HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit ACITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Arthur Noriega V., DATE: October 14, 2022
City Manager
suBJEcr: Allocation of $4,500,000 to
Island District Development Project
FROM: George Mensah, Director
Dpt. of Housing and Community Development REFERENCES:
ENCLOSURES:
BACKGROUND
Due to the continuous decrease of available affordable housing in the City of Miami in the last few
years, the City Commission will review for approval on October 27, 2022 the allocation of an
amount not to exceed Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000.00) in American
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("ARPA") funds to Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, Inc., a Florida not for
profit corporation ("Developer"), so that developer can cause to be constructed a new affordable
and workforce housing development, that will contain no less than twenty-seven (27) city -assisted
residential rental units for eligible residents.
Island District Development will be a mixed -use Housing and Community Business development
built by the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative (TGHI), a Florida not for profit corporation, Silver Bluff
Real Estate, LLC, and Island District Development, LLC. Together, they have assembled nearly a
full acre of land along Grand Avenue in the West Grove.
The project foresees creating 27 residential units: (5) studios, (6) 1-bedrooms, (8) 2-bedrooms,
and (8) 3-bedrooms that will provide affordable housing for families earning from 50 to 80% of
AMI, and a new cultural attraction: the Wilson Bahamian Museum sponsored by US
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.
There may be an opportunity to create an additional 9-10 affordable units if the project were able
to secure a rezoning, per the applicant's submission.
Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, Inc., a Florida not for profit corporation ("Developer"), proposes to
develop and use the Property for below market rate rental housing, neighborhood retail, and
cultural institutions.
The partners involved in this development has experience in real estate development and
very familiar with the housing needs of the West Coconut Grove community. It is therefore
in the best interest of the City to waive competitive bidding to allocate an amount not to
exceed Three Million Five Hundred Thousand dollars ($4,500,000.00) from ARPA funds for
the affordable housing component of the Project.
Providing these funds to this developer will allow them to accelerate the process in a timely
manner and provide a much -needed affordable housing in the West Coconut community which is
currently being gentrified in an accelerated way. Going through a procurement process, which
could take more than 30 days will ensure the continuing gentrification of the community.
RECOMMENDATION
Considering the above stated, approval of a waiver of the formal requirements of competitive
sealed bidding methods as not being practicable or advantageous to the City as set forth in the
City Code of Ordinance, as amended, specifically Section 18-85 (A), and the affirmation of these
written findings and the forwarding of the same to the City Commission for ratification by a four -
fifths vote is respectfully requested.
PPRO ED:
Arthur N6trega
City Manager
❑ DISAPPROVAL: