Miami Today: Week of Thursday, July 6, 2017

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

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MULTIPLE COLLABORATORS LURED A SPANISH FIRM TO MOVE FROM TEXAS TO GABLES, pg. 12 AVIATION FIRM EXPANSION: A Dubai-based aviation company that now employs 20 people at its US headquarters in Miami-Dade County is looking to add 25 more and expand in a 4,200-square-foot facility in the county, but the company says it’s also looking at expanding in Houston instead. County commissioners are being asked today (7/6) to approve incentive funding of $3,000 per added job, with the county paying $15,000 of that and the state paying $60,000 under the Florida Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program. The request comes via the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, which keeps the names of such fund requests confidential.

The Achiever

CONSTRUCTION STARTS SLIDE: Construction starts continued their downward trend in South Florida in May, falling 5% to $669 million in value, Dodge Data & Analytics reported last week. For the year as a whole, construction starts for the three counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach are off 10%, Dodge reported. But behind the negative figures, nonresidential construction alone showed a 35% jump in May, making the nonresidential gain for the year 26% in all.

May residential construction was off 24% for the three-county area, part of a 29% drop so far in 2017.

BOOM BANG BOOM: A fireworks display is planned as part of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Gala to be held July 9 at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. City commissioners on June 22 granted special permission for the discharge and display of fireworks. The pyrotechnics show is to begin 11:20 p.m. and conclude at 11:40 p.m.

The 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is to take place at Marlins Park in East Little Havana on July 11. It is the 88th MLB All-Star Game.

WATCHFUL EYES: Miami’s Off-Street Parking Board has approved buying and installing security and surveillance cameras at Jackson Memorial Hospital North Lots for $18,869.15, with a 10% contingency.

The Miami Parking Authority manages hospital parking; the hospital’s doctors and employees use the lots. Earlier, the board approved a $39,437.40 equipment buy from a company named Scheidt and Bachmann to segregate doctors’ parking. Security and surveillance cameras are part of those improvements, to help the authority’s command center view the entries and exit transactions and obtain license plate numbers if issues arise. The cameras were purchased from Security 101. Jackson is to reimburse the parking authority for both purchases.

Marcelo Giusto

Photo by Cristina Sullivan

Consul General leads Argentina’s promotion center too The profile is on Page 4

Homestead commercial air show on runway Two Miami-Dade County commissioners are seeking to resurrect dreams of a commercial air show in Homestead similar to this month’s Paris Air Show.

Dennis Moss and Daniella Levine Cava are asking commissioners today (7/6) to support the concept. Their resolution would direct Mayor Carlos Gimenez to pursue a collaborative effort with the Air Force to evaluate the Homestead Air Reserve Base for a show similar to the famed show that Miami-Dade Beacon Council officials are about to attend in France.

A multi-year effort beginning in 2008 to establish a show on the site crashed and burned when a high Air Force official told the Beacon Council’s then-CEO Frank Nero on Dec. 15, 2011, that the Air Force could not support the initiative on the site.

The aim was a hemispheric aviation and aerospace trade show bringing 100-plus major industry exhibits and governmental operations to display their wares in Homestead every second year for global industry buyers.

At the time, it was noted that a successful vehicle would have created in MiamiDade an international hub for a whole new

industry sector – now one of the pillars of the Beacon Council-led One Community One Goal job creation initiative.

The effort anticipated a large inflow of visitor dollars, publicity and a new elite job base.

The show would have been produced on 54 fallow acres beside Homestead Air Reserve Base and was seen as fueling new development in South Dade.

The county had informally agreed to spend $15 million to fund the plan and use of the land. The Beacon Council had applied for a $400,000 federal Economic Development Administration grant to help market the first exhibit, proposed for 2012.

But plans fell apart with a letter from Kathleen I. Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force, who conveyed to Mr. Nero the Air Force’s formal decision.

“After careful re-examination of the information submitted on behalf of [the proposed Miami International Aerospace Show] and review and discussion with Air Force senior staff, Secretary [Michael] Donley determined the Air Force cannot support this request.... Your initiative to improve the Miami area, particularly when it comes to

industry and jobs, is most impressive. You certainly have worked hard to put Miami and Dade County’s best foot forward, and I commend you for your efforts. However, our assessment of the... request extended to the potential impact on all our Air Force installations while considering our commitments around the globe.”

Today’s proposed resolution states that “previously, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department prepared an analysis of a “Paris-type” commercial air show in Miami-Dade County, and the results of the analysis indicated the [Homestead Air Reserve Base] has the capacity to host a major commercial air show and that the nearby Homestead Speedway provides adequate event parking.”

The resolution notes that the action in 2011 “did not... entirely foreclose Air Force support.” It says the Air Force did lay out requirements and expectations that the county would have to address to get that support, and the resolution directs Mayor Gimenez to work with the Air Force on a feasibility study and site evaluation and report results to commissioners within six months.

2 airports targeted as job engines Miami-Dade County should leverage more jobs and economic development out of two of its secondary airports, legislation on today’s (7/6) county commission agenda suggests.

A resolution by Commissioner Sally Heyman says “Miami-Opalocka Executive Airport is larger in land area than La Guardia Airport in New York City and Miami Executive Airport is capable of handling significant aviation traffic.”

While the legislation doesn’t quantify capacity at either site, it would ask Mayor Carlos Gimenez to report within six months analyzing the services now offered at the two airports to determine whether they are the “highest and best uses of these airports in terms of job creation and ensuring” that the two airports are fiscally selfsustaining.

The legislation would require that the aviation areas “remain available for aviation users consistent with federal law,” but at the same time pinpoint underserved markets in both aviation and non-aviation arenas “with the potential for sustained growth” at the two airports.

The report would also look at all regulatory constraints that might limit new uses at the airports.

Ms. Heyman’s legislation notes that large portions of both airports have been leased to master developers but that the “Miami-Dade County Aviation Department has not yet leased or developed certain portions.”

Under one such master lease, Amazon signed an agreement last week to build a semi-automated distribution hub that is to create 1,000 jobs at the Opa-locka airport.

Both sites, the legislation says, “should be leading engines for job creation in South Florida” and “the county should proactively work” to achieve their highest potentials.

Miami Executive Airport at 12800 SW 145th Ave. is a reliever for Miami International Airport and is described as one of Florida’s busiest general aviation airports.

Miami Opa-locka Executive Airport at 14201 NW 42nd Ave., also a reliever for Miami International, features no landing fees.

