TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Christine Tibbs, Assistant Director
THROUGH: Renée A. Jadusingh, Esq., Executive Director
DATE: February 27, 2024
Title
700 WEST ATLANTIC AVENUE TENANTS
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Approve the following:
1) Authorize CRA Staff to issue a new written notice to vacate by April 30, 2024, to tenants and licensees occupying or utilizing the 700 West Atlantic Avenue property; and
2) A Fifth Amendment to the Emanuel Jackson Sr. Project, Inc. Revocable License Agreement (“Agreement”), dated April 1, 2022, to amend the termination date of the Agreement to April 30, 2024; and
3) Authorize the CRA’s Chair, Executive Director and legal counsel to execute any and all related documents to facilitate the above action(s).
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Background:
On November 17, 2022, the CRA Board approved and authorized CRA staff to issue a sixty (60) days written notice to vacate to tenants and licensees occupying the 700 West Atlantic Avenue Property (“Property”) after the issuance of the City of Delray Beach’s (“City”) demolition permit and approved a First Amendment to the Emanuel Jackson Sr. Project, Inc. Revocable License Agreement (“Agreement”) to extend the termination date from December 31, 2022, to terminate the Agreement sixty (60) days after the issuance of the City’s demolition permit for the Property.
Since that time, CRA staff finalized the Interlocal Agreement with the Solid Waste Authority (“SWA”) for the 2023 SWA Blighted and Distressed Property Clean-Up and Beautification Grant. The $108,000 in Grant funds will be used to demolish the Property and adjacent parking lot and carries an original December 31, 2023, deadline that has been extended to August 30, 2024.
Additionally, CRA staff has begun preparing all the items that need to be submitted to the City to obtain the demolition permit. Part of the submittal requirements include an Asbestos Affidavit that has been reviewed by the Palm Beach County Health Department, a completed Florida Department of Environmental Protection Notice of Asbestos Renovation or Demolition form, an Asbestos Inspection Report/Survey, and disconnecting all utilities to the Property prior to submitting the demolition permit application (proof of all disconnection needs to be submitted as part of the demolition permit application.)
As such, CRA staff has determined that for the safety of all current tenants, licensees, and the general public that visit the Property, performance of the above necessary activities cannot occur while the Property is occupied.
On January 24, 2023, the CRA Board authorized CRA Staff to issue written notices to vacate by August 31, 2023, to the tenants and licensees occupying or utilizing the Property. On March 22, 2023, the CRA sent out Notices to Vacate to the tenants with an August 31, 2023, deadline for tenants to vacate the Property. On August 8, 2023, the CRA Board extended the deadline for tenants to vacate to October 30, 2023, which was later further extended to January 15, 2024. On January 23, 2024, the CRA Board approved an extension to February 29, 2024.
At this time, some tenants require additional time to relocate, and CRA Staff is recommending tenants have until April 30, 2024, to vacate the Property.
Additionally, the Emanuel Jackson Sr. Project, Inc. (“EJS”) Agreement requires a Fifth Amendment to the Agreement be approved to amend the termination date to April 30, 2024.
After April 30, 2024, when the Property is not occupied or being utilized, CRA staff would finalize the asbestos related actions required by Palm Beach County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the City, disconnect all utilities to the Property, and then submit the complete demolition permit application package to the City for approval.
At this time, CRA Staff is requesting Board approval of the following:
1) Authorize CRA Staff to issue a new written notice to vacate by April 30, 2024, to tenants and licensees occupying or utilizing the 700 West Atlantic Avenue property; and
2) A Fourth Amendment to the Emanuel Jackson Sr. Project, Inc. Revocable License Agreement (“Agreement”), dated April 1, 2022, to amend the termination date of the Agreement to April 30, 2024; and
3) Authorize the CRA’s Chair, Executive Director and legal counsel to execute any and all related documents to facilitate the above action(s).
Attachment(s): Exhibit A - Location Map
CRA Attorney Review:
N/A
Finance Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
2023 Solid Waste Authority Blighted and Distressed Property Clean-Up and Beautification Grant - $108,000
Overall need within the Community Redevelopment Area from Delray Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan:
Removal of Slum And Blight
Land Use
Economic Development
Affordable Housing
Downtown Housing
Infrastructure
Recreation and Cultural Facilities