10/05/2023
Coming up on October 19
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Coming up on October 19
Miami Today will produce a special section focusing in transportation its challenges and opportunities.
For advertising reservation & details call 305-358-1008 or https://www.miamitodaynews.com/contact-us/
BREAKING NEWS: Rail footbridge’s link to Aventura Mall up in air
A footbridge across Biscayne Boulevard from Brightline’s new passenger rail station in Aventura to land owned by Aventura Mall should be completed by October 2024, the rail line’s vice president of development told the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust last week.
But the bridge won’t connect to the mammoth mall itself, and mall owners are now trying to devise a plan to “easily and safely get pedestrians from the outparcel that they own to the mall,” said Brightline’s Brian Kronberg. “It’s on the mall property, but you have to cross a few streets to get into either the county bus facility or the entrance of the mall.”
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Mixed-use Edgewater tower on drawing board
A new mixed-use residential development is planned for Second Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood of Miami.
The project, Edgewater 22, will replace a Midas auto shop at 2140 NE Second Ave.
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A new mixed-use residential development is planned for Second Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood of Miami. The project, Edgewater 22, will replace a Midas auto shop at 2140 NE Second Ave. The new building is to be
Next week on October 12
Commercial Office & Residential Real Estate section
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More hurdles in long drive to get Amtrak to the airport
The years-long struggle to get long-distance Amtrak trains into its station completed in 2016 at the Miami Intermodal Center servicing Miami International Airport is still stalled in efforts to gain access to the building and getting track to turn trains around so they can go back north.
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The years-long struggle to get long-distance Amtrak trains into its station completed in 2016 at the Miami Intermodal Center servicing Miami International Airport is still stalled in efforts to gain access to the building and
METROMOVER TRAIN REPLACEMENTS: Metromover, the free fixed-guideway county transit serving downtown and the Brickell Corridor since 1986, is in need of a full replacement of its cars, Josiel Ferrer-Diaz, chief operations and maintenance officer for the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works, told the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust last week. “With such an old fleet of cars we need to move forward, so in the upcoming years you’re going to see more items come before you for a continuous replacement,” he told the trust, which oversees spending of the half-percent voter-approved sales tax for transportation improvements. In July, Metromover had 635,954 passenger boardings, which was up 24.2% from July 2022 but down 30.8% from 728,814 in July 2019, the last July before the onset of the pandemic.
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BREAKING NEWS: Miami wipes 10,000-square-foot ad murals out of skyline picture
An amendment to the City of Miami’s zoning code to allow for illuminated ads failed to pass on first reading after commissioners and constituents contended that brightly lit nighttime displays would diminish residents’ quality of life.
On Sept. 28, the city commission unanimously denied an ordinance to establish definitions and requirements for digital signs. The proposal was shot down after months of public scrutiny as it planned to authorize 10,000-square-foot-illuminated murals to shine all night across Miami’s five districts.
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Opinion
End bait-and-switch on transit costs, benefits and timelines
To get Smart Program transit OKs, officials cite prices far below their ultimate level. It’s a wink and a nod. As long as the public can pay, officials gloss over how big the bill will be or how far it’s risen.
That was one of five revelations at a Transportation Planning Organization vote last week to move to top priority and commit money for the Northeast Corridor rail service from downtown Miami to Aventura, with a price of $588 million and sure to rise.
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To get Smart Program transit OKs, officials cite prices far below their ultimate level. It’s a wink and a nod. As long as the public can pay, officials gloss over how big the bill will
Historic Biscayne Boulevard church revamp with residential tower nears
The plan to restore and repurpose a historic church on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami and build a new companion 40-story residential tower next door is finally moving forward after modifications.
The owner-developer, AQOZFI SLP BISCAYNE LLC, submitted new plans that further refine the final design for the project at 1836 Biscayne Blvd.
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The plan to restore and repurpose a historic church on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami and build a new companion 40-story residential tower next door is finally moving forward after modifications. The owner-developer, AQOZFI SLP BISCAYNE LLC,
BREAKING NEWS: County sidetracks Amazon contract lapse action
The Miami-Dade County Commission deferred to Nov. 7 without discussion Tuesday approval of a 12-month extension to Amazon to staff a warehouse at 27505 SW 132nd Ave. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava endorsed the extension in a report, saying the retailer “has clearly demonstrated its commitment to the community and project by investing over $129 million in capital on the property.
“Amazon has endured delays,” the mayor wrote, “due to ‘various macroeconomic issues such as industry-wide supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures that have impacted not only this site but Amazon’s entire network of facilities.’”