TRANSPORTATION TRUST BID SEEKS NEW TAX REVENUES ...

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YEAR-LONG STUDY OF COUNTY’S ‘CONSTITUTION’ STARTS ...

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BUSINESSES JOIN IN TRANSIT MOVE WITH RIDES, CREDITS ...

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EX UM FINANCE HEAD NATOLI TO HEAD BAPTIST BUSINESS ...

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VIEWPOINT: TELL MIAMI’S STORY AS A BUSINESS CENTER ...

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MIAMI MOVING AHEAD WITH OWN ART IN PUBLIC PLACES ...

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BRIGHTER CITY LOTS LOOK TO BE ‘MAKING PARKING FUN’ ...

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DESPITE NEW LAW’S CLOUD, EXPRESSWAY BONDS GET ‘A’ ...

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

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Businesses join in mass transit movement with rides, credits

By Marilyn Bowden

Some Miami-Dade businesses are joining efforts by residential developers and local government to help alleviate the county’s traffic woes by making it easier for their employees to use public transportation.

Yet practices that cater to the city’s car culture, some say, make switching to mass transit impractical.

TotalBank provides a van to carry people who work at its Coral Way branch to and from the Coconut Grove Metrorail station – a convenience its president, Jay Pelham, says makes good business sense.

“In today’s market, in any type of business,” he says, “there’s fierce competition for the best talent. So we have to build the right environment and culture where our employees can feel as comfortable as possible. And today, transportation is a big challenge for all of us.”

TotalBank, Mr. Pelham says, foots the bill for Metropasses for employees who opt to use public transportation. At the bank’s downtown headquarters building – which incorporates a Metrorail station – more than 100 employees, or 30% to 40% of the workforce, use this option. Many at the Brickell Avenue branch take advantage of it as well.

But the Coconut Grove Metrorail station, closest to the Coral Way branch, “is a bit of a hike,” Mr. Pelham says. “So we have a company van ferry them back and forth.

“Of course, for certain jobs, such as IT repair, people still need a car because they have to go to different locations. But people who stay in the building all day appreciate the fact that they can take advantage of that service.”

Through its payroll program, the national law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson has long allowed

‘In cities that have very good mass transit... up to 75% of eligible employees take advantage of the benefit. But in our Coral Gables office, only one person uses it.’

Photo by Marlene Quaroni

Mario Toranzo helps a TotalBank employee out of the bank’s van at the Coconut Grove Metrorail Station.

‘People who stay in the building all day appreciate the fact that they can take advantage of that service.’

Jay Pelham

employees to deduct the cost of monthly public transport passes before taxes, says Ronald L. Kammer, co-partner in charge of the Coral Gables office.

“In cities that have very good mass transit, such as Chicago, San Francisco and New York,” he says, “up to 75% of eligible employees take advantage of the benefit.

“But in our Coral Gables office, only one person uses it.”

He attributes this to a number of issues, the first of which is Metrorail’s limited reach.

“I myself am not a big user of mass transit,” Mr. Kammer says, “though when I lived in Chicago I would take it every day. It’s a matter of convenience, because to use it here I would have to drive to the station, park at the garage, then get off the train and take the trolley.”

Metromover makes it easier for people who work downtown, he says, but the fact that it’s traditional in this market for employers to pay for employee parking “is a disincentive to using mass transit.”

Miami-Dade Transit’s Corpo-

rate Discount Program – available to public and private companies, government agencies and nonprofits – allows participants to save on commuting costs through group discounts and pre-tax savings by obtaining monthly public transportation through a tax deduction from their employer under IRS Code 132(f), according to its website.

(Details: http://www.miamidade. gov/transit/corporate-discount.asp) Some residential rental buildings in the urban core offer incentives to tenants who don’t move in with a car.

Jerome Hollo, executive vice president at Florida East Coast Realty, says his company will offer a $1,000 annual credit to renters without cars at Panorama Tower.

The project, at 1100 Brickell Ave., is expected to open this fall.

“We’ve designed the building to provide for those who want to free themselves of the expense and maintenance of a vehicle,” Mr. Hollo says. “There’s a Metromover station a block away and free trol-

Ronald Kammer ley service in front of the building, and we feel that ride sharing takes up a lot of the slack as well. Also, there’s a pet spa, a market, restaurants, an 18,000-square-foot gym, a coffee shop and a post office in the building – and for those who want more, Brickell City Centre is a block away.”

The Related Group has been scaling down the parking component of downtown properties for more than a decade.

“Right now,” says Steve Patterson, president & CEO of Related Development, the company’s multifamily and mixed-use arm, “we’re still building parking spaces that five years from now are going to be empty because, between services like Uber and autonomous vehicles, people are not going to need cars as much.”

Because incomes are not going up as fast as the cost of housing, he says, people are going to have to economize somewhere.

“And,” Mr. Patterson says, “cars will have to go.”

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MIAMI TODAY

VIEWPOINT

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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

Coalition vital to tell Miami’s story as a home for business We applaud the county jobs team’s new CEO, who told readers last week that one of his three pillars of strategy is to boost Miami’s image for work and business. We sorely need that push.

Michael Lewis “ I t ’s o u r strategy for how to reach businesses,” said Michael Finney, just arrived at the Beacon Council from Michigan. “The market side tells how we’re going to communicate to the external world that Miami is the best place for selected business types to grow and prosper.”

While location strength is obvious here, outsiders often know Miami for the Three S words – sun, sand and surf – and maybe the remnant images of “Miami Vice” as a party and bullets place.

Indeed, at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Goals Conference last month a panel of high-powered leaders made it clear that many colleagues – and initially some of the panelists – thought poorly of Miami.

“I’m not sure people understand how dynamic and young the city is, how good the school system is, and what a great family place it is,” Celebrity Cruises President Lisa Lutoff-Perlo told chamber

members. “It’s a real selling job.”

Leading the sales team will be Mr. Finney. And while he’ll get help – Ms. Lutoff-Perlo said her staff is creating a plan to strengthen Miami’s business and work image – he’ll be the general.

Unfortunately, the general is missing firepower, notably cash to do the job. The old $3 million a year war chest to build Miami’s image in the US and globally is long gone.

The marketing war chest came from a partnership: the county put up $1 for every $2 business put in. But that dwindled as some partners exited and the county cut, first to $500,000, then to $250,000, and ultimately to zero.

