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.

Following the May 22, 2020 update, our most recent update to the Committee appeared in the September 23, 2020 agenda.

1.     Revitalize Targeted Areas and Increase Investment

a.     North Beach CRA

Following the Miami-Dade County Commission’s preliminary approval for creation of the CRA this past summer, the City will now prepare a redevelopment plan that will serve as a roadmap for the goals, programs, and objectives of the CRA. As community engagement will play a vital component in drafting the plan, the City has carefully considered collaborating with a consultant that will ensure effective public participation that does not compromise the health and safety of the community. Staff solicited proposals from the pre-qualified pool of economic development consultants authorized by the City Commission and  the department will provide an update on the consultant’s engagement at the November 18 meeting of the City Commission.

b.    41^st Street Corridor

On October 1, 2020, a virtual public meeting was held by the City of Miami Beach where project consultants, AECOM, presented two different conceptual design schemes for a revitalized 41^st Street Corridor. A public Q&A session followed the presentation of the two design scheme options and then a public online survey was released and advertised for one full week. The survey asked a series of questions to determine design preferences and, at the end, it asked respondents to vote for their preferred design scheme option overall. A total of 159 survey responses were submitted and an additional couple dozen email responses were received.

On October 15, 2020, AECOM presented the results of the survey and open feedback sessions to the Mayor’s 41^st Street Blue Ribbon Committee. Based on community and Committee feedback, AECOM proposed to create a third hybrid design scheme that would combine the preferred elements of both Scheme 1 and Scheme 2. The Committee made a motion supporting the production of a third, hybrid design.

On October 22, 2020, AECOM presented the same survey results presentation to the G.O. Bond Oversight Committee, which also made a motion to support the development of a third hybrid scheme. On November 6, 2020, a presentation will be presented to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) that will showcase the conceptual design of the 41^st Street plan.

c.     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 Administration’s 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

On September 16, 2020, City Commission Resolution 22020-31388 authorized a revised work scope for Zyscovich Architects’ comprehensive districtwide study of Washington Avenue and the MXE district. On October 19, 2020, multiple city departments participated in a kickoff meeting with the consultant to review the scope of the first phase of the study, which focuses on Ocean Drive. The consultant has requested relevant background documentation from various City departments and will conduct stakeholder and community virtual meetings.

2.     Real Estate Assets and Joint Development (P3)

a.     Collins Park Garage Ground Floor Activation

Last summer, the City Commission heard Miami New Drama’s (MND) request to program the ground floor space of the Collins Park Garage. The Commission asked the theater company to prepare a developed project proposal for review by this Committee. The Administration met with MND on October 13,  2020 to discuss the group’s programming proposal and anticipated costs. During the meeting, MND informed the City that a consultant was preparing an economic impact analysis of the proposed use that would be presented to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee. The City received the analysis on November 5, 2020 and will review prior to the next FERC. With the parking garage nearing completion, the Administration is eager to activate the space and will return to this Committee once MND prepares its drawings and cost estimates.

b.    Collins Park Artist / Workforce Housing Project

Following a favorable recommendation on September 23, 2020 from the FERC, the Administration negotiated with the developer to successfully incorporate the Committee’s comments into a draft development agreement and ground lease, including a reduction in the City’s pre-development financial risk on the project.  On October 14, 2020 the Commission adopted Resolution 2020-31435, authorizing negotiation of the agreements pursuant to the term sheet. On November 17, the Planning Board will review the proposed development agreement and lease, which will then be presented to the City Commission on December 9^th for First Reading. The parties have worked quickly to meet this pre-development timetable, including performing environmental studies, an independent property appraisal, and FAR architectural study of the Regional Library site.  

c.     Byron Carlyle Redevelopment

On October 14, the City Commission provided direction regarding engagement of an independent consultant to evaluate the proposed terms of the project. Upon finalization of a negotiated term sheet with the developer, the Administration will outline important outstanding terms for review by the FERC committee, including ground lease parameters, operation/control of the cultural center, and public benefits proposed for the City. Once the FERC weighs-in on the developer’s terms, the City may engage an independent consultant to assist the Commission in evaluating the benefits proposed to the City.

3.     Business Assistance, Business Attraction, and Market Research

a.     Restaurant Reimbursement Grant Program

At the September 29, 2020 Budget Meeting, the City Commission allocated $60,000 for a delivery service reimbursement program for Miami Beach restaurants for delivery services, as relief from the hardship faced by restaurants due to the pandemic and the associated emergency orders. On October 28, 2020, the City Commission accepted the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee’s (NQLC) unanimous recommendation to create the Miami Beach Restaurant Reimbursement Grant Program. Applications have been accepted since November 1, 2020 and as of November 5, 2020, the City has received 11 applications with 21 additional applications in progress. Interested businesses may access the online application at miamibeachfl.gosmart.org. In addition to development of the Restaurant Reimbursement Grant Program, staff plans to work with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, UberEats and other delivery service platforms to establish promotional opportunities to further assist restaurants.

b.    Additional CDBG Funding for Small Business Assistance

On October 28, 2020, the City Commission authorized amendment of the City’s FY 2019 Action Plan in order to use additional Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds, including $600,000 dedicated for small business assistance. The Administration proposes assisting approximately 30 small businesses with grants of up to $20,000 for use with normal business expenses including rent, mortgage, utilities, payroll, and operating supplies. In addition, Economic Development will use funds to provide technical assistance, such as small business and entrepreneurship trainings for business owners and the hiring of one city employee that will provide hands-on business concierge services to guide and support small businesses with navigating through the process of opening and operating a business within the city. In consultation with the business community, the Administration will develop proposed terms and criteria of the grant program.

c. Small Business Weekend Initiative  

In light of current economic conditions, the Economic Development department is proposing to develop a recurring Small Business Weekend social media campaign urging residents and tourists to benefit local businesses city wide. The goal of the campaign is to identify establishments throughout Miami Beach that will offer residents and tourists unique promotional discounts that will be exclusively available at Miami Beach locations only. The intent of this initiative is to support, promote and spotlight local business and investment in our economy.

d.    Resource Center

Since launching in March, the Resource Center has engaged with over 1265 constituents. Approximately 54% of contacts have related to unemployment assistance and the remaining 46% of contacts have centered around various areas of need such as food assistance and small business relief programs. In addition to responding to inquiries, the team proactively reaches out to licensed businesses in the City’s BTR registry to publicize the BTR expiration extension to December 31 and the new BTR renewal payment plan option. The team is also currently focused on providing local restaurants with information about the new Miami Beach Restaurant Reimbursement Program. Contact the Resource Center at 305-604-CITY or ResourceCenter@miamibeachfl.gov.

The department strives to leverage new and existing resources as it is evident that businesses in the city continue to be severely impacted by the pandemic. The City Commission has increased funding for Small Business Assistance in furtherance of the department’s objective of providing a lifeline for existing businesses and to foster the growth of new businesses opening up during the reopening phases and beyond.