NEW BUSINESS  15.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

KEY INTENDED OUTCOME:
Maximize The Miami Beach Brand As A World Class Destination

HISTORY:

On March 13, 2019, the Administration recommended, to the City Commission,  a referral to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee to discuss what types of vendors the City should solicit to operate in the main Convention Center Park and that discussion should include how to ensure the City is prepared with a pool of qualified vendors, and when the Administration should begin the competitive bidding process, in anticipation of the completion of the park, to source and pre-approve potential vendors available to serve the needs of the park.  

ANALYSIS:

As the renovation of the Miami Beach Convention Center nears completion and the start of the construction on the main Miami Beach Convention Center Park (the "Park") begins, the potential uses of and within the Park should be explored. Accordingly, the City will need to solicit proposals from interested vendors that are capable and experienced in providing, operating, and managing vendor operations including, but not limited to events, food, activities, beverage and retain in the Park.

With the Park scheduled to open to public by the end of summer to 2019, the primary objective is to have a pool of vendors in place and fully operational to service the potential creative uses of the Park.

The overall goal of the City is to identify short and long term partners able to offer the goods and services to the public in an enjoyable and cost effective manner. The City believes the vendors will play a key role in the successful opening of the Park, and serve as anchors to promote energy and activity in the Park. The vendors would provide the Park visitors with a varied selection of product offerings along with outstanding customer service.

The administration would like to move forward with sourcing vendors who would be able to provide set ups that would naturally fit with new look and feel of the area, in an attempt to elevate the offerings above a standard pop up tent.

Examples would be food carts, custom made stations, etc.

To achieve this, the City will need to prepare a solicitation for such vendors months in advance of the opening of the Park. Accordingly, the administration would like discuss the approval to commence the preparation for the solicitation to ensure a large pool of qualified, interested and creative vendors.

CONCLUSION:
The Administration recommends a discussion regarding what types of vendors the City should solicit to operate in the main Convention Center Park and that NCAC discuss how to ensure the City is prepared with a pool of qualified vendors, and when the completion of the park is achieved.