You don’t do a lot of marketing of Miami without the funds to reach outsiders.

That doesn’t mean we don’t market.

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau does a great job on tourism, building the Three S image and much more and making us far more competitive in bringing in visitors.

But while it’s true that some pleasure visitors do discover Miami’s assets for work and business and return as employees, investors or owners, that’s not the thrust of visitor marketing – nor should it be.

No, we need a parallel cooperative plan for the business sector.

There some doubt whether, even with a vast treasury, the Beacon Council could bring here huge job-creating businesses that pay top wages, the kind of busi-

nesses targeted by the council-led One Community One Goal effort.

But there should be zero doubt that properly funded marketing could bring in more mid-size enterprises that add very good jobs.

“You cannot market Miami-Dade worldwide without resources,” notes Frank Nero, who was Beacon Council CEO for nearly two decades and benefitted from the marketing funding that has disappeared. “Many companies worldwide still view Miami-Dade as primarily a tourist destination.”

Ideally, Mr. Finney will find support in government and industry to resurrect a funded marketing partnership. One panelist at the chamber was Ralph Lopez, American Airlines president of Miami hub operations – and American was the key private sector funder of the old marketing coalition. He sees the need. “The perception of Miami needs to evolve,” he told the chamber group.

Celebrity Cruises obviously gets the message. So should airlines, realtors, developers and others who profit mightily from our influx of executives and companies from around the nation and the globe.

The key missing player is the county, which committed $1 million last time to marketing. Mr. Finney and his volunteer team will need to sell the county that marketing that adds taxpaying businesses is an investment in jobs and a net positive, not an expense. Though true, that’s

not an easy sell.

Matching private funding to government investment will be easiest if the county isn’t perceived to control spending. Businesses are shy about funding government-run projects.

Even with a sizeable marketing budget, however, business developers will need boosts elsewhere. The best sales tool is reality. Marketing to outside businesses would benefit immensely from gains in workforce housing and transportation that would allow businesses’ staffs to live comfortably.

It’s a challenge to show the working environment that makes Miami special, and an even bigger challenge to upgrade that environment for all Miamians, including those who will be bringing in new jobs.

As Mr. Nero notes, the marketing challenge alone is broad: “Marketing is NOT just putting ads in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal – although that would help if there were enough resources for a comprehensive and sustained campaign – but rather a comprehensive sustained multiyear program encompassing advertising, print, social media, radio, TV, PR efforts for print media, aggressive trade show and industry presence and site selector promotion.”

Welcome to that challenge, Mr. Finney.

You’re going to need a marketing coalition with strength and funding to meet it.

Business leaders should step up and help.

SMART plan for Miami-Dade can only be done intelligently The engineering and environmental studies on the six corridors of the SMART Plan of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization are scheduled to be completed in 2018.

The issues re - Maurice Ferré maining before we can determine if we have real projects to meet public expectations are whether verifiable ridership numbers justify the investment in each corridor; what are the capital, operating and maintenance costs for each corridor; and what technology is justified based on transit riders generated versus financial investment for each corridor.

But, how do we finance any plan?

The main impediment to any transit system is that the Trump Administration’s trillion-dollar infrastructure plan relies mostly on the private sector. The problem for Miami-Dade is that transit systems all lose money.

Why would a Private Public Partnership (P3) invest in a transit system that provides free service to most of its customer base, collects only 18% from fare boxes, and transports less than 4% of the surface people movements, at a cost of almost $4,300 annually per customer?

Obviously, a transit P3 in MiamiDade cannot be done with the existing Metrorail or bus technology.

Some local politicians are proposing to force the county to stop raiding the half cent transit sales tax to finance transit operations, which the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust

The Writer

Maurice A. Ferré has been a member of the Florida Transportation Commission since 2011. He was mayor of Miami from 1973-1985, a Miami-Dade County commissioner from 1993-1996, a MiamiDade Expressway Authority board member from 2005-2017 and a county Transportation Planning Organization board member from 2011-2017.

(CITT), as the independent oversight committee, failed to do over the past 15 years.

The CITT has allowed more than two-thirds of the $3 billion in transit taxes collected to be spent on transit operating costs, contrary to the promises to the voters to fund rail on the North Corridor, the East-West Corridor and other improvements.

The transit taxes were diverted from the promised transit projects because the political choices were to either fix a dysfunctional transit operation with bloated labor costs, or increase the funding subsidy from property taxes to the department from the current $200 million level to half a billion dollars annually in property tax subsidy.

Neither choice was palatable to elected leaders. The problem is they want to expand a failing system, instead of fixing it by stopping the hemorrhaging first. Recently, Budget Director Jennifer Glazer Moon informed the county commission that transit had accumulated an “additional” $40 million operating deficit in the current fiscal year.

Instead of fixing the endemic issues

with transit that continue to mount, the political powers of Miami-Dade County want to raid the treasury of the MiamiDade Expressway Authority (MDX) and convert user fees/tolls from MDX’s limited customer base into another transit tax subsidy.

There is a growing political push to quadruple the miles of service for the most expensive transit construction, operation and maintenance modality, rail. MDX does not have tens of millions of dollars in surplus revenues. Common sense, not political rhetoric, tells us that if they had millions of dollars in excess revenues, they would not have established the new tolling points, which has caused so much political backlash.

The political raid on MDX funds, at maximum, would not fund even one week of Miami-Dade Transit losses.

Even with overly optimistic assumptions, county leaders would be hard-pressed to raise $1 billion, much less the $6 billion to $9 billion needed to build, on the cheap, the six-corridor plan promised to the county voters that approved the half cent transit sales tax in 2002.

Lastly, there is the State of Florida.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Five Year Plan allocates a total of $3 billion to Miami-Dade County over the next five years. What can you do for transportation with $600 million annually on average? So, how did FDOT finance the Port of Miami Tunnel ($1 billion), the SR 836-SR 826 Interchange ($750 million) and the soon to begin I-395/SR 836/I-95 Interchange ($800 million)?

We can finance it with a variety of

funds, but one stands out: availability payment financing. This is a way of borrowing against future FDOT allocations to Miami-Dade for an accelerated project. The problem is that it must be paid back. Miami-Dade is now in that repayment hole. Will FDOT be willing to pay for the 2018 forthcoming request to do one or two transit corridors of our SMART Plan? That will be determined by our next governor elected in November 2018.

