Big Little Havana Project Vows Gifts to City Fund Smart Plan Is Northeast Rail
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WEEK OF THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018 A Singular Voice in an Evolving City WWW.MIAMITODAYNEWS.COM $4.00 BRIGHTLINE RAILWAY’S OWNER OFFERS TO DEVELOP A NEW COUNTY COURTHOUSE, PG. 17 FULL TRANSIT REPORT: Miami-Dade com- missioners last week directed Mayor Carlos Gimé- nez’s office to examine the transit needs within all Smart plan unincorporated areas of the county. Many incorpo- THE ACHIEVER rated cities supplement the county’s transit services with cheaper circulator buses, helping residents is Northeast connect to county-run transportation. Unincorpo- rated areas rely exclusively on the transit services that the county provides. Commissioner Barbara rail partner Jordan’s legislation initially only included her District 1, but was expanded By Gabi Maspons to include all unincorporated areas. Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava said she is excited about the study. “I look forward to collaborating with Under pressure to fund the everyone on any and all last- and first-mile opportunities.” SMART plan, county commission- GAS TAX TO FUND TRANSIT: While discussing Commissioner Esteban ers are looking to Brightline and Bovo Jr.’s plan to use Tax Increment Financing to help fund the SMART Tri-Rail lines to serve a Northeast transportation corridors plan at the Chairman’s Policy Council in January, route linking Aventura and Down- Commissioner Dennis Moss said he would be bringing forward a gas tax town. for approval. Mr. Moss said “some cities have implemented the additional “The Northeast corridor has two pennies for decades now, and in some cases their gas prices are lower the largest population, with over than ours.” Both Broward and Palm Beach counties have taken advantage 500,000 people moving within two of the gas tax, he said, and “a discussion needs to be had because it cre- ates the opportunity for another tool to help fully fund the SMART plan.” miles of the corridor daily,” Sally Heyman told the Chairman’s Pol- ANOTHER TRAUMA CENTER?: A Florida House panel on Monday icy Council. unanimously approved a bill that would clear a way for Kendall Regional The corridor “links Miami-Dade Medical Center to operate a pediatric trauma center by allowing more trauma with neighbors to the north via the centers in Miami-Dade and Orlando. The bill would allow the Department Florida East Coast (FEC) Rail- of Health to grant seven trauma-center designations now being litigated way,” the SMART plan guide says, or contested. Regulation of trauma centers in Florida is governed by laws regulating hospitals as well as rules by the Department of Health. Current but now hauls only freight. law caps trauma centers at 44. The bill would eliminate the cap and define Miami Central Station now ris- need based on population. The bill would allow a minimum of four trauma ing will serve both All Aboard centers where population is greater than 2.5 million. Florida’s intercity “Brightline” and Tri-Rail. OLD COURTHOUSE PRESERVATION: Come September, Miami-Dade “It will be the only service from County’s Internal Services Department is to present proposals to commis- Brightline that goes intra-county sioners on how to move forward with the old courthouse, which is to be Photo by Cristina Sullivan reconstructed. At the Chairman’s Policy Council, Internal Services Director within Miami-Dade and it will be Tara Smith said the county will be looking for proposals on what to do Miriam Ramos ready soon, we just have to ramp with the old courthouse, gearing the process toward the historic preserva- Coral Gables City Attorney guards home rule issues up communication with the FEC,” tion community: “It’s a special building and we expect significant interest.” The profile is on Page 4 Ms. Heyman said. Jack Stephens, executive direc- tor of the authority that runs Tri- Rail, told Miami Today last month Big Little Havana project vows gifts to city fund that Tri-Rail is waiting for Bright- line to finish its three sets of rails By John Charles Robbins high crime, and in response the compa- be made when the final rezoning is pro- before Tri-Rail can finish its two. ny is willing to establish a police substa- cessed, although he didn’t mention a figure. Commissioner Jean Monestime With the promise of jobs, affordable tion “as part of our project – local and Mr. Carollo, a former mayor, was elect- said it makes “natural sense” for housing and 150,000 square feet of com- on-site.” A police presence will benefit ed in November and has been eager to Brightline or Tri-Rail to run the mercial-retail uses, Miami commission- the entire neighborhood, he told commis- create a housing department or authority, corridor. ers have approved zoning