WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
A Singular Voice in an Evolving City
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IN THE NEWS
Riverside Wharf flows ahead for city and private sites, pg. 2 MIAMI IS CHINA-CURIOUS: The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Americas Linkage Committee is on the verge of its trade mission to China, which departs with about 20 Miami delegates Jan. 16 to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Committee Chairman Hernando Gomez urged delegates to “do your homework” during a morning meeting Dec. 3 at his firm, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra. Come prepared to sell a service, product and Miami, he told participants. Offer more than just weather. Liane Ventura, chamber senior VP of industry growth and international business, warned that Miami is not yet China-savvy. The city and business community is “China-curious,” she said, but Chinese services, infrastructure and a better understanding of the Chinese business culture are still needed in Miami.
Key Biscayne pleas can’t sink international boat show, pg. 18
THE ACHIEVER
BY CATHERINE LACKNER
REALTORS REPORT TO CHINA: The Miami Association of Realtors will promote South Florida real estate in Shanghai this weekend to more than 5,000 real estate buyers and investors. The association will represent Miami at the LPS Shanghai 2015, an international luxury real estate expo Dec. 11-13. Chinese buyers represented 2% of all international closed sales in Miami-Dade and Broward counties last year, compared to 1% the two years prior. Furthermore, about 42% of Chinese consumers purchasing property in Florida brought in Miami or Miami Beach, the association reported. This year, the average purchase by Chinese buyers was $1.065 million, considerably higher than other international homebuyers. Nationally, Chinese buyers have surpassed Canadians as the most dominant foreign home purchasers. COUNTY LEASE TERMINATION: The county’s Strategic Planning & Government Operations Committee voted Tuesday to allow the county to include a provision in certain leases of its property that the site could be taken back in emergencies. The resolution by Rebeca Sosa states that unforeseen events during a lease of county-owned property may requires termination or suspension for a public purpose. She said her motivation is to avoid spending additional money for a situation such as a department needing to expand when the county’s leased property could serve the purpose. If passed by the full commission, the county would include a clause if applicable when leasing its property explaining that the lease could be terminated or suspended in an emergency. Daniella Levine Cava asked that Internal Services Department provide information on how such legislation might impact county rentals.
Photo by Marlene Quaroni
Neha Dagley
Miami attorney focuses on US trade links with India The profile is on Page 4
Surprise: Brazil grows international visitor lead BY CARLA V IANNA
Thanksgiving Miami air travel up 10%, pg. 10
Brazil retains its No. 1 spot among Miami’s international overnight visitors – a pleasant surprise for local business leaders who feared recession at home would deter many Brazilians from flying abroad. Colombia has been Miami’s fastest-growing South American market, with 5% visitor growth in the first nine months of the year, while Germany and England topped European markets for growth at 6% and 5% respectively, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Losing its No. 6 total visitors ranking to England was Venezuela, whose numbers dropped a dramatic 10% this year. The Venezuelan situation is unique in that political instability and a battered economy have led to a dramatic cut in flights, said Rolando Aedo, bureau senior VP of marketing and tourism. In preparation for what was expected to be a tough year in the face of a stronger dollar, the bureau kick-started a rigorous marketing campaign in Europe and South America over the past year. Although international passenger traffic at Miami International Airport as of Oct. 31
was up 5% from last year, in November the aviation director said passenger numbers from all countries in the Western Hemisphere were slightly down. The decline was apparent but not drastic, said Emilio T. González. From the convention bureau’s perspective, its aggressive international marketing proved worthwhile: despite the sharp decline in Venezuelan travel, international visitors staying overnight in Miami from January to September totaled 5.66 million, up 4% from the same period last year. The top five markets for visitors – Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Argentina and Germany – are holding steady, with slight to moderate growth. The bureau places great emphasis on Brazil, which has historically been Miami’s most loyal market, displaying 8% to 15% annual growth in overnight visitors. But Brazil now faces a four-to-one currency ratio against the US dollar. Nonetheless, nine-month overnight Brazilian visitors rose 3% to 582,416. “Brazil is such a massive market,” Mr.
AGENDA
826-836 tie doused but nearly done
Aedo said. “While there is still growth in the number of people visiting, we have heard back from retail partners anecdotally, ‘[Brazilians] are pulling back on some of their discretionary spending, especially on the retail front.’” Last year 3% fewer Brazilians visited Miami than in 2013, which might have been a product of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Mr. Aedo said. To prevent a similar slowdown during the 2016 Olympics, which will be held August in Rio de Janeiro, the bureau will market Miami as a pre- or post-Olympic experience. Mr. Aedo said the idea is to promote a “two-nation vacation.” Miami’s tourism industry has been breaking records in multiple categories within the past year, with steep hikes in visitor numbers, industry jobs and economic activity. Among other peaking numbers are the most recent tax collections. October revenues streaming from the tourist development tax were up 18% while food and beverage tax collections from hotels were up 15% from the same period last year. Convention development tax collections rose 12%.
Weeks of incessant rain have delayed major completion of the exchange of state roads 826 (the Palmetto Expressway) and 836 (the Dolphin Expressway), but the project is still largely on track, says spokesman Oscar Gonzalez. If weather cooperates for the next two weekends, the final stretches – northbound 826 from Northwest 12th to 25th streets and southbound 826 from Northwest 25th Street to 836 – will be put into their permanent alignment. Finishing – barriers, landscaping, lighting and the final asphalt pour – is expected to be done by May 2016, given normal weather. Asphalt can’t be poured if it’s raining or too cold, Mr. Gonzalez explained. Conversion of the interchange, which Mr. Gonzalez has described as “a pivot point,” may well be Miami-Dade’s most impactful road project, serving 430,000 motorists daily. The interchange, estimated to cost $560 million, began in 2009 as a joint effort of the Florida Department of Transportation and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority. The project has made it possible, for the first time, for drivers going north on 826 to directly connect to westbound 836 and then to the Florida Turnpike. Prior to the new ramp, they had to exit at Milam Dairy Road (Northwest 72nd Avenue) and take a roundabout route to enter 836 westbound. The massive project includes installation of Intelligent Transportation Systems cameras and sensors to allow real-time traffic updates as well to speed police and firefighters to accidents. They will also be used by Road Ranger tow trucks that move disabled vehicles from travel lanes. Most work is done nights and weekends. Drivers can visit www.826-836.com for updates and temporary road closures, and can sign up to be notified by email of re-routings and other changes.
COMMISSIONER SEES RED ON RED LIGHT CAMERA STUDY ... 3
STUDY TO WEIGH REVERSED RUSH-HOURS TRAFFIC FLOW ...
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COUNTY RAISES QUESTIONS OVER WORK-AT-HOME PLAN ...
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CORAL GABLES MAY ANNEX THREE NEIGHBORING AREAS ... 10
VIEWPOINT: TAXIS’ CREAKING AND CLANKING WELCOME ...
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WATER UPGRADE FOR BUSINESS A $580 MILLION PROJECT ... 12
BUS DEPOT AT COUNTY HALL A GREEN SPACE QUESTION ...
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COUNTY FLOATS PLAN FOR SEA LEVEL RISE PILOT EFFORT ... 18
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MIAMI TODAY
TODAY’S NEWS
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
THE INSIDER ARSHT CENTER PARKING: The county’s Strategic Planning & Government Operations Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to direct the administration to pursue opportunities for cooperative ventures and private partnerships, including a partnership with the Miami-Dade County School Board to develop and operate parking for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. The resolution, sponsored by Audrey Edmonson, details the Arsht Center’s enhancement of quality of life and role as catalytic Audrey Edmonson economic engine for its surrounding area. However, the resolution says, the development and revitalization that the center has spurred has also resulted in a progressive reduction of area parking. The school board owns an acre immediately west of the arts center at Northeast Second Avenue and 14th Street. Should the full commission approve, the administration will be directed to explore a partnership with the school board, along with private firms, for the land to develop and operate facilities that include parking for the arts center. The Arsht Center was built without parking.
The Miami City Commission today (12/10) is to approve a site lease and schedule a March referendum.
HOTELS STILL HOT: Despite the influx of hotel rooms entering the Miami market, the local industry remains strong. Although average occupancy for the first ten months of the year remained flat at about 78% compared to last year, 3.7% more rooms were sold this year, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The average room rate for Greater Miami hotels was about $193, up 6.5% over the year. The revenue achieved per available room, or RevPar, was about $151, also up 6.5%. “[Next year] is going to be a very important year. We’re going to BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS have to work more aggressively and more creatively because there are new hotels being built,” said Rolando Aedo, the bureau’s senior VP of A plan to turn riverfront land marketing & tourism. into a culinary destination and FLEXIBLE TIME: The county’s Strategic Planning & Government fresh fish market has the backOperations Committee on Tuesday asked the administration to study the ing of Miami city commissioncost and feasibility of offering flexible work time for county employees ers and the Miami River Comwith fixed daily schedules. The resolution states so-called “flextime” is mission. generally defined as schedules that permit flexible starting and quitting On Monday the river comtimes while maintaining the traditional total hours per week and without mission unanimously supported affecting salary, benefits, job responsibilities or eligibility for overtime. the proposal, and the matter It further states that permitting certain employees with traditional fixed returns to the city commission schedules to alter their timeframe can reduce rush-hour traffic congestoday (12/10) for approval of a tion and improve morale and attendance; be used for personal reasons such as accommodating a spouse or child’s schedule, medical appoint- lease and scheduling a referenments and mass transit schedules; and is especially feasible for workers dum for March. with little public contact. If the full commission approves, the mayor The property includes citywould be required to report his findings and whether he recommends owned land at 236-298 SW Willy Gort: river is underutilized. such a flextime policy within 60 days. North River Drive, on the east of the riverfront property, and PAID TIME WITH CHILDREN: County commissioners gave initial side of the river between the the Riverside Wharf project was approval last week to legislation that would provide Southwest First Street Bridge the sole proposal received by up to six weeks of paid parental leave to Miami-Dade and I-95, and adjacent private the Department of Real Estate County and Public Health Trust employees. The land owned by Alex Mantecon. & Asset Management. ordinance, sponsored by Juan C. Zapata, would City Manager Daniel Alfonso Mr. Mantecon has partnered grant leave available to all parents regardless of with Luis Garcia, of the family had recommended the city comgender and could be taken any time during the first that has operated Garcia’s res- mission reject the Riverside year after the birth, adoption or placement of foster Wharf proposal and authorize a taurant for nearly 50 years. children. Employees would receive 100% of their pay Under the plan from River- new request for proposals. during the first two weeks, 75% during the second Commissioners instead reside Wharf LLC, the developers two weeks and half their pay during the last two Juan C. Zapata weeks. Mr. Zapata said the new benefit would make it easier for the would lease the city land and jected his recommendation on county to attract and retain employees with families while also mitigating combine it with the private site Nov. 19 and directed his office gender wage disparities. The ordinance states that paid paternal leave to develop a series of buildings to prepare the legislation by this has been shown to improve the health and development outcomes of housing restaurants. A working week’s meeting to advance the children, including increased birth weight, decreased premature births fresh fish market would also be lease to Riverside Wharf LLC and decreased infant mortality. and call for the special election. part of the plan.
Riverside Wharf dining, fish market on city and private land flows ahead
SCIENCE/ZOO MAGNET: The county’s Metropolitan Services Committee was this week to consider a joint use agreement for Miami-Dade’s School Board and Zoo Miami for a Science/Zoo magnet program serving middle- and high-school students. Should the resolution clear committee and then the full commission, a vacant county-owned site within Zoo Miami would be used to install up to 13 portable classrooms. Since 1988, four portable classrooms at Zoo Miami have been used in the magnet program at Richmond Heights Middle School. That agreement expired May 31, 2014, but the program continues with a temporary permit until Dec. 31 to allow time to negotiate and execute a new use agreement. The district’s office of School Choice and Parental Options has secured a magnet program assistance grant to operate the expanded program for three years. The district would be responsible for installing the classrooms, maintenance, repair and upkeep of the area as well as collecting and disposing of garbage. DISCUSSING CLIMATE CHANGE: The Miami-Dade Strategic Planning & Government Operations Committee deferred a presentation by Caroline Lewis of the Cleo Institute on climate change adaptation in South Florida scheduled for Tuesday. Chairman Juan C. Zapata was unable to attend. Committee members decided all members should be present and are planning to hear Ms. Lewis speak at the next meeting. CHAIRING FED BRANCH: Rolando Montoya, Miami Dade College provost of operations, has been elected chairman of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Miami Branch. College President Eduardo J. Padron has also chaired the board of the Miami branch of the reserve bank. Dr. Montoya has been on the reserve bank board since January 2014 and has been provost of the college since 2009. The branch directors provide economic information to the district bank’s president and head office directors, who use the information to help formulate monetary policy and make discount rate Rolando Montoya recommendations. CORRECTION: Amy Bogner is deputy director of communications for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. A Dec. 3 article on rising health care costs incorrectly attributed a quote to her. Cigna sent a press release to its brokers announcing it wouldn’t participate in Florida’s 2016 exchange.