It is my considered opinion that the only way to move forward with our SMART Plan is with disruptive technology, with a disruptive plan, done by an out-of-the-box, proven track record organization, financed with a P3 methodology, with a system that will cost from 25% to 50% less than yesterday’s technology costs today. It can be done.

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TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Boost targeted for team efforts in city neighborhood offices

By John Charles Robbins

Wifredo “Willy� Gort, the commissioner representing District One in the City of Miami, wants to revive the team effort of serving and improving neighborhoods through the growing city.

Basically, he wants the city’s 10 Neighborhood Enhancement Teams to be real teams again.

Mr. Gort said that many years ago – during his first stint on the city commission – the NET offices were staffed by regulars who knew each other and knew their neighborhoods.

When he returned to the commission in 2010, “the whole concept had changed,� he told his colleagues at a recent meeting.

Employees manning the NET of-

fices are often rotated to other posts and not given the time necessary to accumulate background information or to get to know the people who live and work in the defined areas, according to Mr. Gort.

The loss of historical knowledge and familiarity make the NET offices less helpful, less friendly and less effective, he said.

At the June 22 city commission

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http://legalads.miamidade.gov

meeting Mr. Gort discussed the status of the NET offices and asked the city manager’s office to look into establishing a pilot program to maintain the assignment of police officers and code compliance inspectors of the Allapattah and Flagami area, and not rotate those persons to other areas, for a period of six months.

Mr. Gort said the goal is to increase familiarity with the issues of the area, working in unison with other NET staffers to fight crime, code violations and improve the quality of life for area residents.

He said the original idea behind establishing NET offices throughout the city was to provide services for residents in their own neighborhoods, so they wouldn’t need to go downtown or to City Hall.

By getting away from the team approach and staffing those offices with people unfamiliar with an area, Mr. Gort said, concerns and complaints can take as long as three months to settle. “The process takes too long,� he said. “With the team approach, they can accomplish a lot more.�

NET offices staffed by regulars who learn about their areas will be aware of problems when they arise, he said. “I want them in the streets,� Mr. Gort said.

The response to complaints and needs can be expedited, he said.

The NET office structure has its own website, and the stated mission says: “The Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) helps residents, businesses and property owners access city, county, state and federal government services. Our NET offices strive to raise the quality of life in Miami neighborhoods by providing resources, as well as information, and serving as the primary link to city government.�

Willy Gort says take to the streets.

With 10 offices throughout the city, NET serves as a primary link to municipal and government services. The NET team works with the various city departments to coordinate resources and resolve problems.

NET partners with residents, community groups, businesses and other public entities to improve the quality of life in those neighborhoods.

NET offices provide information on city services and programs, including housing, economic development, social programs and public improvements; provide information on county, state and federal services; and serve as a liaison between the city and neighborhood and homeowner associations.

Residents are encouraged to report to NET offices abandoned vehicles; garbage, trash or debris; overgrown lots; street and sidewalk maintenance and repairs; unsafe structures; zoning violations; graffiti on the public right of way and more.

Neighbors may also come into a NET office to get information or apply for certificates of use; business tax receipts; tree removal permits; garage sale permits; parking meters; special event permits; no trespassing affidavits, and noise waivers.

Guaranteed port income of 70% up gets A rating A string of minimum annual guarantee agreements with cruise and cargo operators helped earn PortMiami bonds an A rating with a stable outlook from Fitch Ratings.

In rating $570 million in outstanding seaport revenue bonds, Fitch said “the port’s sizeable minimum annual guaranteed revenues... serve to mitigate potential revenue volatility from competition and economic cycles,� though they’re mitigated by the potential for future port borrowing. “Minimum guarantees are expected to cover a substantial 70% to 80% of operating revenues in the medium term,� Fitch said in analyzing the current seaport revenue bonds.

The report says that PortMiami’s operating revenues continued a trend of strong growth, increasing 5.7% to $144 million in fiscal 2016, the fourth consecutive year of growth.

Fitch attributed that operating revenue increase to tariff and contract rate increase for cruise ships at the port, which is the world’s busiest overnight cruise port. Other factors cited were increased cruise passengers and increased cargo activity.

This fiscal year through March, however, cargo volume is “somewhat down,� Fitch says, falling 1.7% from the same period the

prior year, while “multi-day cruise passengers are experiencing strong growth, totaling over 3 million through March 31, up almost 11% from the same period of 2016.

The contractual guarantees at the port “provide a solid anchor for performance,� Fitch says, with those for the current fiscal year totaling $111 million, or roughly 77% of the port’s operating revenues.

The Fitch report notes a major loss as Malaysian casino operator Genting pulled its Resorts World Bimini SuperFast casino passenger service link to a casino in Bimini out of the port after suspending passenger services in fiscal 2016, citing less use than expected and higher costs in Bimini.

The termination required a $20 million payment to PortMiami plus a contractual amounts through March 31 of this year. Fitch says that payment is expected to be received by the port by July 31.

Minimum operating guarantees from the Bimini service had accounted for about $7 million yearly for the port, or 10% of cruise revenues and 5% of total operating revenues, the Fitch report notes without comment on how that revenue loss could affect the seaport’s future outlook.

10

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Team begins year-long review of county’s ‘constitution’

By Susan Danseyar

Nine of the 14 Miami-Dade County Charter Review Task Force members made it to the initial meeting last week, putting off selecting a chairperson and setting their schedule until gathering in the evening July 17 at what they agreed is a better time.

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon meetings are not convenient as most of the task force members work, said member Neisen Kasdin. He was joined at the first meeting by William H. Kerdyk Jr., Maurice Ferré, Alfredo J. Gonzalez, Marlon Hill, Maria Lievano Cruz, Eric Zichella, Mike Valdes-Fauli and Carlos DiazPadron.

Alice Burch, George M. Burgess, Jeff P.H. Cazeau, Robert Cuevas and Luis E. Gonzalez were not able to attend the 10 a.m. meeting June 28 in the Miami-Dade County Main Library auditorium.

Mr. Gonzalez said some members weren’t present because they had prior commitments.

The group has been tasked with proposing changes to the rule book under which Miami-Dade’s government operates, which is to review the Home Rule Charter, the county’s version of a constitution; prepare and submit to the county commission proposed changes in the charter for voters to act upon; invite knowledgeable members

‘Technology can help us open up conversation that we didn’t have before.’

