1. Thursday, July 23, 2009 Report to the City of Miami Commission

2. TRANSFORMING AND STABILIZING L IBERTY C ITY 2008-2009 Due to the changing economic times in the local economy over the past year, “The Trust” has adopted a Total Spectrum Housing Approach to stabilize the community while addressing the various housing needs in the area. This involves a dual strategy of : 1) Homeownership preservation through outreach with existing homeowners, investors and real estate professionals; and 2) The expansion of the tax base and quality of the housing stock by New Construction through partnerships with private and city-funded developers. The Liberty City Trust, formerly known as The Model City Trust, was established in accordance with Ordinance, No. 12859 to provide oversight and facilitate revitalization efforts and activities to be undertaken in the Liberty City area. The Trust was restructured in November 2006 to focus on four majors areas of concern affecting residents in Liberty City. Housing Economic Development/Jobs Youth and Education Community Planning/Outreach Crime Prevention and Removal of Negative Perceptions: has been added to address the issue of perception of safety in the community. 2

3. C URRENT B OARD M EMBERS Gail Birks, Chair Mission : Community Development and Job Creation Zarifa Brown-Reynolds, Esq. Mission: Redevelopment of Recreational Programming for Liberty Square Eric Thompson, Member Mission: NW 15 th Avenue Revitalization Patricia Duncan, Treasurer Mission: Youth Programming and Corporate Support for Liberty City Schools 3

4. H OUSING 4

5. AFFORDABLE H OUSING FROM J ULY 2008-2009 C ONSTRUCTION COMPLETED Abraham Villas: 8 Completed Townhomes Coral Place: 100 Affordable Rentals 10 Single Family Homes: By City-Funded Developers 5 31 Single Family Homes: By Private Developers 14 (28 units)Duplexes: By Private Developers

6. AFFORDABLE H OUSING FROM J ULY 2008-2009 Biscayne Housing: 60 Senior Rentals CD Building: 7 Transitional Housing Units Construction in Progress 13 City-Funded Single Family Units 6 32 Rental units under construction by Private Developers 7 Homes under construction by Private Developers

7. A FFORDABLE H OUSING A C OMPREHENSIVE A PPROACH FOR A FFORDABLE H OUSING The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly “First-Time Homebuyer” workshops to certify and educate prospective buyers on the home buying process. 7 205 Liberty City residents have received homebuyer certification--- making them eligible for housing subsidies. ________________________________ Strategic Partnerships 5 Credit Counselors were certified to provide debt resolution management and financial literacy to Liberty City residents.  The Liberty City Trust has partnered its efforts with banks such as Bank Atlantic, Wells Fargo Bank, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust and City National Bank.  Our housing partners include Housing Foundation of America, Metro Miami Action Plan.  The Liberty Trust conducted workshops at various locations to attract a broad segment of the market. During the months of January through June 2009, workshops were held at New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church, New Providence Missionary Baptist Church, New Faith Deliverance Tabernacle and New Resurrection Community Church.

8. H OME S TABILIZATION A C OMPREHENSIVE A PPROACH FOR N EIGHBORHOOD S TABILIZATION The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly workshops to educate homeowners on the foreclosure process; and provides foreclosure prevention counseling to homeowners. Over a dozen Liberty City residents have preserved their homes through our foreclosure prevention and housing initiatives. 8  As of January 2009, The Liberty City Trust has assisted 13 homeowners by negotiating loan modifications and short term forbearance plans.  The Liberty City Trust has partnered its efforts with banks such as Chase and Sun Trust, local Attorneys, Realtors, the Housing Foundation of America and Neighborhood Housing Services.  As of January 2009, The Liberty City Trust has assisted 13 homeowners by negotiating loan modifications and short term forbearance plans.  The Liberty City Trust has partnered its efforts with banks such as Chase and Sun Trust, local Attorneys, Realtors, the Housing Foundation of America and Neighborhood Housing Services.