The entire project is called Riverside Wharf. As part of the deal, the developers promise to improve the riverbank and extend a public riverwalk further north and northwest, connecting with a promised riverwalk extending under a new Southwest First Street Bridge. That section of riverwalk, promised by the Florida Department of Transportation as part of replacement of the bridge, would connect with a portion of new riverwalk that abuts another development bringing a SUSHISAMBA and Duck & Waffle in a new multilevel commercial building on the former East Coast Fisheries site. The river commission agreed with one of its committees that the Riverside Wharf proposal featuring a fisherman’s wharf and extended public riverwalk would provide a “great attraction” for the community and is consistent with both the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan. The city had sought proposals for the development and lease
City voters would be asked to approve the lease of the cityowned property. Commission Chairman Wifredo “Willy” Gort said for a very long time the city has had a beautiful river that’s not being utilized. He said he supports the project as a way to bring progress and economic development to the area, hopefully spurring more development to adjacent neighborhoods. Commissioner Francis Suarez said he sees the project as “a visionary completion” of the area. “It’s going to become a destination,” he said. On today’s agenda is a resolution finding that Riverside Wharf LLC is the top-ranked responsive and responsible firm for the development and lease of the north riverfront property. If approved, it directs the city manager to execute a lease for an initial 30 years with an option to renew for two 10-year periods, and calls for a payment of the greater of an annual rent of $195,500 or 15% of gross revenues, and provides that the minimum base rent be adjusted
annually by the greater of the Consumer Price Index or a 3% escalator. Execution of the lease wouldn’t confer contractual rights upon Riverside Wharf LLC until voters approve the transaction, as required by city charter. A separate resolution approves a municipal election March 15 asking voters to authorize the lease. At Monday’s river commission meeting, project architect Raul Carreras from Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc. described the marrying of two sites and master planning them as one. Riverside Wharf would have four buildings for restaurants and still leave about 65% of the property as open space with river views. “It draws the public to the riverfront,” he said. The design of the buildings will be low scale and low intensity, no more than two stories high, said Mr. Carreras. The project would include about 18 boat slips along the riverbank. “We plan to create a new dining destination,” said Mr. Mantecon. “We intend to build it all as one project.” River Commission Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre called it an “outstanding project.”
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VIEWPOINT
MIAMI TODAY
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
MIAMITODAY Miami Today is an independent voice of the community, published weekly at 2000 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, Florida 33133. Telephone (305) 358-2663
Creak, clank, bump, wreak, clatter: Welcome to Miami The rationale for keeping the oldest taxis on the road still longer has been that in our recession the cab owners needed a break. But with tourism booming, it will be instructive to hear chief sponsor Barbara Jordan and co-sponsors Bruno Barreiro and Jose “Pepe” Diaz explain why aged taxis should keep aging on our roadways with our prize tourists inside. Maybe they’ll argue that Uber is eating the taxi industry’s lunch so the cab companies need a break in not having to put decent cars on the road. But beware of what you wish for: this legislation would assure Uber of even more business when potential passengers compare the higher-quality Uber vehicles with taxi clunkers. If the extension passes as usual, Miami won’t be alone in allowing 10-year cabs on the road. Ireland does too. So does Pennsylvania – except that once a taxi reaches 350,000 miles, no matter its age, it’s done for. We don’t care if a taxi hits 500,000 miles or a million, if it can run it can be clattering our visitors around town. Taxi limits top out at eight years in places like New Orleans and Tasmania.
In New South Wales and Victoria, Australia, it’s 6.5 years. In Washington, DC, it’s going down to nine years on Jan. 1 and to six years on Jan. 1, 2017. In New York City, where the taxi is king, the average cab is 3.3 years old. And in Dallas, the rules say, “vehicles must meet quality standards, not age limits.” We don’t worry about quality standards. And our age limit seems to be “the older the better.” Uber today is merely a shadow operation in Miami-Dade, not a legal competitor to taxis. But with the state legislature moving to legalize Uber throughout Florida, taxi operators are shooting themselves in the tire by continuing to seek to drive older and older cabs. And as our visitor industry’s importance grows, county commissioners continue to give us a black eye by trying to match Ireland for taxi age rather than Dallas for taxi quality. Commissioners would do well next month by saying eight years is far more than enough for our visitor welcome wagons. Follow Washington’s example: reduce the age maximum, and leave the old clunker taxis to the buzzards.
What changes faster than Miami? Blink and you’ll see a new skyline. But amidst change, two things recur every fall: the buzzards fly back from a summer in Hinckley, Ohio, to circle Michael Lewis downtown’s skyscrapers, and county commissioners bend the law to allow clunker taxicabs to circle the city longer. The buzzards might be the prettier of the two – and the more welcome. In a community whose number-one industry is visitors, the first person those visitors encounter might be the cab driver, and the first impression visitors get is bumping around in a taxi that by law can be up to eight years old. That’s not eight years of taking your family car back and forth to work, dropping the kids at school and going to the store weekends, a car that gets replaced well before the 100,000-mile mark.
It’s eight years of 24-7 driving. A parked taxi is losing revenue, so it’s seldom parked. If it actually was on the road just half that time – 12 hours a day – running 30 miles an hour, it could rack up 131,400 miles in a single year and pass the half-million-mile mark in less than four years – many of those miles filled with not just passengers but heavy luggage too. That cab is where many of our visitors get their first impressions of Miami. Miami-Dade County regulates taxis but doesn’t limit how many miles they can run. It does, however, say that after eight years on the road they must go. Even that longevity, however, isn’t enough for our commissioners. Each year, just like the buzzards, the commissioners return with legislation to extend the life of taxis approaching the eightyear mark. Most years they go for a one-year addition, to nine years. Last year they added 1½ years. This year they want to extend the life two years, to age 10. In doing so, they plan to remove from the taxi age legislation the firm words “No further extensions shall be granted.”
L ETTERS
We need Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act
TO THE
E DITOR
Don’t put officials on spot, end spot zoning practices The City of Miami invested hundreds of thousands of dollars and hundreds of manhours over several years to replace and improve the so-call outdated zoning code with Miami 21. So why are we always circumventing it by granting variances and special permits to allow developers to build greater height and density? Our Planning and Zoning Department and commissioners have a duty to respect the zoning code that we have chosen. A resident can’t buy a house and petition for a change of zoning to build a gas station, shopping center or condo complex. So why do we more often than not bend over backwards for developers that promise increased employment, more property taxes or some additional green spaces? Let’s “Stand Our Ground” and enforce our own zoning codes. You buy a property and you can build on it as long as you abide by the rules set down by our community. There must not be any further spot rezoning as a result of variances and special permits. The Planning and Zoning Department and commissioners must just say “No Mas!” By eliminating the possibility of altering the zoning, elected leaders will no longer be placed in a compromising position. They will no longer feel obliged to support an undesirable change in a neighborhood just because their election campaign was funded by the developer that now desires to cash in his chips for greater profits. We must put our neighborhoods first. And we can do this by respecting and supporting our zoning codes with no exceptions. Harry Emilio Gottlieb
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South Florida was hit significantly harder by the 2008 mortgage, housing, banking and economic crises than most other regions of the US. While conditions have improved from the depths of the criArden Shank ses, South Florida continues to lag behind the nation as a whole in the housing market recovery. To make matters worse, a tool that has helped homeowners recover from the impact of these crises has been prematurely taken away. Without the reauthorization of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, homeowners and citizens of South Florida will be unjustly burdened as they work to put their financial lives back in order. Congress and President Obama must act now to provide certainty for the many South Florida borrowers still struggling. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act eliminates income tax on forgiven mortgage debt, thereby eliminating one final and particularly punitive burden resulting from plummeting home values. In the aftermath of the crisis, many homeowners found that their homes were worth less than their outstanding mortgage balance. Homeowners, who in many cases also faced job loss, sought loan modifications involving a principal reduction or, if they could not keep their home, entered into a short sale arrangement. Without relief, these individuals confront thousands of dollars in taxes on top of the loss of their home and its equity. While meant to provide a temporary accommodation, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has been reauthorized twice since its inception in 2007
The Writer Arden Shank is president and CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida. due to the slow housing recovery. However, it expired on Dec. 31, 2014, and has yet to be reauthorized again. Recent foreclosure statistics from RealtyTrac put our state and regional situation in context: Florida foreclosure activity remains the nation’s second highest. Five Florida cities were among the 10 highest foreclosure rates for metro areas in the US in the third quarter, including Jacksonville (No. 2), Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach (No. 3), Tampa (No. 4), Miami (No. 5), Lakeland (No. 7) and Ocala (No. 8). Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida, a non-profit, hears stories every day from friends and neighbors who are striving hard to put their careers, families and financial lives back in order after the ordeal of the past seven years. As a community it is important to us all that these neighbors, friends and fellow citizens succeed in their quest for financial stability and success. Our job is to facilitate homeowners’ ability to stay in their homes whenever possible, or to exit gracefully in the best position to take care of personal and family needs going forward. We have partnered with Ocwen, one of the leading mortgage servicers in the US headquartered right here in South Florida, to identify and work with all eligible homeowners who could possibly stay in their homes with the benefit of a mortgage modification that could include a principal reduction. Principal reductions are a tool that simply reduces the principal amount of a loan to current market value and reamortizes the loan going forward. To
date, Ocwen has modified loans that have included over $12 billion in principal reductions. Unfortunately, without re-authorization of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, any forgiven principal reduction is currently taxable in 2015. This puts counseling organizations like ours in the difficult position of suggesting a path that would cause our clients to be liable for substantial tax obligations they often cannot afford to pay. One government policy, the Home Affordable Modification Program, is encouraging principal reductions and modifications, while another policy has allowed taxation of this accommodation to once again be the law of the land. Banks, investment firms and other institutions in the mortgage industry have received tremendous breaks throughout the recovery. American citizens, particularly those in harder-hit South Florida, have earned the right to this temporary accommodation in tax law. We urge the Florida congressional delegation to ensure passage of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act.