Marlon Hill Photo by Susan Danseyar

Charter review team members Eric Zichella and Mike Valdes-Fauli talk during the inaugural meeting.

of the community to appear and make recommendations; invite representatives of the county’s municipalities to appear and make recommendations; conduct hearings at various stages in the review process; conduct regional public hearings to convey the task force’s recommendations; and receive additional comments from the public about recommendations. A review is supposed to occur every five years.

The nine members agreed last week to select a chairman at the July

‘I encourage the task force to do a better job of filling meetings with voters.’

Susan Windmiller 17 meeting, which is set for 6 p.m. in the county commission chambers; discuss a meeting schedule and structure; that every meeting will include a public comment period;

CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Miami City Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 9:00 A.M., to consider the award of a contract to the non-profit organization listed below through Anti-Poverty grant funds from the District 4 share of the City of Miami’s Anti-Poverty Initiative Program. Stardom Up, Inc. is a Florida not for profit that aims to inspire young student to develop their skills in coding, and to consider the City Manager’s recommendations and finding that competitive negotiation methods are not practicable or advantageous regarding these issues: •

Stardom Up, Inc. – Computer coding sessions for young students.

Inquiries regarding this notice may be addressed to Malissa Treviño, Project Manager for the Office of Community Investment, Office of the City Manager, at (305) 416-1005.

This action is being considered pursuant to Section 18-85 (A) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida as amended (the “Code”). The recommendations and findings to be considered in this matter are set forth in the proposed resolution and in Code Section 18-85 (A), which are deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and are available as with the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting of July 13, 2017 at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida.

The Miami City Commission requests all interested parties be present or represented at the meeting and may be heard with respect to any proposition before the City Commission in which the City Commission may take action. Should any person desire to appeal any decision of the City Commission with respect to any matter to be considered at this meeting, that person shall ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made including all testimony and evidence upon which any appeal may be based (F.S. 286.0105).

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding may contact the Office of the City Clerk at (305) 250-5361 (Voice) no later than five (5) business days prior to the proceeding. TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service) no later than five (5) business days prior to the proceeding.

Todd B. Hannon City Clerk # 28775

“populated with more information as we go along.” The public can now email the task force.

Mr. Valdes-Fauli said his expertise is marketing and he can help with the website. “I suggest one of the committees be marketing to the public,” he said. “I’d be happy to help.”

Mr. Gonzalez recommended having regional meetings where the task force takes action. “Public hearings need to be spread out throughout the county so the public has a chance to voice concerns.”

Ms. Lievano Cruz advised not selecting a chair at the initial meeting because a lot of people were missing and she wants to hear from more task force members as to why they want to be chair.

Members of the public commented, including Juan Cuba, chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. He thanked the group for taking on the job but said he wants to be sure engagement with the public is increased.

The county commission intended to have a diverse task force, Mr. Cuba said. “There are only two women but no black women,” he said. “I hope (Commissioner Javier) Souto looks into diversity and makes an appropriate appointment.” Mr. Souto is the only commissioner who has not yet announced his appointee.

“The League is interested in your discussion,” said Susan Windmiller, president of the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade. “I encourage the task force to do a better job of filling meetings with voters,” she said, and she advised the group look to her organization and other members of the community for help with a website.

and the administration will provide information on social media for public participation.

Additionally, the members will tell Nicole A. Tallman, director of policy and legislative affairs for the administration, the areas of study they’d like to hear from experts about. Ms. Tallman served as chair for the first meeting.

The task force discussed the best way to proceed so that members and citizens will be able to attend the meetings. Mr. Ferré recommended all meetings be at places with the facility to televise and that the task force have a structure with committees. He was a member of the 2012 task force along with Don Slesnick, who he said complained there was poor attendance and lack of time to complete the tasks thoroughly.

“Carlos (Diaz-Padron) and I served (for the 2007 task force) and what Don said was all true,” Mr. Ferré said.

Mr. Zichella asked if the task force has resources to advertise meetings and requested it have a new updated website. “If people can’t come to meetings, we should provide a way for them to submit comments online,” he said. “We should discuss how we conduct our business as much as possible when we meet.”

Mr. Zichella said he’s also concerned there could be too much information at the end of the task force (scheduled to sunset March 28, 2018), which diminishes the confidence of the public that they can participate. “We can discuss whether we can send items to (county commissioners) more quickly at the end; we can vote on things as we discuss them.”

Details: www.miamidade.gov/ The task force needs to understand charter/task-force-2017.asp. its ability to bring outside expertise to guide members, Mr. Kasdin said.

“There’s a lot to learn about best ideas and best practices,” he said, adding that having meetings in the early afternoon would enhance public participation as well as task force members’ participation.

Mr. Hill said it’s important for the task force to have a website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

“Technology can help us open up conversation that we didn’t have before.” It’s important for the public to have certainty about why the task force is doing this, he said. “We need ‘There’s a lot to learn to build a communications plan.

There’s no day or time that will be about best ideas and best good for everybody.” practices.’

The county has a charter review Neisen Kasdin website that was launched June 27, Ms. Tallman said, and it will be

12

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

Multiple collaborators brought a Spanish firm from Texas to Gables

By Gabi Maspons

The Cosentino Group, a Spainbased company, relocated its American headquarters from Sugarland, TX, to Coral Gables Mark Trowbridge, Gables Chamber president; Leocadia Barnes Sanchez, Cosentino legal advisor; Coral Gables Vice Mayor Patricia Keon; and Javier Betancourt, Gables economic development director. in June with the collaboration of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the City of Coral Gables, Career Source Florida and local colleges and universities.

“We often get criticized for being fragmented, but this is a good example of how we can all come together to attract these companies,” said Javier Betancourt, economic development director for Coral Gables.

When Cosentino reached out to the Beacon Council a year ago, the council helped research, provide data on Miami-Dade County, put Cosentino in contact with local education institutions to source talent and relocate jobs for their families, apply for a financial state incentive and work with the City of Coral Gables for permitting assistance.

The Cosentino Group is a family-owned company specializing in worldwide production and Cosentino Group will have its US headquarters at 355 Alhambra, where most of the 85 jobs will be new. distribution of high-value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. Cosentino says it bases its development on sustainable international expansion, innovaCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA tive research and development, NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and a corporate commitment to the local communities where it The Miami City Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 9:00 operates.

A.M., to consider the award of a contract to the non-profit organization listed below through The company currently emAnti-Poverty grant funds from the District 3 share of the City of Miami’s Anti-Poverty Initiative ploys 3,700 people worldwide, Program. The Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center, Inc. provides a wide range of including 1,200 in the US. It dissocial services to socially isolate and economically disadvantaged seniors; secondly, to con- tributes its products and brands in sider the City Manager’s recommendations and finding that competitive negotiation methods more than 80 countries and is present in 32 countries, with its own are not practicable or advantageous regarding these issues: assets in 29 of them. Cosentino has more than 120 commercial • Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Center, Inc. – Elderly Meals Assistance Program and business properties, with over at the Palermo location.

90% of its financial turnover coming from international markets.

Inquiries regarding this notice may be addressed to Malissa Treviño, Project Manager for the Cosentino built out a Office of Community Investment, Office of the City Manager, at (305) 416-1005.

23,000-square-foot office at 355 Alhambra Circle to cover day-toThis action is being considered pursuant to Section 18-85 (A) of the Code of the City of Mi- day management, the promotion ami, Florida as amended (the “Code”). The recommendations and findings to be considered of Cosentino products and sales in this matter are set forth in the proposed resolution and in Code Section 18-85 (A), which training. The new headquarters are deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and are available as with the regularly will include management posischeduled City Commission meeting of July 13, 2017 at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American tions with an average wage over $66,000.

Drive, Miami, Florida.

“We have different positions available, and we are still lookThe Miami City Commission requests all interested parties be present or represented at the ing for passionate professionals meeting and may be heard with respect to any proposition before the City Commission in to join our team,” said Massimo which the City Commission may take action. Should any person desire to appeal any deci- Ballucchi, marketing director for sion of the City Commission with respect to any matter to be considered at this meeting, that Cosentino. person shall ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made including all testimony The relocation will create at least 85 new jobs and invest more and evidence upon which any appeal may be based (F.S. 286.0105). than $1 million in the local comIn accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing special ac- munity. Only 35% of Cosentino’s commodations to participate in this proceeding may contact the Office of the City Clerk at employees requested relocation, (305) 250-5361 (Voice) no later than five (5) business days prior to the proceeding. TTY so most of the jobs are new.

“We’re very happy to see them users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service) no later than five (5) business days prior to the bring in high value,” said James proceeding.

Kohnstamm, senior vice president of the Economic Development Department at the Beacon Council.

“All of Cosentino’s American sales from Canada to Argentina Todd B. Hannon will be communicated through City Clerk Miami. It is the most strategic location for their management position, sales, finance teams and HR functions,” Mr. Kohnstamm # 28778 said.

“Miami’s location offers key strategic advantages” and “the entrepreneurial and innovative workforce in Miami better positions us to provide new products and designs that are both sustainable and advanced,” said Eduardo Cosentino, CEO of Cosentino North America and executive vice president of global sales, in a press statement.

“We could not have found a better place to do business,” Mr. Cosentino said.

“Texas offers more financial incentives than we do, so if it were purely financial, this wouldn’t necessarily be the right move,” Mr. Betancourt said. “We offer a different quality of life and global orientation and they felt very much at home here.”

“It doesn’t hurt that a Spanish company ended up on Alhambra Circle,” Mr. Betancourt added.

“All it took was visiting Miami for them to be sold.”

Cosentino received performance-based incentives through the state’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund. It includes refunds on corporate income, sales, ad valorem, intangible personal property, insurance premium and other taxes.

“It’s a fairly rigorous program,” Mr. Kohnstamm said. “The company committed to a certain capital investment and interest, and only once they meet those commitments will they receive any of the benefits. They have six years to collect those jobs to receive the full amount.”

The Cosentino Group is also building a Cosentino City Center, a design room concept primarily used by designers, architects and engineers to see and test materials.

The 3,350-square-foot center at 3898 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami’s Design District is to be completed by the end of September and create more job opportunities for customer service professionals in the area.

“The Cosentino City is not included in any incentives package, as it’s a separate facility, but it is important for the Cosentino brand and will help them establish a greater presence in the community,” Mr. Kohnstamm said.

“Through the Permitting Assistance Program, Coral Gables has directly created about 1,500 jobs since 2015 by helping companies expand and relocate,” Mr. Betancourt said. Last year alone, the Beacon Council generated $188.2 million in capital investments and created 1,762 new jobs.

“This is a trend that we’re seeing with headquarters in the Americas, Mr. Kohnstamm said.

“Miami has been very successful in recruiting and growing our American headquarters, and now we’re moving to a more global platform,” he said. “We are very excited to have a family-run Spanish company with a high-level brand in Europe and the Americas recognize the opportunities to grow their business in Miami and contribute to our innovative community.”

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

13

Health Update Affordable Care Act changes would be two years into future

By Catherine Lackner

Hospitals and healthcare organizations are closely watching efforts to repeal – and presumably, replace – the Affordable Care Act. But, assuming a bill is eventually passed, those changes wouldn’t kick in until 2019 at the earliest, said Rachel Sapoznik, who is founder, president and CEO of Sapoznik Insurance. The window to make any changes in 2018 has closed, she said.

Most healthcare organizations sign reimbursement agreements that have a two- to three-year term, she explained. “Any good attorney has inserted a caveat in those agreements that, if a major change were to take place, the agreement could be re-negotiated.”

There is fear that people will be left without coverage if the Senate bill in its current form passes, she said. “But I don’t think we, as a society, will allow that to happen.

There does need to be something in place.”

Assuming the Senate passes

‘How much time will you need to know the economic hit?’

Sally Heyman a healthcare bill, “How much time will you need to know the economic hit?” asked Commissioner Sally Heyman June 20, when officials of Miami’s Public Health Trust met with the county commission.

“We could end up with some

positives,” answered Carlos Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System, which the trust administers.

Florida turned down the expansion of Medicaid that was part of the Affordable Care Act. “The states that expanded Medicaid could take a worse hit. And some in government are looking for ways to help Florida,” Mr. Migoya said.

That may be good for public hospitals here, but there is concern on the national level.

“The Senate Republican bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act offers billions in additional funding to states that didn’t expand Medicaid or that spend less on Medicaid, for the intended benefit of providers in those states,” said a June 29 article by Harris Meyer in Modern Healthcare. “Hospital leaders in those states say they would welcome the additional dollars. But they, along with Medicaid policy experts, say the Senate provisions would not come close to offset-

‘We could end up with some positives.’

Carlos Migoya ting the large cuts providers and patients would suffer under the bill’s other provisions.

