CRA BOARD APPROVES RESPONSIBLE WAGE RESOLUTION

Miami, FL |May 25, 2016: On Monday, May 23, 2016, the Southeast Overtown / Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (“SEOPW”) (“CRA”) Board of Commissioners of the City of Miami approved a resolution that requires all future CRA Tax Increment Funding agreements and grants over $2 million to pay responsible wages. The legislation, mandates that all developers and grantees who receive funding from the CRA, require all of its general contractors, subcontractors and sub-subcontractors, to pay wage rates and benefits in accordance with Miami-Dade County’s Responsible Wage Ordinance.

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The responsible wage provisions implemented by the CRA sets a new standard for the redevelopment agency “When it comes to the SEOPW CRA, developers and grantees who come to the CRA can expect to pay responsible wages for everyone.” said SEOPW CRA Chairman and City of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon, “There was no such thing as responsible wages in the CRA before this board decided to implement them in our new agreements. We now have responsible living wages, enhanced living wages and are trying to increase them even further.”

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The responsible wage requirements for the CRA do not become effective until June 1, 2016. The extension was allowed by the CRA Board of Commissioners in an effort to not jeopardize current CRA Tax Increment Funding agreements and grants .During the meeting, the CRA Board of Commissioners also approved an Economic Incentive Agreement with the developers of the proposed Miami Marriott Marquis Conference and Convention Center & Hotel.

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The proposed project, to be located in the Park West section of the CRA redevelopment area, will consist of a 600,000 square foot Conference and Convention Center and 1,100 room hotel. The conference center will include: a grand ballroom containing approximately 65,000 square feet of space, a junior ballroom containing approximately 45,000 square feet of space, approximately 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, approximately 390,000 square feet of meeting and event space as well as a 1,500 seat theater. The second phase of the project will include an additional 600 room hotel that connects to the convention center.

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The Economic Incentive Agreement between the CRA and the developers of the proposed Miami Marriott Marquis Conference and Convention Center & Hotel provides for the CRA to pay the developers 65% of the tax increment revenues generated from the project. In exchange for the tax increment revenues, the developers will provide key community benefits to the redevelopment area that include but are not limited to: job creation, living wages, and partnerships with local community organizations.

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In addition to the Economic Incentive Agreement, the CRA Board of Commissioners also authorized an amendment to the Development Agreement with St. John Plaza Apartments, LLC, for the development of St. Johns Overtown Plaza Apartments. St. Johns Overtown Plaza Apartments is a new construction project to be built in Overtown at 1327 NW 3rd Avenue. The planned project will consist of 90 affordable housing units and 8,000 square feet of commercial space. The development will also include a daycare center. The amended development agreement between the CRA and the developers includes responsible wage requirements for specific labor classifications such as Electrical Workers, Plumbers and Laborers as defined in Section 2-11.16 of the County Code.

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Other items approved by the CRA Board of Commissioners include:

• A professional services agreement for architectural services for World Literacy Crusade of Florida, Inc.’s “Mama Hattie’s House”.
• The implementation of parking lot improvements of CRA owned parking lots at: 262 NW 10th Street, 250 NS 10th Street and 345 NW 10th Street.
• A $92,000 grant to Ultrina Harris for tenant improvements related to the “The Shops of Overtown”, a clothing store that will offer adult clothing and children’s uniforms. The clothing store will be located at the Overtown plaza, located at 1490 NW 3rd Ave.
• A $200,000 grant to Talmadge Frazier for costs associated with the build out of “Brother Frazier Ribs”, located at the Carver Apartment and Shoppes at 801 NW 3rd Avenue.
• An $85,000 grant to Suited for Success, Inc. to provide training and other employment support services to job seekers from the Redevelopment Area. The CRA Board awarded an additional $50,000 to Suited for Success to employ two full-time residents.
• A $165,000 grant to Miami-Dade College to operate the Hospitality and Culinary Institute Job Training and Job Placement Program.
• A $205,000 grant to Urgent Inc. to operate the 2015 FACE Summer Employment & Training Program.
• A $500,000 grant to the Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. (“Black Archives”) to operate the Lyric Theater Cultural Heritage Institute and Ward Rooming House Gallery.

To learn more about the Southeast/Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) and its initiatives, please visit www.miamicra.com/seopwcra or call 305.679.6800. For media inquiries, contact Jonelle Adderley at JAdderley@miamigov.com or (305)679-6800.