2001-24518 RESO
RESOLUTION NO.
2001-24518
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 1998 - 2002, CONSISTING OF
THE ADDITION OF A NORTH BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION
STRATEGY, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT SAID
STRATEGY TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT (HUD); AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY TO MAKE MINOR, NON-SUBSTANTIVE
CHANGES TO THE SAME BEFORE SUBMISSION.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach is requesting designation of a Neighborhood Revitalization
Strategy Area (NRSA) pursuant to Consolidated Plan Regulations at 24 CFR 91.2l5( e )(2); and
WHEREAS, the City believes that by implementing a comprehensive, integrated strategy in this
area, it can help create a community of opportunity in North Beach, to stimulate the reinvestment of
human and economic capital into the North Beach and to economically empower low- and moderate-
income residents of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, the City has worked consistently to leverage resources to facilitate
comprehensive revitalization strategies for its North Beach and South Beach areas and the proposed
Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy attempts to formalize previous strategies; and
WHEREAS, the North Beach area of the City has already been included in the City's Consolidated
Plans for Fiscal Years 1995-1998 and 1998-2002; it is designated as a target area for purposes ofthe
concentration of Community Development Block Grant funds, as well as other resources; and
WHEREAS, the City is an entitlement recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HUD encourages
CDBG entitlement grantees to develop comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategies and offers
certain incentives for entitlement cities and urban counties; and
WHEREAS, upon City Commission approval, it will be submitted to HUD together with the One-
Year Action Plan, on or before the August 16,2001 deadline.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission approve an
amendment to the Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Years 1998 - 2002, consisting ofthe addition of a North
Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy, and authorize the City Manager to submit said strategy to
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); further authorizing the City Manager
and the Office of the City Attorney to make minor, non-substantive changes to the same before
submission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th day of July OflJJP
ATTEST: MAYOR
~kr~
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
.AA/ l.J.ta.lf '- 7-1/- 0 J
~ Data
EXHIBIT A
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
NORTH BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY
City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1, 2001
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Miami Beach is requesting designation of a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area
(NRSA) pursuant to Consolidated Plan Regulations at 91.215(e)(2). The area to be designated is the
area north of 63" Street and is more fully described below. The City believes that by implementing a
comprehensive, integrated strategy in this area, it can help create a community of opportunity in North
Beach, to stimulate the reinvestment of human and economic capital into the North Beach and to
economically empower low- and moderate-income residents of Miami Beach.
In recent years, the City has worked consistently to leverage resources to facilitate comprehensive
revitalization strategies for its North Beach and South Beach areas. The proposed Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy attempts to formalize previous strategies. The City seeks to forge a
partnership that:
. Obtains commitments to neighborhood revitalization in the North Beach area;
. Makes the neighborhoods attractive to investments;
. Generates neighborhood participation to ensure that the benefits of economic activity are
reinvested in the neighborhood for long-term community development;
. Supports the use of neighborhood intermediary institutions such as community housing
development organizations and community development corporations to bridge gaps between the
City, the business community, community groups, and residents; and
. Fosters the growth of resident-based initiatives to identify and address their housing, economic
and human services needs.
The North Beach area of the City has already been included in the City's Consolidated Plans for
Fiscal Years 1995- 1998 and 1998-2002. It is designated as a target area for purposes of the
concentration of Community Development Block Grant funds, as well as other resources.
The City is an entitlement recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD.) HUD encourages CDBG entitlement
grantees to develop comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategies and offers certain
incentives for entitlement cities and urban counties. These incentives are as follows:
. Job CreationlRetention as Low/Moderate Income Area Benefit - Job creation/retention activities
undertaken pursuant to the strategy may be qualified as meeting area benefit requirements, thus
eliminating the need for a business to track the income that take, or are considered for, such jobs.
. Aggregation of Housing Units - Housing units assisted pursuant to the strategy may be considered
to be part of a single structure for purposes of applying the low- and moderate-income national
objective criteria, thus providing greater flexibility to carry out housing programs that revitalize a
neighborhood.
. Aggregate Public Benefit Standard Exemption - Economic development activities carried out
under the strategy may, at the City's option, be exempt from the aggregate public benefit
.
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1, 2001
standards, thus increasing the City's flexibility for program design as well as reducing its record-
keeping requirements.
. Public Service Cap Exemption - Public services carried out pursuant to the strategy by a
Community-Based Development Organization will be exempt from the public service cap.
As described in the City of Miami Beach Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Years 1998-2002, the City is
expanding the "Neighborhoods First" initiative to focus its programs and services on neighborhood
improvement. The City's non-housing community development strategy was expected to be based
similarly on neighborhoods, concentrating on the physical improvements and services, which are
needed in CDBG-eligible areas. The Consolidated Plan also refers to the City's preparation of a new
housing and redevelopment strategy, called the "Neighborhoods First" initiative. This new plan will
guide redevelopment activities. A future neighborhood strategy is being contemplated for South
Beach, in partnership with CDAC, MBCDC and Lincoln Road for South Beach; and NBDC for North
Beach, the Housing Authority ofthe City of Miami Beach, and other significant partners who serve
low and moderate income populations.
The following is a description of how this Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy meets the criteria
contained in the regulations.
Boundaries
The Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy target area is generally known as North Beach. North
Beach is the northernmost section of Miami Beach and encompasses the area of 63'd Street north to
87th Street and Biscayne Bay east to the Atlantic Ocean.
Demographics
Demographically speaking, the population within this area is culturally diverse with households at or
below 80% of median income. While there are pockets of affluence within the target zone, the
majority of residents in the area is low- and moderate-income, ethnically and culturally diverse, and
resides in multi-unit rental housing. The northern target area of the City contains most of Miami
Beach's low and moderate-income residents. The area is primarily residential, although portions
comprise the principal commercial sectors for businesses that serve the lower income neighborhoods.
The area includes census tracts 39.01, 30.02, 39.05 and 39.06, which are target areas for the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These census tracts have a density ranging
from 53% low/moderate income to 97.5% low/moderate income persons.
The City of Miami Beach has undergone significant population and economic changes in the past 15
years. The City has transitioned from a quiet retirement community for the elderly dependent on
seasonal tourism to a young, professional, culturally diverse community with a surging, diversified
economy. Most of the City's schools are overcrowded because of the youth explosion that
accompanied the rapid drop in median age. Biscayne Elementary, the only public school within the
target area, was designed to accommodate 750 students and now accommodates more than 1,100
students.
While there are both agency and human resources within the community, the area's history of
disenfranchisement and weak community structure has created service and communication gaps. As a
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
result, many residents needing services are not aware of existing resources or may be too isolated to
be properly reached via conventional outreach efforts. This problem is further amplified by the
immigrant status of much of the population. A significant number of residents in the area lack proper
immigration documentation. This lack oflegal "status" further impedes community cohesiveness and
access to resources.
Community Consultation
In 1998, the City of Miami Beach began a self-examination process involving interested agencies,
residents, organizations, property owners, community organizers, City staff, and consultants to
discuss holistic approaches for the North Beach area. The process culminated with two main
documents being produced and presented to the community: the Neighborhoods First Comprehensive
Plan and the North Beach Strategic Plan.
This Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy is based on both documents, which were prepared through
intensive consultation processes with members of the community, including residents in the area,
. owners/operators of businesses, local financial institutions, and community groups.
To provide outreach to the types of groups noted above, the City held community workshops, public
hearings and consultations sponsored by the City through the efforts of the Planning and Zoning
Department, the Office of Children's Affairs, and the Neighborhood Services Department. The needs
and concerns of the consulted parties were incorporated into the Strategy in the following manner:
Specific input was received and presented back to the community in the form of the City of Miami
Beach North Beach Strategic Plan. In the case of the Neighborhoods First Initiative, the City of
Miami Beach presented its Comprehensive Plan to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, its
citizen Oversight Committee, and the community.
