CRA Advisory Committee Meeting - 10/12/2026

The North Miami CRA Advisory Committee met on October 12, 2026, and considered several procurement and redevelopment items. The committee reviewed a proposed purchase of improved property at 13242 Northwest 7th Avenue for up to $1.8 million; staff said the appraisal, received October 8, matched the purchase price. The property is on a CRA priority corridor and could house CRA offices and support business incubators or other commercial uses. Renovation costs have not yet been estimated, and closing was anticipated by November 30, subject to board approval. The committee also approved revised residential rehabilitation guidelines increasing funding limits from $30,000 to $50,000; rental and multi-unit programs would require an 80/20 match, while owner-occupied single-family assistance would remain without a match. A prequalified list of 17 general contractors under RFQ 29-25-26 was approved for commercial property improvement projects.

The committee approved renewals for legal services with Steven W. Zelkowitz, PA, at up to $250,000 for FY 2026–27, and lobbying services with RE Strategize LLC, at up to $80,000. It voted not to recommend approval of amendments to the Redwood CP Holdings infrastructure grant agreement. The discussion concerned a proposed structure routing grant funds through a nonprofit before lending them to the developer, intended to avoid tax consequences; members raised concerns about repeated project changes, oversight, and the project’s use of CRA bond funds (approximately $8 million). Staff said rejecting the changes could delay or halt the project and require the CRA to identify another use for the funds, while the bond spending window was approaching in 2027.