15394: Hermantin-Miami Today-Survey For Little Haiti Park Land Missed Many (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Miami Today

Survey For Little Haiti Park Land Missed Many

Posted Thursday April 24, 2003

By Susan Stabley

    Gaps remain in a survey to determine land-acquisition costs for a
proposed 60-acre park in Miami's Little Haiti.

   The location now under consideration is the site of hundres of businesses
whose owners, many of whom have operated from that location for decades are
enraged. The area is between Northeast 59th to 67th streets and from
Northeast Second Avenue east to the Florida East Coast Railway tracks.

   At risk of displacement are 262 residents and at least 112 businesses
supporting about 800 jobs with an estimated total payroll of $25 million,
creating an economic impact of $75 million,according to a survey from a
Tampa office of Post Buckley Schuh & Jernigan and estimates from a Greater
Miami Chamber of Commerce committee pushing for an alternate site.

    The survey has estimated that the land could cost the city $53 million
to $75 million, according to Post Buckley's Jan. 16 memo to the City of
Miami. The City has earmarked only $25 million for a Little Haiti park.

   The park's biggest proponent, Miami Commissioner Arthur Teele Jr., said
the survey estimates are too high and include relocation costs, which he
said the city would not pay, and buildings he expects to be incorporated in
the park. Many business owners counter that the cost estimates are too low
and are angry at the prospect of being forced out of their locations without
adequate compensation.

    Norris Smith of Post Buckley said about 20 businesses did not respond to
the survey. Many of the businesses "refused to participate,"he said.

    "We went walking and knocked on every door," Mr. Smith said. "We did not
know they were there."

    Businesses that were not interviewed were counted toward the tally of
112, but additional information could not be gleaned.  Mr. Smith said some
of the companies were successfully contacted after the survey was conducted,
but he was not sure how many.

    One of the companies not interviewed may be the biggest employer in the
district-Selugal Clothing Inc. at 6301 NE Fourth Ave. The company of about
130 workers distributes used clothing throughout the world. Co-owner Marco
A. Azucar said Selugal ships three to four containers packed with 45,000
pounds of clothing from the Port fo Miami to Central America every week.

    Mr. Azucar said he would like to expand the business because of space
needs but the uncertainty over the park has forced him to put off any
building plans.

    The only notice he has received regarding the park was in a letter from
the City of Miami in August 2002 seeking willing sellers, he said.

    "It's just absurd," he said.  "This is my first time involved in
politics. It's not fun. It's really frightening."

   The issue returns May 1 to the Miami City Commission.





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