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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-34209RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34209 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, PERTAINING TO THE RANKING OF PROPOSALS, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NO. 2026-119-WG FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE BYRON CARLYLE CULTURAL CENTER WITH WORKFORCE HOUSING; AND APPROVING THE SHORT-LIST OF THE THREE TIED TOP -RANKED PROPOSERS, BROOKS SCARPA HUBER ARCHITECTS, INC., JOSEPH B. KALLER & ASSOCIATES, LLC DBA KALLER ARCHITECTURE, AND STANTEC ARCHITECTURE INC., TO BE FURTHER EVALUATED BY THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE. WHEREAS, On December 17, 2025, the City Commission approved the issuance of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2026-119-WG for The Byron Carlyle Cultural Center with Workforce Housing; and WHEREAS, on February 19, 2026, the City received proposals from the following thirteen (13) firms: 10Design USA Inc., Arquitectonica International Corporation, BEA Architects, B.I.G. Architecture P.C., Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc., Kaller Architecture, PGAL, Inc., R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, P.A., Scharly Designer Studio, Allan T. Shulman Architect P.A. dba Shulman & Associates, Stantec Architecture Inc., STORYN Studio for Architecture, LLC, and Wannemacher Jensen Architects, LLC; and WHEREAS, the proposal submitted by Scharly Designer Studio was non -responsive to the requirements of the RFQ and received no further consideration; and WHEREAS, on March 11, 2026, the City Manager appointed an Evaluation Committee via LTC # 094-2026; and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Committee was comprised of Steven Anthony, Director Economic Development Department, Lissette Arrogante, Director, Tourism and Cultural Development, David Gomez, Director, Office of Capital Improvement Projects, Francisco Garcia, Division Director of Facilities Management, Parks, Facilities, Fleet & Beaches Department, Ronnie Issenberg, Resident, John Stuart, Resident, and Thais Viera, GO Bond Program Director, Office of the City Manager; and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Committee convened on April 6, 2026, to consider the proposals received; and WHEREAS, the Evaluation Committee was provided an overview of the project, information relative to the City's Cone of Silence Ordinance, the Government Sunshine Law, and general information on the scope of services and a copy of each proposal; and WHEREAS, the Committee was instructed to score and rank each proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in the RFQ; and WHEREAS, the evaluation process resulted in the proposers being ranked by the Evaluation Committee in the following order: 1st Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc. 1 st Kaller Architecture 1 st Stantec Architecture Inc. 4th Arquitectonica International Corporation 5th Allan T. Shulman Architect P.A. dba Shulman & Associates 6th B.I.G. Architecture P.C. 7th 10Design USA Inc. 8th PGAL, Inc. 9th R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, P.A. 10th STORYN Studio for Architecture, LLC 11th Wannemacher Jensen Architects, LLC 12th BEA Architects; and WHEREAS, after reviewing the qualifications of each proposer and having considered the Committee's rankings and commentary, the Administration recommends a short-list of the three tied top -ranked proposers, Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc., Kaller Architecture, and Stantec Architecture Inc., for further evaluation by the Evaluation Committee; and WHEREAS, the three (3) firms have been deemed the best -qualified to provide architectural design services for the development of a new Byron Carlyle Cultural Center and Workforce Housing Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the City Manager, pertaining to the ranking of proposals, pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 2026-119-WG for Architectural Design Services for the Byron Carlyle Cultural Center with Workforce Housing; and approve the short-list of the three tied top -ranked proposers, Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc., Joseph B. Kaller & Associates, LLC dba Kaller Architecture, and Stantec Architecture Inc., to be further evaluated by the Evaluation Committee. PASSED and ADOPTED this ;; day of ATTEST: APR 2 8 2026 RAFAEL E. GRANADO, CITY CLERK A ri 2026. STEVEN MEINER, MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EX CUTION 1 2 L City Attorney Date Procurement Requests - C2 C MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager DATE: April 22, 2026 TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, PERTAINING TO THE RANKING OF PROPOSALS, PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NO. 2026-119-WG, FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE BYRON CARLYLE CULTURAL CENTER WITH WORKFORCE HOUSING; AND APPROVING THE SHORT-LIST OF THE THREE TIED TOP -RANKED PROPOSERS, BROOKS SCARPA HUBER ARCHITECTS, INC., KALLER ARCHITECTURE, AND STANTEC ARCHITECTURE INC., TO BE FURTHER CONSIDERED IN THE RFQ EVALUATION PROCESS. (PARKS, FACILITIES, FLEET, AND BEACHES). RECOMMENDATION The City Administration ("Administration") recommends that the Mayor and City Commission ("City Commission") approve the Resolution. The solicitation is currently under the cone of silence. BACKGROUND/HISTORY November 8, 2022, the City's voters approved a $159 million General Obligation (G.O.) Bond for Arts and Culture that included $30,570,000 for the redevelopment of the Byron Carlyle Theater (the Byron Carlyle Cultural Center or Project). On December 14, 2022, the Mayor and City Commission directed the Administration to seek expressions of interest from cultural institutions to occupy and/or activate the proposed cultural center. On January 25. 