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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF LAND TO L.B.W. HOMEOWNERS' FOUNDATION OF CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MIXED RENTAL (RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL) PROJECT NAMED BAHAMIAN VILLAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUTE 125.38; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MANAGER, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND CLERK OF THE BOARD TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO EFFECT AND SECURE THE CONVEYANCE OF SAID LAND; AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF COUNTY DEED

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference; and

WHEREAS, the land is not needed for County purposes; and

WHEREAS, the land is in Miami-Dade County Office of Community and Economic Development inventory for sales housing development; and

WHEREAS, the development of the houses responds to the plans established by the Office of Community and Economic Development, facilitating the redevelopment of the Project Area.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:

Section 1. Authorizes the conveyance of land pursuant to Section 125.38, Florida Statutes, described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof, to the L.B.W. Homeowners' Foundation of Coral Gables, Florida for the development of a mixed rental (residential/commercial) Project named Bahamian Village.

Section 2. Approves a County Deed to convey the land in substantially the form attached hereto and made part hereof as Exhibit "B", and authorizes the Mayor to execute same on behalf of Miami-Dade County.

Section 3. Directs the County Manager, the Director of the Office of Community and Economic Development, County Attorney, and Clerk of the Board to take whatever actions are necessary to effect and secure the conveyance of said land.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Joe A. Martinez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: George M. Burgess
County Manager

Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Land to L.B.W. Homeowners' Foundation of Coral Gables, Inc.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (the "Board") authorize the conveyance of approximately 1.7 acres of vacant land located at the Northeast corner of US-1 and Grand Avenue in the City of Coral Gables, described in Exhibit "A", attached herein, to the L.B.W. Homeowners' Foundation of Coral Gables, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation, for Ten ($10.00) Dollars, in accordance with Section 125.38; Florida Statutes, for the development of a mixed-use development named Bahamian Village, consisting of 5,900 sq. ft. of retail business area, 4,300 sq. ft. of restaurant space and detached 1,400 sq. ft community center, for a combined total of 11,600 square feet, in a 50-50 partnership with Redevco Grand, LLP., a Florida Limited Liability partnership (hereinafter called "Redevco").

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
A comprehensive redevelopment plan for the Coral Gables triangle has been developed as part of the larger Coconut Grove Renewal Plan since 1990. The conveyance of this land for completion of the Bahamian Village will be a significant element in the final completion of the redevelopment plan.

On February 4, 1992, the BCC approved Resolution R-124-92, granting conveyance and the granting of an easement on County-owned land acquired by the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) to the City of Coral Gables, the conveyance of OCED-acquired land to the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT), the exchange of OCED-acquired land for homeownership housing, the execution of an exchange agreement, and the expenditure of CDBG funds to provide utility improvements in the right-of-way to private properties, in order to carry out the main objectives of the Coral Gables Redevelopment Plan, as approved previously by BCC Resolution R-1493-79, adopted on December 4, 1979.

The list of CDBG-funded activities within the boundaries of the Coral Gables Triangle (an area bounded on the North and East by US-1, on the South by Grand Avenue and on the West by Brooker Street), is impressive. Multi-year acquisition, relocation and demolition funding along the Southeast side of US-1, has made possible the razing of ten (10) substandard occupied "concrete monsters."

This program of slum and blight removal, together with a selective clearance approach within the core of The Triangle, substantially reduced the density of the area, providing a healthier environment for the citizens residing in the neighborhood. Other activities included the closure of a street (Short Street), provided land to expand Pierce Park. Street improvements at all intersections with US-1, made it safer and easier to enter and exit The Triangle. In addition, all interior streets were landscaped and improved and the City constructed a passive linear park along the Southeast side of US-1, on land provided by Miami-Dade County. This linear park serves as a barrier to noise and pollutants from the highway. The rezoned/re-platted land provided single-family lots to the local community development corporation, to construct and sell 15+ single-family homes designed by a nationally recognized architectural firm, to low and moderate income homebuyers.

On January 23, 2003, the BCC approved Resolution R-50-03 which authorized the conveyance of land from OCED to the L.B.W. Homeowners Foundation of Coral Gables, Inc. for the development of the Bahamian Village. This agenda item modifies the Deed attached to Resolution R-50-03, approved by the Board of County Commissioners on January 23, 2003. The modification of the Deed will enable the developer to embark upon the development of 10,220 square feet of retail/center linked to a 1,400 square foot Community Center. The deed modifications made by this revised agenda item is necessary because the original deed did not allow the foundation to transfer the land to a Limited Liability Corporation to secure proper financing. Additionally, the survey omitted a portion of the land not giving a proper legal description. The deed modifications have necessitated a revision of the development deadlines from their original start dates of December 2003 with completion by November 2004, to commencement December 2006 and completion December 2007.

The proposed Bahamian Village Project has received community approval by the Community Action Agency/Community Development (CAA/CD) Advisory Board of the Coral Gables Focus Area. With the development of this vital corner, the previously approved Coral Gables Redevelopment Plan (A/K/A The Coral Gables Triangle Plan), will be virtually completed, with the exception of improvements, in the form of Federal Grants to several historic-significant structures within the MacFarlane Historic District. The proposed Bahamian Village Project is being coordinated with City of Coral Gables staff and officials.

The L.B.W. Homeowners' Foundation of Coral Gables, Inc. (the "Foundation") has requested that OCED transfer the subject land to the Foundation to develop Bahamian Village. This project will be developed in partnership with Redevco, each being 50% partners for the development of Bahamian Village. The Agreement provides for the Foundation to contribute to the Bahamian Village, LLC, as its capital contribution, the subject land being requested and grants received from Miami-Dade County. Therefore, once Miami-Dade County transfers the land to the Foundation, it will simultaneously transfer it to the Bahamian Village, LLC.

With your approval of the resolution and memorandum, the land will be conveyed by County Deed attached herein as Exhibit "B", to L.B.W. Homeowners' Foundation of Coral Gables, Inc.



Attachments



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Tony E. Crapp, Sr.
Assistant County Manager