Cya Michael Westen, It's been nice
There were a lot of Burn Notice fans in the audience, at City Hall, they were in favor of Burn Notice staying, of course, having assumed that they would be heard, but it was not an item on the agenda and no one in the audience was allowed to talk. It started out as a protest, announced last week by a fan, and maybe some folks assumed it was a hearing.
Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones spoke on the issue, about 3 pm, saving the folks in the audience from hanging on all day and night to hear what they wanted to hear. Only of course, it wasn't what they wanted to hear.
Spence-Jones assured the Burn Notice folks in the audience that all five commissioners on the dais were in favor of Burn Notice being relocated. She apparently changed her mind from her perspective last time. She said that the independent studio in Wynwood would be used for the proposed transition. "We respect each others' [commission] districts," she went on to say. Which meant that Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, whose district Burn Notice is in, wants Burn Notice out, so apparently she and the other commissioners have decided that's that.
She went on to say, "We may not understand the reasoning for this, but the Coconut Grove residents want a park." So she was thrown under the bus last time by Sarnoff and this time, she threw the Coconut Grove residents under the bus, stating that we all want a park instead of Burn Notice, where I honestly don't see this to be the case.
"I have heard people say there is going to be a private park on the property, for one of the condos, nothing can be further from the truth," said Sarnoff.
He went on to say, "There will be a park, a very well thought out park, and yes commissioners, we have $1.8 million dollars," put aside for the park.
He said that he received many nasty emails calling him a crook and being in people's pockets. Most came from the film industry. Most of the emails he said were well thought out and polite, but quite a few were nasty and rude and called him names. I do feel you get more flies with honey, but to be honest, this was a lost cause and I didn't want to throw water on people's hopes, but once it is said to be a done deal like at the last meeting, that's it.
According to Sarnoff, producer of Burn Notice, Terry Miller and Marc Sarnoff will hash it out alone. It will not be a public discussion. He doesn't even want Fox TV involved in the discussions. With that, the commissioners took a break.
Sarnoff did say that he doesn't read blogs, so guys, save your nasty comments. The deed is done. The folks that rely on the business that Burn Notice brought to town remain silent, when the hotels, restaurants and other places don't see that cash coming in anymore, then maybe they will stop being the silent majority and start speaking up. They are the ones being hurt, not the fans.
posted by Tom Falco at 3:28 PM
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57 Comments:
I don't have a nasty comment for him (except good luck with your park plans), but I do feel bad for the cast and crew. I'm sure they'll relocate and generate money for another location in South Florida for their final season. Everyone who emailed, sent postcards and whatnot fought valiantly, and I commend them, even if it was a lost cause.
I bet that local business owners happy to see all this capital leave the Grove. Lets play the "who will close first" game after Burn Notice leaves the area.
City of Miami to the TV and Film Industry: Go pound sand.
City of Miami to businesses and tourism: We're closed for business. We don't need your money.
City of Miami to residents seeking work and to small businesses: tough luck. You figure it out. We couldn't care less.
Well at least we'll have a nice park. I work across the street from that building so it would be nice to have a view for a change.
I bet you right now, it's going to be a private park for the condo owners. $1.8 million dollars to level a convention centre, remove the debris, employ a landscape architect to design a "well thought out park," employ gardeners etc to plant the park. $1.8million will not do all that.
I bet you, it's going to be a private park. Probably with water views. The great unwashed can go to Peacock, Kennedy and that little strip of land beside the Yacht club.
FB
Sarnoff sold out the Grove and it's businesses once again for his buddies downtown. The city is broke and he's turning away hundred's of thousands of dollars and business for all the grove merchants and hotels. What do you think the odds are that anyone else will take a chance of shooting a series here after this bunch of incompetents treated burn notice this way.We've got two great waterfront parks right now and it sure wouldn't hurt to wait a few years to build another one.
How would anyone speak up, when the commission won't let the public be heard?
Ridiculous that anyone voted to keep Sarnoff. He's killing the grove - intentionally. Any business entity that he can attack, he attacks. That is an undeniable fact.
No film or television show will ever be located or choose to shoot in the grove again.
Good job Sarnoff. Who wants rich, clean, friendly, free PR generating businesses in their town anyway!??!?!
I have a question and you may call me naive. But you are all so against Sarnoff and talk about how he is benefiting the other but who are these so called "others" which Sarnoff is benefiting. Burn notice had very little impact on the Grove and most of the jobs they created did not include Grove residents but even out of state companies that were making the money. A park will be much better and will bring a lot more people. The problem might be that all of you grumpy old men might not be here to see it or if you are, will never recognize.
If you all hate Sarnoff so much that you should do something to get him out of office and stop complaining so much...
*insert nasty, profanity-ridden, accusatory comment here* (Which, had I written it out, would probably get me banned from the boards and most likely on some government watch list somewhere.)
Dear Tom,
Please know that despite what Sarnoff pontificated about at the meeting, there were many letters from local non-film vendors sent to him. As usual, he says what he wants but the local cleaners, personal trainers, Hotel Sonesta and over thirty more vendors wrote so beautifully about keeping the money local. You say they were silent - yes, Sarnoff REFUSED to allow anyone to speak. But we were there in the audience, waiting for our turn to stand with the film people. Please know that.
Maybe now that this is done, and the City has rid itself of Burn Notice, Marc can take some time to seek the help he needs.
I work for BN and we spend thousands upon thousand every week in The Grove just in our daily operations not to mention the thousands we spend frequenting The Grove restaurants and hot spots after work. It is my sincerest wish for business owners and residents to stand with us and fight before it is too late.
To those who came today and for all of you who wrote to the Commissioners and the Mayor...THANK YOU isn't enough. Warmest Regards.
For all of those complaining, you had the chance to vote Sarnoff out, but did nothing about it. Maybe next time we'll see a higher voting turnout.
RECALL
I was there today, and some of the key issues are omitted here. Spencer Jones reiterated on numerous occasions that all commissioners were FOR Burn Notice, up to some point.
Get it straight.
It has been 5 years since they are here, 1 year became 2, 3, ,, 5.
They are looking for a TRANSITION to accommodate both the wishes of everyone: neighbors and businesses.
Ultimately I happen to agree with ALL commissioners here, not just Sarnoff, plus most Coconut Grove residents and owners, mind you.
That's prime Waterfront property. It's an UGLY building blocking a scarce, precious Water View, which would be priceless to have since we have NONE, in 5 miles on our Bayside, except for a few feet on the Seminole Ramp, always busy with boats, car and Forklifts.
NONE, no Water Views for people driving by or walking by. I've been jogging and biking and driving through the Grove for 8 years almost every day, I should know.
Plus relocating the ugly Expo Center (and the Sailors Club) goes along with the Waterfront Plan, if that ever comes to fruition.
What a circus today! I happen to think all the commissioners are trying to do the right thing in this case.
Carlos Iglesia.
I was turning 50. In over 20 years, I hadn't taken a trip without my husband or children. I had been watching and loving Burn Notice for sometime. But, what impressed me was the Grove. The images of the neighborhood, the people were so attractive. During the winter before my trip, I planned my "escape". I researched the different areas of Miami. I worked an another job to earn the money to pay for the trip. And I dreamed of the time I would have.
Finally, I got there. And it was more than I hoped. I stayed at the Mutiny. It was lovely. The people took care of me. At night, I would walk around the Expo Center. I would watch the boats and sometimes get a glimpse of the show. I never intruded. It wasn't my style. I kinda wish it had been. I ate at Monty's. I loved the Chart House. I think I gained ten pounds in the Grove alone. I went to Cutler Bay. I visited the University of Miami. I walked the beach. And I walked around the Grove. I had cuban coffee at the Grove Book Store and the Green Street Cafe. I saw Coby Bell eat at the Jaguar. And all the time, I listened and watched this part of Miami It became a "heart home."
One thing I understood was why Burn Notice was perfect for the Grove and the Grove was perfect for Burn Notice. It was a small corner of the Miami World filled with color and life. It was tucked away among brighter lights and made it's own music. It wasn't the same as the other, bigger places. Yet, it had a flavor and style and flow. Like Burn Notice.
Burn Notice will go on no matter what happens. So will the Grove. But, sometimes you just want to live in the magic.
SARNOFF MUST GO YOU ARE DESTROYING OUR HOME NEXT ELECTION WE WILL VOTE YOU OUT OF A JOB hope you like it. WE ALL NEED TO VOTE ONLY WE THE PEOPLE CAN DO WHAT IS RIGHT. THIS IS VERY DIRTY DIRTY MOVE.
Does anyone on the Commission represent Miami?
To the lady who visited the Grove...thank you so much!
When today's commission meeting is uploaded to the city's official site, grab it. Sarnoff's rudeness to those people from Burn Notice was embarrassing. Whining because he was insulted by angry emails? Well, you take my salary away and you're gonna get the same kind of email! Threatening people with "I can trace these emails back to the film community" - so what? His attempted humiliation of those studio people was hilariously low brow and although I thought Ms. Spence-Jones was reasonable, her comment about the mysterious filling of the hall for the meeting? What do you people expect? This is still a public meeting, is it not? What's next? We residents can't speak? You people are absolutely ridiculous and one of you cannot control his temper.
Burn Notice, I am sorry to see you go but run, don't walk to a place that appreciates you.
All politicians start off the same, we all have high hopes they will do the right thing. They make promises, we believe them and like a bad relationship the end is always the same. Broken promises, lies and self centered , self serving behavior. We move on and the story repeats. When will see real change?
The new private park has a name already "Regatta Park"! When you need a key to get in and can only use the park if authorized what do you think will happen around here? It all makes sense to me now, too much riff raff for Marc at the other 2 parks so he is building himself an exclusive use park under the guise of a private park for the new condo. That way he can contol who uses it.
Has anyone on the Commission EVER represented their constituency? Did you forget this is Miami? Build some more high rises or gaudy construction projects crammed together, cut down more trees for no reason other than to line your cousins pockets...blablabla corrupt P's.O.S. the song remains the same....
Mark my words: A Park? Won't happen. Here comes Bayside Lite/Cocowalk Junior. Oh sure, they'll pretend to plan for "Regatta Park", but they don't have the money! (Ask the Police Dept.) 1.8 mil. to demolish, clear, and fully landscape those 20 acres?? Not on this planet... So, at the 11th hour, a brilliant plan will emerge to have their cake and eat it too, as in a small park wrapped around a Bayside like development.
Why would Sarnoff worry that his job was in jeopardy? The turnout for the last vote was a joke! If everyone that comes on this blog to complain had voted, Michelle would be sitting on the Commission, and Sarnoff would be home sitting on his a$$.
Forklifts at Seminole Ramp? Never. No waterfront? How about Kennedy Park? And you can walk the entire waterfront, from Seminole Ramp to Monty's. Then a short section along Bayshore and you are at Kennedy Park, again on the waterfront. There is plenty of waterfront views and park in the Grove. Guarantee something else is eventually going to happen with "Regatta Park". What about the new city marina office promised two years ago? What about all the city employees taking payouts and forced days off without pay? I think they are more important than 1.8 mil for a park.
All that lost revenue from Burn Notice. In this economy. Shame on you.
he was to go we all need to go out and vote next time one person can not do it alon. This is the lowest point i have ever seen the grove in. What a sad day and what message has been sent to the filiming industry. ( MIAMI DOES NOT WANT YOU B/C I want a Park NOW)I an in shock at all of this BN gives us FREE Adverstisement and marketing NATION WIDE and he just does not care.
I have said it befor and I will say it again the CZARNOFF STRIKES AGAIN. This is all mind boggling to me but I will admit it is partially my fault because I did not go out and vote. Well lesson learned! if he gets reelected it wont be because I didnt vote. How do we have 1.8 million set aside for a park when are community is going through all these struggles? Why cant part of that money be allocated to our police department to put so more cops in the Grove. Im not a politician and far from it but how does this all make sense to me and not to people making decisions? Pne question that I do have is does Sarnoff own any stake in the park building industry? Maybe a company that supplies grass or a company that makes gym equpment for parks? whatever the case may be the last thing we need is another park. I have kids and I love the idea but what police officers will patrol this park? Someone has to see the LIGHT!
I love that Sarnoff says he doesnt read blogs! He should have added that he also doesnt listen to residents or care what their thoughts are.
to all: CBS on facbook has a blog about all this and everyone wants BN to stay. lets print and mail theses blogs to SARNOFF.
CORRECTION Facebook is NBC 6 South florida
The Commissioners kept saying the Grove residents want another park. Really who did they ask? Eevryone I know in the Grove does not want another park. Put it on the ballot let us vote! No committees , no bullshit a real vote!
If there was a recall vote called for this November's elections Sarnoff would get his butt kicked and he would enjoy that too.
Where is Norman Braman when we need him?
Norman Braman great! We need him. Mr. Braman please help us in District 2 before District 2 is totally destroyed. We need you! Mr, Braman for Mayor or Commissioner I like the sound of either.
Braman won't touch any city of Miami officials. He's got business interests within city limits.
Really, all should go to the City of Miami link you have on the right-hand side of your blog page and watch the "show" at City Hall yesterday. Michelle Spence-Jones was great, Sarnoff petty. You can drag the play button to about 4 hours into the meeting and see the whole discussion of Burn Notice vs "the park". Very enlightening! Then decide for yourself about the "representative" who speaks for Coconut Grove. Don't miss it!
