CEO, challenging equal opportunity : a newsletter for minority business enterprise vendors and property management professionals

28 Pages·1993·3 MB·English

by  Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency

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A Service oftheMassachusettsHousingFinanceAgency, in cooperation with theDepartmentofHousingandCommunityDevelopment
A Newsletter for
Minority Business
Enterprise Vendors
andProperty
o> documents cauxcTTON
Management
Professionals
iy
9FC\
In This Issue 1ST
FirstConstruction SjMfftl
ContractSignedin m
Demonstration
DispositionProgram...! L
Crime Rotesof
BostonDevelopments
Plummetin 1996 1
ProjectedDemo First Construction Contract
Dispo Construction
BidSchedule 2
Signed in Demonstration
MHFA Celebrates
Asian/PacificAmerican
HeritageMonth 2 Disposition Program
lVlW:Wm s
Contractor Working
l:
CapitalLoan Program.3 bySteven D. Pierce, MHFAExecutiveDirector
«rr.
ManagementSpotlight:
SkylineManagement There have been many milestones Right: 77a? 119-unit
Company 4 reached in the Demonstration Dispo- Sonoma. Maple&
sition Program (Demonstration), but SchuylerApartmentsDemonstration DispositionProgram construction contractwas
MHFA Celebrates none as rewarding as the signing recentlysignedbetween MHFA andtheJohn B. CruzConstruction Company.
Black HistoryMonth...4
of the construction contract earlier
Demonstration this month between MHFA and the Department of Housing and Urban were signed locking in federal funding
MeetingHeldfor
John B. Cruz Company of Roxbury Development (HUD). forlong-term subsidies.
MBFSubcontractors...5
for the Sonoma, Maple, Schuyler MHFA and HUD staff and Demon- In October 1996, on-site relocation
SpringfieldMBF Apartments (SMS), signifying that stration residents have met major of residents began at Franklin Park
Trade Fair 5
the construction phase of this challenges since the Demonstration and Theroch Apartments. Relocation
MBFSnapshot: federally funded program had finally was announced in 1993- In the past consultants were awarded contracts in
LongBayStrivesfor arrived. two years, interim managers were March 1996, and have the taskofcoor-
Inner-CityFconomic
The John B. Cruz Construction named for the properties located in dinating the planning and relocation
Development 6
Company was designated the Boston's Roxbury, South End and of residents living in Demonstration
MBFTrade Faira winning bidder for the SMS contract. Dorchester neighborhoods. New secu- properties while the units are being
GreatSuccess! 7
Cruz Construction has also been ritycontracts were awarded following a rehabilitated. Through hard work and
From theMailbox 7 conditionally designated as the review and selection process by MHFA many face-to-face meetings between
MBFContract winning bidder for the Fieldstone staff and residents, while contracts (continuedonpage2)
Opportunities 8 Apartments construction contract;
further negotiations are underway.
OwnerControlled The Demonstration involves $200 Crime Rates at Boston Developments Plummet in 1 996
Insurance Program...16
million of renovation work to 11 Through the coordinated efforts of in 1996. The total number of serious
CATA Loons
distressed HUD-foreclosed housing residents, security patrols, police and crimes reported in 1996 was 651, down
Available 16
developments and the transfer of community outreach, crime rates for from 930 reported crimes in 1995 (see
MHFA andBoston ownership to resident and resident- the 43 MHFA-financed developments chart onpage 3)
BankofCommerce •
controlled entities. MHFA is admin- in Boston covered under the MHFA Police presence in the inner-city
Investin theFuture..16
istering the program for the U.S. security program dropped significantly has certainly had an impact on the
(continuedonpage3)
Projected Demonstration Disposition Construction Bid Schedule
Estimated Notification Anticipated
Construction Dates re: Bid Bid Package Bids Construction
Development Amount Solicitations Available Due Begins
GroupI
FieldstoneApartments $2,600,000 12/13/96 3/26/97-Rebid 4/18/97-Rebid 7/97
Sonoma, Maple& Schuyler $9,970,000 12/13/96 1/21/97 2/28/97 7/97
Camfield Gardens Demolition
andAbatement $2,400,000 3/22/97 4/16/97 5/7/97 7/97
Theroch IIB $920,000 12/13/96 4/23/97-Rebid 5/14/97-Rebid 7/97
Group II
Washington Heights II:
(42-44 Regent Street) $1,400,000 1/13/97 4/30/97 5/28/97 7/97
Washington Heights I $13,900,000 1/13/97 4/30/97 6/4/97 8/97
MHFA Celebrates Asian/Pacific American First Construction Contract Signed in
Heritage Month
Demonstration Disposition Program
(continuedfrompage 1)
the consultants, residents and MHFA The Demonstration also specifies
concerning the residents' needs and achieving 30% MBE participation
situations, resident relocations have in all controllable expenses, which
been successful. provides equal opportunity to MBEs by
Another agreement reached in remedying past discrimination
MHFA's Asian/Pacific November 1996, after several months through outreach and various means,
American Heritage Month of protracted negotiations, dealt with including technical assistance and
Celebration took place on two important issues. The first topic loan programs targeted to MBEs
May 6th with a tribute to dealt with indemnification of the involved in the Demonstration.