ASSESSMENT
Economic Conditions
The City of Miami Beach has implemented many important economic initiatives that affect the North
Beach community. In aggregate, approximately $120 million of public improvements have been, or
are being performed in North Beach. This public investment, coupled with the significant private
investments that are under development are vital as part of a successful revitalization strategy. Many
parts of the North Beach area are included in a State-designated Enterprise Zone, including all of the
commercial areas and portions of the residential neighborhoods.
Opportunities for Economic Development Improvement
As described in the City of Miami Beach' Consolidated Plan, the major objective of the City's
economic development activity is to stimulate economic revitalization and job creation in the City by:
. Facilitating business development and expansion, job creation/retention,
. Encouraging private development through public support, and
. Carrying out housing and neighborhood revitalization.
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
The City of Miami Beach North Beach Revitalization Plan identifies eight strategic recommendations
as main areas of opportunity for improvements, as follows below. Within each area of opportunity,
specific strategies are recommended, detailing specific goals and objectives.
. Public Investment in the North Beach Neighborhoods
. Training and Education
. Family Activity Development
. Protect and Enhance the Neighborhood Scale and Character
. Business Development
. 72nd Street Site
. Residential Investment
. Parking and Transportation
. Marketing
Problems That the Community is Likely to Face
While the City of Miami Beach is experiencing an economic upturn, the target area has not
experienced the same economic windfall. The City's economic profile shows this disparity. The
North Beach area has been identified as a community development target area for the CDBG, HOME
and ESG programs because of its economic profile. The data for the area reflects instability (high
mobility rate), poverty (families unable to successfully fend for themselves), poor family structures
(divorce follows the national trend), and an expressed concern by the Florida Department of Children
& Families that the North Beach community is an area of concern. The North Beach area is still in the
midst of transition as economic forces in the south, and redevelopment efforts in the area are
displacing low- and moderate-income families that are unable to absorb rent increases. The area is
comprised mostly of multi-unit rental housing.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Plans to Develop the Selected Neighborhood
To further the revitalization of the selected neighborhood, the City has begun to reevaluate its
residential areas. Community participation has taken place to collect information regarding the
residents' needs and opinions. Such information has identified specific streets in the North Beach
area as targets for improvements. This area coincides with the City's northern target area, as
described in the City's Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Years 1998-2002, as submitted to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Florida Department of Transportation and the City began in 1997, a program under a Joint
Participation Agreement for a project to reconstruct streets, install new sidewalks, landscaping, and
lighting for the northern target area (the section of 71 st Street from Collins A venue to the Vendome
Plaza). The State Department of Transportation and the City jointly planned and have partially
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1, 2001
implemented the North Beach Improvement Projects totaling in excess of$12 million. The planned
improvements consist of streetscape, recreational corridor, and others. Additionally, the City has
committed a total of$I,120,000 in Water, Sewer & Storm Water Bond Funds to improve the
infrastructure in the specific project areas.
The City applied for, and was awarded a $4 million Section 108 Loan and a $1 million ED! grant to
implement the streetscapes projects in Normandy Isle and 77th Street and other portions of North
Beach. Additionally, the Recreation, Culture and Parks Department has planned a renovation and
construction project for the North Shore Youth Center totaling $3,979,032, of which $1 million will
be funded from the Section 108 loan program and ED! grant.
The North Beach area is a high-density residential area that includes small hotels, single and multi-
family homes and an expanding small-scale commercial corridor. Normandy Isle, an island within
North Beach, consists of a mixture of single-family homes, apartment buildings and condominiums.
The City's current activities support the national interest of stabilizing and rehabilitating
neighborhoods that are predominantly low and moderate-income. Activities are intended to bolster
the sagging economy in the North Beach area, helping to develop beautiful master-planned
streetscapes and renovated facilities that will encourage revitalization and economic development,
providing much-needed employment opportunities for low and moderate income residents. Through
these and other activities, the City will be able to address these important national interests. In its
efforts to stabilize and rehabilitate this neighborhood, the City has undertaken these specific
initiatives:
The Gatewav Master Plan-Under it, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, a world-renowned town and urban
planner and Dean of the University of Miami School of Architecture was engaged to chart a new
direction for North Beach. Components include a landmark northern entry to the City, improvement
of commercial corridors, park reconfiguration and renovation, redevelopment of empty parking lots,
and concepts for the redevelopment ofthe Altos Del Mar neighborhood and Ocean Terrace.
