Miami Today: Week of Thursday, June 28, 2018

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

WWW.MIAMITODAYNEWS.COM $4.00

BROAD COMMUNITY TEAM BUILDS CASE TO HOST DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, pg. 3 SLOWLY EXPEDITING: It’s been more than 2½ years since a request was submitted, but the word “expedited” is still being used to describe Homestead Air Reserve Base’s efforts to allow for civilian use on its premises. Miami-Dade commissioners on Dec. 1, 2015, directed Mayor Carlos Giménez to negotiate a joint use agreement with the federal government allowing for limited civilian use of the base, with an estimated timeframe of one to three years. Since then, the request has moved slowly through the necessary channels, and this month, Miami-Dade Aviation Department spokesperson Greg Chin told Miami Today the request had reached the desk of Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, whose approval would allow negotiations to begin. However, a June 19 memo from Mayor Giménez states the request is still pending review from the Federal Aviation Administration, to which it was forwarded by the Air Force Headquarters of Operations in June 2016. Homestead Air Base, Mr. Gimenez wrote, is “trying to expedite the approval process.”

The Achiever

By Jesse Scheckner

HEALTHCARE SALES INFLOW: Nine Florida healthcare businesses reported more than $18 million in actual and projected exports from Hospitalar 2018, the world’s third-largest annual medical trade show held May 22-25 in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Hospitalar draws about 92,000 attendees and more than 1,250 exhibitors from 54 nations. Brazil is the largest economy in South America with the highest potential in the healthcare market. The nine companies that the state’s economic development agency, Enterprise Florida, took to Brazil are Advanced Instruments Inc., Atlas Specialty Lighting Inc., Awareness Technology Inc., Bulbtronics, Demetech Corp., Gaumard Scientific Company Inc., Infinium Medical, Medas Inc. and Phoenix Healthcare Solutions, LLC. “Our mission is to register our portfolio with wholesale distributors in different states of Brazil,” said Rafael Celli, president of Advanced Instrumentations in Miami. “Enterprise Florida’s team helped us to explore and develop new alternatives of business in the region.”

FREE WELCOME TRAINING: The customer service training that 60,000 members of Miami-Dade’s visitor industry have taken is now available online and free to community members, complete with graduation certificates, attractions passes and discounts, and entry into a drawing for a cruise for two. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau has put its “Miami Begins With Me” training online, with information on the economic impact of tourism, Miami’s history and key neighborhoods, local attractions and customer service training. The course is available anytime.

Details and registration: www.miamibeginswithme.com

Term limits retained for commission

Photo by Marlene Quaroni

Joanne Li

FIU business dean seeks more community, global ties The profile is on Page 4

Feds say port’s deeper harbor isn’t deep enough

By Jesse Scheckner

Port gets A bond rating with caveats, pg. 13 that began in 2012 and concluded in Septem-

After three major upgrades to Port Miami’s channels to handle ever-bigger ships, including a $205 million project that ended in 2015, a fourth round of digging may be needed because the improved harbor is outdated, federal officials say.

The US Army Corps of Engineers will study improvements to PortMiami, with a public meeting highlighting alternatives and a plan expected by 2020, spokesperson Susan Jackson told Miami Today.

The 2018 Work Plan for the Miami Harbor Safety and Navigational Channel Improvements Program at PortMiami includes $556,250 to start the study, which adheres to the corps’ rule requiring completion within three years, no more than $3 million in federal cost and concurrent review at the corps’district, division and headquarters levels.

Total project costs aren’t yet known, Ms. Jackson wrote.

Pilots assisting ships navigating the harbor are having trouble maneuvering larger ships – some with cargo capacities of 11,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), according to Ms. Jackson. With freighters of up to 14,000 TEUs

now on the seas, she said, these troubles will only worsen.

Cruise liners are also constrained, she wrote.

Many can’t pass containerships docked while being loaded, causing delays. Improvements would increase efficiency, cruise industry growth and allow more numerous cruise vessel berths, she said.

Visiting vessels now demand to schedule weeks in advance to determine arrival conditions, and their greater size requires precise accommodation for nautical measurements, she said.

“As the port continues to increase its capacity, this feasibility study…is another important step to further serve our current customers and respond effectively to the next generation of cruise and cargo business,” said Port Director Juan Kurlya.

On March 26, Mr. Kurlya requested the corps study, including deepening and widening the outer channel, widening the Lummus Island turning basin and widening the south shipping channel.

The corps would conduct and manage expansions, he wrote, complementing upgrades

Miami-Dade commissioners opted Tuesday not to ask voters to remove their term limits in a 5-6 vote at a meeting to discuss county charter changes.

“No one has ever told me that term limits were a bad idea,” said Chairman Esteban Bovo Jr., who cast the tiebreaking vote.

Joining him in shooting down the resolution were Jean Monestime, Daniella Levine Cava, Javier Souto, Eileen Higgins and Rebeca Sosa, who reversed her position as the resolution’s co-sponsor.

Mr. Souto, who served in both state legislative chambers, said the county should reflect the Tallahassee model.

“I’m one of the guys that started the ‘Eight is Enough’ movement in Florida,” he said. “That’s what they like; that’s what they get.”

Dennis Moss, Sally Heyman, Barbara Jordan,Audrey Edmonson and Joe Martinez voted to throw out term limits. Xavier Suarez and Jose “Pepe” Diaz weren’t present.

Conditions have changed since 2012, when 77% of voters ordered term limits that will unseat some commissioners in 2020, said Mr. Moss, the resolution’s primary sponsor.

“The economy was in the tank, somebody had to pay, the county commission was in the crosshairs and the voters thought term limits were the answer,” he said. “Today is a different time.”

Echoing the findings of Robert Cuevas, who led a task force that recommended charter amendments, Ms. Edmonson argued that limiting commissioners’service would eject experience and leave the commission vulnerable to special interests.

“This commission, without experienced people, will be run by the lobbyists and staff,” she said.

Having to work within eightyear confines also would prevent commissioners from seeing issues they work on come to fruition, Mr. Martinez said.

“For eight years in this county, there’s very little you can get done,” he said. “I’m widening a road – just permits alone, that’s five years.”

ber 2015 and cost $205.6 million, according to corps documents. That project deepened and widened the Fisher Island turning basin, relocated the west end of the main channel and deepened and widened Fisherman’s Channel and the Lummus Island turning basin. At that point depths were cited as 48 to 52 feet.

A corps initial appraisal found federal interest in the current study and, after speaking with the Biscayne Bay Pilots chairman, Capt. Jonathan Nitkin, used ship simulations for research. A month later, the corps’ higher headquarters approved the appraisal.

Improvements to PortMiami began in 1990, when Congress authorized deepening and expansion to 42 feet, a project completed three years later.

A$40 million upgrade of the south harbor was completed between June 2005 and July 2006.

In February 2004, the corps used the Susan Mærsk, a 1,140 foot, 6,000 TEU freighter, as its model to determine optimum depth. The Mærsk’s minimum clearance between the deepest point of the ship and the bottom of the port was set at three feet.

Many larger vessels today, Ms. Jackson No commission pay hike, pg. 17 wrote, exceed that depth.

21-STORY DUAL-FLAG HOTEL IS PLANNED FOR BRICKELL ...

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THREE FINALISTS TO REPLACE COUNTY’S ETHICS CHIEF ...

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FOREIGN COLD-BOX SHIPPING INTO SEAPORT GAINS 10% ...

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WHEN THE WAY TO CLIENT’S ACCOUNT IS VIA STOMACH ...

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VIEWPOINT: GROUNDHOG DAY ONCE AGAIN ON FLAGLER ...

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APPLICANTS IN LINE TO BE STATE FINANCIAL REGULATOR ...

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FIRMS AIMS TO CRAFT A TRUE VIRGINIA KEY FLEX PARK ...

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PLAN FOR FREE WI-FI KIOSKS MOVES AHEAD SLUGGISHLY ...

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MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

The Insider ANOTHER CHAIR FOR BOVO: Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Esteban Bovo Jr. placed another hat on his already crowded brow last week when he was unanimously elected chair of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, the tri-county public transit authority that runs the Tri-Rail.

“I believe SFRTA will play a critical role in transforming the transportation landscape for residents of Miami-Dade County and South Florida,” said Mr. Bovo, who also chairs the county’s Chairman’s Policy Council and Transportation Planning Organization, adding that he was eager to work Esteban Bovo Jr. with the board in commencing service to the Brightline Miami Central Station in downtown Miami, constructing a demonstration station in the Midtown/Design District area and finding the agency’s next executive director.

GELBER JOINS PLANNERS: If members of the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Governing Board detected a faint aroma of sunscreen wafting through Miami-Dade County’s commission chambers last week, it was because Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber had finally decided to join the group, TPO Chairman Esteban Bovo said to a round of laughter. After jokingly thanking the board for putting him “within striking range” of Commissioner Sally Heyman, whose District 4 encompasses part of Miami Beach, Mr. Gelber, who brought forth a resolution to accelerate Dan Gelber improvements to the Julia Tuttle Causeway as part of the county’s Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, said he planned to participate in future TPO meetings. “My city really hasn’t been part of this for many years, or decades, but our transportation challenges, obviously, are related,” Mr. Gelber said. “Thank you for not hazing me in my first resolution.”

SOUTH DADE RAIL RETURN: Another look should be given to extending Metrorail along the South Dade Transitway toward Liberty City, Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis Moss told the Transportation Planning Organization Governing Board last week. “I want to put you on notice,” Mr. Moss said, adding that he planned to bring a resolution before county commissioners demanding further study for such a project, whose preliminary cost estimates appeared prohibitive enough to abandon consideration of a southbound rail-to-road Metrorail extension. “When those numbers rise to twice the cost, it raises concern. I’ll be asking the Dennis Moss county to look at commuter rail as the [locally preferred alternatives] along that corridor.”

REFEREE ON THE TICKET: Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga on Tuesday ordered the appointment of a referee in a dispute between The Florida Bar and a Miami-Dade County firm that helps motorists fight traffic tickets. The dispute stems from allegations that TIKD Services LLC violated a ban on practicing law without a license, which the firm denies. The Bar in January filed a petition requesting that the Supreme Court issue an injunction against TIKD. But Justice Labarga on Tuesday designated Bertila Soto, chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which includes Miami-Dade, to appoint a referee in the case. The referee ultimately will hold a hearing and submit findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court.

SUPER BOATING: A temporary marina will be floating at Bayfront Park for the upcoming Super Bowl being held in Miami in 2020, said Rodney Barreto, chairman of the South Florida 2020 Super Bowl Host Committee. The committee is currently looking for sponsors for the floating dock, where citizens will be able to park their boats. Also to be held at Bayfront Park will be free activities, concerts and live television shows during the days leading up to the game, he said, though the exact timeline is still being worked out. He’s serving for the third time as chairman of the Super Bowl Host Committee. The 2020 game will also be the 100th Rodney Barreto anniversary of the National Football League.

ENHANCED CITY APP: The City of Miami has announced improvements to the Miami 311 app, introducing new features and improved functionality to better serve residents. “The enhanced Miami 311 app puts more power and convenience in the palm of your hand,” said Director of Communications Eugene Ramirez. The new Miami 311 has the following changes: Improved address matching, with more accurate identification of a service location; Ask 311, a new feature allows users to submit written questions to 311 agents, responses will be delivered by 311 within 24 hours; improved functionality, with more guidance and warnings as users navigate the app, bug fixes throughout; highlighted services, illegal dumping prominently featured, and zoning call back request easily available on the app. Miami 311 is available for iOS and Android.

JACKSON’S SHORTCUTS: Three key types of votes related to Jackson Health System will always be taken without normal prior county committee actions after the Miami-Dade County Commission approved a change. The legislation, sponsored

by Sally Heyman, asked that appointments to the Jackson Health System General Obligation Bond Citizens’Advisory committee bypass the Public Safety and Health Committee.

Also to bypass the committee under the legislation will be non-impasse Public Health Trust collective bargaining agreements and selections for appointment to the Public Health Trust. The legislation offered no reason for the items Sally Heyman to bypass normal committee review. At the commission meeting, Ms. Heyman said only that Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson, had requested the change and she supported it, saying “Jackson’s that important.”

There was no further discussion. Most commission actions go through committee discussion before a final vote.

CORRECTION: A report last week stating that Miami-Dade commissioners had accepted without discussion a timeline to build a civil courthouse to replace the current one on Flagler Street was incorrect. Commissioners in fact voted to defer consideration of that timeline until July 24.

CORRECTION: In last week’s article “Expeditions club taps Miami’s culture, ecology and history” Alison Klapper Leon’s name was misspelled.

