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Title:
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Authorizing Contract with Community Alliance LLC for Community Organizing Services in the Metro District (Ordinance S-48698)
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Title
Authorizing Contract with Community Alliance LLC for Community Organizing Services in the Metro District (Ordinance S-48698)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with Community Alliance LLC (Consultant) and Concord Wilshire Capital, LLC (Developer), or its designee, for Consultant to provide community organizing services for the Metro District, an area bounded by Peoria Avenue to the north, Interstate 17 to the east, Dunlap Avenue to the south, and 31st Avenue to the west. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept funds and the City Controller to disburse funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
Metrocenter Mall, which permanently closed in June 2020, is the largest vacant commercial retail building in the City. This closing reduced activity from the general public and has made the mall and surrounding area an inviting target for vagrancy, graffiti, trespassing, litter and crime. The Neighborhood Services Department's open cases with violations in the area have tripled since 2018 and, according to Phoenix Police Department data, various forms of crime have also increased in the area since 2018. Cases of arson have more than tripled while commercial robberies and motor vehicle thefts have doubled. Due to the increase of crime, the City Council included the mall and surrounding area in its 27th Avenue Corridor Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan.
Staff believes the area is in critical need of building capacity to combat crime and blight as well as positive promotion. Developer, the prospective buyer of Metrocenter Mall for redevelopment, shares the City’s public safety concerns and is willing to fund 50 percent of the costs to build this capacity for the surrounding community.
To launch services quickly, staff identified a consultant with relevant experience and knowledge of the area. In 2021, Ms. Shannon McBride, principal of the 19 North Community Alliance (19 North), led community organizing efforts in this area and formed a group called the Metro District Community Collaboration (MDCC). Ms. McBride also has five years' experience delivering similar services in the nearby 19 North neighborhood. The MDCC consisted of area businesses and property owners and Ms. McBride engaged them to market and brand the Metro District and collaborate on public safety matters; however, a consistent funding source for these services on an ongoing basis had not been identified.
If approved, Community Alliance LLC, an affiliate of 19 North, will provide the following services in the Metro District to enhance the effectiveness of the Crime Prevention Plan and better position the area for future redevelopment:
Enhance Public Safety - proactively engage the community to combat blight, litter, graffiti, trespassing and other conditions negatively impacting safety in the area.
Business Assistance - promote the general welfare of businesses in the area and work with stakeholders to raise awareness of businesses in the area through events and marketing efforts.
Building Relationships - serve as the conduit for connecting businesses and property owners with one another and with external agencies.
Procurement Information
In compliance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, an exception to the procurement process was approved to select this vendor. A direct selection was made due to the urgent need to initiate these services on a short-term basis while staff conducts a formal procurement process for a longer-term contract.
Contract Term
If approved, the term of this contract will begin on or about June 24, 2022, for a one-year term with no renewal options.
Financial Impact
This contract will not exceed $75,000. The City will pay the full value to the Consultant and the Developer will pay the City fifty percent of the cost ($37,500). Upon receipt of the Developer's funds, the City's share will not exceed $37,500. Funding for the City’s share is available in the Downtown Community Reinvestment Fund (DCRF) and funding from the Developer will be returned to the DCRF.
Location
The Metro District Community Collaboration focus area is bounded by Peoria Ave. to the north, Interstate 17 to the east, Dunlap Ave. to the south and 31st Ave. to the west.
Council District: 1
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Community and Economic Development Department.