HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-21-0031 Exhibit BKen Russell
Board Chair
Omni
CRA
Jason Walker
Executive Director
To: Board Chair Ken Russell
and Members of the CRA Board
From: Jason Walker,
Executive Director
Date: September 13th, 2021
Subject: 4/5ths Bid Waiver to Waive Competitive
Negotiation Procedures per City Code,
authorizing the CRA to retain the
services of Mass Construction for the
shoring of the Citizens Bank Building
References:
Enclosures:
Cover Memo, Resolution,
Public Hearing Notice
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 2019 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
code as the process in which any and all services and goods are procured by the CRA. The
Historic Citizens Bank Building was purchased by the CRA in 2017. The property is located at the
corner of North Miami Avenue and 13th Street located within the Redevelopment District. The
location is a prime location and presents numerous opportunities for growth,
development, restoration, and rehabilitation consistent with the CRA's Redevelopment Plan. The
CRA has been awarded a Special Category Grant from the Florida Department of State in the
amount of $500,000 for the restoration of the Citizens Bank. The 2019 Redevelopment Plan of
the CRA highlights this property and the goal of the CRA in its historic preservation in Page 4-45.
The CRA became aware through the architect that the facade and interior structure of the Citizens
Bank Building is deteriorating rapidly due to water intrusion and spalling. Since the building is both
historically designated and is fronting on a public sidewalk, the architect recommended that the
CRA immediately support and brace the Citizens Bank Building in order to preserve the historical
facade while protecting the public from any danger of collapse as outlined in the attached
documents.
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI1401 N. Miami Ave 2nd Floor 1 Miami, FL 33136
(305) 679 6868 1 http://www.omnicra.com/
It is a matter of public health and safety that the Building is properly secured. The emergency
nature of the rapid mobilization are necessitated by the health and safety of the public as well as
the preservation of the historic facade of the building.
The Executive Director found that it was not practicable or advantageous to undergo the formal
bidding for a licensed general contractor because the time duration involved in formal bidding
would mean the Bank Building would present serious structural issues that pose a safety hazard
to the general public and significant further deterioration.
The Executive Director approved an emergency bid waiver to procure the services of Mass
Construction Corporation ("Mass"), a licensed general contractor meeting all insurance
requirements, which was familiar with the design of the Bank, to complete the services as
recommended by the architect.
RECOMMENDATION:
In light of the above -mentioned background information, it is recommended that, in accordance
with the CRA's identified objectives in the CRA's plan to reduce slum and blight and to preserve
historic buildings, and in consideration of the CRA's Plan and current efforts to rehabilitate and
activate this location, a bid waiver should be authorized for the Executive Director to negotiate
and retroactively execute and ratify any and all agreements necessary for the purposes stated
herein.
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI1401 N. Miami Ave 2'd Floor 1 Miami, FL 33136
(305) 679 6868 1 http://www.omnicra.com/