The mission of the Economic Development department is to establish, maintain, and grow the City’s business community by promoting the City’s image, supporting businesses, and creating a diverse economy for our dynamic and resilient global community.

Our last quarterly update to the Committee appeared in the May 22 agenda.

1.     Revitalize Targeted Areas and Increase Investment

a.     North Beach CRA

On July 8, the County Commission overwhelmingly approved creation of the North Beach CRA. Now, the important work lies ahead to chart the CRA’s prioritization of the quality of life projects identified in the Master Plan. For expert assistance with drafting the redevelopment plan, the department has solicited proposals from our pre-qualified pool of economic development consultants. Given the new department director’s experience with CRA administration, we are awaiting her impending arrival before proceeding with selection of a consultant.

b.    41^st Street Corridor

As part of a G.O. Bond initiative, infrastructure consultant AECOM is helping the City develop a master action plan that brings to life the community’s vision for this gateway into the City, but also one that considers future land use and development and impacts on transportation and mobility along the commercial corridor. The consultant is presenting schematic streetscape designs at the September 23^rd meeting of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon 41^st Street Committee, which will also be presented to the public at the City’s virtual zoom meeting on Thursday, October 1 at 5 PM.  

c.     Washington Avenue Social Distancing Plan

To prioritize pedestrian and bicycle travel and allow restaurants to expand their outdoor footprints, starting in August, the City reduced vehicular traffic lanes along Washington Avenue between 5^th – 16^th Streets. Staff collaborated with the Washington Avenue BID on this initiative and closely coordinated with the County in order to lower the corridor’s speed limit to 25 MPH and relocate bus stops to Collins Avenue.

d.    Mixed-Use Entertainment District

                                               i.     Art Deco Cultural District Reimagined Workshop

In line with one of the department’s core competencies, business attraction, the department participated in the think tank planning for the September 17 City Commission special workshop. The department helped formulate recommendations regarding ideal target industries to attract and specific business incentive strategies to do so. The department will play an active role in ongoing efforts to rebrand the district.

                                             ii.     Land Use, Mobility, and Economic Development Study

In 2018, the City Commission awarded a contract to Zyscovich Architects for the Washington Avenue Conceptual Design Plan. Prior to project commencement, the consultant was selected in another competitive solicitation for a Land Use, Mobility, and Economic Development Study of the Entertainment District. On September 16, the City Commission approved a revised scope of work for the districtwide study that comprehensively incorporates Washington Avenue and the MXE district.

                                            iii.     South Beach Business Improvement District (BID)

The department strongly believes that revitalization of the Art Deco Cultural District relies on formation of the proposed South Beach BID. In April, the City Commission postponed the BID election at the request of the BID's proponents. The department contends that creation of the BID—and the benefits of organization, self-government, and budgetary funding that accompany a special assessment district—are vital to the success of the district. The department will continue to serve as City liaison throughout the process and strive to formulate incentives for BID formation.  

2.     Real Estate Assets and Joint Development (P3)

a.     Collins Park Garage Ground Floor Activation

In June, the City Commission gave preliminary approval to propose programming for ground floor uses at the Collins Park Garage that are compatible with the Collins Park Art District. The department is eager to activate the space with a cultural arts partner and will return to this Committee once Miami New Drama prepares drawings and cost estimates for review.

b.    Collins Park Artist / Workforce Housing Project

The department has assisted in negotiations with developer Servitas to enlarge the City’s workforce housing portfolio and provide needed campus housing for cultural arts anchor the Miami City Ballet. The department strongly supports incentivizing new housing which serves the local workforce, because our economy is strengthened when we help employers attract and retain essential workers.

c.     Byron Carlyle Redevelopment

The department assists with the RFP negotiations to redevelop an underperforming City asset in North Beach Town Center, with the goal of providing a cultural center, public benefits, and neighborhood revitalization. While the developer’s proposal is still being refined, the department is aided by consultant CBRE to ensure the City obtains optimal value in the negotiation process.  

3.     Business Assistance, Business Attraction, and Market Research

a.     BTR / CU Bifurcation

In May, to simplify the business tax receipt (BTR) licensing process and expedite business transactions, the City Commission adopted Code changes to bifurcate the BTR from the certificate of use (CU). Last month, the department prepared LTC 294-2020, announcing launch of the improved application process for BTRs and CUs, which can now be done online and even from a smartphone (applicants may visit the City’s Citizen Self Service portal at www.mbselfservice.com).

b.    Business Community Engagement

The department continues to educate businesses and the workforce about economic assistance and resources across multiple mediums, including the City’s business portal, www.MBbiz.com. The department publishes a weekly e-newsletter “Updates & Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19,” which reaches 2,641 recipients. (To enroll, visit the Engagement Toolbox on the City’s website and subscribe to the “Miami Beach Business News” newsletter.)

Since March, the department moderates a weekly meeting with representatives of local business and industry, including the Miami Beach Chamber, GMCVB, GMBHA, Ocean Drive Association, Beacon Council, and our three Business Improvement Districts. The weekly dialogue provides valuable input from the business community on how to leverage private sector considerations in emergency management and Reopening Miami Beach.

Attachment A: Miami-Dade County Target Industry Report: Covid-19 Update, Beacon Council (Summer 2020)

c.     Resource Center

Since launching in March, the Resource Center has engaged with over 1239 constituents. Approximately 54% of contacts have related to unemployment assistance. In addition to responding to inquiries, the team proactively reaches out to the businesses in our BTR registry to publicize the recently announced BTR expiration date extension to December 31 and the new BTR renewal payment plan option. (Contact the Resource Center at 305-604-CITY or ResourceCenter@miamibeachfl.gov.)

Earlier this month, the department partnered with two service providers, JobsEQ and LocalIntel, to implement business and economic technology platforms which promote the City and serve businesses and the workforce:

• JobsEQ, a Software as a Service (SaaS) providing online access to labor market data, such as current industry and demographic trends and targeted occupation and labor market information. JobsEq will enable the Resource Center to provide our workforce with targeted job listings that match workers’ specific skill sets.

•  LocalIntel’s Small Communities Program will provide the City with an online presence to engage the market by making it easier for businesses to access LocalIntel’s advanced online economic development tools embedded into the City’s website (https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/business/business-resources/). This service supports small business attraction and retention by facilitating access info and data on local market trends and competition, workforce and customer demographics, real estate and more.

d.    Restaurant Recovery Outdoor Seating Program

The weekly business working group was instrumental in helping the City tailor its restaurant seating program  launched in May to provide establishments with enlarged outdoor site plans, in an effort to mitigate the effects of mandated closure of indoor spaces. To date, more than 100 food establishments have received approvals under this pilot program.

e.     Small Business Assistance Program

In June, the City Commission allocated $200,000 in CDBG-Corona Virus CARES Act funding for an assistance program to aid small businesses of no more than five employees. Program applicants expressed desperate need for working capital and the department would have preferred to award each of the 55 eligible applicant businesses if enough funding had been available. With help from the Resource Center, the department administered a lottery to select 20 Miami Beach businesses for receipt up to $10,000 in reimbursement grants and we are executing agreements with the individual businesses.

The Department eagerly anticipates the arrival of its new Director on September 28th. We are grateful for the leadership of the Department’s Assistant Director during this difficult time.