The 21-story hotels near the Metrorail will replace a motel that was razed to make room for the project.

Plans for Brickell’s dual-flag hotels underscore the impact of Underline

By John Charles Robbins

The Underline, a planned 10mile linear park and urban trail, is barely off the drawing board but is already being touted as a neighboring asset for a major mixed-use project proposed in Brickell.

C-F Brickell LLC plans to construct a dual-branded hotel with 264 rooms, about 25,000 square feet of retail stores, and a rooftop terrace and bar.

The property is at 110 SW Seventh St., 721 SW First Court and 115 SW Eighth St., just south of the elevated tracks of the county’s Metrorail.

The Underline will run under the tracks on county-owned land known as the M-Path.

The working project name for the double hotel is 115 SW 8th Street, and it replaces the former El Eden motel, recently demolished in anticipation of the new project.

The City of Miami’s Urban Development Review Board recommended approval of the project, with a few conditions.

The building is to be 21 stories, and have 228 parking spaces on four levels.

According to documents filed with the city, the building will be 257,590 square feet of floor area, and be 253-feet 6-inches to the top of roof mechanical equipment, and 220 feet to top highest habitable floor. A site plan shows about 3,885 square feet of open space.

Design and material elements are to be glass railings, exposed concrete columns, white stucco, charcoal stucco, glass walls and white vertical screening, and vertical aluminum elements. Garage levels will have gradient screen and vertical design façade (fins).

The developer is an affiliate of Robert Finvarb Companies, according to attorney Steve Wernick.

He said the hotel is being built in an area undergoing significant transformation.

The site is about a block south of the Miami River, and just west of booming Brickell City Centre.

In his comments to the board and in his application letter, Mr. Wernick mentions the nearby Underline, noting the section between Seventh and Eighth streets is to have a basketball court, among other elements, all designed to activate the neighborhood.

The dual-branded hotel will

fit right in with its nearly 25,000 square feet of ground floor retail on all sides, and extending into the second level off of Southwest Eighth, he said.

“The Project is comprised of roughly .66 acres and located in one of the most dynamic evolving urban core neighborhoods in Miami, immediately adjacent to the Phase I of the Underline in Brickell and well-served by transit,” wrote Mr. Wernick.

He said the changing neighborhood may become one of the most walkable in a few years.

“Taking its cues from the Underline and recent large-scale redevelopment projects in the surrounding area, the Project will transform this former auto-oriented motel site – known as the El Eden for the past 25 years – into a key mixed-use focal point of energy in the neighborhood, enhancing the quality of the pedestrian realm and urban fabric, and providing retail shopping accessible to local residents, office workers, and hotel guests,” Mr. Wernick wrote.

The dual-branded hotel is a true mixed-use with its commercial floor space offerings and is pedestrian oriented, he said.

“We really see this as a dynamic project,” he concluded.

Mr. Wernick then introduced architect Raymond Fort of Arquitectonica.

Mr. Fort detailed some of the site plans and renderings. He said the contextual massing of the new structure will be consistent with neighboring towers.

Mr. Fort also mentioned the project helping to activate the area and The Underline.

The project will have a swimming pool and other amenities, and include a sky lobby on level six shared by the two hotels, which will also share the elevators. Meetings rooms are also planned.

Board member Fidel Perez said the building looks excellent.

“Arquitectonica comes across again,” he said. But he did take exception to the lack of setback.

He said there is zero setback on Seventh Street, and “I think it should be set back.”

Mr. Fort mentioned the hardship caused by such a narrow site, noting they tried to push the building northwardly when deciding placement.

Board member Gerald Marston,

a landscape architect, said the plans he was looking over were woefully short on street trees for the new building.

Mr. Wernick said tree placement would adhere to the landscaping plan the developer has filed for the project.

Acting Chairman Neil Hall said there were several wonderful things about the proposal but the façade seemed too plain; just gray and white. “I don’t see that articulation,” he said.

Mr. Fort pointed to design elements that he said clearly define the two different hotels. Bump-outs, stucco and recessed glass are used to help separate the hotels, yet they are joined in one structure or tower.

Board member Ignacio Permuy congratulated the developer’s team on “a very positive addition to the area.” He said the project is “very creative.”

The vote to recommend approval included conditions that an attempt be made for further setback of the building on Seventh Street, and the developer try to remove some on-street parking spots to make room for more street trees.

The developer is requesting waivers to provide for adjustment to building setbacks, parking standards and lot coverage.

The project also requires a warrant for the outdoor dining area on the 21st story facing the river.

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

Phone: (305) 358-2663 Staff Writers:

John Charles Robbins jrobbins@miamitodaynews.com Katya Maruri kmaruri@miamitodaynews.com Jesse Scheckner jscheckner@miamitodaynews.com People Column people@miamitodaynews.com Michael Lewis mlewis@miamitodaynews.com

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MIAMI TODAY

VIEWPOINT

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

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

Now playing on Flagler: umpteenth Groundhog Day remake Showing, now and seemingly forever, on downtown’s main thoroughfare is the Flagler Street version of the film Groundhog Day. Every few years Miami’s Downtown Development Authority cites tremendous progress on the remaking of Flagler Street in a wonderful new design that’s going to serve downtown better than ever before.

We’ve been reporting that at least as far back as 1993. A quarter of a century later, it has yet to happen.

Blame who you will.

Last week we reported once again that the whole cycle of a wonderful new plan, finding the money, trying to get the work done and then starting over once again is back at square one with a grand new $27.572 million plan complete with a $10.34 million shortfall to get it done.

We expect to report soon that the missing money has been found, then that contractors have been hired, then that the work was harder than expected, and then that someone has a better idea for a new plan to start over with.

We’ve been there before, again and again and again.

The last plan five years ago was a railroad theme for Flagler Street honoring Henry Flagler. The tycoon’s railroad jump-started the development of Miami, whose population before the railroad was announced in 1896 numbered in the hundreds.

Money for that project was found, Flagler Street property owners even assessed themselves $1 million for some of the costs, contractors were hired, but work went slowly because of unexpected complications and new contractors were brought in.

Then the Downtown Development Authority called time out, over and over.

Finally, this month, as Catherine Lackner reported for us, the development authority agreed to adopt a new and better plan, creating a “festival street,” yet to be defined exactly but certainly not a railroad theme.

