| | | | | | | | | TO: | Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | March 29, 2022
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING ESTABLISHING A RESTRICTED NORTH BEACH HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND TO BE USED TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF CONTRIBUTING BUILDINGS LOCATED IN LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS WITHIN NORTH BEACH AND DEDICATING ALL MONIES COLLECTED BY THE CITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE PENDING SPECIAL MAGISTRATE CASE FOR THE VIOLATIONS ISSUED TO THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6701 COLLINS AVENUE TO THE NORTH BEACH HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND. |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| HISTORY
On February 9, 2022, at the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the City Commission referred the discussion item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (Item R7 O).
BACKGROUND
Multiple violations of the City’s building, zoning, and fire codes have been issued to the property owner of the Deauville Hotel located at 6701 Collins Avenue. These violations, which include the failure to maintain the contributing building in accordance with the City’s demolition by neglect regulations, have resulted in cases pending before the City’s Special Magistrate and resulting in outstanding fines, and recorded liens on the property in excess of $2.6 million, as of March 2022.
These fines are anticipated to accrue until the violations are brought into compliance and the city intends to vigorously pursue the collection of such fines. Should the City be successful, these monies could be used to establish a fund to assist property owners of contributing or historic buildings. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| PLANNING ANALYSIS
The Deauville Hotel is located within the North Beach Resort Historic District. For more than four and a half years, the vacant and unsafe condition of this nearly 4-acre oceanfront property has negatively impacted surrounding businesses and residences. Additionally, there are four additional local historic districts in proximity to the Deauville site, including the North Shore, Normandy Isles, Altos del Mar, and Harding Townsite/South Altos del Mar historic districts. Collectively, these historic districts contain 287 contributing buildings.
In 2019, the firm of KCI was retained by the City to research best practices and provide the City with recommendations for the creation of a historic preservation fund. The study, completed in March 2020, and attached for informational purposes, could be used to assist in the creation of a framework for implementation of a North Beach historic preservation fund. Similarly, regarding the Miami Beach Resiliency Fund adopted by the City on November 18, 2020, the KCI report recommended a matching grant structure and an independent committee to review and rank applications for the distribution of funds.
The framework needed to administer these types of programs would have fiscal implications, as additional staff and monetary support would be needed to ensure the program is well-run, can meet demand, and can comply with all anticipated audit requirements. Should the fund be established, and monies collected, the Administration can develop more specific details regarding the administration of the program for the consideration of the City Commission.
SUMMARY
The creation of a North Beach historic preservation fund would enhance the City’s commitment to the retention and restoration of contributing buildings and could help mitigate the negative impacts that the vacant and unsafe condition of the Deauville Hotel have had on the surrounding historic districts. If there is consensus on exploring such a fund, it is recommended that it be considered as part of the FY 2023 budget process.
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
The Administration recommends that the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee discuss the item and provide a recommendation to the City Commission.
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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