North Beach Special Assessment District - The City has begun the process for the establishment of a
North Beach Tax Special Assessment District (SAD). Through the SAD District, each property will
contribute to the costs and fund the redevelopment activities such as infrastructure improvements and
capital projects. A successful example of this program was the similar district used to fund Lincoln
Road improvements in Miami Beach.
Neighborhood Street/Tree Proiects - The City has also undertaken street improvement projects to
improve a substantial portion of the multi-family residential areas of North Beach, including new
sidewalks, curbs, drainage, lighting, a canopy of trees, and defined vehicle parking. A $1.2 million
Streetscape project for Southeast Normandy Isle was recently completed.
North Shore Streetscape Proiect - This $20 million landmark project began in August of 1995.
Through the program, the commercial corridors in North Beach will be dramatically transformed over
the next few years with all new infrastructure, utilities, drainage, traffic signals, street lights, widened
sidewalks, pedestrian amenities, beach access points, and landscaping.
North Beach Commercial Revitalization Program - Close to a half a million dollars is allocated
annually to this CDBG-funded program to encourage matching grants for storefront improvements.
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
Parks and Recreation Facilities-Recognizing the unprecedented number of young children, who now
live in North Beach, the City planned a $6 million program of improvements to all North Beach Park
facilities. Improvements include new tennis and basketball courts, upgraded playing fields, new
signage and restrooms, extensive landscaping, enhanced staffing and programming.
nod Street RFP - The City of Miami Beach issued a request for proposals for economic development
of a centrally located 4-acre parcel in the North Beach area. Under current zoning allowances, this
project has the potential to create up to 1,150 new jobs for the area. Based on the City's experience
with similar programs, it is projected that I, I 00 direct new jobs and 500 indirect new jobs will be
created, and it is estimated that approximately $100 million in private investment will be attracted to
the subject neighborhood. A majority of the City's JTP A participants reside in the subject
neighborhood and the project will positively impact these JTP A participants. Additionally, Log
Cabin Enterprises, a job training and job retention program for developmentally disabled adults is in
close proximity to this site, and will benefit from the potential of this development site.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The revitalization of the North Beach area is expected to result in increased job generation,
homeownership, public safety, an improved physical environment, an expanded economic base, a
reduction in the percentage of vacant units (both commercial and residential), and rehabilitated
residential and commercial properties. The following Strategic Recommendations will be
implemented:
. Continue the investment in the City's Infrastructure
. Improvement of Public Facilities and Neighborhood Assets
. Explore Expansion Opportunities for the Existing North Beach Library
. Continually improve the public and private school infrastructure.
. Develop a "Higher Education Center" with Programs from Multiple Institutions
. Develop New Activities and Attractions
. Adopt Architectural Districts or Historic Districts with Design Guidelines
. Implementation of a Business Retention, Expansion and Recruitment Program
. Redevelopment of7lst Street into the Central Business District (CBD) of North Beach
. Increase Availability ofIncentive Programs
. Attract and Support Cultural Arts Activities as an Additional Catalyst to Downtown
Revitalization
. Capitalize on the linkage opportunities from the nnd Street Site.
. Improve the Conditions of the Historic Building Stock
. Expand and Target Housing Programs and Assistance
. Conduct an Area-Wide Parking Study Focused on Commercial Area Needs
. Improve Parking and Transportation Opportunities
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
· Development of A Transit Link Between the CBD and the Fountain
. Capitalize on the Area's Assets
. Implement Targeted Marketing Programs to Potential North Beach Residents
. Increase and Expand Targeted Marketing to Customers
. Implement Targeted Marketing Programs to Potential Commercial and Residential
Investors and Developers
Strategic Recommendation: Public Investmentin the North Beach Neighborhoods
Strategy 1 . Upgrade and enhance streetscapes
Continue the Investment in the . Upgrade and enhance drainage, water and sewer systems
City's Infrastructure
Strategy 2 . Renovate and upgrade the area's parks
Improvement of Public . Complete the construction of the North Beach Youth Center
Facilities and Neighborhood . Enhance available recreation programs
Assets . Invest in enhancing the area's Fire Station
. Continue beach renourishment efforts
. Clean the canals and shoreline of inland waterways
. Provide public access improvements to the shoreline at all
street ends
. Complete the renovation of the Shane Watersports Center
. RenovationlRedesign of Normandy Shores Golf Course
Strategy 3 . Ongoing
Explore Expansion
Opportunities for the Existing
North Beach Library
Strategic RecolOmendation: Training and Education
Strategy 4 . The City of Miami Beach Office of Children's Affairs will be
Continually improve the public working to unite the Parent Teacher Associations within the
and private school feeder pattern to create a more vocal and influential advocacy
infrastructure group to effect change within the feeder pattern's public
schools.
