Miami Today: Week of Thursday, November 30, 2017

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

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COUNTY BEGINS PROCESS OF HANDING OVER SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS TO THE CITIES, pg. 10 CRIME DROP CONTINUES: Crimes reported to Miami-Dade police in the first 10 months of 2017 have declined in general and in most categories, a report released Monday shows. Overall crime is down 0.83%, from 34,619 reported crimes in the first 10 months of 2016 to 34,330 in the first 10 months of this year. Homicides have so far declined from 72 in the first 10 months of last year to 69 this year.

The two categories where crimes have increased are forcible sex offenses, up 28.17% to 587 total crimes, and motor vehicle theft, up 9% to 2,943 stolen motor vehicles. The report lists only the most serious of crimes, known as part 1 crimes, and covers only those areas of the county that are policed by the Miami-Dade Police Department rather than city police departments.

The Achiever

By Gabi Maspons

STATE SEA LEVEL SURVEY: After four commissioners voted to have the state assess sea level rise and weather impacts this legislative session in the county’s legislative priority list, the Miami-Dade County Commission last week voted to urge the Florida Legislature to have a sea level impact projection published by the Department of Environmental Protection “before constructors may build structures in coastal areas,” the measure says. The legislation sponsored by Rebeca Sosa says the county is “one of the most climate-vulnerable areas of the country” and “at least 1.2 million Floridians are projected to live in coastal areas that will flood by 2100.”

COUNTY CONTRACT CLEANUP: Miami-Dade commissioners deferred last week for the second time the vote to renew the county’s janitorial contracts. The county has 31 prequalified contractors who service the 300 government buildings. The proposed five-year term would cost the county $92 million, or about $18 million each year. The commission delayed the vote earlier this month when Commissioner Joe Martinez told commissioners his cleaning lady only received $9 an hour, prompting commissioners to enforce the living wage for all county contracts. The commission is to vote on the janitorial contracts at the meeting Dec. 4.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOOST: The Miami-Dade County Commission voted last week to allocate 1% of the construction costs of each county government building to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The fund’s purpose is to “foster a housing supply accessible to a range of incomes in developments and disperse affordable housing units throughout the county,” the legislation says. The money must be used to “construct, acquire, rehabilitate or subsidize affordable housing.” The fund now has about $4 million.

Ralph Lopez-Massas

Photo by Cristina Sullivan

Piloting a 12,500-person team at American Airlines hub The profile is on Page 4

New mayor keeps transportation planning seat

By John Charles Robbins

The new mayor in Miami, former city commissioner Francis Suarez, wants to continue his membership on a regional government body, the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).

“I want to be reappointed,” Mr. Suarez told city commissioners at the first meeting since his election to the top job Nov. 7.

During routine appointments and reappoints to boards and committees, Mr. Suarez expressed his desire to be reappointed as the city’s representative on the TPO. Eight or so years ago, when his first term as a commissioner began, the city commission appointed him to the regional body, at the time called the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO. Mr. Suarez said that connection on the regional body has been valuable for the city, in particular since he was elected its vice chairman about three years ago.

He said there is value in the continuity of continuing to represent the city on the TPO, which among other roles can be an advocate for garnering state and federal tax dollars to help fund expensive transportation projects.

New bonds put liquidity into revamp

The city commissioners did reappoint Mr. Suarez to the TPO, and followed his other request to pay a “financial participation fee” of $22,222 to the TPO for fiscal year 2017-18.

“It’s a good investment,” Mr. Suarez said, helping the city compete at county, state and national levels for funding.

“It gives us skin in the game,” he said, when looking for financial backing for transportation improvements.

Paying the fee is a good gesture, said Commission Chairman Keon Hardemon.

Mr. Suarez agreed, noting the value of the city’s participation in the TPO. While Mr. Suarez has been a critic of the organization’s “parochialism” in the past, he has also praised efforts of the TPO. He said the organization paid for a study on the feasibility of the proposed Brickell Tunnel project to ease the traffic congestion downtown.

The new mayor said he will use that study on visits to the state capital in Tallahassee when he’s seeking funding for the tunnel’s construction under the Miami River.

The new fee is applicable to non-county governmental agencies with a voting membership on the TPO’s governing board, says

a background memo. The governing board unanimously established the participation fee in July.

A letter to the city from TPO Executive Director Aileen Bouclé reads in part: “This financial contribution will enable the TPO to engage in critical activities to advance the TPO priorities, particularly the implementation of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan. These tasks include... advocacy and lobbying at the federal and state levels, hosting peer exchanges and special events, and purchasing promotional materials, which cannot be paid from federal or state funding sources.”

The federal government established MPOs (or TPOs) to ensure transportation planning compliance in urbanized areas such as Miami-Dade.

Also, the Florida Legislature established requirements for MPOs to develop plans and programs that will encourage and promote the safe and efficient management, operation, and development of surface transportation systems that will serve the mobility needs of people and freight and foster economic growth and development within and throughout urbanized areas of the state.

Miami-Dade is to issue almost $1 billion in water and sewer bonds within a week, Fitch Ratings reported, as it rolls through a $13.5 billion full system revamp.

Issued will be $373.7 million in A bonds and $528 million in B bonds. The A proceeds will pay off outstanding tax-exempt water and sewer system commercial paper notes and make a deposit to reserves. The B bonds will pay off part of the outstanding 2010 bonds.

Fitch rated the bonds A+, citing the system’s stable customer base of 2.6 million, strong regulatory compliance and financial performance.

“The rating accounts for the system’s above-average debt burden and expectation that it will remain elevated for the foreseeable future,” Fitch says.

The water & sewer department is five years into a 15-year program broken into three groups: projects to comply with a consent decree with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the US Environmental Protection Agency to make pump station and sewer system upgrades, a separate pump station improvement program, and a program to comply with state legislation to discontinue wastewater disposal in the ocean by 2025.

Fitch reports $3.3 billion is going to “comply with multiple regulatory mandates” and 80% will be debt-financed.

“The investments we’re making today have longevity because we take care of our assets,” the department told Miami Today. “We have pipes in the system today that are in excess of 80 years old, and these projects could take us into the 22nd century.”

Fitch confirms the department’s care of its assets: “The system has been able to defer construction… by reducing water loss and utilizing existing supplies, building new assets only as demand warrants,” Fitch says.

The department said it’s “making plans based on water consumption needs for our population now and in the future.”

BOND ALLOCATION SHRINKS THIRD TIME IN USE SWITCH ...

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8-YEAR DOWNTOWN SIGNAGE EFFORT IS SLOWED AGAIN ...

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RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION STARTS KEEP ON FALLING ...

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AREA SPENDING BELOW THE US AVERAGE ON MOBILITY ...

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SHIPYARD CAN’T TOSS EATERY NEXT DOOR OVERBOARD ...

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COUNTY PRESSES STAFF FOR LOCALS TO WIN MORE BIDS ...

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VIEWPOINT: TRANSIT PROGRESS SLOWER THAN THE RIDE ...

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MARINA SEEKS SPECIAL OK FOR A 100-SEAT RESTAURANT ...

