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CRA approves $325,000 grant to Ben Dixon and Amati International for university expansion study; staff to seek lower cost
Summary
The agency approved a $325,000 grant to Ben Dixon and Amati International to underwrite costs associated with bringing a university presence to the CRA area; staff said the study will include multiple universities and will revisit the contract amount at the next meeting.
The Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 25 approved a $325,000 grant to Ben Dixon and Amati International, a Florida for-profit corporation, to underwrite costs associated with an effort to bring a university campus presence into the CRA development area.
The resolution before the agency included language waiving competitive bidding requirements; in the agenda summary staff recommended waiving competitive negotiation procedures and approving the grant because competitive methods were judged “not practicable” for this engagement.
Commissioners discussed the grant amount and whether the study could be done for less. Executive Director James E. McQueen told the board the planned study would not be limited to the one institution named in the agenda and that other state universities had expressed interest. “We once we started talking about this study, we found that there are state universities, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, that are also interested in local universities, FIU, Florida Memorial,” McQueen said. He added staff would consult the consulting firm about adjusting the contract sum and would bring the item back to the next meeting: “And I would go back and talk with the people at the consulting firm and see if we can get them to adjust the amount. And I'll bring it back at the next meeting.”
When the motion to approve the grant was called, Chair Christine King asked, “All in favor?” and recorded, “Aye. Motion carries unanimous.” The transcript does not record the mover or seconder by name.
The agenda described the grant as intended to underwrite “critical costs associated with the expansion of Howard University to the CRA development area.” Agency staff clarified during discussion that the scope of the study would be broader, encompassing interest from other universities. The resolution limited the grant amount to $325,000. No consulting contract text was included in the meeting transcript.
Next steps: staff will consult with the consulting firm about cost adjustments and return the matter to the agency at a future meeting.