Strategy 5 . Offer programs with high-level job skills in technology,
Develop a "Higher Education media, hospitality and cultural arts
Center" with Programs from
Multiple Institutions
Strategic RecolOmendation:FalOily Activity Development
Strategy 6 . Construct the North Beach Recreational Corridor
Develop New Activities and . Provide boating access to inland waterways
Attractions . Construct interactive waterplay fountains in beachfront parks
. Develop and program a nature center in North Shore Open
Space Park
. Explore museum opportunities
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
Strategic Recommendation: Protect and Enhance the Neighborhood Scalellnd Character
Strategy 7 . Specifically adopt development standards and design
Adopt Architectural Districts or guidelines for the Altos del Mar Historic District
Historic Districts with Design . Specifically adopt development standards and design
Guidelines guidelines for the eight City-owned parking lots.
Strategic Recommendation: Business DeveIo{lment
Strategy 8 . Identify a hierarchy of commercial districts and differentiate
Implementation of a Business functions
Retention, Expansion and . Identify Business Recruitment Targets for the various
Recruitment Program commercial districts.
. Attract a quality supermarket to the Normandy Isle area.
. Implement a business apprenticeship program to retain viable
businesses whose owners are close to retirement.
. Capitalize on job training and job retention opportunities
through Log Cabin Enterprises and its programs for
developmentally disabled adults.
. Capitalize on potential opportunities for collaboration
through the Jewish Community Services' job training and job
placement program for homeless individuals.
Strategy 9 . Promote land assembly, redevelopment and infill.
Redevelopment of 71 st Street . Target initial development activity in the eastern blocks, with
into the Central Business future expansion westward to Indian Creek.
District (CBD) of North Beach . Expand CD zoning to the north and south.
. Require active commercial use on 71 st Street frontage.
. Explore the viability of mixed-use development
opportunities.
. Create design guidelines for the CBD.
Strategy 10 . Target the fa9ade improvement program to assist selected
Increase Availability of types of businesses and locations.
Incentive Programs . Expand the use of Enterprise Zone benefits.
Strategy 11 . Purchase and renovate the Byron Carlyle Theater as a center
Attract and Support Cultural for Cultural Arts activities.
Arts Activities as an Additional . Strategically position Cultural Arts parking needs such that
Catalyst to Downtown they provide overflow benefits to the neighboring businesses.
Revitalization . Encourage higher education sponsorship of arts activities.
. Seek additional Cultural Arts space.
. Turn the bandshell into a viable performance venue with
targeted performance planning.
. Explore opportunities for museum development
Strlltegic Recommendation: 7Znd StteetSite
Strategy 12 . Enhance the relationship between North Shore Park and the
Capitalize on the linkage 72nd Street Site as the "Town Commons" of North Beach.
opportunities from the 72nd . Promote Cultural and educational activity.
Street Site. . Capitalize on opportunities for enhancement of job
creation/job retention program for developmentally disabled
adults at the Log Cabin.
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
Strategic Recommendation: Residential Investment
Strategy 13 . Incentives to increase unit size.
Improve the Conditions of the . Historic preservation tax credits.
Historic Building Stock . Utilize private sources of financing with greater flexibility.
. Increase availability of rehab loans.
. Eliminate substandard-size units.