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MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

TODAY’S NEWS

The Insider THE EYE ON THE BUS: The county’s Department of Transportation and Public Works will begin testing Mobileye, a new technology that will make street crossing safer for pedestrians and cyclists, on 10 Metrobuses next month. The department is partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida International University and ROSCO Collision Avoidance Systems on the project, which is designed to improve bus operators’ visibility and safety in urban areas, a release said. “Mobileye is a new technology that can give our bus operators an extra set of eyes,” said Alice Bravo, county transportation chief, Alice Bravo in the release. “Often, pedestrians will dart out between cars to cross the street and into a driver’s blind spot. We hope Mobileye can help drivers avoid incidents in those situations. Sensors cover the front and sides of the bus, providing 360-degree coverage around the bus.” The test is to last six months.

RENOVATION HEATING UP: The former Scientology headquarters at 120 Giralda Ave. in Coral Gables will soon add to the street’s reputation as a dining destination, said Donna Abood, principal and managing director at Avison Young (the Scientologists have moved to a larger building on US 1 at 22nd Avenue). Two high-end restaurants have leased the entire ground floor of the building, which is being renovated with a Spanish Mediterranean theme.

A rooftop garden will occupy the third floor. Giralda Avenue itself has been renovated and transformed into a pedestrian plaza with blue, white and grey pavers. Donna Abood “We’re really excited about it,” said Ms. Abood, whose firm is handling leasing the space. “Giralda was always restaurant row, and it will return to being restaurant row.”

TIME-SENSITIVE BOARD: After Miami-Dade commissioners held a meeting last week that lasted almost five hours, Commissioner Joe Martinez said the efficiency of the commissioners is variable to the amount of time they’re given. “This just proves the old adage about the BCC,” Mr. Martinez said. “The BCC is like gas; it expands to accommodate the allotted time,” he said jokingly. “We should have been done a long time ago.”

AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS MONEY: While Miami-Dade commissioners last week debated how to assist Puerto Rican disaster victims find affordable housing options while not compromising assistance for residents, Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava said, “we need more units,” referring to the number of affordable housing options. Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development Director Michael Liu prioritized money over units when he replied to Ms. Levine Cava saying, “We need more dollars.”

NOT MY MONEY: County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava’s District 8 used discretionary district funds last year to create a non-profit academy to increase access to education and resources for nonprofits in her district.

While the commission was approving a $50,000 grant from Chase for the academy last week, Joe Martinez asked why the language held the county accountable for any overrun costs. “There will be none, but if there are, it will come out of my district’s budget,” Ms. Levine Cava told Mr. Martinez.

“So it will be covered by taxpayers’ money, but it’s only coming from your money? I’m good with that,” Mr. Martinez joked before voting yes.

NEW TRAIN ON TRACK: Miami-Dade is to hold a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. today (11/30) for the first new Metrorail train since the system began operation in 1983. The location is the Miami International Airport Metrorail Station, 3800 NW 25th St. The train is to consist of the first cars of 136 that are being assembled in a built-to-order plant in Medley. All the cars are now expected to be operating by the start of 2020.

NEXT FOR THE ANNEX: East End Capital and The Related Group have chosen Gordon Messinger of Cushman & Wakefield and Sara Wolfe of Koniver Stern Group as brokers for The Annex, the boutique office and retail building they co-developed in Wynwood. Mr. Messinger will lease the office component, while Ms. Wolfe will concentrate on the retail. “Both Gordon and Sara have a wealth of knowledge in the South Florida real estate market and their experience working with the creative and innovative kind of tenants, for which the Annex is designed, make them both ideal partners for this project,” said Gordon Messinger Marc Gitto, managing director of East End Capital.

Delivery is expected in 2019.

POLICE EXPOSITIONS: To keep law enforcement technologies up to date, Miami-Dade commissioners approved a yearly exposition showcasing new products. The exposition has the potential to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency and enhance community and officer safety, the legislation says. Commissioner Sally Heyman sponsored the legislation to give officers the opportunity to see the latest products, connect with other agencies and save money by hosting a local event rather than travel, the legislation says. Maj. Michael Dieppa of the Public Sally Heyman Safety Training Institute is to manage the expositions.

GIBRALTAR PRIVATE HOSTS FIELD STUDY: Ninety second- and thirdgraders from Dr. Edward Whigham Elementary School and 90 third-graders from Colonial Drive Elementary, along with their teachers, took part in a field study at the Deering Estate, courtesy of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust. It was financed by a bank $30,000 grant, which will fund the program for three years. “We are delighted to see the first group of students and teachers from our community visit the Deering Estate and experience their hands-on educational and enrichment programs,” said Angel Medina Jr., Gibraltar Private president and Angel Medina CEO. “The field study programs at the Deering Estate are known to expand children’s understanding of the environment, natural resources, humanities and art, as well as science, math and technology through applied practice.”

$90 million bond allocation shrinks third time, to $60 million, in a shift

By Gabi Maspons

The original $90 million Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond (BCC GOB) money allocated to construct a new detention center at Southwest Eighth Street and Krome Avenue was reduced for a third time by Miami-Dade commissioners last week, leaving only two-thirds of the original amount.

“There was a promise to the people that the money would be used for a new building, but now we’re using it for repairs,” said Commissioner Joe Martinez.

In 2004, the county placed the BBC GOB program on the ballot, asking residents to authorize a maximum of $341.087 million for projects “to construct and improve public safety facilities” including “courts, detention centers, animal shelters and ocean lifeguard facilities,” the original legislation says.

When the residents approved the bond money, the project to construct the detention center had $90 million for 2,000 new jail beds.

In 2014, the commission reduced the allocation by $2.5 million. In 2016, the commission cut the allocation an additional $12 million, moving the money “to provide an effective and cost efficient alternative facility to house the mentally ill as they await a trial date at 2200 NW 7th Ave.” Last week, commissioners voted to make a “significant modification” of the BBC GOB money to reduce the then-$75.5 million allocation by $14.75 million, leaving the new detention center with $60.75 million. The legislation declares $14.75 million from the new detention center project “surplus funds” to be used toward infrastructure repairs and renovations of existing detention facilities.

‘There was a promise to the people that the money would be used for a new building, but now we’re using it for repairs.’

Joe Martinez In order to pass the legislation, the commission had to waive the county requirement that any surplus BBC GOB funds could be used “only after all projects have been completed.”

The Detention Facilities Infrastructure Repairs and Renovations program is to receive the money “to perform the required replacement of rods and expansion joints, boilers, air conditioning systems, elevators, generators, fuel tanks, mechanical doors, recreation yard doors and the renovation of bathrooms at the Metro West Detention Center and the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center to provide suitable housing for inmates,” the legislation says.

Mr. Martinez was the lone “no” vote. The new detention center project is in his district.

“We’ve used $30 million of the $90 million. We continue to lie to the people. This is the same as the [People’s Transportation Plan],” Mr. Martinez said.

The PTP is a half-penny transportation surtax approved in 2002 for the Transportation and Public Works Department for major highway and road improvement projects, but has historically been used to cover operational costs after a decline in transit revenues.

In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, only $75.8 million of the $251.6 million collected went toward capital reserve projects in the county, though the original tax was intended to exclusively fund expansion projects.

Mr. Martinez said the reallocation of the BBC GOB money for infrastructure updates mirrors the county’s reallocation of PTP money for operational costs.

The repairs and renovations project is in Jose “Pepe” Diaz’s district and he sponsored the legislation reallocating the funds.

