Transcript Slide 1

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Report to the City of Miami Commission
TRANSFORMING AND STABILIZING
LIBERTY CITY
2008-2009
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Due to the changing economic times in the local economy over the past year, “The
Trust” has adopted a Total Spectrum Housing Approach to stabilize the
community while addressing the various housing needs in the area.
This involves a dual strategy of : 1) Homeownership preservation through outreach
with existing homeowners, investors and real estate professionals; and 2) The
expansion of the tax base and quality of the housing stock by New Construction
through partnerships with private and city-funded developers.
The Liberty City Trust, formerly known as The Model City Trust, was established
in accordance with Ordinance, No. 12859 to provide oversight and facilitate
revitalization efforts and activities to be undertaken in the Liberty City area.
The Trust was restructured in November 2006 to focus on four majors areas of concern
affecting residents in Liberty City.
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Housing
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Economic Development/Jobs
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Youth and Education
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Community Planning/Outreach
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Crime Prevention and Removal of Negative Perceptions: has been added to address
the issue of perception of safety in the community.
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CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
Gail Birks, Chair
Mission: Community Development and Job Creation
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Zarifa Brown-Reynolds, Esq.
Mission: Redevelopment of Recreational Programming for Liberty Square
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Eric Thompson, Member
Mission: NW 15th Avenue Revitalization
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Patricia Duncan, Treasurer
Mission: Youth Programming and Corporate Support for Liberty City Schools
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HOUSING
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING
FROM JULY 2008-2009
CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED
10 Single Family Homes:
By City-Funded
Developers
Abraham Villas:
8 Completed Townhomes
Coral Place:
100 Affordable Rentals
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31 Single Family Homes:
By Private Developers
14 (28 units)Duplexes:
By Private Developers
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
FROM
JULY 2008-2009
Construction in Progress
Biscayne Housing:
60 Senior Rentals
CD Building:
7 Transitional Housing Units
13 City-Funded
Single Family Units
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32 Rental units under construction
by Private Developers
7 Homes under construction
by Private Developers
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly “First-Time Homebuyer” workshops to
certify and educate prospective buyers on the home buying process.
 The Liberty City Trust has partnered its efforts with
banks such as Bank Atlantic, Wells Fargo Bank,
Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust and City National Bank.
 Our housing partners include Housing Foundation of
America, Metro Miami Action Plan.
205 Liberty City residents have
received homebuyer certification--making them eligible for housing
subsidies.
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 The Liberty Trust conducted workshops at various
locations to attract a broad segment of the market.
During the months of January through June 2009,
workshops were held at New Jerusalem Primitive
Baptist Church, New Providence Missionary Baptist
Church, New Faith Deliverance Tabernacle and New
Resurrection Community Church.
Strategic Partnerships
5 Credit Counselors were certified to
provide debt resolution management
and financial literacy to Liberty City
residents.
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HOME STABILIZATION
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION
The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly workshops to educate
homeowners on the foreclosure process; and provides foreclosure
prevention counseling to homeowners.
 As of January 2009, The Liberty City Trust
has assisted 13 homeowners by negotiating
loan
modifications
and
short
term
forbearance plans.
 The Liberty City Trust has partnered its
efforts with banks such as Chase and Sun
Trust, local Attorneys, Realtors, the Housing
Foundation of America and Neighborhood
Housing Services.
Over a dozen Liberty City residents
have preserved their homes through
our foreclosure prevention and
housing initiatives.
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HOUSING
A COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACH
The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly workshops to stabilize the
community through :
Foreclosure Prevention Clinics
Credit Counseling Trainings
Provision of Homebuyer Education Courses
Over a dozen Liberty City residents
have preserved their homes through
our foreclosure prevention and
housing initiatives.
