HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-21-0010Southeast Overtown/Park West
Community Redevelopment Agency
Legislation
819 NW 2nd Ave
3rd Floor
Miami, FL 33136
www.seopwcra.com
CRA Resolution: CRA-R-21-0010
File Number: 8890 Final Action Date:4/15/2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOUTHEAST
OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
AUTHORIZING SERVICE OF A QUIET TITLE LAWSUIT REGARDING THE
LAWSON EDWARD THOMAS' OVERTOWN LAW OFFICE ("THE LAWSON
BUILDING"), LOCATED AT 1021 NW 2ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FL 33136;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AT HIS DISCRETION,
TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO EFFECUATE THIS
PURPOSE.
WHEREAS, the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency ("SEOPW
CRA") is a community redevelopment agency created pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, and is
responsible for carrying out Community Redevelopment activities and projects within its redevelopment
area in accordance with the 2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Updated Plan (the
"Updated Plan"); and
WHEREAS, under Florida Statutes, Section 163.340(9) of the Community Redevelopment Act,
(the "Act"), "community redevelopment means projects of a ... community redevelopment agency in a
community redevelopment area for the elimination and prevention of the development or spread of slum
and blight"; and
WHEREAS, Section 2, Goal 1 on page 10 of the 2018 Southeast Overtown/Park West
Community Redevelopment Agency Updated Plan (the "Updated Plan") lists the "preserv[ation of]
[h]istoric [b]uildings and [c]ultural [h]eritage" as a stated redevelopment goal; and
WHEREAS, Section 2, Principle 8, on page 14 of the Updated Plan provides that " [o]lder
buildings that embody the area's cultural past should be restored" as a stated redevelopment principle;
and
WHEREAS, in August 2016, the SEOPW CRA acquired The Lawson Building, which was in
great disrepair, to pursue funding to preserve and promote it as a historical landmark; and
WHEREAS, post -acquisition, the SEOPW CRA began pursuing an exemption for ad valorem
taxes which was approved in 2018. This process eliminated the 2017 taxes, but only a portion of the 2016
taxes. Due to the unpaid 2016 taxes, Miami -Dade County sold the tax certificate for The Lawson Building
in 2018. No new notices of ad valorem taxes being issued to the SEOPW CRA until June 2020, in the
height of the Covid-19 pandemic and when its office was being operated remotely. The property was
subsequently sold to the current owner in October 2020; and
WHEREAS, this quiet title action seeks to remedy this matter, so that the SEOPW CRA may
regain title to the property and carry out its mission for the community in restoring this historically
significant building; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 8890 (Revision:) Printed On: 9/8/2025
File ID: 8890 Enactment Number: CRA-R-21-0010
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners wishes to authorize service of a quiet title lawsuit
regarding the Lawson Edward Thomas' Overtown Law Office ("The Lawson Building"), located at 1021
NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33136; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners finds that authorizing this Resolution would further the
SEOPW CRA redevelopment goals and objectives.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the service of a quiet title lawsuit
regarding the Lawson Edward Thomas' Overtown Law Office ("The Lawson Building"), located at 1021
NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33136.
Section 3. The Executive Director is authorized to execute all documents necessary for said
purpose.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
Anna -Bo trnmanuel,'Chief Legal Counsel 4/9/2021
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 8890 (Revision:) Printed on: 9/8/2025