“Commissioner Martinez brings up a valid point,” said Mr. Diaz.

“Our promise was to build a jail for the overcrowded system, but now we need to fix our establishments to make sure they are proper and we meet the decree guidelines from the federal government.”

In 2013, the commission approved a consent agreement with the US Department of Justice requiring the county to “remedy certain operational deficiencies in the county jail system,” the legislation says. Mr. Diaz’s legislation says the reallocation “specifically addresses issues related to inmate housing conditions and their living environment.”

The county estimates the repairs and renovations will extend the useful life of the two buildings by 15 to 20 years.

The legislation says that moving the $14.75 million addresses “the more urgent infrastructure needs identified by the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.”

Construction’s reversal welcomed

By Katya Maruri

Residential construction starts in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties fell 32% in value from October 2016 to October 2017, while nonresidential starts increased 30%, resulting in an overall loss of 9%, a Dodge Data & Analytics report revealed Tuesday.

Despite the decreases, one industry expert calls the numbers a welcome change in the local market.

“An overall decrease of 5% to 10% is not a major cause for concern and can even bring the market back to a normal scenario,” said Brad Meltzer, president of Plaza Construction. “Condo work has slowed significantly, but there is still a fair amount of multifamily developments in conjunction with an increase of commercial buildings, which typically include retail and other mixed-use developments.”

As to why the condo market has slowed, Mr. Meltzer said, “it all comes down to condo lending, supply and demand.

Once all condo products are absorbed, the market will pick

back up like it usually does.”

“The marketplace,” he said “was so heated for a 24-month span that these types of decreases are necessary from time to time due to the market’s lack of ability to continuously function at its peak.”

For example, he said, “when the market is at its peak for an extended period of time professionals within the design, development, construction and sub-contractor industries may not be able to maintain such a high pace.”

“Therefore,” Mr. Meltzer told Miami Today, “depending on the decrease a certain amount is welcome.”

As to whether decreases have disproportionately affected one part of the region, Mr. Meltzer said, “I have not seen a dramatic difference within the different marketplaces.”

Plaza Construction plans to work around the decreases, he said. “It is very important for our company to maintain diversification while being nimble enough to work in both the nonresidential and residential sectors by having the right

staff in place to execute the company’s vision.”

Looking forward, he said, “With time I think the market will revert back to its normal scenario.”

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

Phone: (305) 358-2663 Staff Writers:

Gabi Maspons gmaspons@miamitodaynews.com John Charles Robbins jrobbins@miamitodaynews.com Katya Maruri kmaruri@miamitodaynews.com People Column people@miamitodaynews.com Michael Lewis mlewis@miamitodaynews.com

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MIAMI TODAY

VIEWPOINT

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 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

Transit progress is slower than the ride, as are answers Eight years ago the county sought bids to replace its creaky Metrorail fleet, built in 1983. This week officials will welcome the first new train.

Barring more delays, all 136 cars built for hundreds Michael Lewis of millions of dollars are to be ready before 2020, well over a decade after they were requested.

That’s the pace of Miami-Dade transit upgrades as it gets harder and harder to arrive anywhere by any means at a reliable time.

The public is fed up.

So are county commissioners, who last week vented frustrations as they felt forced to cut bus service to balance the budget.

They threatened to audit the transit system and even suggested making all transit free until it can get its act together.

Commissioners must cope with a paradox: the worse Miami’s roadway traffic gets as population grows, the fewer riders are willing to board public transportation.

This month the county quietly posted its latest ridership figures, which cover August – even the statistics on transit run late and unreliably. Those numbers, tardy as they are, show a disquietingly familiar pattern of declines across the board with the sole exception of a service to carry wheelchair users.

In August, Metrobus riders dropped 7.6% from August 2016, Metrorail riders fell 1.1% in those 12 months, and even the fare-free Metromover carried 3.2% fewer passengers.

If you can’t get more people in a congested downtown beset by Brickell Bridge traffic jams to ride a free Metromover that avoids backups, the suggestion by Commissioner Bruno Barreiro to make all transit free isn’t going to stem the mass transit exit.

Mayor Carlos Giménez inspects a new Metrorail car in October 2016 at the Medley manufacturing facility, when he was still promoting rail as the transportation solution.

Furthermore, the proposed six-route Smart plan to tie together the county via transit for untallied billions isn’t going to solve all the problems even if we could unite on which transit modes to use and then cobble together billions to pay for them.

There’s no one reason for the drop of mass transit use just as road use has reached its peak, and there isn’t going to be a single cure. There’s also no villain or fall guy. As commissioners turned up the heat on county transit last week they seemed to be seeking one target, but no one agency or person or trend is to blame.

Nonetheless, a transit department audit, which several commissioners called for, would logically point to several key contributors to system woes.

One glaring flaw is that for decades the commission itself never funded full transit maintenance, so ride quality and reliability sank and use began to follow.

Then, when the public taxed itself a half percent on sales to fund more transit routes, commissioners stripped away most of those funds to pay for maintenance and employee raises instead of adding to an incomplete rail system that doesn’t cover large swaths of the county.

Another huge problem is that on any given

L etters New mayor impressive

This ordinance would in fact flip the parking standard for micro units around existing transit stations (establishing a maximum of one parking space). Mayor Francis Suarez continues to impress with his efforts towards progressive land use and transportation policies to promote a vibrant multi-modal urban core in Miami.

Steven J. Wernick

City historic designation best for Olympia Theater

Thank you for continuing to highlight historic preservation issues with the article “Withdrawn Olympia Theater offer may still spark renovation” (Nov. 16).

Although the article states that the Olympia Theater was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 – a first important step in protecting a local landmark – National Register listings are mostly symbolic and protection of the property is not guaranteed. Properties are not protected in any strict sense by the federal listing.

Historic landmarks give a community a sense of place, identity and stability and provide numerous economic benefits as

day more than 20% of transit drivers call in sick, harming quality and reliability of service and sending labor costs for the unionized drivers through the roof.

Private industry would never put up with that. In county hall, which doesn’t have to turn a profit, it just means spending 20% extra on labor every day and taking the money from service frequency and routes. Commissioners who were steaming last week at route cuts should look to 20% of labor costs flowing out the door with not a mile of transit service in return.

Another issue is that everything the county does in transit seems to take forever, including use of computer-linked signals to speed auto traffic. From the time the county spends tens of millions to add mobility to the time we see the purchase in action is multiple years – more than 10 years for the rail cars.

The transit department itself blames falling ridership on lower gasoline costs and a better economy, but if so mass transit is too cyclical to predict use, making it more problematic to add to the system.

Some also blame Miamians, saying we’re too addicted to our cars. Indeed, fewer than 5% of us ride mass transit to work. Would adding routes solve that, or would we be

to the

smarter to use some transit money to pay people to carpool? How much less would we spend paying them than adding transit and then getting them to ride it?

Maybe Mayor Carlos Giménez is right: technological change is so rapid that we need ways to move people faster right now at the lowest cost and worry in a decade about what comes next. His bet is on a China-built bustrain in dedicated rights-of-way. That might be a piece of the puzzle.

Again, there is no villain and no single quick fix.

Commissioners who lash out against route cuts to balance the budget should remember that they can shift the budget around to fund whatever transit they want. In the end, they can prioritize spending as they see fit.

Raising taxes to add transit is the easy way.

The harder step is to say that mobility is so vital that it will get a larger share of the current budget, meaning other things must be cut.

Private business does that. It doesn’t spend more than it earns or it’s not there next year.

That’s a hard concept for politicians, because the money isn’t theirs. It belongs to the taxpayers. If the top priority is transportation, commissioners can always shift spending and cut elsewhere, if they’re willing to take the heat.

If Mr. Barreiro wants free transit for all, he and the other 12 commissioners can have it if they’re willing to cover the fare loss by cutting spending elsewhere.

What do we cut: Social services? Jails?

Parks? Housing? County salaries? Commissioners’ own office budgets, which have mushroomed over the years?

If everything else is untouchable and transit revenues keep falling along with service, the county is condemned to a never-ending downward spiral in mobility.

Someone is going to have to bite bullets.

Nothing is wrong with auditing the transit department for efficiency, but commissioners should look first for what steps they can take, right now, to quickly improve mobility here.

The last thing we need is to pay for another study.

E ditor

does provide for maintaining standards of work that will respect the historic integrity Letters for publication may be sent to the and it requires the guidance and approval Editor, Miami Today, 2000 S. Dixie Hwy, by the historic resources department in the Suite 100, Miami, FL 33133 or e-mail to letters@miamitodaynews.com. Letters respective jurisdictions.

Question: Has the City of Miami desigmay be condensed for space. nated the Olympia Theater a local historic landmark? Local is better than national. well. Being listed on the National Register Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell of Historic Places, a program administered by the National Park Service to recognize historic places worthy of preservation, bestows a certain level of prestige for a historic site but very little protection from Here’s an idea or two: demolition.

1. Raise taxes to pay for Metrorail exThe best way to protect an important pansion – with a proviso that the money site is to designate it historic in the city or can’t be used for any other reason than county where it is located.

In 1981, following a statewide mandate, building and maintaining Metrorail. We’re Miami-Dade County created its preserva- talking adding on another nickel maybe to tion ordinance and allowed cities to opt the still existing agreement between the out by creating their own ordinance, pro- county and the people which the county cedures and board. Coral Gables, Hialeah, failed to honor.

2. Freeze the hiring of bus drivers. That Homestead, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami will drive down the costs of employment Shores, Miami Springs, Opa-locka, South and pension.

Miami and Sunny Isles Beach did so.

3. Contract with independent homeThere is much misinformation about what historic designation means and how it grown small business jitney companies. affects the property itself. Designation does Let them take on the costs of running the not freeze a property in time and prevent business of transporting people from one alterations and even major additions. It place to another. To succeed they will have

How to Write

Three ways to fix transit problems in Miami-Dade

to keep customers happy – unlike MiamiDade Transit bus drivers, who have a union to protect them from criticism and firings.

DC Copeland

Flow water taxis south

Can’t they expand the water taxi to Palmetto Bay – the Deering Estate dock?

Linda Robinson

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MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Citing a transportation revolution, mayor targets flexibility sions, Mayor Carlos GimÊnez told directors of the Downtown Flexibility and adaptabil- Development Authority Nov. ity are key for Miami-Dade 17. He and Alice Bravo, county County’s transportation deci- transportation director, spoke to

By Catherine Lackner

the downtown group. “We’re on the cusp of a revolution in transportation� with autonomous vehicles and other technologies, including trains

with rubber wheels and movable tracks, he said. Whatever means of mass transit the county eventually chooses, “those stations need to be convertible.�

Notice of Public Hearing NOTICE IS GIVEN that a meeting of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 9:30 AM, in the Commission Chambers, located on the Second Floor of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. First Street, Miami, Florida, wherein, among other matters to be considered, a public hearing will be held at such time that the item is called on the following: Ordinance and Resolutions: t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t 3FTPMVUJPO BQQSPWJOH BEPQUJOH BOE DPOmSNJOH B 1SFMJNJOBSZ "TTFTTNFOU 3PMM QSPWJEJOH GPS BOOVBM BTTFTTNFOUT BHBJOTU SFBM QSPQFSUZ MPDBUFE XJUIJO UIF CPVOEBSJFT PG UIF 1BMNFSB BU $FOUVSZ #SFF[F 4USFFU -JHIUJOH 4QFDJBM 5BYJOH %JTUSJDU HFOFSBMMZ CPVOEFE PO UIF /PSUI CZ 4PVUIXFTU 4USFFU PO UIF &BTU CZ 4PVUIXFTU "WFOVF PO UIF 4PVUI CZ 4PVUIXFTU 5FSSBDF BOE PO UIF 8FTU CZ 4PVUIXFTU "WFOVF QSPWJEJOH UIBU BTTFTTNFOUT NBEF TIBMM DPOTUJUVUF B TQFDJBM BTTFTTNFOU MJFO PO SFBM QSPQFSUZ BOE QSPWJEJOH GPS UIF DPMMFDUJPO PG TVDI BTTFTTNFOUT t 0SEJOBODF DSFBUJOH BOE FTUBCMJTIJOH B 4QFDJBM 5BYJOH %JTUSJDU HFOFSBMMZ CPVOEFE PO UIF /PSUI CZ UIFPSFUJDBM 48 4USFFU PO UIF &BTU CZ UIFPSFUJDBM 48 QBTTBHF PO UIF 4PVUI CZ 48 4USFFU BOE PO UIF 8FTU CZ UIFPSFUJDBM 48 "WFOVF LOPXO BOE EFTDSJCFE BT 7BOFTTB T 1MBDF 4USFFU -JHIUJOH 4QFDJBM 5BYJOH %JTUSJDU BVUIPSJ[JOH BOE EJSFDUJOH UIF .BZPS PS %FTJHOFF UP QSPWJEF GPS UIF JOTUBMMBUJPO PG TUSFFUMJHIUT BQQSPWJOH B 4USFFU -JHIUJOH "HSFFNFOU XJUI 'MPSJEB 1PXFS BOE -JHIU BOE BVUIPSJ[JOH UIF .BZPS PS %FTJHOFF UP FYFDVUF UIF BHSFFNFOU XBJWJOH QSPWJTJPOT PG 3FTPMVUJPO /P 3 BOE QSPWJEJOH GPS FYDMVTJPO GSPN UIF DPEF BOE BO FGGFDUJWF EBUF t 3FTPMVUJPO BQQSPWJOH BEPQUJOH BOE DPOmSNJOH B 1SFMJNJOBSZ "TTFTTNFOU 3PMM QSPWJEJOH GPS BOOVBM BTTFTTNFOUT BHBJOTU SFBM QSPQFSUZ MPDBUFE XJUIJO UIF CPVOEBSJFT PG UIF 7BOFTTB T 1MBDF 4USFFU -JHIUJOH 4QFDJBM 5BYJOH %JTUSJDU HFOFSBMMZ CPVOEFE PO UIF /PSUI CZ UIFPSFUJDBM 48 4USFFU PO UIF &BTU CZ UIFPSFUJDBM 48 1BTTBHF PO UIF 4PVUI CZ 48 4USFFU BOE PO UIF 8FTU CZ UIFPSFUJDBM 48 BWFOVF QSPWJEJOH UIBU BTTFTTNFOUT NBEF TIBMM DPOTUJUVUF B TQFDJBM BTTFTTNFOU MJFO PO SFBM QSPQFSUZ BOE QSPWJEJOH GPS UIF DPMMFDUJPO PG TVDI BTTFTTNFOUT t 3FTPMVUJPO UBLJOH BDUJPO PO B $MBTT * 1FSNJU BQQMJDBUJPO CZ ") 'BJSXBZ --$ UP FYQBOE BO FYJTUJOH CPBU OPUDI UISPVHI OPO NBJOUFOBODF ESFEHJOH PG UJEBM XBUFST BOE FYDBWBUJPO PG VQMBOET BOE GPS BGUFS UIF GBDU BVUIPSJ[BUJPO GPS UIF JOTUBMMBUJPO PG GFOEFS QJMFT BU /PSUIXFTU /PSUI 3JWFS %SJWF .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ 'MPSJEB t 3FTPMVUJPO UBLJOH BDUJPO PO B $MBTT * 1FSNJU BQQMJDBUJPO BOE SFRVFTU GPS B WBSJBODF GSPN 4FDUJPO PG UIF $PEF CZ /BUJPOBM .BSJOF .BOVGBDUVSFST "TTPDJBUJPO *OD GPS UIF JOTUBMMBUJPO PG B UFNQPSBSZ TMJQ EPDLJOH GBDJMJUZ GPS BO BOOVBM CPBU TIPX JODMVEJOH XBUFS UBYJ TFSWJDFT BOE nPBUJOH TUSVDUVSFT XJUI B OPO XBUFS EFQFOEFOU VTF PWFS UJEBM XBUFST XJUIJO UIF NBSJOF TUBEJVN CBTJO BU 3JDLFOCBDLFS $BVTFXBZ JODMVEJOH B SFRVFTU UP BVUIPSJ[F UIF DPNQMFUJPO PG XPSL PG UIF TVCKFDU QFSNJU GPS B QFSJPE PG mWF ZFBST BOE DPOTFOUJOH UP BQQMJDBUJPO BT UP BOZ BOE BMM PXOFSTIJQ JOUFSFTUT PG .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ t "QQFBM PG &UIJDT $PNNJTTJPO 0QJOJPO /P 320 CZ "NBOEB 4BOmMJQQP %FQBSUNFOU PG $VMUVSBM "GGBJST Resolution Approving the Following Plat: t 3FTPMVUJPO BQQSPWJOH UIF QMBU PG 4QJO $BS 8BTI CPVOEFE PO UIF /PSUI BQQSPYJNBUFMZ GFFU 4PVUI PG /8 4USFFU PO UIF &BTU BQQSPYJNBUFMZ GFFU 8FTU PG /8 "WFOVF PO UIF 4PVUI CZ /8 4USFFU BOE PO UIF 8FTU CZ /8 "WFOVF