We’re back at the station on Groundhog Day with a $27.572 million plan for the street, not the paltry $5 million to $10 million that the development authority laid out as the cost when it set out on the railroad theme five years ago.

Moishe Mana, who has invested in multiple downtown properties, offered the “festival street” plan. “This is a phenomenal development,” said Neisen Kasdin, the authority’s vice chair. “This is huge progress.”

It’s déjà vu all over again.

Like the 1993 film Groundhog Day, where actor Bill Murray painfully relived the same day over and over, we’ve been getting the same show on Flagler for decades.

We’re still waiting for the happy ending.

Each time, the development authority deemed the timing right, plans solid and funds attainable. But success has been as hard to find as the end to Groundhog Day. A quarter of a century ago, Carr Smith Associates unveiled the Flagler Marketplace Corridor study, at that time the third such study the development authority had commissioned in a 13-year span.

Flagler in 2014, after the last remake and awaiting railroad theme that will never arrive.

$11.9 million.

“Mistakes were made on this project,” said city Commissioner Tomás Regalado.

“We cannot keep approving more money for this even though Flagler is a very important street in the City of Miami.”

The re-done sidewalks wound up uneven and cracked, and nobody seemed to approve of the finished streetscaping.

Enter then the railroad theme with the aim of replacing the last prior renovation of Flagler. Property owners along the street decided to tax themselves for some of the costs, but with the city in tight circumstances the development authority looked to the county for funds.

“The owners’ involvement is very compelling, and it will be difficult for the county to say no,” said Mr. Kasdin in 2013.

He was right. The county did add $6 million for the project. The city OK’d a $1 assessment of property owners, sent the contract out for bidding in 2014 – but only two contractors bid, and the city required three.

In 2015 the city tried again and got the needed three bids. Work was going to take 18 months. But then the city found design flaws – plans didn’t allow enough drainage.

“Our biggest concern is that this doesn’t drag out,” said Mr. Kasdin, who may have foreseen Groundhog Day playing out again.

Toward the end of 2015, as the development authority sought over and over for a start date for the railroad-themed project, board member Gary Ressler, said, “This is farcical. We’ve been hearing this ‘two weeks’ story for six months.” To which Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff replied, “Let’s have some faith.”

His faith was rewarded – sort of. Construction work did begin in January 2016.

“We have turned a page,” said Eric Riel, leader of the development authority’s planning, design and transportation team.

“I believe the contractor will make up the lost time as construction proceeds.”

Not exactly. By autumn the city had ruled the contractor in default and the firm was to be ordered off the job. “This is incompetence and it’s our place to tell the city,” said authority board member Richard Lydecker.

After that, the contractor stayed on the job, and by December, progress was reported. “Trees have been installed, the pavers are in and the sidewalks are almost complete” on the first two phases of the Alicia Cervera Lamadrid 13-phase project, said authority board member Brian Alonso.

At that time a completion date was set

The theme was to repave Flagler in the vibrant colors of the 1920s and 1930s, with wider sidewalks and a way to make cars “almost like an intruder in a pedestrian area.” The cost was $10 million.

“It’s very do-able,” development authority Executive Director Matthew Schwartz said at the time. “The time is right economically.”

By 1997 the authority was citing city support for the then-$12 million plan.

“We’ve got the invoices ready to go,” said Executive Director Patti Allen. “It’s now a matter of the money coming in so we can pay.”

By June 1997 the now-$13.6 million plan was rolling ahead, Miami Today’s Ms. Lackner reported. “We’re working on a package to move that forward and have it before the city commission before the August recess,” she quoted a city official.

But merchants worried that they couldn’t fund the then-$14.5 million facelift. “I just don’t believe the city has the funding to do the entire street,” said Sergio Rok of Rok Enterprises.

By 2000, however, Flagler was nearing the end of the long road with its by-then $15 million renewal, Ms. Lackner reported.

“Once funding is approved,” said a development authority staffer, “a schedule will be put to it.”

But that November, the authority’s chief of staff revealed that plans had changed: “We’ll be taking a completely new, unconventional approach.”

The project finally got done. It was new, it was unconventional – and it didn’t work.

“Miami surprised by another bill for Flagler Streetscape project” was our headline on a 2006 report, with the main contract at $9 million but its costs soon rising to

‘How much longer are we going to drag this out?

I’ve had it.

These things are devastating to the businesses there.’

for July 2018. You can stop reading right here if you’ve noticed any of that progress toward completion by next month.

Mr. Ressler nailed it: “At this rate, it will take a decade,” he said then. He was far more correct than he knew.

By last July, with only a single block of the project completed, a new firm had been hired to do the work with plans to start last October using three shifts of workers of necessary. Things were so bad that the authority arranged concessions for Flagler Street business owners, including waivers of some fees and free weekend parking.

But by December, the development authority was saying work from the courthouse to Biscayne Boulevard would be done in 2017. It wasn’t.

In February of this year, the authority voted to delay all Flagler Street renovations for 90 days to consider Mr. Mana’s suggestions for his new plan, which would include raising the roadbed slightly and eliminating curbs to create a festival street, at a $6 million addition to costs and a three- to three-and-a-half-year addition to the work schedule. Then in May, the authority voted for another 30-day delay for the same reason.

“How much longer are we going to drag this out?” asked board member Alicia Cervera. “I’ve had it. These things are devastating to the businesses there.”

“Multi-generational businesses are leaving,” Mr. Ressler added.

Now, as we reported last week, Miami has just officially started running Groundhog Day over again with a whole new plan, new need for financing, new construction timetable and all new work coming to Flagler Street.

When the revamping of Flagler was first proposed around 1980, it was a dying retail street in a downtown dead for everything but offices. It is now in the heart of a vibrant new area of restaurants and clubs, filled with towers packed with young residents, and directly between a real vibrant shopping area at Brickell City Centre and another one planned for Miami Worldcenter.

Maybe a “festival street” is needed for Flagler, or maybe downtown could thrive very well doing nothing but avoiding tearing up the streets once more for a great new plan.

It might be that the last thing Flagler really needs is the next showing of Groundhog Day with a new cast and a new script but the same old plot – announce it, plan it, finance it, get going on it, and then start all over again.

Get your tickets now.

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MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

City looks to design firm to craft true Virginia Key flex park

By John Charles Robbins

The City of Miami’s so-called flex park on Virginia Key is in line for a major redesign, with the ultimate goal of building a world-class waterfront destination with regional importance for a flexible public open space.