“The Senate bill proposes a per-capita growth cap on federal Medicaid payments to states based on historical costs, a move that some GOP senators felt would

unfairly penalize their states for keeping their programs lean and not expanding Medicaid.”

From 2018 to 2022 (or whenever the first four years would begin), it would offer the 19 nonexpansion states $2 billion a year for funding safety-net services. In the fifth year, states would have to come up with a 5% match to receive the money.

“Our bottom line is, this is a huge cut in Medicaid and it’s not going to be compensated for by these adjustments,” the article quotes Greg Bell, CEO of the Utah Hospital Association.

“While we appreciate the Senate’s effort to address the inequity in Medicaid disproportionateshare funding and parity for non-expansion states, we are deeply concerned the reductions in the number of insured Americans and dramatic cuts in Medicaid funding will hurt those who are most vulnerable,” said Bruce Rueben, president of the Florida Hospital Association, the article said.

Rising prescription prices among factors in health cost jump

By Catherine Lackner

A number of factors contribute to a current faster rise in healthcare costs, observers say.

“There are fluctuations in healthcare spending from year to year, but after a slower trajectory for a few years, they have escalated again,” said Jonathan Fialkow, medical director at the Cardiovascular Research Center of South Florida, part of Baptist Health South Florida.

“Rising pharmaceutical costs are a major driver, as are people finding more expensive sites to be seen when ill,” he said via email. Emergency rooms, he explained, are more expensive than urgent care centers, which are more expensive than primary care offices.

In addition, “more costs are shifted to patients by insurers with higher deductibles and copayments. This makes people less likely to go to a doctor when they are mildly ill and then they get sicker before being seen, which leads to poorer outcomes and higher costs,” Dr. Fialkow said.

“This has affected many providers, who find they are called by more desperate, sicker patients with illnesses that could have been prevented, and people are less likely to see their doctor for preventive/educational visits.”

“The reality of it is that there is a lack of primary-care physicians,” said Rachel Sapoznik, who is founder, president and CEO of Sapoznik Insurance. “People don’t establish a relationship with a primary care doctor, so they’re

‘More costs are shifted to patients by insurers with higher deductibles and copayments.’

Jonathan Fialkow more likely to go to an emergency room or urgent care center.”

Estimates vary, but it’s generally agreed that six of every seven doctors in Florida – especially in urban areas – are specialists, leaving primary-care physicians clearly in the minority.

Part of the reason is that general practitioners are reimbursed at lower rates, Ms. Saponik said. “I think primary-care physicians and pediatricians really should be paid more than specialists, because they look at the whole person.”

She sees healthcare costs going up at least 7%, but possibly as much as 15%, in the future. Part of the reason is that the 22 million people who got insurance through the Affordable Care Act – some for the first time in their lives –

still go to emergency rooms and urgent care centers, out of habit or lack of information, she said.

“Why can’t we educate these first-time buyers of insurance to properly utilize their plans?” she asked. “That was never done.”

As insurance companies increasingly shift the cost burden to consumers, people seeking medical services are learning to shop around, she added. “At one facility, an MRI costs $1,800, while it might be $450 at another.

When people have skin in the game, they shop.”

Healthcare costs would also decrease if more attention was paid to living healthily, she added. “If we, as a society, worked together, we could avoid a lot of chronic illness” brought on by factors such as

obesity. “We are all responsible for keeping healthcare costs down,” Ms. Sapoznik said.

“Costs for prescription drugs continue to increase and are anticipated to again outpace the costs for other medical services,” according to an article on actuary. org, the website of the American Association of Actuaries.

“More high-cost specialty drugs are expected to come to market… including new drugs to treat cancer. Some drugs (including Crestor, Benicar and Symbicort) are coming, or have recently come off, patent and will over time reduce drug costs; however, price decreases aren’t necessarily immediate, because generic competition for drugs coming off patent is often lim-

ited or slow to be adopted. The impact could be further mitigated if patients are moved by their physicians to newer, higher-cost alternative drugs.”

“The increase in costs of medical services and prescription drugs… is based on not only the increase in per-unit costs of services, but also changes in health care utilization and changes in the mix of services,” the article said.

That trend “is expected to rise slightly faster than in previous years but remain low relative to historical levels. Structural changes to the healthcare payment and delivery system – such as a greater focus on cost-effective care – might be contributing to slower medical spending growth.”

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

MIAMI TODAY

17

Miami moves ahead with own Art in Public Places program

By John Charles Robbins

The City of Miami is moving forward with Act 2 of its plan to take over responsibility for its own Art in Public Places Program from Miami-Dade County.

The move is designed to save administrative fees, avoid financial penalties and have more control over bringing iconic art pieces to public and private developments.

The first part of the changes came in January when city commissioners approved legislation governing public projects.

Opposition to proposed rules on private developments stalled that portion of changes for several months to refine the details.

Commissioners approved the redrafted legislation governing art in public places on private projects June 22 on a first reading after they heard from supporters and detractors.

Support was expressed by neighboring municipalities including Coral Gables, Miami Beach and the Village of Palmetto Bay. Dade HeritageTrust and Miami-Dade County Public Schools backed the measure as well.

Opposition came from representatives of builders and developers, with the main complaint being added costs.

Truly Burton, executive vice president of the Builders Association of South Florida

(BASF), spoke in opposition to the proposed rules on private developers and submitted a letter outlining continued concerns of the group.

“At this time, respectfully, BASF cannot support what amounts to an art impact fee.

Instead, the association respectfully suggests this board consider recommending an incentive-based approach, to the city commission,” Ms. Burton wrote to the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board.

In comments to commissioners, Ms. Burton mentioned the housing needs in Miami and the high cost of obtaining housing. She said the association looks to every opportunity to keep housing costs low and the Art in Public Places ordinance as written is another fee and a burden on builders.

The ordinance impacts developments with construction costs topping $3 million.

All non-governmental and private sector development projects (including interior or exterior modifications, additions or new construction) including parking structures, residential development projects, mixed-use projects or commercial sites would have to provide for the acquisition of works of art subject to a project valuation schedule, a fee into a public art fund, or a combination of the two according to part 2 of the city’s Art in Public Places program.