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WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
TODAY’S NEWS
MIAMI TODAY
9
Extended cruise contracts to net port nearly $100 million BY SUSAN DANSEYAR
County commissioners have unanimously authorized administrators to extend agreements with Geneva-based MSC Cruises and London’s Disney Cruise Line to expand their operations at PortMiami, bringing an expected $9.6 million and $7.8 million in revenue, respectively, in the next two years, with MSC’s payments to total $90 million by the end of its 11-year agreement. MSC, an Italian cruise line owned by privately-held Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., is the fourth largest cruise operator in the world. In fiscal 2014, it moved its South Florida cruise operations from Port Everglades to Miami’s seaport and agreed to handle at least 80,000 passenger operations yearly here. The agreement commissioners approved last week extends the preferred berthing agreement, which expires on Oct. 1, 2016, an additional 11 years to Oct. 1, 2027 with a five-year option to renew
Photo by Maxine Usdan
A Disney cruise ship at PortMiami. The operators will pay the port $7.8 million additional in extending their stay at least until Oct. 1, 2018.
2027, representing a 3% increase vessels for which the port is com- within 30 days of the end of that year. each year in docking and wharf peting. Mr. Osterholt pointed out Disney The port is recognized as fees. According to Mr. Osterholt, world-class “with a diversity of committed in its original contract guaranteed revenues to the port cruise brands appealing to a range to a minimum of no fewer than under the agreement are $90 mil- of passenger budgets,� Mr. 100,000 passenger movements lion. However, he said, should Osterholt wrote. “The growth of each fiscal year but actual volMSC continue to come into the MSC at the port will strengthen umes exceeded that: 147,700 pasport with a seasonal ship, based Miami’s offerings of luxury sengers in fiscal 2013, 186,000 in on terminal availability, along with cruise brands to passengers 2014 and 222,300 in 2015. The port will seek to continue to the year-round Seaside vessel, the around the world.� The agreement with Magical accommodate Disney vessels at anticipated revenue to the county would approximate $150 million Cruise Company Ltd., doing busi- Terminal F. However, the seaport ness as Disney Cruise Line, ex- has the right to schedule Disney at during the term. In exchange for the long-term tends its original agreement to Oct. another terminal if thaqt doesn’t agreement and increased guaran- 1, 2018, with the company having interfere with preferential berthing tees, the port will spend about $25 the option to a one-year renewal. rights of another cruise line and if million to upgrade Terminal F to Disney will pay the county about Disney approves in advance. Mr. Osterholt said Disney continaccommodate the Seaside’s size $7.8 million over that span. Should Disney fail to meet its ues to strengthen Miami-Dade and additional passengers. The county can also elect to annual guarantee of 100,000 pas- County’s offerings of family-orithe morning to handle the com- make additional improvements to sengers in any year, it is to make ented brands to passengers muter flow from the western increase capacity for even larger a shortfall payment to the county throughout the world. suburbs into downtown. In evenings, more lanes heading west would serve those same commuters on their ride home. Ms. Sosa said the county will After almost 70 years, we remain committed as ever to delivering a unique ask the state transportation debanking experience. Our success is the result of the loyalty of our clients, the partment to study north-south routes such as LeJeune Road dedication of our team and the opportunities provided by the great communities and Miami Avenue to determine we serve. To everyone who has made this possible we have a simple message: the demand for reversible lanes. “If you learn a behavior patThank you for inspiring us. tern, then you work with that,� Ms. Sosa said during the August meeting. “Computers can respond to the need� as traffic patterns emerge. On Sept. 29, the Metropolitan Planning Organization approved a resolution for a scope of work and budget to determine the feasibility and best way to use reversible lanes along major thoroughfares. On Nov. 12, the Transit & Mobility Services committee unanimously approved the resolution and sent a favorable recommendation to the full commission. subject to further negotiations. Minimum annual passenger guarantees to the port remain the same. However, said Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt in a memo to commissioners, the cruise line will guarantee a minimum 425,000 movements a year beginning when it brings the new MSC Seaside in fiscal 2018 and each year thereafter for the term of the agreement. MSC guarantees $7 million revenue for the county in fiscal 2018, escalating to $9.8 million in fiscal
Study to weigh reversed traffic flow in rush hour BY SUSAN DANSEYAR CATHERINE LACKNER
AND
County commissioners have directed administrators to collaborate with the Metropolitan Planning Organization to study the feasibility of reversible traffic lanes to improve vehicle flow and commuting times, particularly when flows are heavier in one direction on major thoroughfares. Rebeca Sosa, who sponsored the resolution that passed unanimously last week without discussion, spoke in an August meeting about a plan to reverse lanes of traffic during rush hour. This is already being done near Sun Life Stadium to route traffic before and after games, she said, and has been done successfully for years in Puerto Rico, where Ms. Sosa said traffic is worse than Miami. Under the reversible lane plan, east-west roads like Flagler Street and Bird Road would have more eastbound lanes open in
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SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PLEASE ALL TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Commissioners Meeting of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (SEOPW CRA) scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. or thereafter, at the Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, FL 33133 has been rescheduled to take place on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at Camillus House, 1603 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136. All interested persons are invited to attend. For more information please contact the 6(23: &5$ RIÂżFH DW
&ODUHQFH ( :RRGV ,,, ([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency
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TODAY’S NEWS
MIAMI TODAY
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Plan to save on wastewater treatment hits one-year setback BY MARILYN BOWDEN
The Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department’s plan to save money at the South District Wastewater Treatment Plant’s cogeneration facility has met with some setbacks, but solutions are now on the way. Planned improvements are geared to cut energy costs at the treatment plant, which already generates electricity from digester gas produced onsite, by providing additional cogeneration from methane gas from a nearby landfill. “Using all biogas provides a cost savings of approximately $650,000 per year per 2 megawatt cogeneration unit operating on biogas and natural gas,” said Lester Sola, the department’s director. “Not only would we be less dependent on purchasing electricity, thus realizing a cost-savings, but utilizing the methane gas in this method is also an environmental benefit.” It is anticipated that the project might produce up to 63,800 kilowatts every day. “If we have as much methane and digester gas as we think we’re going to have,” said Deputy Director Douglas Yoder, “they can probably account for as much as 90% of the plant’s daily needs.” A technical issue with the switchgear – which belongs to
Lester Sola foresees cost saving.