Aproposed contract with a design firm is on today’s (6/28) city commission agenda.

Commissioners are to consider a resolution accepting a proposal from Civitas Inc. to provide professional urban design, landscape architecture and engineering services, on a phased basis, for the flex park space at Virginia Key. Civitas is a landscape architecture and urban design firm located in Denver.

The resolution also approves a professional services agreement with the firm.

If approved, the move would bring the city a step closer to a solid plan for regular use of the long-neglected and underutilized parking lot south of the idled Miami Marine Stadium.

The flex park is one of several projects being considered or already under way on the barrier island, including what some would consider the main event: the restoration and reopening of the waterfront stadium.

The City of Miami owns much of the island, including the iconic

The city’s planners are looking to other successful park spaces, like this waterfront park in San Diego.

stadium, and has already spent millions to outfit the flex park site to host the Miami International Boat Show.

City commissioners approved spending more than $20 million to create the flex park space – from a new hard surface to electric connections and acres of elaborate tents – with its first use being the 2016 boat show. The show organization has a year-to-year license with the city to use the site.

Under separate contracts, the city is in the midst of a multi-milliondollar restoration of the famous

stadium, closed since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

A background memo on the flex park redesign says the Department of Procurement on April 28, 2017, requested qualifications of experienced and qualified proposers to providing professional urban design, landscape architecture and engineering services for a flex park.

Proposers were required to meet the minimum qualification requirements in the request in order to be deemed responsible to provide the services.

Of the seven proposals received,

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one proposal was deemed nonresponsive and was disqualified.

An evaluation committee appointed by the city manager met April 25 and evaluated the six remaining proposals following the guidelines in the solicitation.

“Pursuant to the RFQ requirements, the Committee recommended that Procurement negotiate and execute a Professional Services Agreement with Civitas, Inc., the highest ranked Proposer. Successful negotiations were accomplished, and an agreement was mutually reached on May 3, 2018. Procurement hereby

recommends award of the contract to Civitas, Inc., on a phased basis, in an amount not to exceed $844,730 for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Project,” the memo states.

In late 2016 when the planning staff and procurement department were preparing the request for qualifications, the goal was to secure a qualified world‐class waterfront urban design/landscape architecture firm to: ■Establish flexible public open space to accommodate special events.

■Facilitate active and passive family recreational opportunities.

■Provide access to Miami’s waterfront.

■Accommodate historic elements of the Marine Stadium gateway entrance.

The Virginia Key Advisory Board was consulted as city staff prepared to request qualifications.

The overall goal was to enact the Virginia Key Master Plan, adopted July 22, 2010, the request said.

“Through a creative and imaginative design of the flexible public open space, the proposer shall consider passive recreation, family and public gatherings, green and introspective space for emotional and physical well-being, as well as providing full access to Miami’s pristine waterfront, while supporting opportunities for special event use,” the city’s request said.

Working at home faces proposed rules package

By Jesse Scheckner

New regulations may come to those working from home, as Miami-Dade County commissioners last week sent to a public hearing proposed zoning amendments that would affect cottage industries in unincorporated areas.

The proposed amendments, which would update the county code by redefining home offices as home occupations and specifying residential work- Jean Monestime ing conditions, state that: ■No products or goods may be sold.

■Work from home must be secondary to residential use, and no more than 25% of a home, or up to 500 square feet, may be devoted to a home occupation.

■All occupational materials and activities must be kept indoors and must not affect the appearance of the site.

■There shall be no exterior display, signage, manufacturing, distribution or repair of any kind.

■On-site employees and independent contractors must be occupants of the home, except in cases where disabled individuals employ personal care attendants.

■No delivery services outside of what is customary to residential use are permitted.

■All vehicles associated with the home occupation must park in a driveway, designated parking

area on the property or, if no such options are available, in street parking in front of the home; no more than two work-related vehicles may park on the property at the same time; and no commercial vehicles are permitted to park.

■No sound or vibration detectable at a distance greater than 100 feet from the home or outdoor amplified sound related to the home occupation is permitted.

■Vehicular traffic associated with the home occupation must not exceed 45% above the average for residential use as stipulated by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual.

■All home occupations must obtain an annually renewable certificate of use and occupancy.

■Multiple home occupations are allowed, provided each complies with all regulations, including the combined area used for home occupation remaining within of 25%, or 500 square feet, of a home.

Residents can legally use up to 200 square feet of their homes for work purposes under the current zoning ordinance, and signage restriction is limited to vehicles, which may not display information about the home office or its address, according to a memo from County Attorney Abigail Price-Williams.

Parking restrictions with regard to home occupation were not previously defined.

The ordinance calling for the amendments, sponsored by Commissioner Jean Monestime, is to go before the commission’s Government Operations Committee July 16.

10

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

13-story Edgewater hotel gains development review OK

By John Charles Robbins

A new hotel is planned for the Edgewater neighborhood of Miami.

Prime Biscayne Property LLC has submitted plans to construct a 13-story mixed-use hotel at 3047 Biscayne Blvd., at the southeast corner of the intersection with Northeast 31st Street.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board voted June 20 to recommend approval of the project with conditions.

No official name was revealed, nor hotel flag being considered.

A working project name of Biscayne Development was on some of the plans.

Plans show a building height of 159 feet, 10 inches. The lot has a 100-foot width and is about .458-acre. The property is now home to Limon y Sabor, a restaurant.

The site is in an area that has undergone tremendous development in recent years, including a variety of apartment and condo towers on or near the waterfront, a few blocks to the east.

The proposed hotel would have 137 rooms, and about 80%

Prime Biscayne Property’s planned hotel would replace a restaurant.

lot coverage.

Two levels of parking would be provided for about 130 vehicles. The plan includes 6,872 square feet of commercial uses, and about 10,575 square feet of office space.

Site plans show the offices on the fourth floor and some amenities on the fifth floor.

The developer is requesting waivers, including allowing parking into the second level off primary frontage and secondary frontage, and a narrower

driveway.

Joseph Eisenberg, from the planning department, said staff had worked out most issues with the developer with one remaining: the city staff disagreed with the developer’s placement of the loading area.

Attorney Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, representing the developer, said the waivers were minor and the result of constraints on the small site.

“We believe the design meets and is compatible with the

area,” he said. “We believe this will be an asset to the Biscayne corridor.”

Plans filed with the city show proposed materials include metal railings, glass and black aluminum, white smooth stucco, accent paint, decorative screening, textured stucco, and more for the façade.