9. H OUSING A C OMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACH Foreclosure Prevention Clinics Credit Counseling Trainings Provision of Homebuyer Education Courses The Liberty City Trust hosts bi-monthly workshops to stabilize the community through : 205 Liberty City residents have received homebuyer certification---making them eligible for housing subsidies. Over a dozen Liberty City residents have preserved their homes through our foreclosure prevention and housing initiatives. 5 Credit Counselors were certified to provide debt resolution management and financial literacy to Liberty City residents. 9

10. E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 10

11. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES The current economic climate offers many development opportunities for residential and commercial investors in the Liberty City area. The “Trust” has recognized this phenomenon, and through its Total Spectrum Housing Approach, has specifically done outreach to private capitalists, investors, real estate professionals, and existing Liberty City property owners to stabilize the community, rehabilitate properties, encourage real estate commerce, and expand the real property tax base. The Liberty City Open House, held June 24, 2009, of which housing professionals, realtors, community development corporations, government agencies, and venture capitalists, were all in attendance, highlighted the community’s treasures and development opportunities within the Liberty City community. 11

12. E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT C AREER O PPORTUNITIES The Liberty City Trust facilitated the placement of over 20 Liberty City residents in construction jobs for Biscayne Courts during the period from May 2009 to November 2009. Three contractors were also selected by the developer as local based-minority firms to provide sub-contracting in the areas of painting, security and staffing/payroll management. Through the combined revitalization efforts of Public government entities, private corporations, and local based businesses, the commercial corridors of the Liberty City community, are being remodeled to provide vendor opportunities, as well as training and experience for the residents. Consequently, there exists a level of excitement among local merchants as the improvements correlate to a better working and sales environment for their employees and their patrons respectively. 12 Before After Before After

13. E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT B USINESS AND COMMERCE * The Liberty City Trust is committed to revitalizing key businesses corridors while working with City departments, residents and business owners to bring additional economic opportunities to the community. The 15 th Avenue Charrette was conducted, with participation from the Capital Improvements and Planning departments on May 19 th, 2009 to plan for future infrastructure improvements in the area. * The Liberty City Trust, in conjunction with the University of Miami, facilitated the District 5 Business Enhancement Fair, in which over 150 participants attended. Attendees received instruction in business certification, consultation, procurement opportunities, website design and management training. 13

14. E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT STREET IMPROVEMENTS The replacement of sidewalks, as well as the milling and resurfacing of various roads in the Liberty City community was coordinated by The Liberty City Trust and the City of Miami’s Capital Improvements Program department. Areas of which work was performed include, but are limited to: N.W. 12 th Avenue to N.W. 17 th Avenue between N.W. 45 th Street and N.W. 62 nd Street/ M.L.K. Blvd; 15 th Avenue from N.W. 58 th Street to N.W. 71 st Street. The Trust, in conjunction with the Office of Economic Development has facilitated the remediation of the contaminated site located at 1199 NW 62 Street through a Federal EPA grant. Local contractors were used to install the fencing. 14

15. E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT NEW BUSINESSES The Liberty City community experienced a variety of new businesses during the past year. The re-opening of Church’s Chicken on N.W. 54 St, Georgia Boy Sub Shop on N.W. 15 Avenue, Blessed Catering on N.W. 7th Avenue, are all new venues that provide quality goods and services to Liberty City residents. Through the efforts of “The Trust,” entrepreneurs are investing private capital into the community. 15

16. YOUTH AND EDUCATION 16

17. Y OUTH AND EDUCATION UNITE FOR PEACE FESTIVAL The Liberty City Trust served as a participating partner for the 2009 Youth Unite For Peace Rally. This event brought together youth throughout District 5 to celebrate peace and unity in the community. The Liberty City Trust also partnered with P.U.L.S.E. and the City of Miami’s Solid Waste department to survey and educate youth during the event on the usage of the HOTSPOTS program to anonymously report crime. On July 11, the City of Miami Relations Board partnered with Hands on Miami to open up a community library in Liberty Square. The project is part of the Hands on Miami’s Open A Mind Book Initiative. 17

