Title
Institute for Workforce Innovation Donation for Banks-Cosby Building Renovation (B)
Acceptance of a donation valued in an amount up to $120,000 from the Institute for Workforce Innovation (IWI) to be used toward the cost of renovations of the Banks-Cosby Building located at 635 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL.
Explanation
This item requests that the City Commission accept a donation valued in an amount up to $120,000 from the Institute for Workforce Innovation (IWI) to be used toward the cost of renovations of the City-owned Banks-Cosby Building located at 635 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL.
The City purchased and owns the Banks-Cosby Building located at 635 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL, which was purchased with funds from the United States Department of Justice, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering, Equitable Share Program (Federal Forfeiture) funds in July 2007.
Pursuant to the Federal Forfeiture Program and the United States Department of Justice policies, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) must utilize the Banks-Cosby building for law enforcement purposes and community based programs, including, drug crime prevention, gang education and awareness, housing and job skills programs; and may not lease the building.
As outlined in the July 19, 2016 agreement between the IWI and the City of Gainesville, IWI has pledged to make contributions valued up to $120,000 for the cost of construction/renovation work of the Banks-Cosby Youth Empowerment Center. The $120,000 pledge will be comprised of labor provided by Project Youth Build students, donated materials, and in-kind services provided by trade professionals, along with cash payments.
IWI's Project Youth Build is an intensive 7-month academic, occupational, and leadership skills program that serves young people ages 16 -24 with low incomes who have dropped out of school. While in Project Youth Build, students participate in an innovative alternative education program that provides individualized instruction as they work towards earning their high school diploma, earn multiple nationally recognized construction credentials, participate in a rigorous leadership development program, volunteer in their community, and rehabilitate affordable housing. Project Youth Build is an AmeriCorps program. Students that complete 450 impact hours through volunteerism earn a Seagle Education Award valued at $1,500 to be used towards post-secondary education.
IWI desires to collaborate with the City to strengthen its impact with local youth by having eligible students in the Project Youth Build program participate in the GPD's B.O.L.D. programs and other GPD initiatives, and to renovate the Banks-Cosby Building as a Project Youth Build project.
Banks-Cosby Building Obligations per the July 19, 2016 agreement:
1. City of Gainesville: The City agrees to enter into a construction contract with a licensed Florida General Contractor to perform the renovation work of the Banks-Cosby Building. The City has committed the use of unobligated fund balance from the GPD Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund in the amount of $120,000 toward the renovation costs. These funds have already been transferred to the appropriate project construction account.
2. IWI: IWI agrees to contribute up to $120,000 of value and cash payments toward the renovation costs of the Banks-Cosby Building. IWI will coordinate with the General Contractor to provide student labor, construction materials, and contracted construction work.
3. IWI will be allowed to utilize the Banks Building for the dual enrolled students from Project Youth Build and other youth programs in partnership with the GPD.
Fiscal Note
On December 17, 2015 in agenda item #150602, the City Commission approved appropriating $120,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund to bring the Banks Building back into compliance working with the Institute for Workforce Innovation and Project YouthBuild.
The Institute for Workforce Innovation is proposing contributing half of the total project costs, up to $120,000 in cash and in kind services towards this project. The estimated cost for renovation of this building, including an appropriate contingency, is $237,780 which is less than the maximum funding of $240,000 between the City’s share and IWI’s share.
Construction is scheduled to begin in August, 2017 and be completed in 12-16 weeks.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve and accept a mix of cash and in kind donations valued in an amount up to $120,000 from the Institute for Workforce Innovation to be used toward the cost of renovations of the Banks-Cosby Building located at 635 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL.