WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
A Singular Voice in an Evolving City
WWW.MIAMITODAYNEWS.COM $4.00
MIAMI PARKING TEAM TO STEER REDUCTION OF BISCAYNE BOULEVARD’S DRIVING LANES, pg. 16 FPL CONTRACTS ON THE LINE: When approving a county contract with FPL to save the county millions in energy conservation equipment at county airports, Commissioner Bruno Barreiro reminded the commission last week of its commitment to have FPL move power lines underground. “I want to send a message to FPL. We want to work with you, but it behooves you to work with us to underground our power lines,” he said. After Hurricane Irma, the commission voted to urge FPL to put power lines underground to prevent major power outages during storms. If FPL fails to put power lines underground, other items may be pushed aside, Mr. Barreiro said. “I would hate to see all of these items become non-negotiable because [FPL] doesn’t want to work with us.”
The Achiever
By Gabi Maspons
SKY’S THE LIMIT: With a week’s warning as a projected Category 5 Hurricane Irma bore down on Miami in September and lowland evacuations ordered, some airlines sent the price of tickets soaring – $3,000 to Phoenix, $6,000 to Denver, $1,700 to Charlotte – says legislation before a county committee today (12/14) calling for a Federal Aviation Administration investigation into price-gouging in an emergency. The resolution by Jose “Pepe” Diaz also calls on the mayor to work with airlines at Miami International Airport to ask them to price seats appropriately and provide appropriate service levels in emergencies. On the other hand, the measure also notes approvingly that while some airlines reportedly jacked prices skyward, “American Airlines and Delta Airlines added additional flights… to provide additional capacity for persons seeking to evacuate Hurricane Irma.” UP IN THE AIR: A status report on negotiations with online vacation rental booking platforms for payment of the Tourist Development Room Tax, Professional Sports Franchise Facility Tax and Convention Development Taxes would be required from Mayor Carlos Giménez within 30 days under a resolution that a commission committee is considering today (12/14). The commission in April approved a memorandum of understanding between the tax collector and industry leader Airbnb Inc., says the resolution by Sally Heyman, but commissioners aren’t clear whether agreements have yet been negotiated with other firms. SAVE WATER TOGETHER: The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department and the county’s Office of Resiliency would coordinate efforts to “create educational materials for consumers that focus on how water conservation can help prevent the advancement of saltwater intrusion” into the Biscayne Aquifer under a proposal that county Commissioner Rebeca Sosa has on the table for action today (12/14) by the county’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
Dan Gelber
Photo by Cristina Sullivan
New Mayor seeks to brand Miami Beach a cultural hub The profile is on Page 4
Bay marina site trifecta: state to city to Genting By John Charles Robbins
The developer that owns a choice piece of bayfront property in Miami that was formerly the home of the Miami Herald is in negotiations with city officials for submerged land in order to build a marina. But first, the Florida Department of Transportation needs to deed the strip of bottomlands back to the City of Miami, so the city can lease it to Resorts World Miami LLC, a subsidiary of Malaysian casino giant Genting. The company bought the site with plans for a resort casino that would have been the world’s largest. The conveyance of the submerged land is scheduled as an action item on today’s (12/14) city commission agenda. The property donation and conveyance coincides with the adjoined waterfront site being used as the temporary home of Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami. The land is known as 1 Herald Plaza. Genting Group purchased the 14-acre newspaper site in 2011 for $236 million. It also purchased surrounding properties and
Energy pact guarantees a bonanza
announced plans for Resorts World Miami, a sweeping $3 billion luxury casino with multiple towers, stores and an elevated beach and lagoon. Without winning OK for a casino, the plan was scaled back to two residential towers, a hotel and retail, said company representatives, but nothing has been built. In October 2016, representatives of Resorts World Miami said the developer was moving ahead with construction of the marina, independent of the ultimate fate of the upland property. At that time, attorney Spencer Crowley of Akerman got a supportive vote from the Miami River Commission to a plan from Resorts World Miami to build a 50-slip marina on the property, located between the MacArthur and Venetian causeways. This included the transfer of ownership of 42 boat slips on the river to the bayfront site. A proposed layout shows the marina could handle 50-foot to 175-foot-long vessels. The deal includes construction of a public baywalk along the shore and a Genting promise to pay to build part of the baywalk under I-395 connecting to the existing baywalk in front of
the Pérez Art Museum Miami. The item before city commissioners is a resolution authorizing the city manager to accept and execute a quit claim deed for the donation and conveyance of submerged land from the Florida Department of Transportation, located north of I-395, to the City of Miami. A background memo on the matter says the state transportation department originally obtained the property from the city in order to build the MacArthur Causeway, which leads to Watson Island and Miami Beach beyond. “The FDOT has determined the property is no longer needed for the continued maintenance of the MacArthur Causeway and has agreed to convey the property to the city,” the memo reads. “The city anticipates including a portion of the property in a submerged lands lease and is currently negotiating such lease with the adjacent riparian upland owner, Resorts World Miami LLC … [which] intends to develop and operate a marina which shall be located partly on submerged land currently owned by the city and partly on the property,” it says.
Miami-Dade commissioners last week OK’d a $49.9 million deal with FPL to install energy-saving fixtures at county airports. The contract guarantees to save over $60 million. If not, FPL must pay the county the difference. “Not only does this item guarantee savings, but is energy efficient and provides jobs for small businesses,” said Commissioner Rebeca Sosa. The equipment to go into Miami International, Miami Executive, Miami-Opa Locka Executive and Homestead General airports’ terminals is to cost up to $49.9 million and save the county $61.5 million over the 15 years thereafter. The county will solicit quotes and directly finance with a bank to cover the cost, as it will get better interest rates than FPL, the legislation says. Once the county has third-party financing, work is to take 30 months. The project focuses on saving energy in lighting, water, and heat/ ventilation/ air conditioning systems. When Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. asked county attorneys how the county will save, they said the money will be used to “install energy-saving fixtures.” FPL is obligated to save the county more than the investment. “They are on the hook,” the county attorney said. Projected savings are guaranteed to cover all county costs, with FPL “paying the difference if savings fall short,” the legislation says. Commissioners voted in 2012 to reduce energy use 20% from 2009 levels by 2020. “This contract will result in a significant reduction in our carbon emissions, helping to meet our goals,” said Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava. Though the new fixtures will save millions, she said there’s still more to do, especially with large, energy-inefficient buildings. “We’re hopeful that FPL and others will work with buildings throughout the county to help with large water and electric usage to help achieve our goals in carbon emissions.”
LET MAYOR REGAIN FULL SALARY, COMMITTEE RULES ...
2
STRONG MAYOR RECONSIDERATION IN CHARTER NIXED ...
11
20-EPISODE MTV SHOW FIRST FOR COUNTY FILM FUNDS ...
3
SOUTH FLORIDA AMONG FASTEST IN US IN JOBS GAINS ...
11
VIEWPOINT: TO ADD NEW TOWERS, ADD NEW MOBILITY ...
6
LONG-DELAYED GROVE BAY GARAGE IS SET TO BEGIN ...
16
3-BUILDING FLAGAMI PROJECT IS OFFICE, RESIDENTIAL ...
7
COMMISSION PROBES CASE OF A DISAPPEARING PARK ...
23
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
TODAY’S NEWS
MIAMI TODAY
3
20-episode MTV show first for county film fund
Award honoree Alberto Ibargüen.
Three presented Chapman honor at chamber event The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce has named Alberto Ibargüen the individual winner of its annual Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Award of Excellence, Miami’s Downtown DevelopmentAuthority its organization winner and T. Spencer Crowley III its young leader winner. The awards, named for the former chairman of the non-defunct KnightRidder Corp., recognize those who carry on the tradition of the man who chaired the original New World Center Action Committee of the chamber that is widely recognized as spearheading the rebirth of the core of the city. Mr. Ibargüen, president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is a former publisher of the Miami Herald. In accepting his award, Mr. Ibargüen said of Mr. Chapman, “He really was the personification of a transformational leader.” Mr. Ibargüen cited five attributes of those who are great builders: sense of discovery, vision, courage, skill and tenacity. Those, he said, Mr. Chapman had in abundance. “He would be thrilled today to be in Miami on Basel week.” Ten years ago, Mr. Ibargüen said, nobody would have believed it had today’s art community been foretold, and the same would have been true just six or seven years ago had the tech community’s growth been predicted. Those are both areas in which the Knight Foundation under Mr. Ibargüen has invested millions here as a catalyst. Those sectors, he said in his acceptance speech, are Miami’s future. Mr. Crowley was honored in part for his work in the creation of Miami Circle Park on Brickell Avenue, under which the Miami Circle, a 2,000-year-old Spencer Crowley artifact of Native Americans, is preserved. Mr. Crowley, a land use attorney withAkerman, said in his acceptance speech, “I want to thank the chamber first and foremost for recognizing me as being young still. It’s nice to know 43 is still young.” Ken Russell, Downtown Development Authority chairman and Miami city commissioner, accepted the award for the authority, which brought its entire staff to the chamber lunch for the ceremony. “The real winners here,” Mr. Russell said, “are the staff of the DDA.” This is the fourth year of the awards, said New World Center Committee Chair Israel Kreps of Kreps DeMaria PR & Marketing. The awards were created and sponsored by Allen Morris of the Allen Morris Co., which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
A 20-episode MTV Networks LatinAmerica television series continuation heads the line to become the first recipient in Miami-Dade County’s new film incentive program, approved in July. “I Am Frankie Season 2” is to come before the county commission’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee today (12/14) to seek the maximum incentive, $100,000. The county administration has recommended approval. A second series by the same network. 75 one-hour episodes of “Club 57,” was also recommended for approval and was to have come before the same committee today but before the meeting requested a withdrawal of its application. For the second season of “I Am Frankie,” the network, a subsidiary of Viacom,” is projecting 50 production days for the half-hour show with a total expenditure of $5.4 million. The network proposes to produce 80% of the productions in Miami and employ 96 county residents, beginning in early January, with principal photography starting March 12. The show, said Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt in a memo to commissioners, centers on Frankie Gaines, who looks like any other human girl “but harbors a big secret: She functions as a high-tech computer, complete with internet access, extensive memory and more.” “There’s a lot of interest out there for 2018, especially from independent film producers. We urge them to apply” for the incentive program, county Office of Film and Enertainment chief Sandy Lighterman recently told Miami Today,
The second season of “I Am Frankie,” about a girl who functions as a computer, is in line for $100,000.
Citing the loss of millions in revenues in Miami-Dade “in the absence of state incentives,” county Commissioner Sally Heyman proposed the program in June. To be eligible, companies must spend at least $1 million, film at least 70% of the production here, and hire at least 80% of vendors and contractors locally to receive a tax rebate not to exceed $100,000 per production. “Everyone wants this done,” Ms. Heyman told one commission meeting before the incentive was approved. “My colleagues and I kept waiting for the state to step up and entice the industry back, especially to South Florida.” Each year between 2010 and 2016 – when Florida had a wellfunded incentive program – film, television, digital media and other productions spent $160 million to $406 million in Miami-Dade, her ordinance said. In addition to local crew salaries, auxiliary spending
benefitted hotels, restaurants, suppliers and other businesses. A 2012 study by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau found that television shows and movies filmed here reached more than 1.5 billion viewers, for an advertising value of $405 billion. That same year, a study by the Visit Florida tourism board revealed that 23% of people interviewed reported that seeing a movie or television series filmed in the state guided their decision to travel to Florida. But after refusing to add new funding to the incentive program for four consecutive years, the Florida Legislature allowed it to end in 2016 “This program is intended to reverse Miami-Dade County’s fortunes by increasing the number of television, film and entertainment productions shot and produced in Miami-Dade County,” Ms. Heyman’s ordinance said. “It is anticipated that this will ultimately
stop many of the remaining jobs supported by the industry from leaving to other locations, and also create new job opportunities.” The application for “I Am Frankie” says approval of the tax rebate is a determining factor in whether to film here or elsewhere. It lists Los Angeles and Atlanta as competitors for the project. The “Club 57” series that withdrew its application had listed alternative locations in Colombia and Mexico. Its application cited an expenditure of more than $6.8 million, employing 110 MiamiDade residents for the projected nine-month production period and producing 80% of the project here. Both series were listed as airing on Nickelodeon, which is a Viacom network. “I Am Frankie” would be photographed in various locations around Miami-Dade County, the application states.
6
MIAMI TODAY
VIEWPOINT
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 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
Those new towers are great, but where’s the new mobility? Why does government keep approving far taller towers in MiamiDade when we’re driving on the same old traffic-choked roads with inadequate mass transit? Most of us have asked that question in frustration Michael Lewis as congestion gets worse, population expands and we’re cramming more and more buildings and people into the same geographic confines. Now the public’s question is joined by that of a government board, Miami’s Urban Development Review Board, which is tasked with recommending how the city ought to handle at least the design of new towers of all sorts. Several weeks ago the review board’s members raised the issue by asking planners to come in and tell them how the city is going to deal with all the new traffic that the towers the board approves are going to generate.
“Every day that passes we approve more and more [while we already] have a huge traffic problem,” said board member Fidel Perez. This isn’t the first time the board has asked. Three years ago it raised the same question of city planners. Unfortunately, the review board is asked to look only at the quality of each new building that developers want to erect, one at a time. Most of those buildings would make fine additions to the skyline – if they were standing alone. But they’re not. Everywhere, city and county, we keep adding towers, which means added capacity for people and added needs for the infrastructure that those people will draw on. That means need for more and wider roads, more and better transit, more classrooms, more water pipes under our streets, more sewer capacity, more parking, more provision for the impact of rising sea levels, capacity to handle more people in the event of a hurricane evacuation, more housing for the workforce that serves those new towers, more firefighting capacity, more policing, more park space and so on. You don’t have to be anti-development – we certainly aren’t – to question who is
Just what the doctor ordered While the Republican Congress remains paralyzed over how to repeal and replace Obamacare, recent activity among two of the healthcare industry’s largest players could signal a new approach to delivering access to affordRichard D. Kocur able healthcare. CVS, the nation’s largest pharmacy chain, recently announced that it is acquiring Aetna, one of the nation’s largest insurers, for a reported $69 billion. This move has the potential to re-draw the lines of the US healthcare map and serve as a new model for the delivery and management of care. The proposed merger is a result of two major factors. Since 2015, when the insurance industry and millions of Americans began to feel the true impact of Obamacare in the form of massive financial losses and skyrocketing premiums, the healthcare debate has centered on how to “fix” the current system. How’s that working out? In addition, the rumblings of Amazon’s potential entry into the drug wholesale market has reverberated within the healthcare industry like the footsteps of a giant just over the horizon. The CVS-Aetna merger offers a paradigm shift in how to think about achieving the major goals of healthcare: access and affordability. In the proposed merger, CVS, with close to 10,000 stores in the US, could become a one-stop-shop for basic healthcare services. This could include non-emergency services, preventative screenings and immunizations, prescription drugs, and chronic disease counseling. Some of these services are already available at CVS through its Minute-Clinic store formats, found in approximately 10% of CVS locations. From Aetna’s perspective, the merger makes it easier and potentially cheaper for its clients to access care as well
The Writer
Richard D. Kocur is an assistant professor of business at Grove City College. He specializes in marketing and business strategy and has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry.
looking holistically at all these needs and making sure they are provided for before, not after, towers are built and occupied. We are raising not only basic quality of life but also public safety and health issues. We build and then government reacts, trying to find money to meet the increased demands that added population and land use cause, but making the fixes after the fact rather than beforehand. The Urban Development Review Board raised the issue last month as it also weighed four projects totaling 1,754 new residential units – adding probably 3,000 more cars on Miami-Dade’s roads every day, thousands more toilets to flush, and more needs for every government service. Next month the review board will be back at it, looking at about the same number of added units, and the month after, and so on – and this is just within the city limits of Miami. Add the rest of the county and you see the magnitude of the problem. Again, we’re happy to have the people and the residences and the office space and hotel rooms and retail that these new towers bring. On the surface, they’re all good for the economy. But how can a review board do the right thing when its only role is to tell
L etters
government that this building is or isn’t good enough as a structure? The board is in an impossible spot – a great structure that overtaxes all services is still a great structure and gets a good review. Every elected official in Miami-Dade (elsewhere too, truth be told) needs to ask how we can mesh all of our demands as a large urban area on a global stage, including extra needs coming at us daily from national and international visitors. Should Miami’s Downtown Development Authority, which last week won a prestigious Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce award for its role in the downtown area’s rebirth, be trying to put the brakes on growth or at least slow the speed until government shows that it can handle the growth? Actually, every elected official needs to ask herself or himself whether encouraging fast development is smart even though it fills local tax coffers and lets government spend big without raising local taxes. Wouldn’t it be better to secure vital infrastructure that helps us all live better – as you’d guess, transit improvements come first to mind – before we welcome in all those beautiful new towers and their residents?
to the
County plan a sane future for the Grove Playhouse
E ditor
How to Write
Letters for publication may be sent to the Editor, Miami Today, 2000 S. Dixie Hwy, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33133 or e-mail to letters@miamitodaynews.com. Letters may be condensed for space.
We need to act now, and the only sane solution is the county’s plan to let the GableStage, which is an award-winning non-profit with a 20-year track record of great theater, run the planned 300-seat theater. for the most part is within walking distance. as obtain prescription and over-the-counter Why would anyone argue with a fiscally DC Copeland medication. responsible theater continuing the legacy of the The combined power of CVS-Aetna Coconut Grove Playhouse as soon as possible? could also help address one of the largRoz Stuzin Three times, in the past four months, we’ve est cost-drivers in the healthcare system: had lunch at the 15th Street Fisheries in Fort prescription drugs. The two companies Lauderdale, and we’ve been fascinated by the have been working together on this front frequency and popularity of their numerous for several years with CVS’s Express water taxis, going up and down. Scripts, a Pharmacy Benefits Manager You left out a few important facts from the I hope the powers-that-be will take your (PBM), providing prescription drug ser- meeting on the Coconut Grove Playhouse. The suggestions and move on them. vices to Aetna members. Combined, the Lieutenant Governor said he has strong doubts Taffy Gould newly formed company could potentially about GableStage’s ability to run the theater. be in a better negotiating position with the He also criticized the county for missing every pharmaceutical industry to lower costs of deadline on the project and failing to submit How are they going to protect the old many prescription drugs. financial records that have repeatedly been structures from the next hurricane? Very A final factor underlying the proposed requested for four years. costly, and homeowners can’t afford it! Not merger’s impact on healthcare is the potenYou also did not mention that the mayor even the permit process. That has to be taken tial for streamlined sharing of patient data said he also welcomes the larger theater plan into account. and information. Bettering communication provided Mike Eidson brings the money. Francois Lopez between provider, patient and insurer But the county also has to raise money, could lead to lower costs and Aetna and since its $20 million design does not include CVS already possess sophisticated patient a scene shop or costume shop. The county information platforms. If these platforms doesn’t have the extra money because the state miamitodaynews.com can be integrated such that it is easier and rejected the grant application due to the design FOUNDED JUNE 2, 1983 more efficient for patients to coordinate being non-compliant with seven regulations VOLUME XXXV No. 29 ENTIRE CONTENTS © 2017 follow-up care or access preventative outlined by the Secretary of State. Those state To contact us: care services, the cost implications could guidelines say that the auditorium is historic News (305) 358-2663 be dramatic. and needs to be included in the restoration. Advertising (305) 358-1008 Classifieds (305) 358-1008 The Obama administration had long Robert Mandel Subscriptions (305) 358-2663 Reprints (305) 358-2663 resisted consolidation in the healthcare market, blocking or scaling back previEditor and Publisher / Michael Lewis Vice President / Carmen Betancourt-Lewis ously proposed mergers between Aetna and Humana as well as Anthem and Cigna, and Walgreens and Rite-Aid. Regarding Miami Plaza, here’s an idea: nix It is unclear whether the current admin- the garage and up the 14% affordable housing istration will be open to such a significant number in the garage’s absence. TODAY (ISSN: 0889-2296) is published weekly for $145 change in the healthcare landscape. Given Why such a big garage right next to a Me- MIAMI per year; airmail: to Europe $190 per year, the Americas $145 per year. Published by Today Enterprises Inc., 2000 S. Dixie Highway, the inaction of Congress on healthcare tromover station? People will choose to live 100, Miami, Florida 33133, USA. Periodicals postage paid at reform, however, the CVS-Aetna merger there because they work downtown and want Suite Miami, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MIAMI TODAY, may be just what the doctor ordered. to embrace an urban lifestyle where everything 2000 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY, SUITE 100, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133.
Water taxis are popular
County lacks enough cash for its playhouse proposal
Grove home preservation
Add to affordable housing for tower, delete garage
MIAMI TODAY
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL NEWS Subscribe to our E-paper only $60 a year • Easy to read and navigate • Unlimited access to 11 years of searchable archives • Available before print edition Go to www.miamitodayepaper.com for a free demo
Wherever you are, Miami Today can be
MiaMiToday A Singular Voice in an Evolving City
9
12
MIAMI TODAY
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
TODAY’S NEWS
County may send 1% of construction to housing By Gabi Maspons
Joe Martinez: not used on all jobs.
‘Cool roofs’ may top all county jobs By Gabi Maspons
In an effort to become more energy efficient and reduce cooling and electricity costs, Miami-Dade may be requiring all county ownedproperties to use “cool roofs” when constructing or re-roofing. Cool roofs are made of a highly reflective coating, a sheet covering or highly reflective tiles or shingles that keep roof temperatures down by reflecting the light striking the roof, the legislation says. While standard roofs can reach more than 150 degrees on a hot day, a cool roof stays more than 50 degrees cooler, Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava’s legislation says, saving energy and money as it uses less electricity and air conditioning. By using cool roofs, the county can reduce energy costs and improve “indoor comfort” for areas that aren’t air conditioned like garages and patios, sometimes even extending the life cycle of the roof. “We’ve been using this technology for a number of years already,” said Internal Services Director Tara Smith. “It’s a best practice.” Though Commissioner Joe Martinez said he fully supports using cool roofs for all county-owned properties, he said it is reductive to say it is a technology the county always uses. “It’s not used for all projects,” Mr. Martinez said, “because the $60 million roof for the airport is not a cool roof.” Ms. Levine Cava confirmed Mr. Martinez’s statement. “We are already using cool roofs, but it is not a requirement,” Ms. Levine Cava said. “It’s a best practice we want to do because it saves us a tremendous amount in energy bills later.” The legislation would require that the county use cool roofs for all “new construction, roofing maintenance and re-roofing” work on countyowned properties. “Maybe we can work with the federal government to get rebates,” Mr. Martinez suggested. “This is a really good thing for the county. There is a possibility that it may be more expensive, but we will save down the line, so it’s worth it.” Commissioner Rebeca Sosa asked that the administration present a study comparing the prices of traditional and cool roofs before the full commission meet to vote on the item. “I totally support anything that helps with energy” efficiency, Ms. Sosa said. The Government Operations Committee passed the item Tuesday to move it forward to the full commission Dec. 19 after the administration does a cost comparison on dark and cool roofs.
The Affordable Housing Trust is slated to receive a new source of funds if MiamiDade commissioners vote to send 1% of eligible construction and leasing contract money to the trust to address the affordable housing crisis in the county. “There are simply insufficient funds to accomplish our goals,” said Sabrina Velarde, housing program manager for Miami Homes for All, at the public hearing Tuesday where she expressed support for the item. The Affordable Housing Trust was established in 2015 in part to “establish a permanent, renewable source of revenue to meet the housing needs” of the county, the legislation says. Monies in the trust fund are used to “construct, acquire, rehabilitate or subsidize affordable housing and/or to assist other governmental entities, private organizations or individuals” in the same efforts. The fund now has $4.1 million. The legislation says current funds “are insufficient to assist in a significant way in increasing the supply of affordable housing in MiamiDade County.” When Commissioner Rebeca Sosa asked county attorneys how the legislation would affect current county projects, they said “it does not have a retroactive effect. It only applies to future projects and leases.” Ms. Sosa then said she has “no problem” supporting the item but asked the admin-
istration to report on what the county is doing to create a plan for young people to move out of affordable housing. “We need a plan for young people to go from affordable housing to workforce housing and then hopefully get a job to have a home or apartment,” Ms. Sosa said. “We should look at the possibility of using money to pay for some of their careers or trades so they can have the American Dream one day,” she said. “We don’t want young people to stay there forever; we want them to move ahead in life.” If passed, the county will deposit “not less than 1% of the construction costs associated with the construction of new county governmental buildings or facilities” into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The county would also deposit 1% from all leases and contracts for privately funded construction on county-owned land. Even if the legislation passes, the financial impact to the county and amount allocated to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund may be minimal, as very few projects are eligible. The requirement wouldn’t apply when the construction value is $200,000 or less. The county is also exempt from depositing the 1% for construction contracts that develop affordable housing or restricted by federal or state laws or grants or agreements. In a memo to commissioners, Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp said the county could not evaluate the fiscal impact because “there are no planned projects for which this fee would be applicable.” The
projects “deemed eligible are contingent” on the terms of the agreement between the county and the private entity, and “no such leases or contracts currently exist,” Mr. Kemp said. Commissioner Joe Martinez asked for clarification on whether the 1% was in addition to the construction costs or would be taken from the already paid costs and reallocated to the fund. “Is this ordinance increasing the cost, or simply depositing the money into a different account?” Mr. Martinez asked. Though Deputy Mayor Ed Marquez said the revenue source would incur an additional cost, county attorneys said it would be reallocated from the general fund. “If there is a revenue source paying for construction, there is an additional 1%,” Mr. MarEd Marquez quez said. “That revenue source will be hit and the cost will go up.” County attorneys said “the 1% of the overall construction cost will just get deposited into the affordable housing trust fund.” Despite the confusion, the Government Operations Committee passed the item unanimously 5-0 Tuesday, moving it forward to the full commission. The administration is to clarify and confirm where the 1% of the money will be coming from before that.
South Florida among fastest in US in job gains South Florida tied for the second-fastest rate of job growth among the nation’s 12 largest metropolitan areas in October, with 62,000 added jobs increasing the area’s total by 2.4%, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed last week. That gain far surpassed the national growth of 1.4% and trailed only the 2.7% job growth in the Dallas area. The Atlanta area also added jobs at a 2.4% rate. The gain brought total jobs in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties to 2,668,200. Miami-Dade, with 45% of the area’s employment, added 27,900 jobs, a gain of just a tick over 2.3%. Broward added 25,200 jobs and Palm Beach added 8,900. Among the categories of jobs, education and health ser-
Percent change 3.5
EMPLOYMENT GAINS 3.2
2.8
3.0 2.3
2.5
2.4 1.8
2.0 1.5
1.5
1.5
1.0
United States
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
1.8
2.1 1.7
0.6
0.5
0.5 0.0
1.8
Dallas
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New Philadelphia Phoenix San Washington Francisco York Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
vices had the largest increase in the three-county area, adding 18,000 jobs, with the largest gain in the area being 9,800 in the Fort Lauderdale area. The sector’s 4.7% growth in South Florida was far higher than the
national increase of 2%. Trade, transportation and utilities had the second-largest year-over-year increase over the 12-month period, growing by 8,600 jobs, which was a 1.5% gain. Nationally, the same sec-
tor rose just 0.4%. Also gaining large numbers of jobs in the three-county area were professional and business services, adding 7,700; other services, adding 7,600; and construction, adding 7,500.
Doral to begin running trolleys to FIU in June By Katya Maruri
Doral, which got $28,000 in federal funds in August 2016 from the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization to study a trolley route to Florida International University, is officially in the home stretch of getting its newest trolley route rolling, with a launch set for next June, according to the city’s transportation manager. “We essentially finished the study and received approval from the city council to move forward and begin the process of implementing the new route to FIU,” said Rita Carbonell, the city’s transportation manager. “We also gained approval from the council to implement modifications to routes 1, 2 and 3, which we plan to launch simultaneously with the new FIU route next June.”
In the modifications, she said, “Route One trolleys will now go to Dolphin Mall and Doral Legacy Park, while for Route Two, trolleys will go to CityPlace Doral, which is where a lot of visitors and residents shop and eat, and will also undergo changes to better serve the downtown Doral area.” On Route Three, she said, “trolleys will now go to the Doral International Math and Science Academy charter school, which was recently built last year and not being serviced.” As for what to expect in the months leading up to the start of the FIU route, Ms. Carbonell said, “this Wednesday we plan to meet with the city council to go ahead and purchase the trolleys for the new route.” From there, she said, “Once the vehicles come in we will begin to equip them with necessary equipment such as GPS systems,
security cameras, Wi-Fi and so on.” “Once all of that is done,” she told Miami Today, “we plan to host a public hearing sometime around February to see if anyone has any objections to the new route and or to the new modifications to routes 1, 2, and 3.” “We will also speak with the county’s Board of County Commissioners,” she said, “regarding the route modifications and new route since we are in an inter-local agreement with the county.” After that, she said, “we will begin to work with Miami-Dade Transit to put up stops at the FIU campus, which we anticipate will take place sometime in April.” “Hopefully,” she said, “the route modifications come out sooner than the new route to FIU, but as of right now we are looking to launch everything relatively at the same time.”
16
MIAMI TODAY
TODAY’S NEWS
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
Pact to let parking team pilot Biscayne Boulevard’s remake By John Charles Robbins
The city’s Off-Street Parking Board has approved an agreement between the Miami Parking Authority and the Downtown Development Authority to proceed with the Biscayne Green Project – the plan to transform Biscayne Boulevard into something other than a busy downtown street hugging vast surface parking lots. At the board’s Dec. 6 meeting, authority CEO Art Noriega asked the board to approve the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the DDA, even after calling it a “benign” document with not a lot of substance. Mr. Noriega said there will be a “deeper dive” into details later, leading to an agreement on the project among the parking agency, the DDA and the Florida Department of Transportation. But for now, “this creates a starting point for us,” he said of the memorandum. It symbolizes for the parking authority how to proceed with the project in the immediate future, “how close we work with them,” he said of the DDA. “I told you I didn’t want to lose momentum on this. Biscayne Green is a priority for us. The quicker we move, the better,” said Mr. Noriega. There are a lot of moving parts to the issue, he acknowledged, including a lane closure study from the department of transportation and other factors. Even though it is superficial, the memorandum is written to “outline our working relationship” with the DDA, he said. “We’ve done a lot of analysis, internally … we won’t ignore that this is a big financial lift, as to revenue and capital costs,” Mr. Noriega said. New board member Larry Spring asked: Does this agreement put the parking authority in the driver’s seat?
Biscayne Green plan would trim Biscayne Boulevard driving lanes downtown from eight to six or four.
“Yes. That was always the intent,” Mr. Noriega responded. This summer, the City of Miami and the Downtown Development Authority were awarded a $421,829 federal grant to speed the Biscayne Green Lane Elimination Analysis Project along Biscayne Boulevard, from Southeast First to Northeast Sixth streets. The state transportation department will pass through the federal funds, and a local agency participation agreement will be required to access the funds. A background memo on the grant says the Biscayne Green Lane Elimination Analysis Project will provide essential pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements at seven Metromover stations. Currently, the Biscayne Green Project is included in the transportation department’s five-year work program, a comprehensive list of major capital projects throughout Florida. For years the DDAhas advocated for Biscayne Green, which aims to reduce driving lanes from eight to
‘I told you I didn’t want to lose momentum on this. Biscayne Green is a priority for us. The quicker we move, the better.’ Art Noriega four or six from Biscayne Boulevard Way to Northeast Eighth Street and replace them with grass, trees, street furniture and other features
to link Biscayne Bay and Bayfront Park to downtown. The plan aims to calm downtown traffic and provide more and safer pedestrian and bike access. The proposed vision of Biscayne Green calls for the redesign of the boulevard into Miami’s grand pedestrian promenade. Although the plan belongs to the DDA, Mr. Noriega said earlier this year he wanted “to take ownership of it.” In a letter to the parking board about the memorandum, Mr. Noriega wrote: “This document will allow for MPA to take the lead on the Biscayne Green project while partnering with the DDA to develop a plan, identify stakeholder priorities, generate partner buy-in, and develop a shared vision to transform the signature Biscayne Boulevard corridor.” The intro to the memorandum says, in part: The parking authority has parking along Biscayne Boulevard that generates about $3 million a year. The authority and DDA agree
that the Biscayne Green project will result in a 50% reduction of parking and will ultimately reduce the anticipated annual revenue to about $1.5 million. The authority agrees to take the lead on the Biscayne Green project while partnering with the DDA and develop a design that expands upon the vision already created by the DDA to transform the corridor. From those efforts, the authority intends to create a shared understanding of partner roles and responsibilities that will help in the execution of Biscayne Green; The authority will select planning and business development consultants from its vendor pool to provide expert opinions on the project. The authority will obtain funding for the project and will determine, along with its consultants, commercial ventures that will help the authority recoup lost revenue and re-pay debts resulting from the project. Providing parking and compatible development supports the plan to reactivate Biscayne Boulevard and provides community benefits by serving visitors, merchants, office workers, patrons, residents and the adjacent districts. The development and operation of commercial uses that complement the Biscayne Green experience will be vital for the long-term success of the project by ensuring economic viability. The authority says it has expertise, and experience to manage and operate Biscayne Green and its commercial aspects, as it has a track record of developing and managing parking and commercial spaces throughout the city. The memorandum of understanding will lead to the structure by which the parties may make future agreements to fund, design, bid, construct and operate the project components.
Long-delayed Grove Bay garage development set to start By John Charles Robbins
Construction on the long-awaited Grove Bay Parking Garage in Coconut Grove is expected to begin next month, and if current plans fall into place the municipal parking garage and its liner of retail shops will be completed by January 2019. That’s the latest word from Art Noriega, chief executive officer of the Miami Parking Authority. The city’s Off-Street Parking Board on Dec. 6 authorized Mr. Noriega to execute a construction service agreement with Munilla Construction Management (MCM) to build the facility at a cost up to $13.7 million. That would save $826,192 from MCM’s bid of $14,526,192, determined to be the lowest responsible bid of six submitted to the parking agency. Mr. Noriega said he’s close to a construction service agreement and he hopes further savings can bring the end figure close to $1 million less than MCM’s bid. “We’re 98% of the way there on price,” Mr. Noriega told the board. As for the savings from the $14.5 million bid, Mr. Noriega said, “We’re well below that … to say I’m pleased would be an understatement.” Mr. Noriega said he is confident the construction will begin soon without further delay.
“I’m adamant to start construction the first week of January,” he said. Board member Marlon Hill asked if there is a timeline for completing the garage. Mr. Noriega said the project has a 12-month construction schedule. Board member Jami Reyes said she wants monthly progress reports on the project. That requirement was included in the motion the board approved. In a background memo, Mr. Noriega wrote: “The construction of the Parking Facilities is slated for approximately 12 months from the issuance of the notice to proceed. To achieve final completion within this timeframe, diligence and a degree of professional autonomy are key factors in delivering the completed project for its intended use.” Factors that have delayed the project include prolonged litigation against the City of Miami and a private developer who is financially contributing to the garage as part of a public-private partnership, a rejection of all first-time bids that far exceeded expectations, and redesigns of the structure. The project’s history is detailed in the memo from Mr. Noriega. In October 2013, the city entered into a lease agreement for the use of city-owned property with Grove Bay Investment Group LLC, allowing the development and con-
struction of a multi-level parking facility for about 333 parking spaces and 40,000 square feet of retail. In February 2016, the city entered into an agreement with the parking authority to allow the agency, the city and the developer to enter into a parking facilities agreement to provide for the construction and operation of the Grove Bay Parking Garage. Mr. Noriega wrote that the parking facilities agreement calls for the authority to be responsible for the construction and operation of the parking structure, parking facilities retail area and other surface parking spaces. The developer has leased about 7 acres from the city as part of an agreement to redevelop the waterfront north of City Hall into The Harbour. Clearing of the garage site has already occurred at Pan American Drive and South Bayshore Drive. The plan calls for Grove Bay Investment Group to make about $17.9 million of privately-funded improvements, including to redevelop a marina, construct restaurants, improve the public baywalk and fund part of the garage. As part of a revised agreement, the developer agreed to contribute $4 million toward the garage, or about half of an initial projected $8 million construction budget. But authority officials were shocked
when the garage bids were more than double the estimated budget. Four bids ranged from about $17.7 million to nearly $18.8 million. The parking board rejected them all and the garage was redesigned. Design changes were said to include reconfiguration of the parking levels, including the ramping system to simplify the structure; reduction in the ornamental façade; and adding an open metal skin façade to satisfy rules for a naturally-ventilated garage versus a mechanically ventilated garage with an exhaust fan system. Mr. Noriega has said some factors leading to the high costs arose during the permitting process. He said one of the biggest unexpected costs came when the Federal Emergency Management Agency ordered flood panels built in. A second invitation was issued Aug. 30 requesting sealed bids from pre-qualified professional construction firms. On Nov. 1, the parking board authorized staff to negotiate an agreement with MCM, deemed “the most responsive, responsible bidder, whose bid, demonstrated to be the most advantageous to the MPA.” The six bids ranged from a low of $14,526,192 to a high of $15,990,436. Earlier this year, the board approved hiring RH Engineering Group Inc. for project management on the Grove Bay Garage construction for about $6,500 a month.
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
TODAY’S NEWS
MIAMI TODAY
17
Contamination notices raise realty value fears By Gabi Maspons
Linda Rottenberg, co-founder and CEO of Endeavor Global, speaks at the International Selection Panel.
Endeavor Global aims microscope at candidates for entrepreneur slots By Katya Maruri
Endeavor Global Inc., which hosted its 76th International Selection Panel in Miami this week to select its next class of Endeavor Entrepreneurs, anticipates contributing to the local economy by helping the selected entrepreneurs and their companies scale up their operations by providing them with access to mentorship, capital, talent and markets through the Endeavor network. “Companies from Endeavor Miami this year alone are expected to generate more than $130 million in revenue and more than 1,600 jobs in 2017, while averaging 45% revenue growth since they were selected,” according to Laura Maydon, chief executive officer of Endeavor Miami. Some of those companies, she said, include, MyCeviche, Pincho Factory, Wyncode, EveryMundo and Deliver Lean. As a result, during this year’s International Selection Panel, more than 50 entrepreneurs from 18 nations in the Endeavor network convened for interviews, private deliberations and networking events after undergoing a 12- to 18-month intense search for entrepreneurs committed to advancing their economies through free enterprise. “During the search for entrepreneurs,” said Linda Rottenberg, co-founder and chief executive officer of Endeavor Global Inc., “a local chapter mentor typically nominates an entrepreneur for them to
be considered and then after that they go through a long and rigorous process to determine whether or not their company has the scale-up qualities that Endeavor is looking for.” During the first day of the selection panel, Ms. Maydon said, “candidates participate in all-day interviews with panelists, followed by a dinner the next day in which candidates meet with panelists in a social setting, and then on Wednesday each panel deliberates and selects candidates by reaching a unanimous vote.” Once a candidate is selected, said Fernando Fabre, president of Endeavor, “Newly appointed entrepreneurs gain access to unsurpassed mentorship, capital and talent to scale their businesses so that they can continue contributing to their local economies on a larger scale.” On a global level, he said, companies under Endeavor’s guidance have contributed a combined $10 billion in revenue and created more than 650,000 jobs globally, whereas on a local level Endeavor Miami currently supports 16 South Florida companies and 26 entrepreneurs since its founding in 2013. Looking forward, Ms. Maydon said, “We are excited to see what this year’s ISP will bring and anticipate working with the selected candidates to grow their businesses and provide them with the resources and guidance they need to scale up and contribute to their local economies.”
Miami-Dade’s Government Operations Committee on Tuesday deferred for a second time a vote on posting public contamination notices in residential neighborhoods to alert the community of potential risks, fearing it might decrease real estate values and future developments. “It’s a tough item,” said Commissioner Dennis Moss. Vice Chair Audrey Edmonson “is trying to make sure there are protection levels for properties that are contaminated, but I have a concern it will have a negative impact on real estate and development opportunities. I don’t want this to be a detriment or deterrent for development in certain neighborhoods.” Commissioner Rebeca Sosa supported the item, arguing that families have a right to know of potential contaminants near their homes. “I strongly believe that if I reside in an area of contamination, I don’t want my children and grandchildren playing outside,” Ms. Sosa said. “What if my house is next to a vacant property that is contaminated and the owner doesn’t clean the contamination? It could be extended to the families.” The legislation would require a contamination notice be posted on any residential property or property adjacent to residential property where there is a potential risk to residents. Now, the county only requires public notices “in certain limited situations” and residents can be unaware of contaminants on or near their property, the legislation says. The county’s Division of Environmental Resources Management said it is “not consistent in making people post notices.” Commissioner Audrey Edmonson sponsored the legislation after contaminated trash outside of residential buildings was not posted with notices, though the
environmental management division was working to have the sites cleaned up, the environment management division said. “I am very much against the way this item is written because it’s discriminatory,” said Commissioner Joe Martinez. “The intent is awesome. As government, we should give information to the people to protect them, but I want this in parks and building too.” Mr. Martinez said the item would stop residential development and unfairly targets residential areas. “We spend more time here [at work] than in homes,” he said. Commissioner Jean Monestime echoed Mr. Martinez’s statements, saying he previously supported the item in hopes it would evolve. “I hoped for better language when it reached committee, but that is not the case,” Mr. Monestime said. “This is not good for the housing issues we’re facing in the county,” he said. “Hopefully the vice chair takes this into consideration when fixing it and it will come back as a new item with more support.” Ms. Edmonson was not present at the committee meeting to defend her item, and the committee again voted to defer it, giving Ms. Edmonson time to revise it before the committee’s next meeting. “I want [the Division of Environmental Resources Management] to sit with Commissioner Edmonson and the industry. I support when there is a vacant property next to a home and we need to post because of a risk, but I also understand that there is a concern of limiting construction on open land,” Ms. Sosa said. “We don’t want to create a situation where people don’t want to construct there.” “Hopefully,” Mr. Moss said, “there will be further discussion during the deferral period so we can come up with a solution that everyone can support.”
Author gives literary society dose of bunk, hoaxes, fake news By Marilyn Bowden
In his new book, poet and essayist Kevin Young contends that deliberate falsehoods and historical distortions tend to whitewash or reinforce persistent strains of racism and xenophobia inAmerican culture. “Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts and Fake News” traces a disturbing pattern of willful manipulation of facts, from P.T. Barnum’s celebrated swindles to the current epidemic of fake news allegations. “The hoax,” Mr. Young writes, “is almost always a trick disguised as a wish. Or is it a wish achieved through a trick? The real revelation might be just whose trick it is.” The internet, he says, is in many respects a reincarnation of the 19th century penny press. “The Web too,” he writes, “promised a democratic upheaval, predicated on the notion that freedom
could be nearly free; it too soon became filled with sensationalism as news, with support not by sponsors (as earlier papers had) but by advertising (at least at first); it too made court life a kind of politics,
addicted to scandal, and politics into a kangaroo court, simply by adding ‘-gate’ to every incident; it too implements chaos as a going concern.” Mr. Young casts a wide net, reeling in freak shows, spiritualist séances, fabricated memoirs, fake journalism, imposters, tricksters and liars of every ilk to support his argument that we are living in an Age of Euphemism, a time of “truthiness” in which the appearance of truth is all that matters. Along the way he skewers such present-day hokum as the proliferation of falsified memoirs whose writers defend their fabrications as “emotional truth,” a History Channel that features alien autopsies, celebrities and politicians guilty of the very practices they publicly denounce, and much more. “In an age where reality is something experienced on television,” Mr. Young writes, “where we’ve
Kevin Young, who was recently appointed poetry editor of the New Yorker, is director of the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. He’s the author of 11 books of poetry and prose, and has been elected into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Mr. Young is guest speaker at a meeting of the Brickell Avenue Literary Society scheduled for noon today (12/14) at Temple Israel of Greater Miami, 137 NE 19th St. The society is sponsored by IberiaBank, the National YoungArts Foundation and Miami Today. Guests are welcome to attend up to two events a year before becoming members, but must register in advance. Details: (786) 691-4521 or contact@BrickellLiterary.org.
substituted the tragic for tragedy – that is, tales of what can go wrong instead of ideas of right and wrong – we’ve become especially vulnerable. Untruths spread faster and faster, at the click of a mouse, spawning whole faux movements like birthers Bunk,” by Kevin Young, 562 and truthers, billionaire populists pages, is $30 hardbound from and the alt-right, whose euphemistic names describe exactly what they do Graywolf Press. Details: graywolfpress.org. not believe.”
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
TODAY’S NEWS
MIAMI TODAY
23
Commission probes the case of the disappearing public park By John Charles Robbins
Some members of the Miami River Commission were disappointed recently to learn that a proposed major mixed-use residential project would not be providing a public park after all. Mast Capital plans nearly 700 residential units in two buildings on a large vacant lot at a bend in the river, to be called Miami River Walk. The 6.3-acre site at 1001 NW Seventh St. is on the south bank of the river, just east of the Northwest 12th Avenue Bridge, and Spring Garden is across the river on the north. On Nov. 15 the developer’s team made a presentation to a committee of the river commission and promised as part of the project to provide a small public park on the site’s west end with a playground, interactive water feature and rest rooms. Large booklets showing site plans given to the committee members identified the west corner as “Public Plaza Space,” with a playground, water feature, benches, lawn, pathways and restrooms, tied to 1,000 feet of improved riverwalk along the shore. A fresh set of documents provided to the full river commission at its December meeting shows the western corner identified simply as “plaza” and “open space.” The restrooms and water feature are gone. Attorney Carlos Lago, representing the developer, told committee members about the public park at the November meeting and said “This is a huge public benefit.” At the commission’s December meeting, another attorney spoke for the developer and said Mast Capital would not and could not dedicate the western corner as a public park, citing liability concerns. “We can’t commit to make it a public park,” said attorney Iris Escarra. Brett Bibeau, river commission managing director, asked if a public park is included in a covenant offered by the developer. Mr. Lago said, “No, it’s not.” “I’m surprised,” Mr. Bibeau responded, saying he and the committee believed the open space on the western corner would be public park space. “We cannot provide the entire space in the covenant,” Ms. Escarra said. “That is inconsistent with the recommendation of the committee,” said Jim Murley, committee co-chair. The committee had recommended approval of the project, with conditions, he noted. Mr. Murley had said earlier in the December meeting that the fact the developer was providing public park space was “a big plus.” What resulted was a split vote of the river commission. A motion from Manny Prieguez to approve the project without the requirement of a dedicated public park passed 11 to 3. Members David Maer, Patty
tiating an agreement with Mast Capital’s lawyers. “This project is massive,” he said. Mr. Salas said the association represents more than 200 households in the historic neighborhood, and one of their major concerns in noise. Some homeowners have complained of noise from waterfront restaurants in the area. Amanda Hand, an attorney who lives in Spring Garden, offered to assist with an agreement and listed several items the developer agreed to, including a 15-foot-wide access on the east; removal of a planned sky lounge; designated enclosed non-commercial uses; the riverThe park that was withdrawn from plans in December was to be on the west end of Miami River Walk. walk must be completed before a temporary certificate of occuHarris and Sallye Jude voted “no.” Mr. Lago reported to the comThe developer also had com- pancy is granted or a temporary The vacant property has a his- mission that the developer and munity outreach with neighbor- riverwalk constructed until all tory. Miami city commissioners Mr. Martin did meet and Mast ing the Spring Garden Civic phases are completed; no outside approved two 27-story residen- Capital is willing to redesign Association, and Mr. Lago said alcohol sales; and if the develtial towers for the site nearly 15 the eastern side of the project to the group supports the project. oper later applies for a warrant to years ago. make room for a 15-foot-wide Carlos Salas, association allow a restaurant, formal legal A company called Royal public access leading to the president, told the commission notice must be made to the civic Atlantic garnered a special use riverwalk. the association has been nego- association. permit to build the sprawling project and marketed it as Rio Miami, but it was never built. The site was used as a staging area during construction of the Legal Advertising Marlins ballpark, which is about Public Notice Public Notice Public Notice three blocks to the west in East Little Havana. ATTN: Maliheh Fazel Sheryl Wambsgans Wambsgans The Mast Capital plan calls for Sheryl Maggie Braun & Mohammad Fazel Maggie Braun BRIDGER LAW two eight-story mixed-use build- BRIDGER LAW Notice by Publication 129 W. Main Street, Suite B2 There is a case pending against you in ings with about 2,795 square 129 W. Main Street, Suite B2 Bozeman, Montana 59715 Bozeman, Montana 59715 The Eleventh