Asian/Pacific American Agency against certain claims that As part of its effort to achieve
youth. may be brought against it during the the 30% MBE participation and 80%
Shin-YiYANGperformed relocation and construction phases of neighborhood economic development
Top right: (l-r)MHFA several selections on an ancient the Demonstration. HUD and MHFA goals, MHFA has divided the work
ExecutiveDirectorSteven
Chinese stringed instrument called a will share, on aequal basis, the costs of needed on the 11 Demonstration devel-
Pierce. ZhengsoloistShin-}7
Zheng. TheZhenghas 21 strings and is any claims occurring during the opments into 17 separate construction
YANG, CAPAYcoordinator
Vivian W.LeeandEO a very popular instrument in Eastern Demonstration. packages and revised its bid scoring
Director WilsonHenderson and Western cultures. Ms. Yang has The second issue clarified the system to address the percentage of
atMHFAsMian/Pacific given performances at The Boston Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) contractdollars geared to MBEs.
American HeritageMonth Conservatory, Harvard University and and neighborhood economic develop- Many people have dedicated
Celebration. the NewEngland Conservatory. ment goals of the Demonstration. One numerous hours since initial work
Bottom:Shin-YiYANG, a Vivian W. Lee, the coordinator for of the program's major goals is to began on the Demonstration in 1994.
nativeofTaiwan,per- the Coalition for Asian Pacific create economic opportunity in the As the first nail is struck, it is impor-
formedseveralmusical American Youth (CAPAY), was the communities where the developments tant to realize that this program will
selectionsatthecelebration. featured keynote speaker. Sponsored by are located. dramatically change the way the
the UMass-Boston Institute for Asian The agreementwith HUD stipulates nation looks at what a partnership
Massachusetts
American Studies, CAPAY is a youth- a neighborhood economic develop- between federal, state and private
Housing
Finance led, statewide leadership development ment goal in which businesses with entities can accomplish when working
Agency network that targets Asian/Pacific past or future commitments in MHFA together with common goals. This
OneBeaconStreet American youth. The majority of Linkage Areas I and II are utilized in program is truly a "Demonstration"
Boston, MA02108-3110 CAPAY youth are high school juniors 80% of all controllable expenditures for the rest of the nation to follow in
[phone]
and seniors. Lee discussed education and through the employment of providing affordable housing in a safe
and the obstacles youth face in the residents from their communities, environment to low- and moderate-
EOQPUPAOLRHTOUUNSIITNYG AsianAmerican community. wheneverpossible. incomefamilies. wo
Crime Rates at Boston Developments Plummet in 1996
schoolwork. The 3-year-old program
transports Camfield Gardens and
Roxse Homes youths ages 8-14, four
days a week to Northeastern University
to receive one-on-one academic
tutoringbycollege students.
Resident computer centers are
also prevalent in many developments.
These centers allow residents to
complete schoolwork and learn the
different software used in today's busi-
ness world. Some developments offer
on-site, after-school care and tutoring
programs forschool aged kids.
(l—r) I'haddeusMiles. MHFA DirectorofPublicSafety, PatriciaMayo, Chairperson, The Boston-based Neighborhood
FranklinParkSecurity TaskForceandSgt. ErnestoRodriguezofNaratoon-Wackenhut Justice Network has also trained 18
Security Company. residents to do outreach to address the
crime and violence in the community
(continuedfrompage 1)
that impacts the qualityoflife.
falling crime figures, but according to "The residents are our eyes out
Thaddeus Miles, MHFA Director of there," said Sgt. Ernesto Rodriguez
Public Safety, a good deal of the credit of Naratoon-Wackenhut Security
belongs to the residents themselves. Company. "Without the residents, our REPORTED CRIME RATES FOR 1995-96
"The willingness of the residents to job would be impossible. We're only
participate with law enforcement has out there for 8 hours at a time. They % Change
been a positive. The residents of these live there permanently and are trying 1995 Total 1996 Total 95-96
communities have stepped up to the to make their communities a safer Assault 218 93 -57%
challenge, and made themselves place to live. The residents are con-
Robbery 23 20 -13%
responsible fortheirresidences." stantly telling us what is going on or
One particular aspect of the resi- if they see something that doesn't look Homicide 12 2 -83%
dents working with law enforcement right. Then it's our responsibility to Burglary 95 62 -34%
officials is the monthly Neighborhood acton it." Dangerous Weapons 29 46 59%
Safety Task Force meetings. There are The effort is helped by educational Controlled Substance 293 239 -18%
three separate groups (Franklin Park, programs like the Northeastern
Academy Homes and Grant Manor) University Tutorial Program that's Domestic 218 97 -56%
that meet every month representing designed to keep youths out of trouble Motor Vehicle Theft 42 92 119%
different sections of the South End, and to assist children with their
Dorchester and Roxbury. There are
plans to hold combined area meetings
within the next six months. These
meetings are attended regularly by
residents, security companies, man- Contractor Working Capital Loan Program
agement companies, Boston police,
School police, Bromley-Heath police, The Contractor Working Capital program, these loans would not be
Boston Municipal police, MBTA police Loan Program (CWCLP) offers loans made through conventional lending
and the State police. "These meetings of up to $50,000 to minority- and programs. In addition to the loan,
generally address the overall quality of women-owned businesses that can technical assistance will be provided
life and crime and violence in their successfully complete contracts provid- in areas such as accounting, bonding
communities," saidMiles. ing goods and services to management andconstruction management.
