NEW BUSINESS  10.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

HISTORY:

The Coral Rock House is one of the City’s two remaining structures built of coral rock, which was typical of architecture in early Miami Beach and South Florida.  The house, built in 1934 on Collins Avenue, was scheduled for demolition for new construction when the City intervened.  In order to facilitate the house’s preservation, the City purchased the site at 1701 Normandy Drive and relocated the historic coral rock structure for use as a Hispanic Community Center.

Following several years spent remediating the oolitic limestone structure using CDBG funds, Unidad opened the Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center at the Coral Rock House in 1999.  Unidad ceased utilizing the structure after the North Shore Senior Center was constructed at Ocean Terrace and provided the organization with a new home.

ANALYSIS:

The two story building contains approximately 1,307 square feet and sits on a 9,561 square foot lot.  The first floor of the house contains a kitchen, bathroom, one office, a large conference room and a foyer/reception area.  The second floor contains a bathroom and two offices.  The adjacent and exclusive parking lot contains nine (9) parking spaces, including one (1) ADA space.

Today, Property Management estimates the 1,307 SF structure requires approximately $60,000 in repairs to ensure it is suitable for safe use.  A preliminary list of necessary work includes items such as remediation of mold and water damage, replacement of wood floors, interior and exterior painting, updates to life safety systems, pest control, and new landscaping.  Market leasing rates in the general vicinity of the property are estimated at approximately $35-$40 PSF Gross ($45,745 - $52,280 annually).   

Potential Uses by City Departments

In an effort to provide additional services in North Beach, there are several departments interested in utilizing the space entirely or in conjunction with other departments. The Parks Department could utilize the house for the North-end Teen Club after School Program (Monday – Friday, 1PM – 7PM).  Parks also has programming suggestions that could be implemented in the future, including Specialized Toddler Programs such as Mommy and Me, Baby Boot Camp, Sticky Fingers, etc. (Monday – Friday, 9AM – 1PM) and tutoring or Boy Scout/Girl Scout meetings (Weekends 9AM – 2PM).  In addition, the Parks Department would like to explore the possibility of expanding some rooms in the house in order to maximize space (for example, removing non-load bearing walls on both floors).  

Housing and Community Services is also interested in the site and would house one person to help residents with the SNAP benefits and to provide information and referral services. They would also help register North Beach eligible households for the following Children’s Trust-funded programs:

·         All Stars

·         Parent-Child

·         Success University

North Beach residents could also apply at the Coral Rock House for the following services:

·         Rent assistance

·         Utility assistance (excluding water bills)

·         Grocery program (currently we have a waitlist)

·         SafeLink phones

·         Resume assistance

·         First-time Homebuyer Program applications

·         Homeowner Rehabilitation Program applications

Daily office hours would be 8:30AM – 5PM, excluding lunch.

Housing and Community Services could likely share the house with the Parks Department and occupy the ground floor to greet people as they enter. In addition, Code Compliance has also expressed an interest in having a part-time conference room to meet with residents.  Lastly, the foyer could be utilized as an exhibition space for Hispanic history in Miami Beach.

CONCLUSION:
The Administration seeks direction regarding potential uses of the Coral Rock House.