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ADMIN BUILDING FUNDED: The Miami City Commission last week authorized $285 million in special obligation bonds for costs of a new government headquarters. A few weeks prior, the commission unanimously declared the city’s intent to relocate its administrative building to the former Melreese Golf Course for $250 million. The increased funding is partially to come from a terminated $18 million municipal payment plan with Oracle Credit Corp. that was allocated to set up a new cloud system and software. The move comes nearly a decade after officials declared the current office tower within the Miami Riverside Center at 444 SW Second Ave. “functionally obsolete” in 2015.
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County putting seagliders into water transit mix
Water transit plans for Miami-Dade County are flowing forward on several fronts.
The Transportation Planning Organization last week authorized its executive director to prepare for another study examining a waterborne transportation network, while the organization’s vice chairman is asking the county to focus in part on including a new technology, seagliders, in any water transit planning.
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Water transit plans for Miami-Dade County are flowing forward on several fronts. The Transportation Planning Organization last week authorized its executive director to prepare for another study examining a waterborne transportation network, while the organization’s vice
Tri-Rail due downtown this year – where will be next?
Tri-Rail is on track to roll this year into downtown Miami, linking as far north as Palm Beach County with commuter rail, its executive director says, and it’s now being urged to add a station between Hialeah and Miami Central Station.
The effort to engineer the last 12 miles has been bedeviled by issues ranging from cooperation with the tracks’ owners to safety and even getting the trains to roll past the new station’s platform, which they couldn’t six months ago.
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Tri-Rail is on track to roll this year into downtown Miami, linking as far north as Palm Beach County with commuter rail, its executive director says, and it’s now being urged to add a station
BREAKING NEWS: Miami-Dade Schools’ enrollment rebounds
Student enrollment in Miami-Dade Public Schools is starting to trend upward.
As of Sept. 13, about 328,503 students are currently enrolled compared to the 2022-2023 school year’s 326,331 enrollment numbers, a 2,172 net change, according to Elmo Lugo, public schools system’s media relations director.
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The Achiever
Barbie Hernandez: Manager eyes senior facility, annexation of lands in Doral
As a professional and leader in public service for more than two decades, Barbie Hernandez returned to the City of Doral in January and began a new chapter in her career: as city manager.
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As a professional and leader in public service for more than two decades, Barbie Hernandez returned to the City of Doral in January and began a new chapter in her career: as city manager. Her
Miami Dade College AI program rolls skyrocketing
The Miami Dade College School of Engineering and Technology’s three college-level artificial intelligence (AI) programs’ enrollment numbers have skyrocketed since their initial fall term launch.
Around 300 students are currently taking AI courses, said Antonio Delgado, MDC’s vice president of innovation and technology partnerships. College credit certificates, associate and bachelor’s AI degrees are now being offered at the college, which are the first of their kind in the state.
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The Miami Dade College School of Engineering and Technology’s three college-level artificial intelligence (AI) programs’ enrollment numbers have skyrocketed since their initial fall term launch. Around 300 students are currently taking AI courses, said Antonio Delgado,
Miami-Dade schools struggling with teacher vacancies
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools system is currently facing about 208 teacher vacancies.
The most needed areas are Exceptional Student Education and the higher high school math and science classes such as algebra 2, calculus, physics and chemistry, said Elmo Lugo, public schools’ media relations director. Recruitment efforts are always ongoing through the public schools’ website, as well as partnerships with Miami Dade College and Florida International University, he said.
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The Miami-Dade County Public Schools system is currently facing about 208 teacher vacancies. The most needed areas are Exceptional Student Education and the higher high school math and science classes such as algebra 2, calculus, physics
BREAKING NEWS: University of Miami study links wastewater to public health data
In the realm of sows’ ears and silk purses, the University of Miami’s wastewater study, supported by Miami-Dade County, became a very handsome handbag.
“We learned that wastewater holds a lot of information about the health of the population,” Dr. Helena Maria Solo-Gabriele told Miami Today, “including information about diseases such as Covid-19 and other respiratory, gastrointestinal and skin diseases.”
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Coming up on October 12
Commercial Office & Residential Real Estate section
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REALTY CASH SALES UP: Cash deals in residential real estate resales represented 40.3% of Miami closed sales in August, compared to 39.7% in August 2022, according to the Miami Association of Realtors. About 27% of US home sales are made in cash. Cash sales accounted for 49.8% of all Miami existing condo sales and 27.9% of single-family transactions.
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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.
Compulsive Media, Yorktown Heights, NY. Commercial for DCL. Port of Miami.
Blue Book Productions, Miami. Motion picture for Heckler. Helkers Island park in North Miami.
Shutterstock Studios. New York. Still photography for Booking.com. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
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BREAKING NEWS: Coral Gables forges ahead to annex neighboring areas
After a Sept. 20 town hall meeting for the annexation of the High Pines/Ponce Davis neighborhoods, Coral Gables City Commissioner Ariel Fernandez brought forth some concerns.