Project architect Kobi Karp went over floor plans that include ground floor retail, parking levels and hotel rooms.

The hotel rooms would be on the sixth through 12th floors.

Plans show the roof, Level 13, with a tiki bar, gym, swimming pool, outdoor covered lounge, and a 3,610-square-foot interior lounge.

Board member Fidel Perez told Mr. Karp he did a great job on a difficult site. Mr. Perez said he had one issue: using only lifts for the parking.

“I feel that’s going to be a problem,” said Mr. Perez, who asked the developer to devote some of the parking to self-serve spots for the office tenants, rather than relying on valets and lifts.

Board member Ignacio Permuy also complimented the

developer’s team.

“Congratulations. It’s a very nice project and fits into the scale for that area,” said Mr. Permuy. He said he also liked the design of the podium with its “soft corners,” but said that design element didn’t continue on up the tower.

Mr. Karp said he would look at ways to soften the tower façade as well.

Mr. Permuy also asked that for safety, a window be put into the loading control room or dock.

“Overall, it’s a very well designed site,” Mr. Permuy concluded.

Acting Chairman Neil Hall called it a wonderful project and praised the designers for tackling issues with creative solutions.

Mr. Karp said he was confident the developer’s team can work out the best solution for the loading entrance.

The motion to recommend approval includes a condition that the developer consider selfservice parking for office users, and noted the review board endorsed the developer’s location for loading at the building off of Northeast Fourth Avenue.

Chamber pushes in DC for trade, immigration, higher education

By Katya Maruri

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce focused on advocating for transportation, immigration, higher education and trade during its annual three-day Washington, DC, Fly-In trip, chamber sources said.

One particular issue that was discussed at length, said Scott Plyant, the chamber’s director of government affairs, was promoting public transportation to help alleviate traffic and congestion throughout South Florida.

“Chamber members discussed its priorities for transportation, including promoting public transportation in the form of an expanded train or light rail, during meetings with Congress-

man Mario Diaz-Balart; Sen. Bill Nelson; Debbie Wasserman Schultz, member of House Appropriations Committee; and the US Department of Transportation,” Mr. Plyant said.

As a result, he said, “the delegation left with the understanding that Greater Miami needs to tee up a transportation project in the coming months in order to get into FY2019 appropriations” to help tackle transportation issues currently plaguing South Florida’s roads and highways.

“During our first day in Washington,” Mr. Plyant said, “we attended a lunch and heard a briefing from Kevan Stone, the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) associate legislative director for transportation.”

PUBLIC NOTICE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Pursuant to Section 163.346, Florida Statutes, as amended, the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency (the “Agency”) hereby gives notice that it will consider a resolution authorizing the issuance of its not to exceed $15,000,000 Tax Increment Revenue Note, Series 2018B (the “Note”) payable from tax increment revenues received by the Agency, at its meeting on July 12, 2018 at Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida 33133, commencing at 12:00 p.m., or soon thereafter. If such resolution is approved, the Agency will issue the Note on or about July 13, 2018.

Comments and questions with respect to the issuance of the Note should be addressed to Jason Walker, Executive Director, at 1401 N. Miami Ave., 2nd Floor, Miami, Florida 33016.

Copies of the proposed resolution authorizing the Note may be inspected by the public at the office of the Agency located at 1401 N. Miami Ave., 2nd Floor, Miami, Florida during regular working hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

#31287

Jason Walker, Executive Director Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency

Mr. Stone, he said, provided a transportation and infrastructure update, and shared NACo’s full analysis of President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan and NACo’s policy brief on President Trump’s infrastructure plan.

“He also informed us that the omnibus spending bill had positive potential for Miami transportation because of higher levels of grant funding,” he said, and “the day before we arrived, the US Department of Transportation and other agencies signed a memorandum of understanding to agree to perform parallel permitting to expedite the process.”

Some of the elements of the omnibus spending bill that could be utilized to improve South Florida’s transportation, according to the US Department of Transportation’s website, include an increase in funding for several transportation infrastructure programs, including those for roads, bridges, airports, ports, rail and transit among competitive grant programs that the department administers.

“Our goal,” Mr. Plyant said, “is to continue to have an open dialogue with elected officials about how to improve South Florida’s transportation issues moving forward.”

As for issues regarding higher education, Glenn Cooper, the chamber’s governmental affairs committee chair, said, “On our second day of the trip we organized a meeting with secretary of education Betsy DeVos on behalf of our higher education members, Florida International University and the University of Miami.”

“They [representatives from the universities] shared concerns regarding the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, including

‘The delegation left with the understanding that Greater Miami needs to tee up a transportation project in the coming months in order to get into the FY2019 appropriations.’

‘We really focused on discussing potential positive solutions regarding DACA and how to maintain and improve the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program for foreign nationals.’

Spencer Plyant

Glenn Cooper

student loans and Title II funds,” he said. “We also thanked her for authorizing a $1 million project school emergency response to violence grant.”

“We hope that this united front held by FIU and UM,” he said, “improves their position and is a sign of future collaboration.”

As for immigration issues, Mr. Cooper said, “We really focused on discussing potential positive solutions regarding DACA and how to maintain and improve the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program for foreign nationals.”

“We met with the director of the US State Department’s Office of Field Operations and Visa Services and his senior staff,” Mr. Cooper said. “We brought three issues to their attention, which included positive DACA resolution, importance of the Haitian community to South Florida business, and the

impact of the temporary protective status [TPS] program and maintaining and improving the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program for foreign nationals.”

However, he said, “the State Department was not hopeful that a DACA solution would occur before the November elections and they also indicated that they’re now looking at strict adherence to TPS laws.”

As for discussing trade issues, Mr. Plyant said, “we met with the Embassy of Canada for a joint US-Canada trade briefing.”

During the trade briefing, he said, “both sides agreed that in evaluating NAFTA, it’s key to remember how the entire free trade bloc has increased and performed.”

“They also encouraged us,” he said, “that a global trade position increase outweighs individual wins and losses.”

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

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MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

13

Financial Trends Seaport gets ‘A’ bond rating, with some financial caveats Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ‘A’ rating for Miami-Dade County’s $573.4 million in outstanding seaport revenue bonds, a positive review that nonetheless presented investors with several caveats about PortMiami’s financial future.