. Equal maintenance standards for occupied and vacant
buildings.
. Concentrate enforcement efforts in small areas.
Strategy 14 . Remove Section 8 subsidy from problem landlords.
Expand and Target Housing . Increase availability of homeownership loans.
Programs and Assistance
Strategic Recomrnendation: Parking alld Transportation
Strategy 15 . Identify existing and future parking needs
Conduct an Area-Wide Parking . Develop a plan for expanding public parking opportunities.
Study Focused on Commercial . Utilize public parking supply as an incentive to private infill
Area Needs development in strategic locations.
Strategy 16 . Discourage through traffic and speeding on residential streets.
Improve Parking and . Analyze feasibility of reducing lanes and/or restoring two-
Transportation Opportunities way traffic on arterial streets.
. Enhance Residential Parking.
Strategy 17 . Ongoing
Development of A Transit Link
Between the CBD and the
Fountain
Strategic Recommelldation:. Marketing
Strategy 18 . Promote unique MIMO Architecture.
Capitalize on the Area's Assets . Promote natural assets.
. Promote activities and attractions.
. Promote the cultural arts.
. Promote the quieter, slower pace than South Beach.
Strategy 19 . Promote Neighborhoods on a Regional and National Level.
Implement Targeted Marketing
Programs to Potential North
Beach Residents
Strategy 20 . Sponsor special events that relate to clustered activity.
Increase and Expand Targeted . Organize advertising cooperatives or Business Improvement
Marketing to Customers Districts.
Strategy 21 . Capitalize on new and existing institutional commitments to
Implement Targeted Marketing the area.
Programs to Potential . Promote commercial infill and redevelopment of existing
Commercial and Residential buildings, beginning with strategically linked locations.
Investors and Developers . Promote the benefits of rehabilitating the existing housing
stock.
. Promote new infill housing on vacant lots.
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
STRATEGY AREA FuNDING
The City of Miami Beach will describe the HUD formula program resources that will be
addressed toward the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy area in the City's subsequent Action
Plan submissions to HUD. Specific actions to implement the proposed strategic
recommendations include:
· Target properties in the North Beach area for concentrated code enforcement and clean up.
Provide matching grants for commercial fa9ade improvements. streetscape improvements,
and code enforcement.
· Pursue the improvement of commercial property frontages and encourage public-private
efforts with property owners.
. Utilize CDBG funds for employment training and job retention for populations with special
needs, including developmentally-disabled adults, homeless individuals and families, and
low- and moderate-income high school students from the community.
. Utilize HOME funds and CDBG funds to continue multi-family housing rehabilitation.
The City intends to utilize its non-housing directed CDBG dollars in support of its ongoing
"Neighborhoods First" initiative and to provide needed public improvements within its low-
income areas. At the time of the preparation of the Consolidated Plan, "Neighborhoods First"
was in its initial stages. Many of the public works projects, such as the street or commercial
fa9ade improvement projects occur in the North Beach section of the City, which contains higher
percentages of lower-income residents.
HUD REVIEW, ApPROVAL AND MONITORING
This Strategy will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), under the following timeline:
June I to
June 30, 200 I
Thirty-Day Comment Period for Public Review and Comment regarding
the Proposed Strategy.
July 18, 200 I
Proposed Strategy is presented to the City of Miami Beach City
Commission
August 16, 200 I
Submission of One-Year Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2001-2002,
including activities under this Strategy, pending approval from HUD.
Submission of Strategy to HUD, subject to HUD approval.
August 16, 200 I
October I, 200 I
Implementation of Strategy, submission of first requests for drawdowns.
Approval from HUD for drawdown requests.
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1, 2001
Eligibility of the Proiects Under CDBG Regulations - The proposed activities meet the primary
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) objective of developing viable urban
communities, by providing ...a suitable living environment and expanding economic
opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income, as described in section 101 (c)
of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and the National
Objective of Area Benefit to low and moderate-income persons at 570.208 (a) (I) (I).
Statutorv National Obiective Compliance - The City has determined that any activities to be
undertaken under the proposed strategy will meet the regulations at 24 CFR 570.208 (a) (I) (I).