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He said fully autonomous vehicles could be on the roads by 2021. “Florida has liberal laws on testing new technologies� that could allow the changes to occur quickly, he said.

The Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit plan designates six corridors for transportation improvements.

Board members of the county’s Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) recently voted to prioritize the north and south corridors. “We have the money to do the north and south corridors,�

Mr. GimĂŠnez said. A necessary first step, regardless of the transit method chosen, is for the county to acquire the right-of-way along Northwest 27th Avenue (it already owns the South Dade Busway along the south corridor).

There has been an ongoing debate on whether trains, bus rapid transit or some other technology should be used on the corridors. “I’m not against trains,� the mayor said, though he has said that train service is too expensive. “We want to get the corridors first, then determine what technology to use.�

Trains might be best for the northeast corridor, because the tracks are already there and All Aboard Florida might be interested in running commuter service in addition to its Brightline express trains, he said. “Half a million people live within a mile of that corridor.� “I appreciate the complexity of the issue,� said authority board member Marta Viciedo, founding partner of Urban Impact Lab. “But it seems the Beach corridor is the quickest win. It would have the highest ridership,� because there is presently no mass transit between Miami and Miami Beach, and only bus service between Miami International Airport and the beach. “The ridership on the north and south corridors is not known.� “We have new mayors in Miami and Miami Beach,� said authority Chair Ken Russell, who is a Miami commissioner. “Could there be a whole new world of cooperation between the cities? How can we get that to happen?�

Mr. GimĂŠnez said he expects to have a better relationship with Francis Suarez, Miami mayor, than he did with TomĂĄs Regalado, former mayor of that city. “We want Miami and Miami Beach to be connected; there are 60,000 jobs on Miami Beach,â€?

Mr. GimĂŠnez said. “The three of us should get together to make Baylink a reality. Cities have to have skin in the game.â€?

But, he said, providing rapid transit to employment centers is a county priority. “Doral is an employment center; so is Coral Gables. And more people live out west. They need relief, too.� “The TPO directed staff to make the north and south corridors the No. 1 priority,� Ms. Bravo said. “But that decision won’t block progress on anything else.�

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

11

Marina seeks special permit to add 100-seat river restaurant

By J ohn C harles Robbins

A marina on the Miami River plans to expand its business with the addition of a restaurant.

5th St Marina LLC is proposing construction of a 100-seat restaurant with some outdoor seating at 341-361 NW South River Drive, next door to 5th Street Marina.

The Miami River Commission is expected to review the project Dec. 4. The commission’s Urban Infill and Greenways Subcommittee discussed the plan Nov. 15 and recommended the commission approve the project, with conditions.

The marina owner is requesting special permission to open the restaurant on land zoned for marine-industrial uses, via the awarding of a warrant from the City of Miami.

Project architect Arturo G. Griego of itec design went over details of a site plan for the restaurant, to be called Gramps by the Sea, described as an accessory use to an existing marine use.

The property is zoned D3for marine-industrial uses. A restaurant would be allowed, however, with special permission or by administrative warrant – a special conditional use that is decided by the city’s planning director and is subject to appeal by neighboring property owners. The granting of a warrant can be appealed first to the city’s Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, and that decision can be appealed to the city commission.

Orin Black, of 5th Street Marina, told committee members the marina has contemplated this additional use for about four years, and the goal is to offer the community a friendly beer garden seafood restaurant on the river.

The two-story restaurant would rise just east of an existing one-story building. There would be 20 parking spaces on a surface lot next to the 5th Street Bridge. Along with a waterfront setback of about 14 feet, the project includes a public riverwalk.

Mr. Griego told committee members he was excited to be working on this project to bring an added use to the property.

He said it was challenging to design the new structure on such a small site, in both width and length.

Mr. Griego described this area of the river as unique, serving as a transition from the downtown area with its residential towers to the more industrial area of the river as it heads west.

He said this project is trying to be “responsive” to that transition and is designed to offer “a very casual, friendly, open space.”

Mr. Griego said in designing the restaurant they worked to “minimize our footprint.” The bathrooms and kitchen will be on the first floor. There’s to be a private room on the second floor of about 1,000 square feet.

On the west end of the new construction would be a garden with seating and juice bar.

Gramps by the Sea restaurant would be at 341-361 NW South River Drive if owner gets a Miami warrant.

Mr. Griego said the design is like an enclosed big shed or a boatyard with a roof, and will be built with materials that appear old and rustic.

He said if you think of a $1,000-a-plate dining establish-

ment, this will be the opposite.

