LTC 113-2019 UPDATE: LUMMUS PARK ARTISANAL MARKET MIAMI BEAC
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF THE CITY MAN1erF113-2019
LETTER TO COMMISSION
•
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: March 1, 2019
SUBJECT: UPDATE: LUMMUS PARK ARTISA AL MARKET
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to update the Mayor and City Commission
regarding the weekly Lummus Park Artisanal Market produced by Metro Flea Miami, LLC.
On February 1, 2019, staff issued an LTC regarding the Lummus Park Artisanal Market whereby
the administration recommended that the market operate monthly. At the February 13, 2019
Commission meeting, the operation of the Lummus Park Artisanal Market was discussed, and a
motion was made to reverse the administrations recommendation, and continue the market on a
weekly basis, provided Metro Flea could increase the aesthetics of the artisan market, expand on
the quality and uniqueness of vendors.
Since this time, the administration discussed operational issues with Metro Flea, including
inconsistent and unattractive tents, unorganized vendor display, lack of oversight from the vendor
throughout the day, and low quality, mass-produced products that were neither unique, nor hand
made. The administration gave direction on how to improve, including higher quality tent
structures, elevated weekly vendor selection by supplying contacts of desired vendors to Metro
Flea, and proper, visible, on-site management. Metro Flea was able to buy new tent structures,
complete with back walls and tent weights to meet the administrations aesthetic and safety issues.
The administration also believes that the vendor is working towards elevating the vendor selection
to ensure well curated offerings, that are unique and eye catching to tourists and residents. The
administration does have concerns with complaints received from vendors on site regarding
professionalism and messaging between Metro Flea and potential vendors. The administration
is working with Metro Flea, by providing him with appropriate language and responses when
speaking to vendors and members of the public, and by providing City of Miami Beach Customer
Service standards.
To ensure that the market continues to thrive, the administration will be taking the next four (4)
weeks to evaluate the following:
1. Continue to implement vendor guidelines and criteria
These guidelines were developed to ensure the authenticity of products being sold,
quality control of vendors, consistent aesthetics, appearance of display area and
overall curatorial approach to the market. The administration directed Metro Flea to
implement the site layout as per the Vendor Guidelines, while sourcing unique
artisans, whose focus is on handmade goods that are not easily replenishable or mass
produced. It is the administration and ODA's direction that Metro Flea work towards
curating the market to achieve a 20% vendor rate allocated to Fine /Visual artists.
A list of all proposed vendors must be submitted to the Tourism and Culture
Department each Thursday at 9AM for staff review and approval. Each submission
must be accompanied with lnstagram, website or vendor photographs.
Examples of excellent vendors from our February 23rd, 2019 Market:
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2. Ensure structured management
Staff has directed Metro Flea to have a representative on site, always who must wear
a branded shirt for visual identification, and who can work with City Staff and Code
Compliance. In addition, Metro Flea must have a space dedicated solely to vendor
management. It is not acceptable for this space to double as a vendor tent for
merchandise.
3. Field Monitor and Reporting Compliance
Tourism and Culture has placed a Field Monitor on site each Saturday to ensure
accurate reporting of vendor names, and number tent rentals by Metro Flea and proper
load in and load out of vendors.
4. Continue Accurate Reporting
Metro Flea is required to provide Tourism and Culture with a detailed monthly report
of vendors, no later than 30 days following the last day of the month. Report must
outline vendor names, activation dates, and fees associated with each vendor. There
have been inaccuracies in past reports, but with the addition of our on-site Field
Supervisor, reporting will be verified on-site, in real time with signatures from all
parties.
5. Improve Aesthetics of Market
Metro Flea has done an excellent job in ensuring a cohesive aesthetic to the market,
including matching tents with back walls and weighted sandbags to keep tenting
secured in windy conditions.
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The administration has been working collaboratively with Metro Flea to ensure the proper
implementation of the Lummus Park Artisanal Market and its continued success. In the
two weeks since the Commission direction, staff has been in daily communication with the
concessionaire regarding his operations and vendor selection and are working through
day to day issues to ensure a long-term successful activation. In addition to the field
monitor, multiple City staff members have been onsite at the market to observe
implementation of the foregoing improvements and provide real time feedback.
Should you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Matt Kenny,
Tourism and Culture Director at x6597 or mattkenny@miamibeachfl.gov