18. Y OUTH AND EDUCATION MIAMI NORTHWESTERN SENIOR HIGH *The Liberty City Trust facilitated the donation of over $35,000 worth of school supplies, furniture and equipment to Miami Northwestern Senior High School. The donation was made through an on-going partnership with The University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and the Property/Surplus Department. *Donated equipment such as copiers, overhead projectors and desks will be combined with computers and other office supplies that were donated by Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones in 2008 for the creation of the Miami Northwestern Parent Resource Room. The location will serve as a business center for copying, resume writing, employment searches and tax preparation. 18

19. Y OUTH AND EDUCATION WORK AMERICA AND TEEN CLEAN 2009 19 The Trust facilitated in the job placement of over 75 Liberty City youth to receive summer employment through Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones and WorkAmerica’s Youth on the Move Summer Program. Additional youth will receive job opportunities through the District 5 Teen Clean summer program in an effort to create a cleaner, greener community.

20. C OMMUNITY P LANNING /O UTREACH 20

21. C OMMUNITY P LANNING /O UTREACH CIRCLE OF BROTHERHOOD On Thursday, January 29, 2009, The City of Miami Commission formed a resolution to create the Circle of Brotherhood Task Force to address criminal activity in District 5. The Task Force, under the leadership of The Liberty City Trust, mobilized more than 300 Liberty City residents in identifying strategies for anti-violence initiatives to present to the City of Miami through community forums, town hall meetings, rallies, door-to- door surveying and youth outreach. Through research of local and national best practices, Circle of Brotherhood has developed an executive summary to be presented before the Commission outlining recommendations for immediate support an long range youth and community development. The following organizations served as dedicated ‘Warriors for Change’ for the Circle of Brotherhood, of which its success would not be possible: Girl Power Muhammed’s Mosque 29 P.U.L.S.E. Liberty Square Resident Council Unity and Pride Liberty City Community Revival Trust City of Miami Community Relations Board Apostolic Revival Center 15 th Avenue Business Association Neighbors and Neighbors Association M.A.G.N.U.M./ W.A.A.I.V.E. Belafonte Tacolcy Center 21

22. OLD FASHION TEA H ONORING N ANCY D AWKINS On April 4 th, 2009, The Liberty City Trust, in partnership with the Liberty City Heritage Trail Committee, held an “Old Fashion Tea” to honor community pioneer Mrs. Nancy Dawkins for giving more than 60 years to Liberty City through community service. The event served as the first in a series to celebrate: FAMILY RIB COOK - OFF AND DESSERT SHOWDOWN The committee held a “Liberty City Heritage Family Rib Cook-Off and Desert Showdown in partnership with the District 5 July 4 th Family Fest, in which families joined together for fun, festivities and food. R AILROAD SHOP MEMORIAL SERVICE A Memorial Service and Old Time Picnic will be held on August 1 st to reunite the 35 Railroad Shop families whose homes once stood on Charles Hadley Park that were destroyed. C OMMUNITY P LANNING /O UTREACH HERITAGE TRAIL PROJECT 2009 “70 YEARS OF PRIDE: 1939-2009.” 22

23. C OMMUNITY P LANNING OUTREACH EVENTS Warriors for Change Rally Liberty Square Community Garden: Harvest of Love Presidential Voter’s Registration Drive Neighbors for Safety Rally Xmas on 15 th AvenueM.L.K. Day of Service Liberty City Youth Day 23

24. A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to acknowledge the following departments for their diligence and continued commitment to the revitalization of the Liberty City community: Office of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones City of Miami Commission Office of the City Manager Model City N.E.T. Office City of Miami Police Department Sanitation Solid Waste Public Works Parks and Recreation Capital Improvements Building and Zoning Community Development Community Relations In addition, we say thank you to all of the City of Miami departments for their support. The revitalization of Liberty City can only be achieved when we work as a TEAM!! 24