grove remains the ethnic, racially and economically diverse community that it always has been. Progress need not be resigned to eradicating the past by building new and modern structures and facilities. The vibrancy of a community can coexist with history while making way for new residents. Preservation is not simply about buildings. Culture is not simply about reminiscing what a community once was. Instead it is about forging a way to preserve the best of that culture, even if it is represented by simple houses and buildings. It is about educating others that different ethnic, racial and economically diverse cultures and groups are part and parcel of the City of Miami, and America. Progress is about inclusion. Using the Omni CRA as a tool to preserve and enhance property values, stimulate the creation of new job opportunities for residents and improve the quality of life for residents within the proposed expanded boundaries is progress. It is inclusion. Respectfully submitted, 09aliazz Dr. Denise Wallace President ACE Development Company Owner of the Historic Ace Theatre 3664 Grand Avenue Coconut Grove, FL 33133 cc: Mayor, Francis Suarez Commissioner Wilfredo Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Keon Hardemon ACE Development Company, Inc. 12605 SW 93rd Avenue Miami, FL 33176 (786) 385-2245 Submitted into the public record/fpr � ��m(� �E on City Clerk Via Email - KHardemon@miamigov.com January 8, 2018 Commissioner Keon Hardemon City of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr. Miami, FL 33133 RE: Support Expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove Dear Commissioner Hardemon: This letter is to request your support in expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove, more specifically, the areas that is commonly known as the West Grove or Village West. As you know, Commissioner Ken Russell is the Chair of the OMNI CRA. On January 3, 2018, he penned an OP-ED in the Miami Herald, wherein he highlighted the need for the expansion. Although I am unable to attend the Commission meeting in January 2018, as a longtime resident and property owner in the Grove, I fully support this endeavor. As an owner of the historic ACE Theatre, 3664 Grand Avenue, Miami, FL 33133, including the Grove in the OMNII CRA will help ensure that the history of this area is not forgotten and remains a vital part of the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County. Please see the attached letter that was sent to Commissioner Ken Russell in support of expanding the OMNI CRA. Respectfully submitted, Z7i . Z7eof c. , &a/ z Dr. Denise Wallace President ACE Development Company Owner of the Historic Ace Theatre 3664 Grand Avenue Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Attachment cc: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Ken Russell Commissioner Wilfredo Goa Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Submitted into the public record for it rn s) L • on ACE Development Company, Inc. 12605 SW 93`d Avenue Miami, FL 33176 (786) 385-2245 Via email - wgort@miamigov.com January 8, 2018 Commissioner Wilfred Gort City of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr. Miami, FL 33133 RE: Support Expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove Dear Commissioner Gort: This letter is to request your support in expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove, more specifically, the areas that is commonly known as the West Grove or Village West. As you know, Commissioner Ken Russell is the Chair of the OMNI CRA. On January 3, 2018, he penned an OP-ED in the Miami Herald, wherein he highlighted the need for the expansion. Although I am unable to attend the Commission meeting in January 2018, as a longtime resident and property owner in the Grove, I fully support this endeavor. As an owner of the historic ACE Theatre, 3664 Grand Avenue, Miami, FL 33133, including the Grove in the OMNII CRA will help ensure that the history of this area is not forgotten and remains a vital part of the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County. Please see the attached letter that was sent to Commissioner Ken Russell in support of expanding the OMNI CRA. Respectfully submitted, Z74- P¢,rua.4, Dr. Denise Wallace President ACE Development Company Owner of the Historic Ace Theatre 3664 Grand Avenue Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Attachment cc: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Ken Russell Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Keon Hardemon City Clerk Submitted into the r record fo iten (s) G . on \I1�112 public . City Clerk ACE Development Company, Inc. 12605 SW 93rd Avenue Miami, FL 33176 (786) 385-2245 Via Email - mreyes@miamigov.com January 8, 