It was an eye-opening experience to see the overwhelming lack of interest in annexation. From those out of the 24 people who spoke, 21 were against annexation, Mr. Fernandez said during Tuesday’s city commission meeting.
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Recycling education sought to do it more, and better
The City of Coral Gables’ recycling contamination rate is among the lowest within the county at around 8%.
During community events, the city currently takes care of household hazardous waste, paper shredding and clothing donations for residents, according to city staff. Educational tools like instructional videos are believed to be the most effective in generating better recycling habits.
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The City of Coral Gables’ recycling contamination rate is among the lowest within the county at around 8%. During community events, the city currently takes care of household hazardous waste, paper shredding and clothing donations for
OPINION
Huh? Amazon hiring 250,000 but can’t staff a warehouse?
In a weird way, thank Amazon for teaching valuable lessons by defaulting on its deal with Miami-Dade to open a million-square-foot warehouse with 325 jobs on county economic development land purchased below value.
If you missed it, we’ve written for two weeks about how the county bungled this flawed deal. Amazon built the warehouse within a required three years but didn’t open it, saying it couldn’t hire 325 people needed to staff it without a fourth year.
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2023/09/26/huh-amazon-hiring-250000-but-cant-staff-a-warehouse/
County votes to dissolve state’s Greater Miami Expressway Agency
The war to control five Miami-Dade expressways and their toll revenues, which seemed settled in August when a state agency took over from a county authority, has only intensified, with parallel bids for the county to regain control and the state agency alleging law violations.
After a Leon County judge in August ordered a turnover of assets of the 29-year-old Miami-Dade Expressway Authority to the state’s newly created Greater Miami Expressway Agency (GMX) and ruled the former authority dissolved, GMX took over operation Aug. 19.
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The war to control five Miami-Dade expressways and their toll revenues, which seemed settled in August when a state agency took over from a county authority, has only intensified, with parallel bids for the county
Coming up next week on October 5, EDUCATION TRENDS, special section.
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42-story Edgewater tower a smaller plan
There is a new mixed-use residential tower coming to Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood.
The development is a modification of an earlier project first approved in 2018 but not pursued.
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There is a new mixed-use residential tower coming to Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood. The development is a modification of an earlier project first approved in 2018 but not pursued. The redesigned structure is to be 42 stories, home
Breaking News: County sidetracks study of a vastly expanded North Dade Landfill
Solid waste, or more accurately, its disposal, weighs heavy on the minds of Miami-Dade County commissioners. Last week, the commission, seeking to replace the Doral solid waste plant ravaged by fire in February, voted to send three site options to the county’s Department of Regulatory and Economic Resource’s Division of Environmental Management for consideration.
The Doral facility handled more than half the county’s total solid waste.
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TRANSPORTATION FUND FLOW: Miami-Dade commissioners have voted to apply for a federal transportation grant of almost $149 million that would yield $49 million for preventive bus maintenance, $8 million for Metromover train control, $15 million in equipment to collect bus and Metrorail fares, $1 million for vanpool program capital costs, $36 million for lease-purchase financing for buses and guideway bridge inspections, nearly $34 million in preventive railway maintenance, nearly $5 million for articulated electric buses and more. Coupled with the federal monies would be $37 million in a state grant, for a total of $186 million in transportation upgrades.
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TRANSIT CATCHING UP: July public transit use in Miami-Dade rose an impressive 31.4% from July 2022, recording 6.26 million total rides, but that was still down 2.3% from July 2019, the final July before the covid pandemic cost the system almost half of its riders. The largest percentage gain was in the bus system, where riders in July were 40.6% more numerous than in July 2022. Even that gain in bus riders left the system down 22.1% compared with July 2019. The fare-free Metromover gained 24.2% in riders from July to July, but that was 14% fewer than in July 2019. Metrorail recorded a 7.3% gain in passengers year over year, but still was down 27.9% from July 2019.
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City of Miami administration building costs rise again
Two weeks after approving $250 million for a new city administrative building, Miami is looking to up the pot by another $35 million.
Today (9/28), the Miami City Commission is to decide whether to authorize the issuance of special obligation bonds for costs associated with redeveloping the municipal headquarters. If approved, the total would increase yet again to $285 million, with $18 million of the additional funding to be transferred from another capital project previously budgeted for software upgrades.
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Two weeks after approving $250 million for a new city administrative building, Miami is looking to up the pot by another $35 million. Today (9/28), the Miami City Commission is to decide whether to authorize the
BREAKING NEWS: Simpson Park name may change to honor Rockland heritage
Miami is considering renaming Simpson Park to raise awareness and preserve its significance as one of the last remnants of ancient Brickell’s Rockland Hammock that rose from the ocean centuries ago.