Fitch noted, for example, “the port’s potential exposure to debt interest exposure over time with approximately 30% of outstanding senior lien debt unhedged variable rate bonds and the port’s potential sizable debt issuance to support its capital plan.”

Fitch did not spell it out, but as the Federal Reserve ratchets up interest rates, higher rates would have an impact on the present variable rate bonds.

Also, any newly issued bonds for the port’s capital plan would have to pay higher interest rates based to an extent on what the Federal Reserve does with rates in the future.

The Fitch report also showed the impact of the 2016 failure of a casino cruise service to Bimini by a subsidiary of global casinos giant Genting. Resort World Bimini SuperFast had been running service from PortMiami to its casino on Bimini, Bahamas. That service had been making minimum annual guar-

PortMiami gets 53% of revenues from cruise income and 19% from cargo. Revenue guarantees are key.

anteed payments to PortMiami of about $7 million per year, which Fitch said was “10% of cruise revenues and 5% of total operating revenues of the port.”

While that loss will have long-term impact, it had a oneyear upside in 2017, because termination of the service required Resort World to pay

the seaport $20 million as a one-time termination fee.

That $20 million fee accounted for the vast majority of the seaport’s 16% total revenue increase in 2017 of $23 million, from about $144 million to $167 million, the port’s fifth consecutive year of revenue growth. The current year’s growth will have

to fill in the gap of that $20 million one-time payment in order to extend the years of gains.

The remainder of that revenue increase, Fitch said, was attributable to tariff and contract rate increases for cruise ships and an increase in cruise passengers.

Minimum annual guarantees from port users like the $7 mil-

lion from Resort World have been one of the strengths of the port’s revenues, the Fitch report highlights. Those guarantees covered about 62% of the port’s 2017 operating revenues and are expected to cover 60% to 70% of them each year in the medium term, Fitch said, and they “help to insulate revenues and financial metrics from the port’s exposure to volume fluctuations.”

The ports revenues include 53% from cruise operations and 19% from cargo, Fitch said.

PortMiami is guaranteed $66 million to $94 million in cruise revenues per year through fiscal 2022, Fitch said, with a 3% escalation figure built into contracts.

Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line combined provide about 94% of the cruise revenue.

Cruise income clearly is the port’s priority. Fitch notes that the seaport reduced minimum annual guarantees for cargo operators in order to take back land devoted to cargo for use in building “additional, higher margin, cruise terminals.”

While the port is not talking of taking back more cargo space now, Fitch said, “future cruise terminal development may result in additional acreage being needed.”

To keep clients current, accountants turn to one-on-ones

By Rebecca San Juan

Accountants say nothing beats human interaction when it comes to informing clients of legislative changes. Blog posts, social media updates and seminars come in handy, but routine meetings help professionals understand their client’s situation and strategize better come tax season.

Blog posts and social media updates make for the fastest means of sharing information relative to when it happens.

Social media sites allow firms to connect followers with the company website. Tweets on Twitter by Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants, for example, advertise important figures for tax and deductions.

A click on the post and another tab appears taking the viewer to the article – one of 30 – on the company’s website.

Some professionals find that a quick call helps during timely matters. Meredith Tucker, principal of entrepreneurial services at Kaufman Rossin, remembers urging a few in the winter to file early before the reform took place.

Accountants also organize workshops for current and potential clients. Edward Cooper, director-in-charge of tax services at Berkowitz Pollack Brant, says his team organized two tax reform

‘Some of my clients said, “I know I’ll have this home in New York for the next 10 years. I’ll prepay the county three years in advance of my property taxes just so I can write it off on my return before this law goes into effect.”’

Meredith Tucker

seminars in January to explain the Trump administration’s latest tax-related changes. Over 300 people attended. The firm also partners with other organizations to drop by offices and inform employees about tax-related changes. They stand at 16 workplace visits and counting.

Still, says Mr. Cooper, individual face-to-face meetings remains the most valuable form of interaction. That’s how accountants best understand the needs of their clients and how to serve them with ongoing changes.

Take 2017 as an example compared to the last few years. Accountants usually see extenders or beneficial laws contingent on approval for continued existence.

“But 2017 was a huge change for the entire tax landscape for professionals and for our clients,” Mr. Cooper said.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that Mr. Cooper refers to changed how he and others advised their clients. The legislation introduces new rules, including diminishing the corporate rate from 35% to 21% and adjusting the tax deduction at 20% for pass-through entities.

“We were reluctant to use corporations for many of our clients’ businesses, but since the rate changed we have been recommending to some clients to convert to the corporate structure to take advantage of that rate,” Mr. Cooper said. “I have several clients that have done that; we’ll see in the long run how that pans out. Right now, they are heeding our advice and making changes.”

‘We were reluctant to use corporations for many of our clients’ businesses, but since the rate changed we have been recommending to some clients to convert to the corporate structure to take advantage of that rate.’

Edward Cooper Most clients adhere to the advice and brainstorm with their accountant how to take most advantage of the policies in place, Ms. Tucker said. “Some of my clients said, ‘I know I’ll have this home in New York for the next 10 years. I’ll pre-pay the county three years in advance of

my property taxes just so I can write it off on my return before this law goes into effect.’”

But some aspects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act remain riddled with ambiguity and flaws, says Mr. Cooper, making it difficult to advise clients.

“One of the things we hope to see is the IRS propose regulations or give administrative guidance that we rely upon to interpret the statute,” he said.

However, some taxpayers can benefit from the lack of clarity, says Mr. Cooper: “If the error in draftsmanship results in a benefit to the client, it’s still an opportunity to let the client know that even though the law was meant to be detrimental to them, they didn’t effectively put it in that way. We’re going to take advantage of how the law was written.”

Mr. Cooper said he hopes the federal government sheds light on muddled aspects of legislation soon: “The tax law was rolled out in such haste that there were a lot of technical glitches and errors in draftsmanship that needs to be corrected.

It’s imperative at some point that the tax law get reviewed and that the technical corrections occur because for many of us we’re not sure how to advise our clients.”

22

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

Florida Chamber’s trade office here aims to build economy

jobs, which will help us address that gap,” said Ms. Ancona.

“Florida 2030,” a study by the The influx of people, accordFlorida Chamber Foundation, is ing to the study, also affects focusing on the state’s population infrastructure, schooling, water, increase and how to prepare for housing and quality of life, the influx through infrastructure among other things. The office and jobs, and a Florida chamber is focusing on how to overcome office in Miami is using the report these challenges, said Ms. Anas a strategic blueprint. cona.