Photo by Maxine Usdan
Douglas Yoder in South District Wastewater Plant’s generator facility that could use landfill gas for power.
Florida Power & Light and regulates when the plant switches to power from FPL – turned out to be “a more complicated matter than we had anticipated,” Dr. Yoder said. “We have been meeting with FPL and have an agreement in principle. After that’s executed, they will go into a design process. So it will probably take another year or so.
“In the meantime we are operating at least one of the engines with the landfill gas, and it certainly helps with power production. So we’re still on the journey, but we’re getting closer.” The treatment plant has four cogeneration units installed now, he said, with one more planned. Due to the improvements at
the facility, the department must also obtain a revised Title 5 Air Emission Permit from the federal Environmental Protection Agency ensuring that it meets national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants. “I don’t see that as being a problem,” Dr. Yoder said. “We are pulling together all the data that is needed, and we’re likely
to have that taken care of by the time we have the additional connection capacity from FPL.” In October the county’s Water & Sewer Department won two awards for the water treatment plant’s design efficiencies and its contributions to sustainability. The improvements to the cogeneration facility won the Design Build Institute of America’s 2015 Best Overall Award for the Florida Region in the water/ wastewater category. Also, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies honored the department with its Sustainable Water Utility Management Award, recognizing “water utilities that have made a commitment to management that achieves a balance of innovative and successful efforts in areas of economic, social and environmental endeavors.”
Water upgrade for business areas would cost $580 million BY SUSAN DANSEYAR
The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department has determined that improvements required to upgrade existing water services in non-residential areas throughout the county will require installing 1.6 million linear feet of 12-inch pipe to over 15,000 properties for an estimated cost of $580 million. County commissioners received a report last week detailing the department’s multi-year capital plan for enhancing water service to the major commercial corridors where existing supply lines can’t meet current or anticipated needs for water and fire protection service. The improvements could be done over 10 years, the report states, assuming about 30 miles of pipe were installed each year. The cost estimate has a large contingency factor of 40%, indicating detailed design for specific sites might require construction techniques far more expensive that average costs. The department’s rules make a 12-inch diameter pipe the standard for water main installations in commercial, industrial, business and high-density residential developments for fire flow protection. The report states inadequately-sized water mains are the result of systems installed many years ago by other utilities acquired
by the Water and Sewer Department, older water mains that pre-date the department’s current standards or areas that transitioned from residential to commercial use. If a water main must be replaced due to a deteriorated pipe or work in the roadway right-of-way, the department pays for installing the new main to meet current standards. However, the department’s rules require developers to upgrade water mains as a condition of redeveloping property. On smaller developments, the cost of bringing the water distribution system in compliance with current standards can be large in comparison with the total project cost, the report states, and can become an impediment to productive redevelopment that provides economic opportunity. “Adopting a policy of department-financed water main upgrades requires a considerable commitment to funding in addition to the substantial requirements of the on-going consent decree, the ocean fallout retrofits, the water facilities and other environmental improvements necessary to meet regulatory mandates and economic growth,” the report says. The capital plan identifies several funding mechanisms for water main upgrades, including customer/developer funding, general obligation bond funding, a rate
surcharge on commercial customers, renewal and replacement funding, and using revenue bonds. The commission has already directed use of the remaining available general obligation bonds to extend the sewer system to commercial areas without sewers. The current budget includes a 6% water and wastewater increase to address consent decree requirements. The report points out that using renewal and replacement funding, or payas-you-go, to address the upgrade of water mains would require an initial water and wastewater rate increase of 18% this fiscal year, generating $58 million annually over a 10-year period. An alternative, the report states, would be to combine renewal and replacement funding with the issuance of additional bonds for the water main upgrades, requiring an 8% rate increase this fiscal year followed by annual increases currently expected to be 6% to 8% over the next 10 years to meet the department’s capital and operational needs. “This combined approach will have the most modest impact on the Water and Sewer Department’s customer while still enabling the department to achieve the goals of the resolution (adopted by the commission on March 3, 2015),” the report states. “The actual rates required
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will fluctuate with operational costs, interest rates and construction costs in the future and will be the result of a complete analysis during each annual budget cycle.” The department suggests the strategy to upgrade the water mains in commercial corridors include: All commercial areas slated for sewer extensions to minimize costs and local roadway disruptions. The ability to initiate upgrades in response to private redevelopment proposals and public roadway improvements so redevelopment is not impeded by a fixed schedule for the water main upgrades. A systematic program for designing and installing upgrades over the recommended 10-year period for all work not completed under the other steps. Additionally, the report states, the Water and Sewer Department is working on legislation to create a program that would permit a partial reimbursement to developers who replace and later donate to the county mains that have not already been identified as substandard. “By creating such a program,” the report says, “areas where development is already taking place can be improved quickly and the department will have additional flexibility to use the funding collected for additional advancements of the entire system.”
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New steering committee could shape Virginia Key’s future BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
The fate of Virginia Key could be shaped by a new advisory body proposed by Miami City Commissioner Francis Suarez. The city commission is set to consider the first reading of an ordinance to create a Virginia Key Steering Committee during today’s (12/10) regular meeting. The proposed advisory committee would have a say in the renovation and reopening of long-idled Miami Marine Stadium, and the future uses of Virginia Key, a barrier island that connects the mainland to Key Biscayne via the Rickenbacker Causeway. The stadium – abandoned since Hurricane Andrew’s destructive path in 1992 – and the marine basin it fronts off Biscayne Bay, have been the focus of attention and debate in the past year. The city has granted the National Marine Manufacturers Association a license to host its annual Miami International Boat Show from land and water surrounding the stadium. Restoring the stadium itself is not part of the deal. The first show at the new location is set for February 2016. The association is to pay the city $1.1 million a year and 50% of food and beverage sales income at the show. The license is not for a fixed term, and may be terminated or revoked by the city at-will. Although there is
Photo by Maxine Usdan
A steering committee would guide Virginia Key under plans the city commission is to hear today (12/10).