5 Credit Counselors were certified
205 Liberty City residents
to provide debt resolution
management and financial literacy
to Liberty City residents.
have received homebuyer
certification---making
them eligible for housing
subsidies.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AND
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The current economic climate offers many development opportunities
for residential and commercial investors in the Liberty City area. The
“Trust” has recognized this phenomenon, and through its Total
Spectrum Housing Approach, has specifically done outreach to
private capitalists, investors, real estate professionals, and existing
Liberty City property owners to stabilize the community, rehabilitate
properties, encourage real estate commerce, and expand the real
property tax base.
The Liberty City Open House, held June 24, 2009, of which housing
professionals, realtors, community development corporations,
government agencies, and venture capitalists, were all in attendance,
highlighted the community’s treasures and development opportunities
within the Liberty City community.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
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The Liberty City Trust facilitated the placement of over
20 Liberty City residents in construction
jobs for
Biscayne Courts during the period from May 2009 to
November 2009. Three contractors were also selected by
the developer as local based-minority firms to provide
sub-contracting in the areas of painting, security and
staffing/payroll management.
Through the combined revitalization efforts of Public
government entities, private corporations, and local
based businesses, the commercial corridors of the
Liberty City community, are being remodeled to provide
vendor opportunities, as well as training and experience
for the residents. Consequently, there exists a level of
excitement among local merchants as the improvements
correlate to a better working and sales environment for
their employees and their patrons respectively.
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Before
After
Before
After
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BUSINESS AND COMMERCE
* The Liberty City Trust is committed to revitalizing
key businesses corridors while working with City
departments, residents and business owners to bring
additional economic opportunities to the community.
The 15th Avenue Charrette was conducted, with
participation from the Capital Improvements and
Planning departments on May 19th, 2009 to plan for
future infrastructure improvements in the area.
* The Liberty City Trust, in conjunction with the
University of Miami, facilitated the District 5
Business Enhancement Fair, in which over 150
participants
attended.
Attendees
received
instruction in business certification, consultation,
procurement opportunities, website design and
management training.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
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The replacement of sidewalks, as well as the
milling and resurfacing of various roads in the
Liberty City community was coordinated by The
Liberty City Trust and the City of Miami’s Capital
Improvements Program department. Areas of
which work was performed include, but are limited
to: N.W. 12th Avenue to N.W. 17th Avenue
between N.W. 45th Street and N.W. 62nd Street/
M.L.K. Blvd; 15th Avenue from N.W. 58th Street
to N.W. 71st Street.
The Trust, in conjunction with the Office of
Economic Development has facilitated the
remediation of the contaminated site located at
1199 NW 62 Street through a Federal EPA grant.
Local contractors were used to install the fencing.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEW BUSINESSES
The Liberty City community experienced a variety of new businesses during the past
year. The re-opening of Church’s Chicken on N.W. 54 St, Georgia Boy Sub Shop on
N.W. 15 Avenue, Blessed Catering on N.W. 7th Avenue, are all new venues that
provide quality goods and services to Liberty City residents. Through the efforts of
“The Trust,” entrepreneurs are investing private capital into the community.
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YOUTH AND EDUCATION
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YOUTH AND EDUCATION
UNITE FOR PEACE FESTIVAL
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The Liberty City Trust served as a participating
partner for the 2009 Youth Unite For Peace
Rally. This event brought together youth
throughout District 5 to celebrate peace and
unity in the community.
The Liberty City Trust also partnered with
P.U.L.S.E. and the City of Miami’s Solid Waste
department to survey and educate youth during
the event on the usage of the HOTSPOTS
program to anonymously report crime.
On July 11, the City of Miami Relations Board
partnered with Hands on Miami to open up a
community library in Liberty Square. The
project is part of the Hands on Miami’s Open A
Mind Book Initiative.
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YOUTH AND EDUCATION
MIAMI NORTHWESTERN SENIOR HIGH
*The Liberty City Trust facilitated the donation of over
$35,000 worth of school supplies, furniture and
equipment to Miami Northwestern Senior High
School. The donation was made through an on-going
partnership with The University of Miami’s Miller
School of Medicine and the Property/Surplus
Department.
