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Let’s be crystal clear, the City of South Miami’s March 19 th Charter Amendment vote is not about approving the City Hall redevelopment or deciding whether or not the project is going to move forward. This vote is about leasing the city land rather than selling a city asset and about maximizing the benefit for the residents.
The City Hall redevelopment is moving forward. The voters elected commissioners and a Mayor who all campaigned on platforms to pursue this project and a Request For Proposals has been drafted and made public.
Debate on which proposals best serve the community and possible approval will take place in the months ahead.
The March 19 th vote is about allowing the City of South Miami to negotiate a
longer lease and get the best deal for its residents and taxpayers.
Currently, the city charter only allows for lease agreements of fifty years or less.
This may be a long enough lease for smaller projects, but not for a project as
complex as the one at City Hall. By extending the length of the lease the city can
negotiate on behalf of residents for more funds from the winning bid and several
capital improvements at no cost to taxpayers.
Actually, it is quite simple. Let the best proposal have a longer lease and the
taxpayers get more in return. It almost seems silly that anyone would argue
against significant benefits today versus limiting a lease to either 50, 75 or 99
years when no one reading this will witness the end of the contract.
So what exactly would the benefits be to extending the city’s ability to negotiate a
longer lease:
Lower Property Taxes with new revenues from bid
Require the winning bid to build a new City Hall, Police Station and Library
at no additional costs to taxpayers
Require the winning bid to build a new Library at no cost to taxpayers
New & Improved Parks and green space from project
Added funding for public safety
The redevelopment of South Miami City Hall has been discussed, considered and
even attempted before. What’s different now is that in addition to a mandate
from the voters, we now have a unique opportunity to negotiate excellent terms and
truly deliver for our tax payers and residents.
A YES vote on March 19 th is endorsed by the Mayor and entire city commission as well as myself and Miami Community Newspapers.
