Presentation Transcript

1. HBCRA Progress Report Accomplishments to Date Under Current Governance Structure January 29, 2014 (Day 376) 1
2. HBCRA(overview) City Manager was appointed as Executive Director on January 18, 2013 subsequent to termination of previous Executive Director Challenges and conditions encountered by new administration included: Lack of vision and clear direction regarding CRA priorities Undefined and/or stalled capital projects OIG investigation Lack of strong financial controls and accountability Operational inefficiencies including no program tracking and benchmarking No alignment and/or effective communication between CRA funded City projects 2
3. Action Steps To Improvement Held Visioning session with HBCRA Board (February 5, 2013) Assessment of existing CRA programs (February-April, 2013) Assessment of existing stalled projects (February –April, 2013) Evaluation of staff and administrative issues (April-May, 2013) Re-alignment of budget to CRA Board’s vision and goals (June-August, 2013) 3
4. Stalled Projects In-Fill Housing Revised RFP & Scope due to unbuildable lots included in original RFP Foster Rd/Dixie Hwy Mixed Use Development No RFP drafted and TAP report not completed Fashion Row Arts District Streetscape Project scope was realigned based on vision; phasing was incorporated and parties involved were re-engaged to proceed Sale of 813 N.E. 4 Street Property vacant for months; responses to ad were well below appraised value Carver Heights Townhomes Contract with County extended Emphasis placed on outreach to target audience to complete remaining sales Habitat for Humanity Townhomes Project Initiated meeting between County and developer to accelerate project schedule and clarify funding gap Complete Streets Initiative Desire from CRA Board to undertake project; no plan of action identified 5
5. Current Project Status In-Fill Housing Developer selected and dirt is moving! First group of homes expected to be completed by mid Spring. Foster Rd/Dixie Hwy Mixed Use Development RFP process completed and Staff is currently in negotiations with developer. CRA Board will get an update from Executive Director at March meeting regarding tentative deal. Sale of 813 N.E. 4 Street Hired a realtor to list property on MLS, and property sold to low-income first time homebuyer for appraised value Proceeded to demolish annex structure on the property, and conveyed to City to square off lot for adjacent Sunrise Park expansion Fashion Row Arts District Streetscape Phase I completed which added landscaping and much needed on-street parking Carver Heights Townhomes Last unit sold in September. Program Income from this project was approximately $613k. CRA Staff working with Broward County to ensure those dollars are re-invested in Hallandale Beach. Habitat for Humanity Townhomes Project 4 blighted and vacant duplexes demolished; building permit eminent for construction of new 7-unit townhomes Complete Streets Initiative Drafted RFP for Basis of Design Report (BODR); Proposals due in February with recommendations for selection expected by March, 2014 6
6. Administrative Improvements Restructured organization for greater alignment with Board’s vision Revamped Program Policies into a single manual and amended criteria to address deficiencies Revamped budget approach with focus on capital (bricks and mortar) projects, and initiatives to eradicate slum and blight and improve the quality of the public realm. Implemented procedural changes regarding financial transactions to ensure appropriate checks and balances OIG Findings addressed Completed transfer of CRA Funds to separate account Enhanced CRA loan processes for greater transparency and accountability Modified Community Partnership Grant program method of funds disbursement ; changed structure from budget to units of service CRA Staff Training Florida Redevelopment Association- Redevelopment certification program (3 staff members) Florida Housing Finance Corporation- Income certification (1 staff member) Developed real estate database providing accurate property inventory Developed land acquisition & disposition approach Demolished 10 blighted and abandoned structures 7
7. Administrative Improvements(cont.) Purchased (or received thru conveyance) 6 properties to be redeveloped In conjunction with City’s Procurement Department, issued 4 RFP’s Coordinated and recommended funding for establishment of land development regulations (LDR’s) in the RAC (within CRA) Established Affordable Housing Services agreement to facilitate pathway to homeownership for City residents 8
8. Benefits to Current Governance Structure Allows executive level staff to align CRA priorities with City Departments responsible for managing certain projects. Current structure ensures consistent and efficient communication between CRA and City departments with greatest nexus to CRA related activities Provides efficient accountability of CRA funded City projects to ensure compliance with Florida Statutes Examples: Unsafe structures/nuisance abatement-alignment to property acquisition and redevelopment New City Fire Station-alignment to comprehensive redevelopment of Foster Road Lots across from Foster Park-alignment to redevelopment of Foster Road Basis of Design Report-alignment to complete streets and infrastructure improvements needed to spur private development 9
9. Forthcoming Initiatives Bond (or bank note) issuance for financing of large scale projects Loan Servicing Program Fashion Row redevelopment Phase II and beyond Public/Public partnerships for greater leveraging of CRA program funds Increased Business Development Communication Internal: focus on enhanced communication with CRA Staff to ensure full understanding of directives External: CRA focused newsletters, outreach to businesses thru electronic database, community engagement events CRA Implementation Plan Modification More focused on end results using images rather than narrative Property Development (non in-fill) Spot commercial/retail Parks Capital Improvements Live/Work units 10
10. Summary Strategic Priorities Identified by CRA Board: Undertake tangible Capital Improvements that create cohesive visual appeal within all areas of the HBCRA. Goal 1 – Undertake total improvement of the Public Realm (underway) Goal 2 – Promote public/public and public/private partnerships (underway: Foster/Dixie Developer, Habitat for Humanity, BAND, County) Promote projects with large-scale impacts. Goal 1 – Issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for NW infill housing. (completed) Goal 2 – Issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Dixie Highway/Foster Road parcel. (completed) 4
11. Questions? 12