24 CFR 570.208 indicates the criteria used to determine whether a CDBG-assisted activity
complies with one or more of the national objectives as required under 24 CFR 570.200 (a) (2).
"The following criteria shall be used to determine whether a CDBG-assisted activity complies
with one or more ofthe national objectives as required under 570.200(a) (2):
(a) Activities benefiting low- and moderate-income persons. Activities meeting the criteria in
paragraph (a) (I), (2), (3), or (4) of this section, as applicable, will be considered to benefit low
and moderate-income persons unless there is substantial evidence to the contrary. In assessing
any such evidence, the full range of direct effects of the assisted activity will be considered. (The
recipient shall appropriately ensure that activities that meet these criteria do not benefit moderate-
income persons to the exclusion of low-income persons.)
Area benefit activities. (I) An activity, the benefits of which are available to all the residents in a
particular area, where at least 51 percent of the residents are low and moderate-income persons.
Such an area need not be coterminous with census tracts or other officially recognized boundaries
but must be the entire area served by the activity. An activity that serves an area that is not
primarily residential in character shall not qualify under this criterion."
Monitoring of the various activities described in the Strategy will be a continuous and ongoing
process. To ensure that planning will continuously reflect the successes and lessons learned from
previous activities, the City will monitor the effectiveness of its programs and initiatives, and
prepare reports for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as
required by the program regulations.
The City will enter into binding subrecipient contract agreements with organizations receiving
federal funds. These agreements will provide a basis for enforcing the goals and objectives of the
Consolidated Plan, the Action Plan, the federal rules and regulations, and the time frame to
achieve the stated accomplishments. The agreements contain remedies in the event of a breach of
the provisions by the subrecipient parties.
The overriding goal of monitoring is to ensure that services are provided as prescribed in the
subrecipient contract, and to identify deficiencies and remedial actions. The emphasis is on
prevention, detection and correction of problems. Toward this end, all monthly and quarterly
reports submitted by the subrecipients are thoroughly examined to ensure compliance.
Furthermore, on-site technical assistance visits and monitoring visits are performed throughout
the program year.
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City of Miami Beach
North Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Draft - June 1,2001
Communication is the key to a good working relationship with the subrecipient agencies.
Monitoring is an ongoing process involving continuous subrecipient communication and
evaluation. The staff of the Neighborhood Services Department is experienced in subrecipient
monitoring criteria and techniques.
AMENDING THE STRATEGY
When amending this Strategy, the City of Miami Beach will follow the procedures outlined in its
approved Citizen Participation Plan. Citizens will have a reasonable opportunity to comment on
the original strategy and any proposed substantial amendments thereto. Additionally, the Strategy
will be made available to the public at the City Clerk's Office and, upon request, will be made
available in a format accessible to persons with disabilities. A reasonable number of free copies
of the Strategy will be also available in the Neighborhood Services Department.
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH. FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.t1.us -
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. tM/-tJ I
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
DATE: July 18, 2001
FROM:
Jorge M. Gonzalez ,\,' -r-
City Manager uV- ~
SUBJECT:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 1998 - 2002, CONSISTING OF THE
ADDITION OF A NORTH BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION
STRATEGY, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT SAID
STRATEGY TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT (HUD), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE OFFICE
OF THE CITY ATTORNEY TO MAKE MINOR, NON-SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES TO
THE SAME BEFORE SUBMISSION.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
The City of Miami Beach is requesting designation of a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA)
pursuant to Consolidated Plan Regulations at 24 CFR 9l.215(e)(2). The area to be designated is the area
north of 63rd Street and is more fully described in Exhibit A (see attached.) The City believes that by
implementing a comprehensive, integrated strategy in this area, it can help create a community of opportunity
in North Beach, to stimulate the reinvestment of human and economic capital into the North Beach and to
economically empower low- and moderate-income residents of Miami Beach. In recent years, the City has
worked consistently to leverage resources to facilitate comprehensive revitalization strategies for its North
Beach and South Beach areas. The proposed Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy attempts to formalize
previous strategies already underway in the North Beach neighborhoods. Through the Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy, the City will continue to forge partnerships with the private sector and other
community based organizations toward the goal of creating greater economic development opportunities and
neighborhood revitalization.