Mark Bailey of the Miami River Marine Group asked if the main use of the property would remain marine-industrial.

Mr. Black said yes, noting that the marina has about six

mega-yacht slips and about 40 smaller slips. The bulk of the slips are west of the 5th Street Bridge.

The marina’s website says its western half is anchored by a full service boatyard operated

by Norseman Shipbuilding.

Also on-site are Langer Krell Marine Electronics, one of South Florida’s largest marine electronics dealers, and South Shore Marine Diesel, specializing in Caterpillar engine repairs.

Mr. Black was asked about music and operating hours for the restaurant. He said it would include event space, any music would end at 11 p.m. and the bar would close at 2 a.m.

Jim Murley, co-chair of the committee, said the proposed restaurant is an ancillary use to the main marina use, and the committee recommends approval of the warrant. Conditions include a 10-foot-wide access to the riverfront on the west, construction of a new seawall, and a 14-foot setback with a riverwalk with an unobstructed walkway about 9 feet wide.

Committee members good naturedly suggested a name change to Gramps on the River.

Financial trends

2017

December 7

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MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Global art sales rebound as Art Basel keynotes Art Week

By Marcus Lim

Global art sales dwindled for two years, last year totaling about $56.6 billion, down 11% from 2015. However, in June buying picked up, an artwork sold at a record price, and that was all before Art Basel Miami Beach, which experts are optimistic will help finish the year strong in sales.

Art fairs have been a driving force in the art global market, with sales hitting $13.3 billion, a 57% increase since 2010, and accounted for 41% of dealer sales in 2016, according to the 2017 Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market report.

During the second of three art fairs in Basel in June, the art world bounced back on the first day of the world’s biggest art fair.

It was a VIP opening on Tuesday made up of 300 galleries featuring 4,000 artists. After 291 sales that day, gallerists said it was a very productive and active day. Many million-dollar paintings sold.

The one thing to take away from Art Basel in June is that interest in art is still very much alive, and when the fair opens at the Miami Beach Convention Center in December, similar sales may be achieved due to the location being accessible to many prominent collectors in the US and South America.

“It is one of the most popular art fairs, and what Miami offers is something special and something new at every event. The scene in South Florida is just much more interesting,” said Albert Scaglione, CEO of Park West Gallery. “There is always a tremendous influx of people

The location of Art Basel Miami Beach offers connectivity to many prominent collectors of the Americas.

Art Week targets more than just millionaires. Experts say it opens the doors of art to many others who might become inspired to collect.

from all over. It has a great impact on the importance of South Florida being an art center.”

The US led all nations in global art sales in 2016 with a dominant 40% of the market share. The United Kingdom

accounted for 21% and China 20%. Together, the three had a combined 81% of estimated sales by value. Next closest was France at only 7%.

Based on the findings, Mr. Scaglione said that having the

P Cuban American Bar names president-elect The Cuban American BarAssociation has appointed Maria Garcia president-elect. Ms. Garcia is a partner at Zumpano Patricios & Winker P.A. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a JD from Florida International University.

e o p l e

has promoted Lissette Sabatino to vice president of operations.

Ms. Sabatino had been director of operations at A | P. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University.

To Submit Information

Parkinson’s Foundation adds to directors The Parkinson’s Foundation has added Marcia Mondavi Maria Garcia Atlantic | Pacific Borger to its board of directors. promotes to VP Ms. Borger is a co-founder and Atlantic | Pacific Companies partner at Continuum Estate.

She holds a bachelor’s degree the University of Santa F ilming in M iami from Clara.

These film permits were issued last week by the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources’ Office of Film and Entertainment, (305) 375-3288; the Miami Mayor’s Office of Film, Arts & Entertainment, (305) 860-3823; and the Miami Beach Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment-Film and Print Division, (305) 673-7070.

The Welcome Channel, Miami. Super Shuttle. Port of Miami Terminal J. Forest Productions Inc. Burbank. Warriors of Liberty City. Liberty Square, Miami Beach citywide.

Imagina Content LLC. Miami. Master Chef. Swale Parking.

Beach Bum Film Holdings LLC. Culver City. The Beach Bum. Happy Stork Lounge, JFK Causeway, Pelican Harbor Marina.

Supersonic Entertainment CG Inc. North Miami Beach.

Running Rough. Greynolds Park.

Paradiso Pictures. Miami. MTV SwipeDate. Amelia Earhart Park.

N House Productions. Miami. Carters. Countywide.

Onward USA. New York. Tocca SS18 Catalogue Shoot.

Crandon Park Beach.

GE Projects Inc. Malibu. Vogue Airport Story. MIA Airport.

N House Productions. Miami. Next Directory. Countywide, Miami Beach citywide.

Debbie Katz Inc. Miami. BMW Public Relations. Countywide, Port of Miami Terminal J. Lockbox Productions. New York. Famous Footwear. Cultural Center Plaza, Government Center Metrorail Station.

Center of Cinematography, Arts and Television. Miami.

Gothicc “The story of an American SJW.” Tropical Park.

art fair in Miami offers a strategic location, giving easy access to collectors domestically and more likely to create new art collectors because of the proximity and the lure of Miami for ordinary vacationers who could be enamored by what the fair has to offer and start a collection.

“Art Basel has different flavors, many options where anyone can see,” he said. “There is expensive stuff, but one can also go just to be educated about art.

It’s a very special thing.”

Prices of paintings vary from gallery to gallery, but on average, a collector would have a budget in the high six-figure range to buy. Sydney Budina, an art broker in Miami, said that most collectors know what they want and that top paintings will sell for, at a minimum, $1 million.

Paintings that sell for $15,000

Palmer Trinity School added athletic liaison Palmer Trinity School has added Matthew Levin as an athletic liaison within the school’s college counseling department and its physical education department. Mr. Levin had been a student teacher and assistant soccer coach at Ponce de Leon Middle School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami.

Arts center authority adds two members The Performing Arts Center Authority has added Bonnie Barnett and Rebecca Bratter to its 13-member governing body of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

or less are what he calls the “emerging artist,” though gallerists have said that new artists are sometimes not worth the risk, from an investment pointof-view.

Art Basel has galleries showing new names, and Mr. Budina says it’s up to the brokers and collectors with a keen eye to identify them, which makes Art Basel the perfect place to bring in new buyers.

This month saw a strong boost for the art market when Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” was sold for $450.3 million at auction, a record for any artwork sold. The price of the 500-year-old painting far surpassed the prior high when Picasso’s “Women of Algiers” in 2015 sold for $179.4 million.

Mr. Scaglione said that da Vinci’s painting, which was commissioned by King Charles I, actually sold for just $60 in 1958 because many thought it was a reproduction. He said the painting’s history drove the high prices and he doesn’t expect any painting to go for anywhere near that price in Miami’s Art Basel.

While it may seem the fair targets millionaires, Mr. Scaglione said, it also aims to raise awareness about the “beauty of art” and could teach and inspire many. To that end, he says, the art world will benefit because of the Miami fair.

“Miami is a vibrant thriving city, a great international community, and can have art enrich their lives,” Mr. Scaglione said.

“With the amount of people, it can reach here, Art Basel needed Miami more than Miami needed Art Basel.”