no binding long-term agreement between the city and the association, the city can review the license after five years. The city is spending more than $20 million to improve the land around the stadium into a flex park. The flex park is being developed for long-term uses. Once the boat show makes its exit at the close of the February 2016 show, the flex park would have new sporting fields and open space available for use. Bringing the boat show to the island and the intensity of possible future uses at the flex park have led to a prolonged legal battle with the Village of Key Biscayne, with village officials and residents complaining of traffic gridlock on the causeway and harmful impacts from over use of Virginia Key. As debate intensified this year
over the fate of Virginia Key, city leaders said the boat show proposal has led to the opportunity to dust off a 2010 master plan for the island. The proposed Virginia Key Steering Committee would “advise and make recommendations to the city commission regarding the mission, vision, business plan, governance, and operation of Virginia Key, its abutting property and basin, and implementation of the Virginia Key 2010 Master Plan,” according to the legislation. The city seeks a unified planning mechanism for the entire key, implementing the many elements of the 2010 Master Plan as it relates to the entirely of the island, it says. The ordinance states that Miami Marine Stadium is of great architectural merit, has received international recogni-
tion for its design and is designated as a historic resource. “The city and others are interested in developing a long range plan for the restoration, reopening, and promotion of Miami Marine Stadium and Virginia Key,” the legislation says. The committee’s 11 voting members would serve without compensation. Most would serve one-year terms. The commissioner of District 2 would appoint one person to the committee, as the island is in District 2. The ordinance calls for appointments by the mayor; the director of the Department of Real Estate and Asset Management; Key Biscayne Village Council; the county commissioner for District 7; Dade Heritage Trust; the National Trust for Historic Preservation;
Friends of Marine Stadium; Urban Environment League of Greater Miami; and the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. The city commission would appoint a member of a countybased, non-profit environmental preservation group. The commission could remove any member by majority vote without cause. The purpose, powers and duties of the committee would be: To seek the best mode of governance for Virginia Key. To consider the short- and long-term vision for Marine Stadium restoration, development and use. To oversee and guide all island wide land following the 2010 Master Plan. To consider the best business model for the Marine Stadium to operate sustainably so that it would function like an enterprise fund without city subsidy. To consider the challenges for Virginia Key open spaces, events, shows, features, goals, objectives and promotions consistent with the 2010 Master Plan. To hold hearings and meetings. To issue written reports making recommendations to the city commission. To advise the city commission and recommend any changes and to help the city better promote the Marine Stadium and Virginia Key.
Beckham’s goal kicks out bid for 633 Overtown apartments BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Goodbye apartments, hello soccer stadium. The City of Miami’s Overtown neighborhood was targeted for a massive rental apartment complex to be called River Central. Instead, it now appears that soccer great David Beckham and his team of investors have taken over the property and plan to build a Major League Soccer stadium there. After the fanfare of Mr. Beckham’s announcement two years ago to bring a new Major League Soccer team to Miami, several preferred sites for the stadium were said to be off limits or rejected, including PortMiami, the FEC slip next to AmericanAirlines Arena, and most recently the area next to the Marlins ballpark in Little Havana. Last week, Mr. Beckham’s group announced where it will build its stadium. “Miami Beckham United has secured a stadium development site at 650 Northwest 8th Street in the City of Miami’s historic Overtown neighborhood. We intend to create an assemblage of private and county-controlled land totaling approximately 9 acres in Miami’s urban core, within walking distance of multiple public transit options and the up-and-coming Miami River District,” the partnership said in a prepared statement. “The private properties, which comprise the majority of the land,
Photo by Maxine Usdan
Instead of a big rental project near the river, this site seems destined for a Major League Soccer stadium.
are under contract and we intend to purchase the county land at fair market value pending approval of our site by the MLS Board of Governors,” the statement reads. The bulk of the land is a city block bounded by Northwest Eighth and Seventh streets, and Northwest Seventh Avenue on the west and Northwest Sixth Avenue on the east. This summer, the city’s Urban Development Review Board approved a mixed-use residential development called River Central for the 650 NW Eighth St. site. The site plan called for 633 rental apartments in two eightstory buildings connected by a centralized parking garage, with two 1,500-square-foot commercial spaces. The site is an entire block of
uneven concrete used as a piecemeal parking lot that’s home to a hulking cell tower, adjacent to a scattering of rundown and abandoned parcels, blocks of chainlink fence and rusted barbed wire. To the north sit several older two-story apartment buildings, and the county owns land to the south. The large parcel is about a half block east of the Seybold Canal and two blocks north of the Miami River. The location is also about three blocks from Metrorail’s Culmer Station, an important aspect for development of the site for the soccer stadium. In their statement, Mr. Beckham’s partners thanked both city and county officials who assisted in searching for a suitable site.
“Most importantly, we appreciate the support and patience of our fans who share David’s dream of fielding a world-class soccer club in Miami. We’ve never been closer to making that vision a reality, and we appreciate the consideration of Commissioner [Don] Garber and the MLS Board of Governors.” On Saturday, the board of governors of Major League Soccer announced its support of the site selection. “We are very supportive of Miami Beckham United’s plans to locate their stadium in the City of Miami’s Overtown neighborhood,” Mr. Garber said in a prepared statement. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said on Thursday he signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with Miami
Beckham United. The document confirms the group’s intention to negotiate the purchasing of land owned by the county, on Northwest Sixth Street and Northwest Sixth Avenue. “Miami Beckham United would pay fair market value for the property that is currently managed by the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department,” the mayor said. “The purchase is part of Miami Beckham United’s effort to assemble land to eventually construct a privately-financed, privately-owned Major League Soccer stadium in the urban core of our world-class community,” said Mayor Gimenez. Because the stadium would be privately-owned, Miami Beckham United would be responsible for paying property taxes annually like any other private entity in the county, the mayor said. The sale of the county land is subject to approval by the county commission. Mr. Beckham’s group said it will be “the most responsible stadium development” in Miami history. “Construction of our venue will be privately financed and we will work with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to establish our club as an educational resource for the community. We will also engage nearby businesses and residents as we develop our stadium design and take steps to enhance the neighborhood,” the partners said.
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MIAMI TODAY
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Pleas to Army engineers fail to sink boat show BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Rebeca Sosa was prime sponsor.
County floats plan for a sea level pilot BY SUSAN DANSEYAR
Members of the county’s Strategic Planning & Government Operations Committee expressed great optimism Tuesday when unanimously approving that the administration proceed with a pilot program of area planning for newly-identified areas vulnerable to rising sea levels and related impacts. An October report by the county Sea Level Rise Task Force, which the commission created in 2013, included a feasibility assessment to target areas experiencing coastal flooding from extreme high tides and storm surge. The purpose of pinpointing the areas vulnerable to rising sea levels is to prioritize funding for infrastructure and adaptation planning. The assessment detailed four approaches and recommended the one referred to as area planning for newly-identified vulnerable areas, at least on a pilot program basis. The approach will involve using the best available science on vulnerable areas, including the US Geological Survey’s integrated surface and groundwater modeling for Miami-Dade County. The task force’s October status report acknowledged that a more comprehensive vulnerability analysis is needed to designate action areas. However, the resolution the committee adopted on Tuesday – whose prime sponsor was Rebeca Sosa and whose co-sponsor originally was only Daniella Levine Cava – states that pilot adaptation action areas could be selected based on available information and the report’s recommended next steps include “thorough and well thought out plans of how Miami-Dade County could begin such a pilot program, including how to select the initial pilot locations and how to involve and collaborate with interested municipalities.” Such a program, the resolution states, may ultimately identify specific problems and possible solutions. Committee members said this is an excellent step for many reasons, including naming specific steps rather than just generic ones to address the issue. Sally Heyman, who asked on Tuesday to be named a co-sponsor, said the program will be an incentive for greater responsibility by insurance companies. Trudy Burton, representing the Builder Association of South Florida, praised the program for its detail and focus. “No one knows exactly what a resilient building really is,’ she said. “This is good, and we want to be a part of it.”