In seeking this neighborhood designation, no additional general funds or federal regulations will be incurred
by the City. In fact, one of the overarching reasons for the City's desire to seek this designation is that it will
exempt the 15% public services cap for public services activities carried out in this area. This year, during
the planning phase of the One Year Action Plan for Federal Funds for FY 2001/02, the City, in consultation
with HUD, determined that the activities to be funded by CDBG dollars for the Log Cabin Enterprises Inc.
activity would fall under the Public Services category, and could no longer be funded under the
microenterprise category. However, to be able to continue funding the Log Cabin at its past historic CDBG
funding levels, and to not displace other public services activities, the Administration was encouraged to
pursue more creative funding approaches. One such method was the creation and designation of a
Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy for the North Beach target areas.
AGENDA ITEM
DATE
C-7Q
7-/t-o/
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
JULY 18,2001
PAGE 2
The long-term future effects of this Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy would allow other public service
agencies in the designation area to provide pubic services outside the 15% Public Services cap. Thus,
making more CDBG funds available for public services.
Among the objectives of the HUD designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy for the North Beach area
are the following:
. Makes the neighborhoods attractive to investments;
. Generates neighborhood participation to ensure that the benefits of economic activity are reinvested
in the neighborhood for long-term community development;
. Fosters the growth of resident-based initiatives to identify and address their housing, economic and
human services needs; and
. Supports the use of neighborhood intermediary institutions such as community housing development
organizations and community development corporations to bridge gaps between the City, the
business community, community groups, and residents
The North Beach area of the City has already been included in the City's Consolidated Plans for Fiscal
Years 1995-1998 and 1998-2002. It is designated as a target area for purposes of the concentration of
Community Development Block Grant funds, as well as other resources.
The City is an entitlement recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD.) HUD encourages CDBG entitlement
grantees to develop comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategies and offers certain incentives
for entitlement cities and urban counties. These incentives are as follows:
. Job Creation/Retention as Low/Moderate Income Area Benefit - Job creation/retention activities
undertaken pursuant to the strategy may be qualified as meeting area benefit requirements, thus
eliminating the need for a business to track the income that take, or are considered for, such jobs.
. Aggregation of Housing Units - Housing units assisted pursuant to the strategy may be considered to
be part of a single structure for purposes of applying the low- and moderate-income national
objective criteria, thus providing greater flexibility to carry out housing programs that revitalize a
neighborhood.
. Aggregate Public Benefit Standard Exemption - Economic development activities carried out under
the strategy may, at the City's option, be exempt from the aggregate public benefit standards, thus
increasing the City's flexibility for program design as well as reducing its record-keeping
requirements.
. Public Service Cap Exemption - Public services carried out pursuant to the strategy by a
Community-Based Development Organization will be exempt from the public service cap.
As described in the City of Miami Beach Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Years 1998-2002, and as
identified in the North Beach Economic Strategic Plan, the City is expanding the "Neighborhoods First"
initiative to focus its programs and services on neighborhood improvement. The City's non-housing
community development strategy was expected to be based similarly on neighborhoods, concentrating on
the physical improvements and services, which are needed in CDBG-eligible areas.
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
JULY 18, 2001
PAGE 3
The Consolidated Plan also refers to the City's preparation of a housing and redevelopment strategy,
called the "Neighborhoods First" initiative. This initiative will guide redevelopment activities in the
residential and commercial target areas of North Beach. A future neighborhood strategy is being
contemplated for South Beach, in partnership with the Community Development Advisory Committee
(CDAC), Miami Beach Community Development Corporation (MBCDC), Lincoln Road for South
Beach, North Beach Development Corporation (NBDC) for North Beach, the Housing Authority of the
City of Miami Beach, and other significant partners who serve low and moderate income populations.
The Administration recommends approval of the Revitalization Strategy. Upon Commission approval, it
will be submitted to HUD together with the One-Year Action Plan, on or before the August 16, 200 I
deadline.
JMG~
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