The project valuation schedule includes: nDevelopment projects with construction cost of $3 million to $5 million shall provide for the acquisition of works of art in value of a minimum of half a percent of construction cost for artwork provided on site, a quarter percent of construction cost if the fee is paid into the fund. nDevelopment projects with construction cost over $5 million to $10 million shall provide for the acquisition of works of art in value of a minimum of three quarters of a percent of construction cost for artwork provided on site, half a percent if the fee is paid into the fund. nDevelopment projects with construction cost over $10 million to $15 million shall provide for the acquisition of works of art in value of a minimum of one percent of construction cost for artwork provided on site, three quarters of a percent of construction cost if the fee is paid into the fund. nDevelopment projects with construction cost over $15 million shall provide for the acquisition of works of art in value of a minimum of one and a quarter percent of construction cost for artwork provided on site, or alternately, one percent of construction cost if the fee is paid into the fund, or a combination thereof.

This ordinance wouldn’t apply to interior

renovations or remodeling with a construction cost of less than $3 million.

The legislation would establish a Public Arts Program and a public art board. Money in the new Public Art Fund could be used by the city to purchase public art, and could also be used for cultural and educational programs and historic restoration and preservation.

Debby Stander, president of the MiMo Biscayne Association, likes the provision of some money for historic preservation.

She addressed the commissioners and wrote a letter of support.

“We have been made aware that a component of the additional funding that would be derived from passage of the amendment would be allocated to historic preservation,” she wrote. “As a non-profit organization whose mission is historic preservation, the MiMo Biscayne Association cannot emphasize strongly enough how valuable we believe such funding would be,” Ms. Stander wrote.

The Wynwood Arts District, with its proliferation of street art, had opposed the original city proposal. Working with city officials, Wynwood leaders were successful in being exempted and allowed to write and administer their own art in public places rules.

Afinal vote from the city commission could come this month.

36-story apartment tower replacing City Hall (the restaurant)

By John Charles Robbins

A corner lot on Biscayne Boulevard in Edgewater is being redeveloped as a mixed-use apartment tower.

Developer Verzasca Group plans to build 2000 Biscayne, a 36-story tower offering 393 rental units, an 8-level parking garage for 462 vehicles and nearly 8,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space.

The site was home to the City Hall restaurant, which has been demolished.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board on June 29 recommended approval of the project, with conditions.

Board members generally liked the overall look of the project, but expressed some dissatisfaction with yet another massive parking garage serving as the base of a new tower in the growing Edgewater neighborhood.

The parcel is just over threequarters of an acre and is north of a curved Northeast 20th Street.

The size of the site and other right-of-way restrictions made the property a challenge for the developer and architect, and led to need for several waiver requests, according to Iris Escarra, an attorney representing the developer.

The area has also been impacted by street changes by the Florida Department of Transportation, she said.

The waivers include smaller setbacks, a decrease in required parking, allowing parking above the second story, and an increase in allowable floor plate and lot coverage.

In a letter to the city, Ms. Escarra wrote, “The project proposes a mixed use building with ground floor retail and a residential component above. This will activate the pedestrian realm while providing residential options in the neighborhood.”

She said the project is within the Omni neighborhood, which has a

Miami’s Urban Development Review Board last week recommended OK of Verzasca Group’s project.

variety of retail, cultural and civic uses nearby.

“There are several locations which can be reached within a walking distance of the site. The nearby bus and trolley routes provide access to all of Miami for those who do not drive. The project is also within a short walk of Margaret Pace Park, providing park access to all residents right outside their door. Two Metromover stations are located within a half mile of the property,” she wrote.

The architect is JP Singian of the firm Dorsky + Yue International.

Mr. Singian said the property is unique and offered opportunities for a “very dynamic façade,” and street level retail spaces along Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 20th Street.

All service activity will use an existing alley, he said.

In order to bring something special to the design on the garage levels, Mr. Singian said, perforated metals panels will be installed

and open at different angles.

This type of design works to create depth, he told the board, and shadowlines from the structure will change throughout the day.

On the north side of the garage, the developer plans a mural from a local artist, said Mr. Singian.

There was some criticism from the board of the metal mesh being the “go to” material on garage podium facades of late.

Board member Neil Hall made that observation, and said in the past two dozen or so projects the board has evaluated, the metal mesh façade is a factor.

“In the past, we sought to diffuse the notion of a garage,” said Mr. Hall, with podiums having liners and designed so they weren’t so obviously garages.

The metal mesh is redundant and doesn’t have the same appeal it once had, Mr. Hall said.

“You’re using it as an art piece?” asked Mr. Hall.

“Yes,” answered Ms. Escarra.

“The pattern makes it alive.”

Mr. Singian noted that most other large garage podium façades are flat.

Mr. Hall asked if it was possible to have lights within the podium to help break up the massing.

Mr. Singian said lights are included.

Board member Gerald Marston made similar statements on the look and size of the garage levels.

He said he understood Mr. Hall’s concerns and the board is seeing more projects where the height of the podium dominates the street.

For a person on the street, the parking levels will be all they see, he said. “All I’m going to see is the podium,” said Mr. Marston.

As for the metal mesh layers being the “go to” design, Mr. Marston agreed, calling it “a weakness in architecture we are seeing these days.”

Mr. Marston suggested adding more variety of shapes and

materials, to break up the massing of large parking structures; horizontal uses of mesh screen and glass, instead of “80 feet of massive mesh.”

Board Chairman Robert Behar agreed, suggesting the developer and design team look at ways to reduce the scale of the podium.

Mr. Behar said overall they did a good job designing the project on a difficult site.

“I commend you … this will be a good asset for the area,” said the chairman.

Board member Anthony Tzamtzis commended the developer and architect. “You’ve done a very nice job of distributing the space at the ground level,” he said.

Mr. Tzamtzis did question if there was enough turning space in the parking garage.

The board included two conditions with its recommended approval: that the developer and architect consider ways to make the façade on the eight levels of parking be not so uniform and monolithic, via use of color, shapes and other techniques; and to study ways to improve maneuvering space on the ramps of the garage, which currently “seems very, very tight.”

In a statement after the meeting, Verzasca Managing Director Tim Lobanov said, “We are thrilled to get the support for our Edgewater project from this pivotal city board. The Edgewater neighborhood has experienced an incredible transformation into one of Miami’s most desirable urban areas to live in – particularly for renters. We are big long-term believers in the neighborhood.”

The project will offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The 2000 Biscayne project is the fourth in South Florida for Verzasca. The company is also developing condominium projects Aurora in Sunny Isles and Le Jardin Residences and Pearl House in Bay Harbor Islands.

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

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