2018 Commissioner Manolo Reyes City of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr. Miami, FL 33133 RE: Support Expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove Dear Manolo Reyes: This letter is to request your support in expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove, more specifically, the areas that is commonly known as the West Grove or Village West. As you know, Commissioner Ken Russell is the Chair of the OMNI CRA. On January 3, 2018, he penned an OP-ED in the Miami Herald, wherein he highlighted the need for the expansion. Although I am unable to attend the Commission meeting in January 2018, as a longtime resident and property owner in the Grove, I fully support this endeavor. As an owner of the historic ACE Theatre, 3664 Grand Avenue, Miami, FL 33133, including the Grove in the OMNII CRA will help ensure that the history of this area is not forgotten and remains a vital part of the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County. Please see the attached letter that was sent to Commissioner Ken Russell in support of expanding the OMNI CRA. Respectfully submitted, 0.2aleac L Dr. Denise Wallace President ACE Development Company Owner of the Historic Ace Theatre 3664 Grand Avenue Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Attachment cc: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Ken Russell Commissioner Wilfredo Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Keon Hardemon ACE Development Company, Inc. 12605 SW 93`d Avenue Miami, FL 33176 (786) 385-2245 Via email - jcarollo@miamigov.com January 8, 2018 Commissioner Joe Carollo City of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr. Miami, FL 33133 RE: Support Expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove Dear Commissioner Carollo: Submitted into the public record f r it� s) �� .3 on \/ \ / I City Clerk This letter is to request your support in expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove, more specifically, the areas that is commonly known as the West Grove or Village West. As you know, Commissioner Ken Russell is the Chair of the OMNI CRA. On January 3, 2018, he penned an OP-ED in the Miami Herald, wherein he highlighted the need for the expansion. Although I am unable to attend the Commission meeting in January 2018, as a longtime resident and property owner in the Grove, I fully support this endeavor. As an owner of the historic ACE Theatre, 3664 Grand Avenue, Miami, FL 33133, including the Grove in the OMNII CRA will help ensure that the history of this area is not forgotten and remains a vital part of the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County. Please see the attached letter that was sent to Commissioner Ken Russell in support of expanding the OMNI CRA. Respectfully submitted, Z7i . T7e4, Dr. Denise Wallace President ACE Development Company Owner of the Historic Ace Theatre 3664 Grand Avenue Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Attachment cc: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Ken Russell Commissioner Wilfredo Gort Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Keon Hardemon ACE Development Company, inc. 12605 SW 93rd Avenue Miami, FL 33176 (786) 385-2245 Submitted into the public L record f r ite (s) �G . 3 on '/ 1 \ f\ 0 . City Clerk Via Email - fsuarez@miamigov.com January 8, 2018 Mayor Francis Suarez City of Miami 3500 Pan American Dr. Miami, FL 33133 RE: Support Expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove Dear Mayor Suarez: This letter is to request your support in expanding the OMNI CRA to areas of Coconut Grove, more specifically, the areas that is commonly known as the West Grove or Village West. As you know, Commissioner Ken Russell is the Chair of the OMNI CRA. On January 3, 2018, he penned an OP-ED in the Miami Herald, wherein he highlighted the need for the expansion. Although I am unable to attend the Commission meeting in January 2018, as a longtime resident and property owner in the Grove, I fully support this endeavor. As an owner of the historic ACE Theatre, 3664 Grand Avenue, Miami, FL 33133, including the Grove in the OMNII CRA will help ensure that the history of this area is not forgotten and remains a vital part of the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County. Please see the attached letter that was sent to Commissioner Ken Russell in support of expanding the OMNI CRA. Respectfully submitted, T7 -. Z7a.uc.z G(%:& Dr. Denise Wallace President ACE Development Company Owner of the Historic Ace Theatre 3664 Grand Avenue Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Attachment cc: Commissioner Ken Russell Commissioner Wilfredo Gort Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Keon Hardemon