Patricia Mayo, Chairperson of the companies of MHFA-financed develop- Contact Jonathan Zinman of the
Franklin Park SecurityTask Force says, ments or construction work in the Massachusetts Community
"The residents have learned to monitor development of new MHFA-financed Development Finance
their communities, and when they see affordable housing. Corporation at
something, they can alert the author- Loans are to be used by M/WBEs [phone]
ities. They are definitely taking an for working capital or equipment pur- for information
active part in the policing of their chases. CWCLP loans are "but for" regarding the
respective communities." loans, meaning that but for the CWCLP.
Skyline Management Company
When a company manages just 240 projects. "This is not as
units in a development that was the prevalent today as it was
first subsidized apartment complex just a few years ago," said
in the town of Braintree over 20 years Joseph. "I have awarded
ago, you might think that contractors contracts to MBEs that I
already not in the loop of business met during the trade fairs
would be shut out from winning con- and from word-of-mouth
tractsforwork. from other management
This is certainly not the norm at the companies. I also use the
MBE listing provided by
Skyline Management Company. Robert
MHFA. MBEs should take
Joseph, Controller and CEO, says he is
advantage of forums like
always looking for different companies
to perform work at Skyline Apartments. these trade fairs, because RobertJoseph. ControllerandCEOof
"One of our best chances to meet and management companies SkylineManagement Company
are always looking for
talk to a variety of companies is the
MHFA MBE/Management Company contractors who do quality
work at afairprice." "I have dealt with some excellent
Trade Fair," says Joseph. "I've per-
Joseph thinks that the MBE trade MBEs," saysJoseph. "Pueblo Contract-
sonally attended all six of these trade
fairs and have made solid business fairs could be even better if there were ing, Concord Square Painting and the
more companies taking part in them. White Nile Company do consistently
contacts."
"I see the same people there every year. quality work and they are always
Skyline Management has 14 More front line contractors have to be reliable. MBEs are always invited to bid
employees, of which 10 are assigned on any work that Skyline Management
represented because these are the firms
to Skyline Apartments. The company that management companies use the Companyoffers."
has consistently attained its MHFA most," remarkedJoseph. "I would like The MBEs that Joseph has dealt
MBE goal achievement of 12%. "I
to see more painters, rug installers and with have been well organized, and
usually solicit bids from at least three construction companies at the trade pay attention to detail. "If any of the
different contractors, and I always try fairs because there are always contracts MBEs that I have dealt with have any
to include at least one MBE in this
out to bid for these types of services. I questions or need guidance with their
process," saysJoseph. would also like to see more WBEs take business, I would look forward to
One problem Joseph noticed in the advantage of these events. I have assisting them in helping them succeed
past is that some MBEs did not bother contracted several WBEs that I met at in today's complex business world,"
to respond to an invitation to bid on the trade fairs." saidJoseph.
MHFA Celebrates Black History Month
MHFA's 9th Annual NATIONAL
'
Black History Month
AfricJ»i\-AlTN«ricJk*
Celebration took place
Cot^tritutioKS
on February 4th with
to JourhMiSlTN
a tribute to "African-
American Contributions
toJournalism."
Velma DuPont, coloratura soprano, paper behind the editor and executive
a native Mississippian and a winner of editor.
local and state voice competitions Moore has over twentyyears experi-
opened the festivities with a musical ence in the newspaper business and
selection. discussed the long history of blacks in
fl-r) MHFA ExecutiveDirectorStevenPierce. EOSenior
Gregory Moore, the Managing newspaper journalism. He spoke about
AnalystPaulineCoulter, singer VelmaDuPont. EODirector
Wilson Henderson andBoston GlobeManagingEditor Editor of The Boston Globe, was the the early trials and tribulations of
GregoryMooreatMHFA 9thAnnualBlackHistoryMonth featured keynote speaker. Moore is black journalists and the state of
's
Celebration. the third ranking editor at the blacks in today's newspaperbusiness.

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