HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-20-0001 Bid Waiver MemoAlex Diaz de la Portilla
Board Chair
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Jason Walker
Executive Director
TO: Board Chair Alex Diaz de la Portilla DATE: April 9, 2020
and Members of the CRA Board
FROM: Jason Walker
Executive Director
SUBJECT: Recommendations and
and Findings to Waive
Competitive Negotiation
Procedures per City Code,
authorizing the allocation of
Grants funds to NR Investments
11 LLC for the development of
properties located at 70 NE 17th
St, 90 NE 17th St and 1642 NE
1st Ave, Miami, Florida.
BACKGROUND:
The Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") is responsible for
carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects within its redevelopment area in
accordance with the 2010 CRA Redevelopment Plan ("Plan").
On September 13, 2016, the CRA approved and adopted Resolution No. CRA-R-16-0042,
adopting the City of Miami's procurement ordinance as the process in which any and all services
and goods are procured by the CRA.
The NR Investments 11, LLC company ("NR Investments) submitted a grant proposal request to
the CRA. NR Investments., a for profit entity, possesses a unique approach to affordable housing.
The principals of NR Investments have a history of developing successful housing units in Miami -
Dade County. Their proposal for development of this mixed use project consists of ground floor
office retail, ground floor commercial space and approximately 252 units affordable housing. This
concept is an ideal project for the Omni CRA area.
The 2010 Redevelopment Plan on page 41, Section C-2 lists the objective of the CRA to, "Provide
incentives for the development of a variety of housing choices, including affordable, special needs
and a workforce housing." Additionally on page 41, Section C titled, Variety of Housing",
subsection D-3 specifically states the "Provision of incentives for the construction of new housing
to attract downtown workers." The proposal is also consistent with Section D of the plan on page
42 Section D "Improvements to the Public Realm" "to "[e]nhance the areas' visual attractiveness
to businesses and residents." This project is consistent with Florida Statute 163 and also the goals
and objectives of the 2010 Omni CRA Redevelopment Plan.
The plan also highlights working with private entities on page 42 A-1 to, "Provide incentives for
redevelopment of blighted properties."
NR Investments now requests grant funding for the development project in the amount of
$5,500,000.00.
RECOMMENDATION
In light of the above mentioned background information, rehabilitation of the building and the
Grantee's past business successes and the CRA's identified objectives in the CRA's plan to
reduce slum and blight, and in consideration of the Executive Director's pledge to allocate grant
funding to further the plan and activate the area, an approval of a bid waiver is recommended.
An approval of a waiver of the formal requirements of competitive sealed bidding methods as not
being practicable nor advantageous to the CRA as set forth in the City Code of Ordinances, as
amended, specifically Sections 18-85 (a), and the affirmation of these written findings and the
forwarding of the same to the Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District
Community Redevelopment Agency for ratification by a four -fifths (4/5th) vote is respectfully
requested.