Key Biscayne residents who packed the village hall Dec. 2 begged the US Army Corps of Engineers to put a stop to plans for the 2016 Miami International Boat Show on Virginia Key. Representatives of the corps were there to answer questions about the permit application process for the show. Time and again, corps representatives said the agency must follow strict regulations and focus on water navigation and cannot consider traffic on roads or other concerns raised by opponents of the boat show at that location. The meeting started later than anticipated, with village Mayor Mayra Peña Lindsay opening by saying “I think there’s been a miscommunication” after she spoke with the corps representatives on the nature of the meeting. It was standing room only in the council chambers. More than 100 people filled chairs, some sitting on the floor and others spilling into a hallway. Many people filled out forms to ask questions or make statements, but several didn’t get a chance to speak as the meeting ended at 7:30 p.m. A corps representative said that was the scheduled adjournment. Village officials have been at odds with the City of Miami for months over plans to relocate the boat show to city-owned land on Virginia Key, a barrier island linking Key Biscayne to the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway. The city made a license agreement with the National Marine Manufacturers Association, producer of the annual show, to stage the 2016 event on land and water surrounding Miami Marine Stadium. The city is spending more than $20 million to improve the area around the long-idle stadium into a flex park for multiple uses after the boat show. Village officials and residents don’t want the boat show on Virginia Key, saying it will choke traffic on the causeway, the only access to the village, and endanger wildlife and the environment. Opponents also voice concerns about the city’s future use of the property and waterfront stadium, saying the changes are too intensive. The city and the marine manufacturers association defend the plan for bringing the boat show to Virginia Key and the basin, and the association says it is working closely with all governing agencies to secure the needed permits and has devised a parking and transportation plan to ease traffic congestion. No one from the National Marine Manufacturers Association spoke during the Dec. 2 meeting. Mayor Lindsay pointed out that City of Miami officials were invited but it appeared none attended. Some residents present asked the corps to outright deny the permit to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Even village elected officials
Army Corps of Engineers speakers said the agency focuses on water navigation at the site, not car traffic.
were trying their best to sway corps members. “We need you on our side,” Councilmember Michael Kelly told the corps representatives. Ingrid Gilbert, with the corps of engineers, said she didn’t want to sound like the typical bureaucrat but “we have to stick to the regulations.” Resident David Rocker asked if so-called temporary docks installed in the basin for the boat show would be fully removed after the show. “Yes, they are temporary marine structures,” responded Albert Gonzalez, with the corps. Mr. Rocker asked about the removal of inland structures after the show ends. Mr. Gonzales said inland structures are “outside of our jurisdiction,” noting that the corps’ focus is navigable waterways. Mr. Rocker said the boat show will be a massive undertaking and is “entirely too large for this site.” Mayor Lindsay said the city recently changed a request for proposals for an enlarged marina on Virginia Key to take the place of Rickenbacker Marina, and village officials are concerned the additional dockage will adjoin the temporary dockage for the show. “We can’t consider speculative proposals,” said Ms. Gilbert. If the city plans an expanded wet slip marina on Virginia Key, Ms. Gilbert said, that would come to the corps in a separate permit application and be viewed on its own merits. John Shubin, an attorney representing the village, argued that the city’s plan for a marina should be evaluated along with the temporary dockage for the boat show. He said the city ought not to piecemeal plans in the basin to restrict the corps’ review – “That’s exactly what the city is trying to do – piecemeal it.” Mr. Shubin asked if the permit request from the association was for multiple years. Ms. Gilbert said it is for five years. In regard to the effect of increased activity in Biscayne Bay and the basin, Ms. Gilbert said it is typical for the corps to require pre and post resource surveys in order to measure any impact from a use or event. “We can modify any permit if
there is an issue,” she said. Mr. Kelly spoke of the special nature of Key Biscayne and the worries island residents have about anything endangering their home. “This is why we live here,” Mr. Kelly said. “We view the [Virginia Key] basin as part of our island.” “What worries us is the environmental impact,” said Mr. Kelly, as he identified himself to the corps representatives as a member on the village council. “We’re here, really, pleading,” he said. The massive boat show will hurt the environment – “take that into consideration,” Mr. Kelly said. Mr. Gonzales pointed out that the boat show will require permits from the state and from Miami-Dade County. A decision on the county permit was postponed last month. County commissioners unanimously voted to defer a permit vote until Dec. 15. Some residents worried that the installation and removal of the dockage for the boat show would stir up the bottomlands and impact the bay. Village Vice Mayor James Taintor drew on a large pad of paper to illustrate what he called the three “choke points” in Biscayne Bay and how they may be impacted by the boat show and added vessels on the water. The boat show organizers plan to use a fleet of water taxis during the show to shuttle attendees in and out of the venue. Mr. Taintor said the added vessels on the water during the boat show will be “a safety and navigational nightmare.” The vice mayor suggested restricting the number of water taxis, restricting the routes they can use, not allowing any water travel after dark and making the entire area a no-wake zone. Mr. Taintor said he fears the bay bottom will look like Swiss cheese if the boat show is allowed to use the venue on Virginia Key for years. “It is going to destroy that basin,” said Mr. Taintor, asking the corps to not allow the boat show at that location, or take measures to limit it. His request was met with loud applause from the crowd. Mr. Garcia said state officials are the ones tasked with water
quality matters, and the corps along with other agencies coordinates with the state. Gregory W. Bush, University of Miami associate professor of history, said the boat show on Virginia Key will deny public access and be a disservice to the public. He said it goes against deed restrictions. Mr. Bush told the corps representatives about a 2010 master plan for Virginia Key that called for a planning oversight board for the entire island. He said the Miami City Commission approved the master plan but has not followed it. Don Elisburg said he’s on a condo council that represents more than 4,000 Key Biscayne condo owners and that fully supports the village council in fighting the boat show. He pointed to the packed room as evidence of the importance of the issue to residents. “You’ve got a bear by the tail here,” said Mr. Elisburg, looking at the corps representatives. “You got caught up in stealth project,” he said, as he scolded the corps representatives. “You’ve simply not done your homework.” “There are 12,000 people here worried about how they’ll get to the hospital” through the traffic jams created by the boat show, said Mr. Elisburg. “The city decided to fast-track this,” he said, without studies on its potential impact. “Shame on you… this thing just isn’t right,” he concluded to robust applause. Earlier that day, a circuit court judge had dismissed a lawsuit the village filed against the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The village government had demanded that the association produce all of its records related to its license with the city, citing Florida’s Public Records Act. The association rejected the request, saying it is not subject to the act. The village sued April 22 to compel disclosure. The association later asked the court to throw out the case. The court said the village failed to prove the association was subject to the records act and granted the request for dismissal. The village has the right to appeal the decision. A separate lawsuit the village filed against the City of Miami over the boat show remains unresolved.