On Sept. 14, the city commission unanimously approved the first reading of a resolution to rescind the 1927 naming of the public park and rename it Simpson Rockland Hammock Preserve Park. The change would underscore a city commitment to the preservation, protection and stewardship of its natural resources, highlighting its unique and delicate environmental heritage.
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Miami-Aventura rail route cost rises quarter billion
Commuter rail from downtown Miami to Aventura is being promoted to the highest priority level of transportation aims in Miami-Dade County and being given a new and far higher development price tag of almost $600 million.
The Transportation Planning Organization, which quarterbacks all county transportation improvements, is to vote this week to upgrade the priority of the 14.5-mile rail system that is geared to serve seven stations including MiamiCentral downtown and the new Aventura station.
https://www.miamitodaynews.com
Commuter rail from downtown Miami to Aventura is being promoted to the highest priority level of transportation aims in Miami-Dade County and being given a new and far higher development price tag of almost $600
BRIGHTLINE SAFETY FUNDING: The Federal Railroad Administration will fund up to $1.648 billion for a trespassing identification and classification system for Brightline, it was announced Monday. The project aims to develop AI-driven software to Pinpoint trespassing locations and trespasser behavior. The initiative is part of a strategy to reduce rail trespassing in South Florida. The software will enable real-time computer analysis and data aggregation of trespass activity along the shared Florida East Coast Railway and Brightline corridor. The information will guide targeted infrastructure, enforcement, and education for Brightline, local partners, and the Florida Department of Transportation. Brightline and Wi-Tronix will jointly provide a 20% non-federal funding match. Brightline has battled rail fatalities along its line.
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The Achiever
Chris Evans: Seeking heat plan, wireless internet for Miami’s 151 parks
In July, the City of Miami named Chris Evans the new Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. A lifelong Floridian, Mr. Evans has 16 years in recreation and leisure management and has worked in municipalities across the state, including Pensacola, Tallahassee and Orlando.
https://www.miamitodaynews.com
In July, the City of Miami named Chris Evans the new Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. A lifelong Floridian, Mr. Evans has 16 years in recreation and leisure management and has worked in
Coral Gables elected officials getting raises of 53% and up
A resolution to remove from Coral Gables’ 2023-2024 budget planned salary increases of 53% or more for five elected officials in order to consider them further was shot down by a 3-2 city commission vote Tuesday.
The resolution was geared to provide an opportunity for commissioners to remove the raises from the budget and to be able to decide whether they become a commission discussion item, a sunshine meeting, an ordinance with first and second readings, or to put them on the ballot, said Rhonda Anderson, Coral Gables’ vice mayor.
https://www.miamitodaynews.com
A resolution to remove from Coral Gables’ 2023-2024 budget planned salary increases of 53% or more for five elected officials in order to consider them further was shot down by a 3-2 city commission vote
University of Miami buys land for new medical education hub
Miami-Dade has agreed to a $6.2 million sale of county land to the University of Miami, which plans to build a multi-million-dollar medical education center on the site. The university confirmed the planned purchase Friday.
The university wants to launch “Project Ignite” on the site, creating “a nucleus for the core of the Miami Health District,” a report states, “creating a true campus downtown by bridging education, research, and innovation.”
https://www.miamitodaynews.com
Miami-Dade has agreed to a $6.2 million sale of county land to the University of Miami, which plans to build a multi-million-dollar medical education center on the site. The university confirmed the planned purchase Friday. The
BREAKING NEWS: Miami firming up no-net-loss parkland policy for developments
Miami is looking to more detailed and stricter regulations to protect its green spaces and ensure they aren’t lost to future developments as the city grows.
On Sept. 14, commissioners approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance to create a no net loss policy for parkland under the planning and zoning code. If adopted, it would ensure the city receives suitable replacement land, of equal or greater size within five years of any conversion or elimination of existing public recreation space.
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PICKLEBALL IN HIALEAH: Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava would be requested to report to county commissioners on creating pickleball courts at 515-acre Amelia Earhart Park at 401 E 65th St. in Hialeah under legislation recommended unanimously last week by the county’s Housing, Recreation and Cultural Committee. If the full county commission approves Commissioner René García’s resolution, the mayor will have 90 days to report.
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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.
Knucklehead Films, Los Angeles. Commercial for Florida Blue. Port of Miami.
Untold Stories US, Culver City, CA. Commercial for Evolution. Haulover Beach, Port of Miami, Rickenbacker Causeway.
Compulsive Media, Yorktown Heights, NY. Commercial for DCL. Port of Miami.
J & B Importers, Miami. Still photography for Sun Seeker Lifestyle. Kendall Indian Hammocks Park.
NBCUniversal Media, New York. Television series for Vuelve a Mi. Opa-Locka Airport West.
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