Lissette Sabatino

M. Mondavi Borger

Miami Today welcomes news of job changes, promotions, hiring and awards. Please send your submissions to Katya Maruri at People @Miamitodaynews.com or mail them to Miami Today, 2000 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33133. Be sure to include contact information. We will select submissions for publication.

degree from El Cesa and a master’s degree from Embry Riddle University.

Builders association cites philanthropist The Builders Association of South Florida has named Luis Garcia philanthropist of the Bonnie Barnett Rebecca Bratter Matthew Levin year. Mr. Garcia is president and chief executive officer of Ms. Barnett is president of tor of private banking at City Adonel Concrete. He holds an Bonnie Barnett Fine Art and was National Bank. He holds a bach- associate’s degree from Miami a founding member of Funding elor’s degree from California Dade College.

Arts Broward.

State University and a master’s Ms. Bratter is a deputy manag- degree from the Thunderbird Iberiabank ing shareholder at Greenspoon School of Global Management. adds VP Iberiabank has added MiMarder. She holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington American Airlines adds chelle Hedges as vice president and human resources manager University and a JD from Nova managing director American Airlines has pro- for the Southeast Florida marSoutheastern University. moted Juan Gomez to managing ket. Ms. Hedges had been a chief director of customer care for its talent and knowledge officer at Bank Leumi names president Miami hub. Mr. Gomez had been Power Financial Credit Union.

Bank Leumi has named Jeff Miami International Airport’s She holds a bachelor’s degree Watts Southeast market presi- director of administration and from Florida International dent. Mr. Watts had been direc- finance. He holds a bachelor’s University.

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

13

Health Update Multi-phase Jewish Health Systems expansion plan gains

By John Charles Robbins

Miami Jewish Health Systems is moving ahead with its major expansion plans and has earned preliminary approval from city commissioners.

Phase I is set to begin next year and include construction of a cutting-edge memory care facility to be called Empathicare Village, a substantial addition to the medical campus in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood.

The health system has been operating from 5200 NE Second Ave. since the 1940s, and the updated master plan is for the next 30 years and beyond.

The city commission recently voted favorably on four items tied to the expansion, including a street closure, land use changes, zoning changes, and an amended development agreement with the City of Miami.

The street closure was approved, and the other three items passed on a first reading with a final vote yet to come.

The first item allows the health system to close part of Northeast First Avenue (Northeast Miami Place) and Northeast 52nd Terrace within the Miami Jewish Health Systems’ properties, and seven easements also within the medical campus site.

Outgoing Commissioner Frank Carollo got a promise from the health system to hire a good portion of employees from Miami, for both temporary construction jobs and long-term staff positions.

Some of those details are to be fine-tuned before the final votes.

The expansion plan is to unfold in several phases, and Mr. Carollo said he wanted to make sure there are requirements to hire local residents for each phase and to have a third party regularly audit those em-

An institute to promote research and lodging for visiting researchers is a portion of the system’s plan.

ployment numbers and report compliance to the city.

Commission Chairman Keon Hardemon noted that Miami Jewish Health Systems is proud of providing long-term jobs to locals.

“I’ve seen it. Thank you for that,” said Mr. Hardemon, whose District Five includes Little Haiti.

In a letter about the expansion, attorney Iris Escarra on behalf of the health system speaks of the impact of jobs the redevelopment will bring to the community.

The increase in capacity will allow the health system “to provide more jobs, and to better serve the community through new programs and more room for patients.”

She said an economic study shows the average development construction phase employment will be for about 1,174 employ-

ees, and the project management is expected to employ eight people for ongoing oversight of the site and marketing during the development phase.

The expansion will also lead to an increase in recurring jobs totaling 170 employees throughout the multiple-phase project.

“Development jobs will range from construction to truck transportation and marketing research, and operation jobs will include hotel and hospital workers,” Ms. Escarra wrote.

The health system’s expansion plans are included in a requested Special Area Plan.

The city’s zoning code, Miami 21, says the purpose of a Special Area Plan is to allow parcels of 9 abutting acres or more to be master planned to allow greater integration of public improvements and infrastructure, and “greater flexibility so as to result in higher

or specialized quality building and Streetscape design.”

The medical campus of about 20 acres provides 24-hour-a-day services for its patients, including on-site hospital and ambulatory health clinic, specialized centers for biofeedback, mental health, rehabilitation, and memory centers, and assisted living facilities.

Miami Jewish Health Systems currently provides 104 assisted living facilities with the proposed addition of 99 beds, for a total of 203 assisted living facility beds.

The nonprofit senior health care provider has hired c.c. hodgson architectural group to design the new master plan for its property, border by Northeast 53rd Street, Northeast Second Avenue, Northeast 50th Terrace, Northeast Miami Place, Northeast 52nd Street and North Miami Avenue.

The architectural firm specializes in wellness-based design services.

The overall master plan shows the construction of 11 buildings and facilities, improvements to more than a half dozen existing structures, and demolition of five buildings and one pavilion.

A significant aspect of the master plan is consolidating parking into new multi-level garages, freeing old surface parking lots for new buildings and expanded open space.

In her letter, Ms. Escarra says the proposed Special Area Plan will enable the health provider to expand its impact on the community by providing the Empathicare Village, an institute to promote research, and lodging for visiting researchers and families.

The Empathicare Village includes a 142,708-squarefoot, three-story facility and a 135,576-square-foot, threestory garage accented by murals from local artists.

Ms. Escarra wrote that the Special Area Plan was designed to: Promoting a neighborhood/ campus for short- and long-term patients and their families.

In addition to on-site green space provided for residents, patients and families, provides more than an acre of civic space for the public.

Introduce the Empathicare Village, along the western portion of the campus, to meet the needs of an aging community.

Revitalize the neighborhood through design and innovation, along with providing needed support for the community’s healthcare needs.

Utilize sustainable technology and strategic initiatives and concepts.

The complete build-out of the master plan is to include a hotel and conference center.

Muddle in Washington leaves health insurance in limbo

By Catherine Lackner

Chaos in Washington makes the fate of healthcare – including the muchballyhood repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare – anyone’s guess.

Lawmakers continue to debate both healthcare and tax reform, and there is a concerted push to hammer out a tax plan

by Dec. 15, when the year’s congressional session ends.

“It’s a time of great chaos and the markets Keith Arnold are very unstable,” said Keith Arnold, a senior principal and lobbyist in the Fort Myers office of the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney law firm.

“That instability starts with the con-

sumer, then affects the providers, and then the payors.

“Part of the tax plan is the repeal of the individual mandate and the penalty associated with not purchasing insurance,” he said. “The concern is that it might lead to 12 million to 13 million people who are uninsured, and that drives costs up. That’s immediate, and the impact will be felt in early 2018.

That’s something near-term.”

Even over the long run, the uncertainty in Washington, DC, “has a trickle-down effect to the state capitols, and that includes Tallahassee,” Mr. Arnold said.

“All we know is that Congress wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and we don’t know if they can replace it, and with what,” he said.

“We’ve been watching this show for a year now, and really, we’ve known since March 2010,” when the law was

passed, that there would be attempts to repeal it. “There’s no way to know what will happen.”

Congress may want to repeal the healthcare law, but that’s not necessarily the will of the public, according to a poll by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Respondents to the survey said they ranked healthcare for children and hurricane relief higher priorities than tax reform and Obamacare repeal.