The International Trade and “We need to work with the Investment Office, an extension community. There needs to be of the Florida Chamber of Comregional efforts and a broader merce, is using the study to implatform,” she said. “We need prove Florida’s economy through bigger picture solutions. We’re international trade relations. The changing how we need to think office, which moved to Miami of ourselves. We need to operate about four and a half years ago, like a country.” focuses on supporting businesses Florida’s economy is well on in trade and investments in order its way to becoming a $1 trillion to reap greater benefits such as economy by October, Ms. Anan increase in jobs and wages. cona said. It’s possible to compete The study expects a 5 million as its own global economy, and increase in population in Florida Florida would be able to compete within 12 years, which would in with countries such as Mexico, turn require 2 million jobs to be Indonesia and Turkey as number created. According to the Florida Alice Ancona says adding trade will help to build 2 million additional jobs that Florida will need by 2030. 16 among the world’s nations in Foreign Direct Investment ReAlice Ancona, director of in- Investment Office, said trade by the year 2030.

Gross Domestic Product.

“International trade provides port, one in five jobs in Florida ternational strategy and policy will help Miami in creating those “It gets lost that we are a great depends on trade. at the International Trade and additional 2 million jobs needed us the opportunity to bring new state for business,” Ms. Ancona said. “Usually, people look at Florida for its travel with the amusement parks and the beaches. We need to change how we are telling that story. It needs to be a story of which assets need to be told much more loudly. Trade and investments are a big part of the economy that we are. There are reasons for that success.”

International investments translate to local jobs, Ms. Ancona said.

“International investments have a pretty good multiplier effect,” she said.

Her office is working on helping small businesses to be more competitive. Ms. Ancona said small businesses don’t have the necessary resources to lower the cost of doing business. Getting those resources for these This special section will focus on the education needs that have shiftbusinesses would allow money that’s spent on execution go ed with the economy; what has to be done in the classroom; cooperattoward wages and hiring more ing efforts among educational institutions; and educational outreach employees.

“Businesses need to engage into the community and community in-reach into education. in international trade. We are working collaboratively to help Your ad message belongs in Miami Today: businesses connect and give them •Reach 68,000 business readers who value education. support,” she said.

Trade and investment doesn’t •98% of readers are college educated. translate solely to imports and •45% file information for future use. exports but also to services.

•77% hold managerial positions.

The office also focuses on working to help people and busiAll figures from a survey released in 2015 by Behavioral Science Research nesses understand the state’s infrastructure by hosting webinars Call 305.358.1008 for advertising information. and meetings around the state.

“If companies understand betDeadline is Tuesday, July 10, at noon. ter,” Ms. Ancona said, then they will be able to trade better, which will bolster them in the long run.

By Alyssa Curtis

Education 2018 trends July 12

OFFERING A SEMINAR OR CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAM? WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR SCHOOL OR ITS CURRICULUM?

F ilming in M iami 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.

Musica Inc. North Miami Beach. Il Mistero dell’ Amore.

Haulover Park Marina.

E Russ Productions. Miami. Hip-hop Cypher. Miami-Dade County Public Housing.

University of Miami. Miami. BEACHES. Haulover Beach Park.

Film Independent. Los Angeles. Liberty. 6241 NW 14th court, Liberty City.

Pro One Productions, Inc. Miami Beach. FWA Fashion.

County Wide.

T-Rex Creative LLC. Miami. Sun Bikes Photo Shoot.

Crandon Park Beach.

Thank you ,Miami!

I love to read Miami Today because of its thorough and in-depth coverage of the legal, business, and political issues facing our community. Miami Today’s coverage is both comprehensive and insightful. It is difficult to match such thorough coverage of local issues across a broad array of topics. I believe that it is critical for all civic, business, and professional leaders in our community – indeed, for all concerned and informed citizens – to read Miami Today. I enjoy reading it, weighing the opinions of its regular and guest columnists, and learning about leaders in our community.

Juan C. Enjamio Miami Office Managing Partner Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP

Michael and I have been devoted readers of Miami Today from the beginning, some 10 years after we moved to Miami, our compass to life in the tropics. We have enjoyed and learned from Michael ’s articulate and to the point editorials on the many critical issues that have faced Miami over these past 35 years. We admire and respect his willingness to go against the power structure in pursuit of what is right. Your weekly focus on an Achiever has kept us in touch with the changes in the leadership structure of Miami, new faces to the community and a next generation moving up into responsible roles. Your coverage of Miami business and government stands out in this multi‑ethnic community. And then there is Carmen and Michael ’s leadership with Brickell Literary Society and Prologue keeping us all informed about the books being discussed and the authors discussing them.

Reading Miami Today is to penetrate the soul of our city. Because as Richard Sennett would have it “a city is a space where strangers meet; where new ideas are formed in a public space. A common ground.” Miami Today is such space. It brings together people who most probably will never meet; ideas that broaden their horizons and events that shape the present and the future of this city. In short, Miami Today is the workshop where our identity and our projects are merged into one urban identity called Miami.

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Having written for Miami Today in its earliest days on the Miami scene and for some years beyond, I am delighted to see what an important role the paper has continued to play in zeroing in on matters of importance to the local and international business community and to all who are concerned about our city and county’s growth.

That the paper also provides a lively forum for the exchange of ideas we all hope our city and county officials will read and consider makes it both valuable and important as a community resource.

Lula and I believe Miami Today is the best paper in Miami. Michael’s editorials are the best in town. He is the most perceptive reviewer of what is going on in Miami and we rely on him to keep us informed and up-to-date on what is happening. And the Book of Leaders is a great contribution to the city, recognizing as it does the people who make this city work. People talk about the demise of the newspaper in this internet age. But neither radio, TV or the internet are going to overshadow the important local community news provided by Miami Today. It has thrived where other local newspapers including the most important previously have declined. It is good that we still have a newspaper to keep print media alive in this town so that intelligent people can still get the news that counts.

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Happy 35th, Miami Today! You exemplify all that a great local news source should be — highly credible and at the pulse of all that Miami represents. Whether looking for informative business, government or cultural news, you continue to be the valued publication we turn to. From one long-lasting company to another, we understand that your endurance is a testament to your consistency and integrity, and we respect that!

As Miami’s landscape and business scene continues to evolve, we expect to be reading your paper 35 years from now to stay informed. Congratulations again!

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