A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND CITYWIDE PROJECTS COMMITTEE, AND DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO CREATE A CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN TO FUND THE RESTORATION OF THE NORTH BEACH LOG CABIN, IN ADDITION TO PURSUING GRANT FUNDING AND PURSUING POSSIBLE CITY FUNDING THROUGH THE FY 2018/19 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SELECT THE APPROPRIATE CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM.

On November 8, 2017 the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWPC) recommened to create a crowd funding campaign for the replacement and/or renovation of the log cabin. The feasibility study by Douglas Wood Associates (DWA) determined that the relocation of the existing structure is not feasible because of the poor condition, and estimated that approximately fifty percent (50%) of the existing structure could be salvaged and a replacement structure constructed with the salvaged materials for between $750,000 and $1 million.

The Administration has identified potential funding opportunities for the Log Cabin project. Potential additional State funding sources include the Historic Preservation Special Category grants program, Small Matching grant program, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Cultural Facilities grant program. Other potential grants include Miami- Dade County Capital Development Grants program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Save America’s Treasures. The crowd funding platform would help drive local and county-wide donations to help accelerate the funding for the redevelopment of the log cabin.  

In addition, at the December 15, 2017 FCWPC meeting, as part of an update on the Log Cabin, the Committee was discussed that funding for the Log Cabin restoration could also be pursued through the through the FY 2018/19 budget development process.

The Administration is exploring several crowdfunding platforms to execute a crowdfunding campaign. Staff will be assessing the following two options and their capability for managing the crowdfunding campaign:

• Partner with an independent local nonprofit to administer the fund such as The Miami Foundation or Dade Heritage Trust.
• Utilize an existing crowd funding online platform such as Go Fund Me or In Your Own Backyard (IOBY) which would be managed through the City's grants administration department.  

The Administration is recommending that the City Manager be given the authority to select the appropriate crowdfunding platform.

Administration recommends the acceptance of the recommendation of the Finance Committee to launch a crowdfunding campaign in support of the log cabin and to pursue funding through the FY 2018/19 budget in addition to pursuing grants.