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
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Transit-oriented development wins Miami commission nod BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
A planned transit-oriented development that would bring new residential and commercial uses near the northern edge of the City of Miami earned initial approval from city commissioners. The Upper East Side site fronts directly on Northeast 82nd Street, as is being considered for a mixed-use development that might one day feed a passenger rail line. The applicants are 82nd Apartments LP, 505 NE 82nd Street LLC, 520 NE 82nd Terrace LLC, 439 NE 82nd Street LLC and 421 82nd St LLC. Attorney Ben Fernandez appeared on their behalf before the commission. In a letter to the city, Mr. Fernandez said the application would allow the property to be developed in accordance with a plan prepared by Dean Lewis Architects entitled The Wave of Shorecrest. “The proposed plan will result in a mixed-use development on the property that is compatible with the surrounding land uses, particularly the large 79th Street Shopping Center to the south, and the pattern of development along major corridors in this area,” Mr. Fernandez wrote. He also said the project will provide a more appropriate transition to the area to the north of the property from the 79th Street Shopping Center than exists today. City commissioners on Nov. 19 approved the first reading of two ordinances for the site. One would change the land use designation from Medium Density Multifamily Residential to Restricted Commercial. The other would rezone the land from Urban Center Transect Zone – Restricted to Urban Core Transect Zone – Open. The area consists of eight
The area considered for a development that might someday feed a rail line is just south of the city limit.
Francisco Garcia: the site could be “hard to defend and manage.”
parcels, about 2.3 acres or 98,932 square feet. The site is generally bounded by Northeast 82nd Terrace to the north, Biscayne Boulevard to the east, Northeast Fourth Place to the west and Northeast 82nd Street to the south. A city staff analysis notes that the area consists of duplex and multifamily residential units
near Biscayne Boulevard, an arterial road. The proposal would enable owners to redevelop the site for retail, residential and office uses under the Restricted Commercial designation. That designation would allow a maximum of 340 dwellings on the site, though the developer plans to limit that number. The applicant has proposed this restrictive covenant: The property shall be developed consistent with the design intent of the plans entitled “Wave of Shorecrest 82nd Street Master Plan” dated July 15. The owners shall not increase the proposed floor area by pursuing a Public Benefits bonus under Miami 21. The property shall be developed with a maximum of 232 dwelling units. Planning Director Francisco Garcia told the commission that the planning and zoning depart-
Keon Hardemon: the development might help ease road congestion.
ment and the city’s Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board recommended denial of the land use and zoning changes. The planning department staff recommended denial because, in part, the changes would increase the intensity of commercial use in an area characterized by one-story and two-story residences, and a new designa-
tion of Restricted Commercial wouldn’t act as a buffer between the Medium Density Multi-Family Residential properties to the north and the shopping center on the south. Mr. Garcia also told commissioners that the rezoning request is coming from a private applicant, not the city, and rezoning would apply to an irregularlyshaped area that could be “hard to defend and manage.” Mr. Fernandez called the neighborhood “a fundamentally changing area,” noted its proximity to the established residential area of Shorecrest, and said the developer has the support of the Shorecrest Homeowners Association. The area has been identified as a potential future stop for Tri-Rail, Mr. Fernandez told commissioners. The site is very close to the city’s northern boundary with the Village of Miami Shores. Mr. Fernandez said the zoning on the village’s southern edge has increased density and would allow mixed uses. He also said the project is designed with no retail uses facing the Medium Density MultiFamily Residential properties across Northeast 82nd Terrace. Mr. Fernandez said the proposed development might include underground parking. City officials acknowledged the area’s heavily traveled roadways, and Commissioner Keon Hardemon said a development designed in part to attract rail commuters might help ease future road congestion. “Transit-oriented developments try to address that,” he said. Mr. Hardemon liked the project and said the area might be the next portion of the city destined for “big change.” The proposed land use and zoning changes will get a final vote later.
Turmoil in Europe, Middle East, linked to Ottoman genesis BY MARILYN BOWDEN
In his new book, “The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908-1923,” historian Sean McMeekin finds the seeds of turmoil in the Middle East and Europe in the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire more than 90 years ago. Dr. McMeekin is guest speaker for a members-only meeting of the Prologue Society, a book club dedicated to the appreciation of history, at noon today (12/10) in the Riviera Country Club, 1155 Blue Road, Coral Gables. The society is sponsored by Brickell Bank, Miami Today and Books & Books. (Details: theprologue society@gmail.com or 305-3231154) “The Ottoman Empire had endured for more than six centuries before it was finally broken against the anvil of the First World War,” the author writes. “From 1517 to 1924… the sultans had ruled over the Islamic holy places of Arabia, granting them legitimacy, in the eyes of
the Muslim faithful, as caliphs of Islam.” But in the early years of the 20th century, wounded from incursions by successive wouldbe conquerors and ethnic conflict within, the empire – known as “the sick man of Europe” – lost 40% of its territory, and its neighbors, notably Russia to the north, lusted for more.
Dr. McMeekin explains the empire’s unfortunate alliance with Germany from the Ottoman point of view: “The Ottoman Empire was simply not strong enough to survive intact without at least one Great Power patron able to veto collective action against her.” She paid a terrible price, he says. “Perhaps 400,000 or 500,000 Ottoman soldiers died in the First World War,” Dr. McMeekin writes, “but this is only a fraction of total casualties for the broader conflict we might call the War of Ottoman Succession. The best estimates suggest that the population inhabiting the territory of the Ottoman Empire prior to 1911 (about 21 million) dropped to less than 17 million by 1923, of which no more than 13 million now resided in the truncated border of Kemalist Turkey… the raw numbers of dead and wounded tell, of course, only a small part of the terrible story of the Ottoman war. Entire peoples, in some cases entire nations, were uprooted from
homes they had inhabited for centuries, along with their entire way of life.” He shows that the well-known expulsion of Turkish-Armenians to Syria, a violent campaign of ethnic cleansing resulting in the deaths of an estimated 650,000-1 million, was by no means unique. The practice, sanitized as the principle of “collective population transfer” in the Treaty of Lausanne that brought the Ot-
toman Empire to a close, “redounded on through the 20th century,” from Hitler and Stalin to the partition of India and Israel, and ethnic cleansings in the Balkans. Even more significant, Dr. McMeekin suggests, was the end of the caliphate. “Since 1924,” he writes, “there has been no caliph to unite the world’s Muslims. The Islamic world has never been the same.” The announcement in 2014 of a “global caliphate” by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Bagdadi, with himself as Caliph Ibrahim, is the most recent result. Sean McMeekin, a professor of history at Bard College, has written several award-winning books on the Ottoman Empire and the First World War. He previously taught at Koç University, Istanbul, and at Yale. “The Ottoman Endgame,” by Sean McMeekin, 551 pages, is $35 hardcover from Penguin Press. Details: thepenguinpress.com.
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