2023, the Administration issued Request for Letters of Interest (RFLI) for Cultural Partners for Byron Carlyle Theater. The RFLI was developed with input gathered from the City's Cultural Arts Council and Michael Spring, Director of Miami -Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. On February 22, 2023, responses to the RFLI were received. In April 2023, the Administration engaged AMS Planning and Research (AMS) to survey the respondents to the RFLI and analyze the collective needs of the cultural organizations. The outcome of these interviews being a recommendation to the City as to the nature and governance of a new multidisciplinary cultural center. The AMS Report on Byron Carlyle Concept and Governance was concluded in February 2024, included as an appendix in the Draft RFQ. At the June 26, 2024, Commission meeting, the Mayor and City Commission unanimously approved the Byron Carlyle Project to proceed with the inclusion of workforce housing with no micro -units and no short-term rentals. Subsequent discussion on rental rates established the ideal rental range between 80% and 140% area median income (AMI), with an average of approximately 100% AMI. Additionally, the Administration reengaged AMS to build on their February 2024 report by creating 65 of 2461 a building program and cost analysis of the Cultural Center project based on their findings. This comprehensive building program and cost projection was completed in March 2025 as part of the AMS Report on Byron Carlyle Cultural Center Building Program and Cost Analysis, included as an appendix in the Draft RFQ. It is the City's intent to retain ownership of the three subject parcels. The project may be the subject of a long-term lease, management or other form of agreement depending upon whether the City or a mission -based non-profit secures the financing for the project or any portion thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the City does not wish to consider a Developer "Design, Finance, Build" delivery model. Therefore, the Administration developed RFQ 2026-119-WG for Architectural Design Services for The Byron Carlyle Cultural Center with Workforce Housing. The purpose of this RFQ is to select a firm to provide architectural design services for the development of a new Byron Carlyle Cultural Center and Workforce Housing Project (the Project). The City seeks a partner to design a hybrid cultural and residential project that will help anchor the North Beach City Center, while enriching the quality of life for its residents and spurring economic development in a critical neighborhood corridor. The Byron Carlyle project represents a generational investment in art and culture that will define an evolving community for decades to come. The cultural component of this project will consist of a multidisciplinary community cultural center presenting live performing arts, film, visual art exhibits, classes, a recording studio, event space, and rehearsal facilities. It is contemplated that the cultural center will occupy most or all the current site of the Byron Carlyle building (Folio:02-3211-002-1070) and all or part of the adjoining parking lot to the south (Folio: 02-3211-002-1090). The desired building program for the cultural center is defined in the March 2025 AMS report entitled: City of Miami Beach Report on the Byron Carlyle Cultural Center. Due to the nostalgic nature of the existing building, there is a desire in the community to see homage to the original 1968, A. Herbert Mathes design in the new structure. The residential component of this project is to be explored and defined by the awarded team, in collaboration with the City Administration. For this purpose, the awarded team will require the expertise of a financial analyst with experience in workforce housing development, including a mission -based non-profit owner/borrower. The successful proposer will model and recommend the nature and scale of a residential housing project that leverages available City real estate assets, City funding, and financing options available to workforce housing developments. The residential component can be situated on the Byron Carlyle parcel and/or on the lot directly east on Byron Ave (Folio: 02-3211-002-0950). The residential building must adhere to all area zoning codes and harmonize with the architecture and density of the 71 st corridor. The conceptual massing studies included in the Byron Carlyle Cultural Center Massing Concepts shared with proposers via the RFQ are intended to illustrate how the residential component could be incorporated into the project, but are not prescriptive. The selected Design team will be encouraged to develop their own approach to synthesizing the two components of the Project into a cohesive design. ANALYSIS On December 17, 2025, the City Commission approved the issuance of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2026-119-WG for The Byron Carlyle Cultural Center with Workforce Housing. On December 19, 2025, the RFQ was issued. A voluntary pre -proposal conference was held on January 6, 2026, to provide information to proposers submitting a response. One addenda was issued, and 133 prospective bidders accessed the advertised solicitation. RFQ responses were due and received on February 19, 2026. The City received a total of 13 proposals from the following firms: 66 of 2461 10Design USA Inc. Arquitectonica International Corporation BEA Architects B.I.G. Architecture P.C. Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc. Kaller Architecture PGAL, Inc. R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, P.A. Scharly Designer Studio Allan T. Shulman Architect P.A. dba Shulman & Associates Stantec Architecture Inc. STORYN Studio for Architecture, LLC Wannemacher Jensen Architects, LLC The response from Scharly Designer Studio was non -responsive to the requirements of the RFQ and received no further consideration. On March 11, 2026, the City Manager appointed the Evaluation Committee ("Committee") via LTC #094-2026. The Committee convened on April 6, 2026, to consider proposals received. The Committee was comprised of Steven Anthony, Director Economic Development Department, Lissette Arrogante, Director, Tourism and Cultural Development, David Gomez, Director, Office of Capital Improvement Projects, Francisco Garcia, Division Director of Facilities Management, Parks, Facilities, Fleet & Beaches Department, Ronnie Issenberg, Resident, John Stuart, Resident, and Thais Viera, GO Bond Program Director, Office of the City Manager. The Committee was provided an overview of the project, information relative to the City's Cone of Silence Ordinance and the Government Sunshine Law. The Committee was also provided with general information on the scope of services and a copy of each proposal. The Committee was instructed to score and rank each proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in the RFQ. The evaluation process resulted in the ranking of proposers as indicated below (See Attachment A): 1 st Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc. 1st Kaller Architecture 1st Stantec Architecture Inc. 4th Arquitectonica International Corporation 5th Allan T. Shulman Architect P.A. dba Shulman & Associates 6th B.I.G. Architecture P.C. 7th 10Design USA Inc. 8th PGAL, Inc. 9th R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, P.A. 10th STORYN Studio for Architecture, LLC 11 th Wannemacher Jensen Architects, LLC 12th BEA Architects After reviewing the qualifications of each proposer and having considered the Committee's rankings and commentary, the Administration recommends a short-list of the three tied top -ranked proposers: Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc., Kaller Architecture, and Stantec Architecture Inc. The three (3) firms have been deemed the best qualified firms to provide architectural design services for the development of a new Byron Carlyle Cultural Center and Workforce Housing Project. These firms have strong teams with a wealth of knowledge in the development of mixed - use facilities. The three (3) teams have familiarity with City boards, land -use regulations, and/or the City's vision. Additionally, some of the firms' prior experience demonstrated their ability to implement innovative ideas, solutions, and recommendations. Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc. (BSH) 67 of 2461 The evaluation committee noted that the firm's work on the Culver City project closely aligns with the vision and requirements of the Byron Carlyle project. Committee members also stated that BSH has substantial experience with Miami Beach projects and, as a local firm, demonstrates strong engagement and commitment within the community. In addition, committee members observed that the firm's portfolio includes a substantial amount of workforce housing work. Members acknowledged the firm's experience combining workforce housing with arts -related uses, historic elements, and urban and coastal project conditions. As a Florida -based firm with extensive experience throughout Miami Beach and South Florida, Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc. (BSH), brings an intimate understanding of local regulatory processes, climate challenges, and community expectations. BSH has designed and delivered a wide range of arts and cultural facilities, educational spaces, and multi -purpose civic projects that integrate complex programming within constrained urban and historic contexts. Additionally, BSH has designed over 10,000 units of affordable and workforce housing across the country. BSH is presently working with the City and its Housing Authority on several projects. BSH has teamed with C-Studio, Legacy Real Estate Development, The Peebles Corporation, and the Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach. Some of the local references for BSH include the University of Florida, the City of Pompano Beach, and the Art and Culture Center in Hollywood, Florida. The references that responded to the City's request for feedback offered positive remarks. Kaller Architecture The committee members highlighted that Kaller Architecture included the Daniels Spectrum Community Arts Center project as a relevant example, noting its similarity to the Byron Carlyle project. Committee members also stated that the team is well -versed in both workforce housing and cultural center experience. The committee further noted the team's approach to designing spaces that allow for affordable adaptation over time, supporting the facility's long-term functionality. Members also acknowledged that the firm is local to South Florida and has demonstrated strong financial expertise. Kaller Architecture, a Florida -licensed firm, for more than three decades, has delivered multifamily, mixed -use, and workforce housing projects throughout South Florida, aligning design