Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Sandy-Michael McDonald
Department: Economic and Small Business Development
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO APPROVE additional funding not to exceed $57,000 for the Sims-Morgan/Room2Grow Academy, Inc., project as a part of the Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD) Economic Development Program; and authorize the County Administrator to execute all documents necessary to effectuate same, subject to review and approval for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney.
ACTION: (T-11:08 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE additional funding not to exceed $7,000 for the Alverine Brihm/WAL BRI, LLC, project as a part of the BMSD Economic Development Program and to authorize the County Administrator to execute all documents necessary to effectuate same, subject to review and approval for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney. (Commission District 8)
ACTION: (T-11:08 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Broward County Board of County Commissioners (Board) approval is required to approve the referenced funding and to authorize the County Administrator to execute documents to effectuate same.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves funding in the referenced amounts through the BMSD Economic Development Program and authorizes the County Administrator to execute the necessary documents, subject to legal review, to effectuate same.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
On September 15, 2016, the Board approved the Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD) Economic Development Program (Item No. 77) to revitalize the commercial corridors of the BMSD.
On March 28, 2017, the Board approved two pilot projects, Arkim Sims-Morgan/Room2Grow Academy, Inc. and Alverine Brihm/WAL BRI, LLC for participation in the BMSD Economic Development Program (Item No. 48). On June 13, 2023, the Board approved additional funding for WAL BRI to correct drainage deficiencies.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
The above motions support the Board of County Commissioners' Goal of “Ensuring economic opportunities and a sustainable economy, with an emphasis on Broward's lower and middle class."
The Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD) Economic Development Program, originally approved on September 15, 2016 (Item No. 77), is designed to revitalize the commercial corridors of the BMSD. The program includes façade/property improvement, business development/redevelopment and demolition grant programs as well as strategic land assembly and revolving loan programs. The program seeks to enhance not only the potential long-term impact of existing businesses, as an important aim of business retention and expansion activities, but potentially create opportunities for new private investment in the area as well as increase the potential for positive public benefit related to the BMSD.
Motion A - Room2Grow Academy, located at 2826 W. Sunrise Blvd., is a proposed daycare facility. The owner of Room2Grow Academy, Arkim Sims-Morgan, has owned the property since December 12, 2013. Ms. Sims-Morgan proposes to create five new jobs initially, growing to nine in year three of operations. Ms. Sims-Morgan secured a financing commitment from private partnerships, SunTrust Bank and will be utilizing a Broward County Certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firm for construction. The project included significant façade improvements and new development/redevelopment aspects. The original projected cost was $363,433, as prepared by the project architect and reviewed by the Construction Management Division; Broward County’s commitment via agreement to this project totaled $234,929. The interior renovation work and the building façade improvement has been completed. Currently, the project grant funds stand at a deficit of approximately $57,000 to complete exterior work for structural, parking lot, driveway ingress/egress access, and landscaping improvements in order to open the childcare facility. The parking lot design, driveway ingress/egress access and drainage required additional modifications based on permitting requirements. This motion would authorize funding of up to an additional $57,000, based upon a proposed County share of 80% (or $56,103) of the outstanding project costs of $92,422.
Motion B - WALBRI, LLC, located at 681 NW 27th Avenue, is a mixed-use development consisting of commercial operations. The owner Alverine Brihm has owned the property since October 21, 2009. The location currently contains ongoing commercial operations. The project is a façade improvement and was completed in August 2024 and received a total of $324,195 in County grant funding, however two asphalt applications at different times resulted in patch work that as per the Engineer of record, seal coating needed to be delayed nine to 12 months to allow for the asphalt to cure. Broward County’s commitment to this portion of the project will not exceed $7,000 for parking lot seal coating corrective actions. The County’s grant for this project would total approximately $331,195.
The Broward County Construction Management Division will verify costs, inspect and approve work for all projects. Projects utilize Broward County Certified Community Business Enterprise (CBE) or Broward County Certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firm(s) for construction.
Source of Additional Information
Sandy-Michael McDonald, Director, OESBD, 954-357-5615.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The fiscal impact to the County for the additional funding requested for the two projects is estimated to be $64,000 and is budgeted from the Economic Development Program.