“When asked about a series of things that President Trump and Congress might try to do in the coming months, 62%, about six in 10, of the public say reauthorizing funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and providing funding for places in the US affected by hurricanes (61%) should each be a top priority,” said an explanation of survey results.

“Overall, reforming the tax code

is seen as a top priority for President Trump and Congress by about three in ten (28%), falling well-behind several health care issues [such as] stabilizing the ACA marketplaces (48%). Among Republicans, about half (51%) say reforming the tax code is a top priority.”

Interestingly, the number of respondents (29%) who say repealing the Affordable Care Act is a top priority has decreased over the past year, down from 37% in December 2016, the foundation said. “Among Republicans, [those] who say repealing the ACA is a top priority has decreased 13 percentage points over the past year, from 63% in December 2016 to 50% this month.”

Whether reform will succeed, “is very difficult to predict,” said attorney Nathaniel Lacktman, a partner in the Tampa office of the Foley & Lardner law firm. “It’s just too much up in the air.”

14

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

HEALTH UPDATE

Quick-care facilities don’t lighten loads in emergency rooms

By Katya Maruri

As quick-care facilities continue to pop up throughout South Florida, ‘Urgent care facilities local hospitals such as Baptist Health South Florida have seen were initially created as a little to no lessening of patient loads decompression strategy for within emergency rooms, according emergency departments.’ to Baptist Health’s CEO. Wayne Brackin “In the early years of creating urgent care strategies,” said Wayne Brackin, chief operating officer of Baptist Health, “urgent care facilities were initially created as a decompression strategy for emerthing totally different.” gency departments.”

As a result, he told Miami “However,” he said, “things didn’t really work out as expected Today, urgent care centers have and ended up turning into some- turned into a hot strategic move

However, he said, “I think on a national basis urgent care centers have reduced emergency room waits, services and costs, but in the case of Baptist Health that has not really happened.”

“On the other hand,” he said, “I do speculate that our urgent care centers along with our primary care physicians and Baptist Health mobile app have reduced the rate of growth in emergency room activity.”

As for other unexpected outcomes due to urgent care centers, for hospitals to try and locate these Mr. Brackin said, “A lot of younger facilities as access points by creat- patients such as millennials are ing a non-emergency environment choosing to go to urgent care centers instead of visiting a primary care for patients.

physician due to these centers being seen as a more convenient and accessible option.”

However, Mr. Brackin said, “urgent care centers actually tend to be a more expensive option.”

“The emergency room is the ultimate safety net for patients,” he said. “By law, we cannot turn away patients who cannot pay and welcome all patients at Baptist Health South Florida.”

Looking forward, he said, “aside from being convenient and easily accessible, urgent care centers must be backed up by clinical quality, which I believe will be an important factor in seeing which facilities continue to succeed or close.”

10,000 virtual medical service downloads lead to expansion

By Rebecca San Juan

Baptist Health is planning to expand Baptist Care On Demand as the virtual platform has had about 10,000 downloads since it first launched in August 2016.

The virtual platform offers patients a Florida licensed physician around the clock year-round. Patients can consult with one of 100 doctors regarding minor illnesses for a flat rate of $59 on a computer, tablet or smartphone.

The number of e-visits spiked by about 100 during and immediately after Hurricane Irma for people who couldn’t get to medical care, proving to the Baptist Health staff the importance of the program during natural disasters.

“We really saw a tremendous growth in our platform during those two weeks before and after the storm, said Dr. David Mishkin, medical director for Care On Demand. “We found that these patients were really comforted by the fact that even if their doctors’ offices were closed, we have services that can help them.”

Luis Bellmas, vice president of Baptist Outpatient Services, and Dr. Mishkin plan to expand the virtual program in the next six to 12 months.

“We have several other ideas that we’re working on right now,” Mr. Bellmas said. “We definitely see the platform expanding and not just having an on-demand type of

‘We definitely see the platform expanding and not just having an ondemand type of digital service.’

Luis Bellmas

digital service, but also the ability to schedule appointments with primary care physicians.” Baptist Health will also add additional programs to the telehealth platform. “We hope to add different types of services to the program, such as nutrition, wellness and maybe even behavioral health,” Mr. Bellmas said.

To get involved with Care On Demand, patients would first download it and create an account, including the pharmacy of their preference.

The next step would involve selecting the physician. Doctors provide

Hailing the Best of

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their educational background, years of experience and the languages that they speak.

After selecting a doctor, the physician reviews the patient’s information before both parties appear on the high-definition video.

“It’s for minor illnesses and injuries, things that you can’t wait to get into your primary care for but don’t require an emergency room visit,” said Mr. Bellmas.

Baptist Health utilizes telehealth company American Well to connect patients and doctors on their virtual platform. Mr. Bellmas said that the hospital chose to collaborate with the company for a few reasons.

“They have a very robust technology platform that we are very happy with,” he said. “They have an excellent online care group of physicians that are used to providing telehealth services. They have a lot of experience in telehealth.”

Physicians typically treat minor illnesses, including allergic reactions, skin infections, urinary tract infections and upper respiratory issues, Dr. Mishkin said. The evisits last on average five to seven minutes and primarily cater to 30- to 50-year-olds. Physicians can also treat children and young adults ages 2 to 18 with parental supervision.

Patients often upload photos through the app beforehand to show doctors their ailment, and later perform physical exams guided by the physicians near the particular area.

“We ask the patient to help with the physical exam process through certain types of movements,” Dr. Mishkin said. “We pretty much know

‘We really saw a tremendous growth in our platform during those two weeks before and after the storm.’

David Mishkin

the diagnosis, like 90% of the time, just by talking to the patient, and the physical exam just helps us confirm that of the things we need.”

The program continues to be cost-effective for Baptist Health and patients. “Any time that we can provide care in a more appropriate, cost-effective setting, that’s good for both the healthcare physician as well as the patient,” Mr. Bellmas said.

More patients continue to rely on the telehealth program for pressing concerns rather than dashing to the emergency room. “We’ve actually had 5% to 10% of our patients tell us that, had the service not been available, they would have

gone to an emergency room,” Mr. Bellmas said.

Dr. Mishkin trains doctors to use Care On Demand and provide highquality service. Doctors take less than a day to learn how to manage the program alongside Dr. Mishkin.

He reviews how to access charts and view patients and e-prescriptions.

Having worked on Hollywood film sets prior to studying medicine, Dr. Mishkin said that he knows how to advise doctors to angle their bodies, select ideal backgrounds and play with lighting to make patients feel at ease.

Dr. Mishkin gives his colleagues his contact information should they have more questions. He said, “All of the physicians have access to me 24/7. I’m always available.”

Baptist Health continues to implement the same marketing strategies as before Hurricane Irma to advertise Care On Demand. Mr. Bellmas said the Care On Demand team promoted the virtual platform using grassroots efforts and social media.

“It was an important time for people to use the platform,” said Georgi Morales Pipkin, Baptist Health corporate manager for marketing & communications. “If it’s not life threatening and you don’t have to drive in the middle of the hurricane to a hospital, you can use the platform.”

Dr. Mishkin credits the growing popularity of Care On Demand to its ability to offer accessibility to quality healthcare at a low cost. He said, “We are providing a high quality service with unlimited access and very minimal cost.”

24

WEEK OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

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