quality with financial feasibility and public accountability. Kaller's experience includes projects supported by layered funding structures, public -private partnerships, and municipal oversight, where disciplined cost control, code compliance, and constructability are paramount. The firm has led teams through complex zoning approvals, permitting processes, and coordination with agencies having jurisdiction, ensuring that housing projects remain financially and operationally viable over the long term. Kaller Architecture brings extensive experience in multi -family and workforce housing, with a portfolio spanning new construction, adaptive reuse, and renovation projects across South Florida. Kaller Architecture has teamed with Diamond Schmitt Architects, which contributes more than five decades of experience in the design of cultural and performing arts facilities across North America. The firm has completed over 60 performance venues of varying scales, including the Daniels Spectrum Community Arts and Culture Center, the reimagining of David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, along with numerous multidisciplinary arts centers that function as year-round community hubs. Diamond Schmitt's work integrates theater planning, acoustics, audience experience, and operational efficiency to ensure adaptability and long-term stewardship. Additionally, Kaller Architecture has teamed with Bliss & Nyitray, Inc., TLC Engineering, BCC Engineering, LandscapeDE, Fisher Dachs Associates, Trinity Consultants, All City Permits, Cost + Plus, South Peninsula Surveying, SOCOTEC Consulting, Lambert Advisory, Terracon Consultants, Media Relations Group, and Paramount Consulting & Engineering LLC. Some of Kaller Architecture's references include the City of Hollywood and Pinnacle Housing. The references that responded to the City's request for feedback offered positive remarks. Stantec Architecture Inc. Evaluation committee members noted that Stantec Architecture Inc. provided multiple examples of projects comparable to the Byron Carlyle, including the Irish Arts Center and the Temple College Visual Arts and Workforce Housing buildings, which integrate affordable housing with 68 of 2461 groundfloor retail. Committee members also acknowledged Stantec's experience in securing community involvement throughout the design process, identifying this as a relevant component of their approach. Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. Their local expertise and diverse experience delivered award -winning projects across cultural, educational, residential, and mixed -use sectors. Additionally, their Miami location was ranked No. 3 Largest Architecture Firms, by South Florida Business Journal, 2025. Stantec has teamed with MVRDV which was founded in 1993 and for over thirty years has made civic architecture that acts on the city. The collaboration between Stantec and MVRDV combines both local knowledge and design excellence, ensuring that international best practices are applied with the sensitivity required for those who call north Miami Beach home. The team's mastery of local permitting, construction management, and Miami-Dade's regulatory landscape guarantees that we will balance bold creative vision with rigorous execution. In addition, Stantec has teamed with TLC Engineering, Fisher Dahs, Jaffe Holden, Langan, and New Urban International. Some of Stantec Architecture Inc.'s local references include Miami -Dade County and Florida International University. The references that responded to the City's request for feedback offered positive remarks. The Administration has considered the qualifications of the three top -ranked firms and finds them to be experienced and well -qualified. Therefore, it is recommended that the three top -ranked firms be advanced for further consideration by the Committee. If the short -listing of firms responding to this RFQ is approved, the short-listed firms may be required to make presentations to and be interviewed by the Committee utilizing the criteria set forth in the RFQ. A subsequent recommendation for an award would be brought forward to the City Commission for approval. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT Fees will be established through the negotiation process. The anticipated expenditure for these services total $2,599,006. The cost of the related services are subject to funds availability approved through the City's budgeting process. Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY) If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https //www miamibeachfl gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/ FINANCIAL INFORMATION Budget Code: 395-6901-061357-26-410-549-00-00-00-23724 Amount: $2,599,006 available in this account CONCLUSION It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the short-list of the three tied top -ranked proposers: Brooks Scarpa Huber Architects, Inc., Kaller Architecture, and Stantec Architecture Inc., to be further considered in the RFQ evaluation process. Applicable Area 69 of 2461 Citywide Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? No Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Proiect? me Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Department Procurement Sponsor(s) Co-sponsor(s) Condensed Title Approve RFQ 2026-119-WG, Byron Carlyle Cultural Center w/ Workforce Housing. PFFB/PR Previous Action (For Citv Clerk Use Only) 70 of 2461 t � � = t � n p e c. ■e . Re. I RP „ P e. .► ..[t � { ■. = R Y: u� n pr.r E. .■ . [ eR ee a ne (_ Ct / . ■P 66 6 far E, et k . ■■ to t ten -R .. ■c cp r. eM.