It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission authorize the issuance of Request for Proposals (RFP) 2021-350-KB for the development of lots on Collins Avenue between 75th and 76th Streets, the current site of the Miami-Dade County North Shore Branch Library in North Beach.

On May 21, 2021, the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) discussed the potential sale of the North Shore Regional Library and adjacent parking lots (“North Shore Library Site”). The North Shore Library Site is comprised of five (5) parcels (folio numbers: 02-3202-004-0400, 02-3202-004-0390, 02-3202-004-0360, 02-3202-004-0370, and 02-3202-004-0380). The North Shore Library is slated to be relocated as a new facility as part of the 72nd Street Community Complex project. The North Shore Library Site has been identified as a potential revenue source to maximize value of city assets and to supplement funding for certain projects.  At its May 21, 2021 meeting, the FERC deliberated on the viability of selling some or all of the parcels and directed Administration to acquire two appraisals for the parcels. The initial appraisal received from CBRE resulted in a valuation of approximately $75 million for all five parcels and $10.5 million for the two Collins Avenue parcels alone. The second appraisal from Cushman Wakefield resulted in a valuation of $49.5 million for all five parcels  and $7.3 million for the  two Collins Avenue parcels.

On July 23, 2021, the FERC recommended that the City issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the sale and redevelopment of up to five (5) parcels. On July 28, 2021, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-31826 authorizing the Administration to develop and issue an RFP for the potential sale and redevelopment of the parcels comprising the City-owned North Shore Library Site.

Pursuant to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County, the library has a right to remain at its current site until the City’s completion of the 72nd Street Community Complex. Any early relocation to any other space would be subject to approval by Miami-Dade County at its sole discretion, and shall be solely responsible for relocation costs, if any. Developer shall include any proposed library relocation as part of its submittal.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by the City of Miami Beach, Florida (the “City”) as the means for interested parties to submit their proposals, in accordance with Section 0300, for the development of up to five City-owned lots along Collins Avenue between 75^th and 76^th Street in the North Beach area. only the aforementioned Miami-Dade County property folio numbers under the scope of this RFP.

Proposals will only be considered for the following options (sites or combination of sites) (each, an “Option” or “Site Option”):

1. Option 1: Development of five (5) lots (Folio Numbers: 02-3202-004-0400 (7505 Collins Avenue), 02-3202-004-0390 (7515 Collins Avenue), 02-3202-004-0360, 02-3202-004-0370, and 02-3202-004-0380). Subject to voter referendum approval under Section 1.03(b)(1) of the City Charter.
2. Option 2: Development of the Collins Avenue fronting lots only (Folio Numbers: 02-3202-004-0400 (7505 Collins Avenue) and 02-3202-004-0390 (7515 Collins Avenue)), but incorporating the floor area of the waterfront lots (Folio Numbers: 02-3202-004-0360, 02-3202-004-0370, and 02-3202-004-0380) as part of a uniform development site. Subject to voter referendum approval under Section 1.03(b)(1) of the City Charter.
3. Option 3: Development of the Collins Avenue fronting lots only (Folio Numbers: 02-3202-004-0360, 02-3202-004-0370, and 02-3202-004-0380). Subject to 4/7 Planning Board and 6/7 City Commission approval pursuant to 1.03(b)(4) of the City Charter.
4. Option 4: Development of the Collins Avenue fronting lots only (Folio Numbers: 02-3202-004-0360, 02-3202-004-0370, and 02-3202-004-0380), but assuming the City restricts use of all or a portion of the waterfront lots for open space purposes. Subject to 4/7 Planning Board and 6/7 City Commission approval pursuant to 1.03(b)(4) of the City Charter.

Bidders may only submit proposals for the development of any of the foregoing Site Options.

Following the receipt of proposals, an Evaluation Committee will review proposals in accordance with the criteria established in the RFP.

I recommend that the Mayor and Commission authorize the issuance of Request for Proposals (RFP) 2021-350-KB for the development of lots on Collins Avenue between 75th and 76th Streets.