and land use sioners. funded in part by developer fees, to allow Mayor Carlos Giménez said the changes to a half block in Little Havana. Mr. Riley said the developer will volun- the city to begin building its own afford- Northeast route “needs to be acti- The developer has also promised to tarily proffer $500,000 “to help alleviate able housing. vated as soon as possible” and both contribute $500,000 to the city for afford- the affordable housing issues in the city.” The developer is voluntarily proffering Brightline and Tri-Rail would be able housing. The check would be earmarked for the af- a restrictive covenant to limit the residen- great partners because the coun- Riverwest Miami LLC proposes a ma- fordable housing trust or to help fund a tial uses of the properties to affordable or ty wouldn’t have to invest. “I think jor mixed-use project for land bordered new housing department or authority that senior and workforce housing, as defined they’re going to work at it and find by Northwest First Street, Northwest the administration and commission are in by the zoning code. out how profitable it’s going to be,” Eighth Avenue, West Flagler Street and the process of establishing. The two specific requests approved he said. Northwest Ninth Avenue. Mr. Riley said the $500,000 wouldn’t Jan. 25 on a final vote include: Mr. Giménez said hourly ser- William Riley, an attorney for the de- be tied to a city promise for development ■Changing the land use designation vice from Fort Lauderdale won’t veloper, told commissioners the project is bonuses and should be viewed as evi- from Medium Density Multifamily Res- be enough and trains could get up expected to create about 300 permanent dence of the development team’s intent idential to Medium Density Restricted to 500 cars off the road. “There jobs. to be “good community stewards.” Commercial of 1.377 acres at 824, 826, should be limited stops so it’s a fast Mr. Riley described the planned com- The project is in the heart of District 834, 842, 852, 860, 868 and 876 NW First trip.” mercial uses as “community servicing re- Three, represented by Commissioner Joe St. and 29 NW Ninth Ave. Bonnie Arnold, Tri-Rail spokes- tail”: a grocery and stores with moderate Carollo, who said he’s been meeting with ■Rezoning the sites to Urban Cen- person, told Miami Today “nothing pricing. He cited as examples of tenants the developer. He said a second round of ter Transect Zone-Open and Urban Core is going on at this point,” as Tri- they covet as Publix, Target and Ross. land use and zoning changes will be com- Transect Zone-Open. Rail has been waiting for Bright- The residential would be priced as ing to the city soon, for the developer to The legislation says the zoning change line to finish its tracks. Tri-Rail workforce housing, with a preference of- fulfill his entire large project. isn’t out of scale with the neighborhood’s would be interested in partnering fered to residents of the city. Mr. Riley referred to the next stage as needs, is consistent with the principle of with the county, she said, as “there Mr. Riley said the developer’s re- “seeking additional zoning relief.” transitional zoning and will contribute to is very strong interest in communi- search unfortunately shows the area has The attorney said another donation will the development of nearby properties. ties along that corridor.” MIAMI REVISES ITS CODES ON ALCOHOL SERVICE LOCALES ... 2 ADDED FLAGLER HOUSING MAKES SPLASH, POOL DOESN’T ... 12 SMALL STATE FIRMS KEY TO HONG KONG, CHINA MISSION ... 3 APPRAISER SAYS PROPERTY VALUES STAY ON STEADY RISE ... 15 VIEWPOINT: HEADS-UP IDEA FOR MIAMI-TO-BEACH TRANSIT... 6 EIGHT LOCAL FIRMS ON VIEW AT ARAB HEALTH IN DUBAI ... 16 TRANSIT CORRIDORS DETAILS STILL VAGUE, CALLED VITAL ... 8 ART MUSEUM LURES 25,000 VISITORS IN FIRST SIX WEEKS ... 23 2 MIAMI TODAY TODAY’S NEWS WEEK OF THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018 Miami rewrites its code on alcohol THE INSIDER By John Charles Robbins the Wynwood Business Improve- He stressed this wasn’t a slam ment District board the right to against the Wynwood BID board PUNCHING TICKETS: The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a Months in the making, a ma- make recommendations on re- members. Miami-Dade firm that helps customers fight traffic tickets to show why it is jor re-write of Miami’s code that quests for alcohol service estab- “The Wynwood BID has done not practicing law without a license. The Florida Bar last week petitioned the deals with how restaurants, bars, lishments. some wonderful things, but it does court, alleging that TIKD Services LLC is violating a ban on the unlicensed liquor stores and other establish- As in previous amendments not represent the entire district,” practice of law and asking justices to issue an injunction against the firm.