*Donated equipment such as copiers, overhead
projectors and desks will be combined with
computers and other office supplies that were
donated by Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones in
2008 for the creation of the Miami Northwestern
Parent Resource Room. The location will serve as a
business center for copying, resume writing,
employment searches and tax preparation.
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YOUTH AND EDUCATION
WORK AMERICA AND TEEN CLEAN
2009
The Trust facilitated in the job placement of over 75 Liberty City
youth to receive summer employment through Commissioner
Michelle Spence-Jones and WorkAmerica’s Youth on the Move
Summer Program.
Additional youth will receive job opportunities through the District 5
Teen Clean summer program in an effort to create a cleaner, greener
community.
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COMMUNITY PLANNING/OUTREACH
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COMMUNITY PLANNING/OUTREACH
CIRCLE OF BROTHERHOOD
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On Thursday, January 29, 2009, The City of Miami Commission formed a
resolution to create the Circle of Brotherhood Task Force to address
criminal activity in District 5. The Task Force, under the leadership of The
Liberty City Trust, mobilized more than 300 Liberty City residents in
identifying strategies for anti-violence initiatives to present to the City of
Miami through community forums, town hall meetings, rallies, door-todoor surveying and youth outreach. Through research of local and national
best practices, Circle of Brotherhood has developed an executive summary
to be presented before the Commission outlining recommendations for
immediate support an long range youth and community development.
The following organizations served as dedicated ‘Warriors for
Change’ for the Circle of Brotherhood, of which its success would
not be possible:
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Girl Power
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Muhammed’s Mosque 29
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P.U.L.S.E.
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Liberty Square Resident Council
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Unity and Pride
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Liberty City Community Revival Trust
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City of Miami Community Relations Board
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Apostolic Revival Center
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15th Avenue Business Association
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Neighbors and Neighbors Association
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M.A.G.N.U.M./ W.A.A.I.V.E.
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Belafonte Tacolcy Center
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COMMUNITY PLANNING/OUTREACH
HERITAGE TRAIL PROJECT
2009
“70 YEARS OF PRIDE: 1939-2009.”
HONORING NANCY DAWKINS
On April 4th, 2009, The Liberty City Trust, in
partnership with the Liberty City Heritage Trail
Committee, held an “Old Fashion Tea” to honor
community pioneer Mrs. Nancy Dawkins for
giving more than 60 years to Liberty City through
community service. The event served as the first
in a series to celebrate:
OLD FASHION TEA
FAMILY RIB COOK-OFF AND DESSERT SHOWDOWN
The committee held a “Liberty City Heritage
Family Rib Cook-Off and Desert Showdown in
partnership with the District 5 July 4th Family
Fest, in which families joined together for fun,
festivities and food.
RAILROAD SHOP MEMORIAL SERVICE
A Memorial Service and Old Time Picnic will be
held on August 1st to reunite the 35 Railroad
Shop families whose homes once stood on
Charles Hadley Park that were destroyed.
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COMMUNITY PLANNING
OUTREACH EVENTS
Warriors for Change Rally
Xmas on 15th Avenue
Neighbors for Safety Rally
Liberty Square Community Garden:
Harvest of Love
M.L.K. Day of Service
Presidential Voter’s
Registration Drive
Liberty City Youth Day
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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We would like to acknowledge the following departments for their
diligence and continued commitment to the revitalization of the
Liberty City community:
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Office of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones
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City of Miami Commission
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Office of the City Manager
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Model City N.E.T. Office
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City of Miami Police Department
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Sanitation
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Solid Waste
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Public Works
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Parks and Recreation
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Capital Improvements
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Building and Zoning
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Community Development
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Community Relations
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In addition, we say thank you to all of the City of Miami
departments for their support. The revitalization of Liberty City
can only be achieved when we work as a TEAM!!
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