Circuit Court County of feet of ground floor retail. The Phone: (406) 404-6063 Phone: (406) 404-6063 Miami-Dade. Email: Sheryl@bridgerlawmt.com Email: Sheryl@bridgerlawmt.com building on the west is planned Court Case #: 2017-001666-SP-24 Maggie@bridgerlawmt.com at 348 dwellings and the building Maggie@bridgerlawmt.com Case #: 132017SC001666000024 MONTANA EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL MONTANA EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL on the east 350 units. DISTRICT COURT, GALLATIN COUNTY Date filed: 10/13/2017 DISTRICT COURT, GALLATIN COUNTY IN RE THE GUARDIANSHIP OF A.J.R., Plaintiff’s Address: Brett Cofman, 1200 West A site plan by Corwil Archi- IN RE THE GUARDIANSHIP OF E.J.R., A Minor Child. Case No: DG-17-24B A Minor Child Cause No: DG-17-23B Avenue, Unit 1505, Miami Beach, FL 33139 tects shows the project coming CATHY CATHY YLNN ALLEN and GREGORY JAMES LYNN ALLEN and GREGORY JAMES ALLEN, Petitioners, in two phases, with the west ALLEN, Petitioners, Public Notice Vs. KORINE NOELLE REA, Respondent. Vs. KORINE NOELLE REA, Respondent. building rising first. NOTICE FOR PUBLICATON NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION NOTICE Each building is to have an THE STATE OF MONTANA TO MARSHALL THE STATE OF MONTANA TO MARSHALL Effective 11/24/2017 I, Fred S. Mann M.D., RYALS: YOU ARE HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE that RYALS: YOU ARE HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE internal seven-story, 400-vehicle a Petition for Guardianship has been filed in this will be going on an extended sabbatical and A Petition for Guardianship has been filed garage. The zoning code requires THAT action by Cathy and Gregory Allen, in the office not available to my patients. You may obtain in this action by Cathy and Gregory Allen, in the 1,125 parking spaces, and the office of the Clerk of Court, Eighteenth Judicial of the Clerk of Court, Eighteenth Judicial District your records from the Eye Institute of South Court , Gallatin County. Florida located at 1313 SW 27th Avenue, developer is seeking a waiver of District Court, Gallatin County. Hearing has been set in the District Court DeHearing has been set in the District Court Deup to 30%, allowed for projects partment 2, Law and Justice Center, Bozeman, partment 2, Law and Justice Center, Bozeman, Miami, Florida, 33145 Montana, on the 11th day of January, 2018 at Montana, on the 11th day of January, 2018 at near public transit. Fictitious Name at which time and place all interested 9:30 am, at which time and place all interested The project is to have more persons may appear and object. This notice is 9:30am, persons may appear and object. This notice is than 20,000 square feet of ame- being given at least 14 days prior to the date of being given at least 14 days prior to the date of Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant the hearing, pursuant to 72-1-301, MCA. to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE nities, including two swimming the hearing, pursuant to 72-1-301, MCA. DATED this 30th day of November, 2017. IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, DATED this 30 day of November, 2017. pools and courtyards, a business JENNIFER JENNIFER BRANDON, Clerk of Court desiring to engage in business under the BRANDON, Clerk of Court. By: Cara L. Edgerley, Clerk of District Court center, game room, fitness center, By: Cara L. Edgerley, Clerk of District Court fictitious name of ABREU LAW. PLLC, located at 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 504, and 1,000-square-foot theater. Pub dates: 12/7, 12/14 and 12/21/2017 Pub dates: 12/7, 12/14 and 12/21/17 in the County of Miami-Dade, in the City The plan includes a 1,000-footof Coral Gables, Florida, 33134, intends to Fictitious Name long landscaped public riverwalk Fictitious Name register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of with lighting, seating and access Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant from the on-road greenway on the to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE IS to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE State, Tallahassee, Florida. west and east side yards. HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desirIS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, Dated at Coral Gables, Florida, this 6th Day On the west, the site abuts ing to engage in business under the fictitious desiring to engage in business under the of December, 2017. name of SOUTHERN INTERMODAL DRAYMiami-Dade County land that’s AGE SERVICES, located at 6619 South Dixie fictitious name of PLANTELIER DESIGN THE ABREU LAW FIRM, LLC GROUP, located at 2742 Biscayne Blvd, in Owner leased to New York fashion de- Highway, #155, in the County of Miami-Dade, the County of Miami-Dade, in the City of in the City of Miami, Florida, 33143, intends signer Naeem Khan, who plans to register the said name with the Division of Miami, Florida, 33137, intends to register the Reprints of Miami a design studio and vocational Corporations of the Florida Department of State, said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, TallahasToday make great Tallahassee, Florida. school of fashion there. see, Florida. selling tools. The developer’s team has Dated at Miami, Florida, this 8th Day of DecemDated at Miami, Florida, this 8th Day of Desaid no record could be found ber, 2017. Contact Angela at 2017. of any permitted boat slips tied SOUTH FLORIDA INTERMODAL SER- cember, 305-358-2663, ext. 105 STANLEY MATZ VICES, INC. to the site. Owner Owner The committee had recomFictitious Name Fictitious Name mended approval to the river commission, with these condi- Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant tions: return to the commission to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE IS if boat slips are later added, IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, de- HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desirto engage in business under the fictiing to engage in business under the fictitious make the riverwalk on the west siring tious name of NEXOS INVEST, located at name of WARREN & WARREN TRANSa seamless connection with the 18851 NE 29th Avenue, #104, in the County PORT INC., located at 13680 NW 2ND proposed riverwalk on the county of Miami-Dade, in the City of Aventura, Avenue, in the County of Miami-Dade, in the of North Miami, Florida, 33168, intends site, and make the public access Florida, 33180, intends to register the said City to register the said name with the Division of name with the Division of Corporations of on the east 8 feet of open walk- the Florida Department of State, Tallahas- Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. way and 2 feet of landscaping, or see, Florida. more, depending on a subsequent Dated at Miami, Florida, this 8th Day of Deat Aventura, Florida, this 5th Day of meeting with co-chair Ernie Dated cember, 2017. Find us on the web December, 2017. CORREY E. WARREN Martin, who also sits on the full THE Q KAPITAL GROUP, CORP reliable news first at miamitodaynews.com Owner Owner commission.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
See an article you want to share?
WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
MIAMI TODAY
3 Series
5 Series
X3
ALL ROADS LEAD TO
BRAMAN BMW YEARS
BRAMAN BMW is proud to offer limited availability memberships to our brand new “Q” 40 program! Members are provided complimentary pick-up and drop-off services, granted access to personalized concierge benefits, and will receive 40 exclusive incentives! YEARS
A N A M E YO U CA N T R U S T
A N A M E YO U CA N T R U S T
40 YEARS
24
A N A M E YO U CA N T R U S T
■ ■ ■ ■
C H O O S E F R O M A N O U T S TA N D I N G S E L E C T I O N O F O V E R 10 0 0 B M W s O P E N 7 D AY S A W E E K D E D I C AT E D C O N C I E R G E M I A M I ’ S L E A D I N G S E R V I C E D E PA R T M E N T W I T H O V E R 4 0 0 L O A N E R V E H I C L E S
2 0 6 0 B I S C AY N E B O U L E VA R D MIAMI, FLORIDA 33137 • 3 0 5 - 7 0 4 - 8 1 8 9
BramanMotorsBMW.com