Just an observation from a resident in the Upper East Side - I fail to see how escalating the demolition of the CGEC to install a park is a higher priority at this point in time than preserving jobs, maintaining an income stream for the City and cultivating a clean industry that begs over and over to be welcomed in Miami only to get the boot! I don't get it. Once BN runs its course the land will still be there for the park and perhaps a new industry will find a permanent home in our beautiful City. I can see the Oscars being held in Miami one day if we had a little vision and, I might add, I view this as a City-wide issue, not just a District 2 issue.
Burn notice is a great show and provided money flow to the grove!! too bad they're leaving!!
Dear Uninformed Person who wrote "Burn notice had very little impact on the Grove and most of the jobs they created did not include Grove residents but even out of state companies that were making the money."
Is that a veiled attempt to slur the show, much like the laughable "I am not a crook" commission performance yesterday?
What you wrote is untrue. Either you are lying or just haven't bothered to read anything at all. Very little impact on the Grove? Ask The Sonesta, Grove Cleaners, Jaguar Restaurant, Greenstreets, Fresh Market and on and on.
My own house was rented as a location and we were paid more money than we make in two weeks for that one day.
I looked up the local companies associated with Burn Notice. And I am sure there are more than these.
Camera equipment - local, CSC is the company, call them. Grip and electric - Unique is the company, call them. The lab is Cineworks. You make yourself look foolish with the statement above.
Ask the State of Florida Film Incentive Office - the watchdog that carefully audits what film companies spend in Florida. ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS STRAIGHT INTO SOUTH FLORIDA in five years from Burn Notice. Call them.
It is clear Sarnoff wants them out and doesn't care about the loss. Probably because he didn't get a role.
Walk the side walk from the Circle to the toll plaza (5 miles, exactly).
Tell me where do you see ANY WATER.
Drive from Coco Plum to the end of South Bayshore drive.
Let me know if you see more than 30 feet of water at Seminole ramp.
That's what tourists see.
I've been running and cycling here for 8 years. Live in front of the Fresh Market. You have to live in a tall building to see the freaking water.
Or go through forklifts from Peacock park, back of city hall, to Monty's, then get INSIDE Kennedy Park or Alicia Wainwright park in the end.
Again: try it. Walk or drive from the circle to the toll plaza.
Tell where you see the water. It's even hidden by the freaking mangroves on Peacock Park, you should see how great the Bay view was over there in the 70's.
How much money would a good Baysive Water View generate for the Grove?
Think about that. They don't have that luxury in Pinecrest, Brickel, Gables, Doral, Weston.. Only here. But we have wasted the Bayside views.
NO WATER VIEWS for most people, almost NONE. What a shame.
Carlos Iglesia.
We have a waterfront plan that was approved. We need to abide by that.
Burn Notice is just one more tv show that is not going to be around very long. I'm in agreement with the decision for them to move.
Welcome to Miami!
Where the the voters do what the elected officials tell them to.
For the last two days the local news sources have run the story of the City manager declaring a "financial urgency. Theere are stories about the sewer systems infrastructure needing a 1 billion (that's billion with a b ) overhaul. Florida is one of the states that took the biggest of hits in the real estate bubble collapse. Jobs are scarce and the insurance companies are raising their rates while people are losing their homes.
In this atmosphere of hardship and trial our local govt is shutting down a business that brings jobs, free publicity, artistic personalities, celebrities, tourists from around the world, and does nothing but bring all positive things to our area so they can put up a personal park for City Hall in an area where there are already three existing parks.
Get Coty Hall the hell out of the Grove. Give them an office in downtown .
Enough already!
Old Fart
Sledge,
You do realize that a 2 or 3 story parking garage is part of the park plan, right? Also, even if they did put a park there, most of the "water view" would in fact be of boats floating around in the marina. The only decent water view is at the boat ramp and by Scottys/city hall.
1. That's not written in stone yet. I'm radically against any freaking parking lots by the water.
Are they INSANE?!
2. There is NO water view for the average passer-by around Scotty's or Peacock, or Kennedy.
You have to go INTO those places, most people do not.
Drive by, walk by.
The tourists only see a few yards of water at Seminole.
If they decide to build a freaking parking lot there,,, Jezuz Christ...
OPEN UP THE BAYSIDE VIEWS.
Where's the water IN 5 MILES?
Walk, drive or run by the roads, pray tell.
Carlos I.
Carlos- it was sold off to the wealthy developers and wealthy homebuyers.
Take a jog along Hobie and Windsurfer beach where they've torn out all the trees under the guise of "invasive species" and put up parking spaces. I give it 3-4 years before the parking meters go in.
City Hall knows the view is what people want and knows they can charge for it. If you want to be by the water, whether by renting a beer for five minutes or by renting a house or apt for five years, you WILL pay for that privilege.
Welcome to Miami. :(
Lots of folks are against letting Burn Notice slip through our fingers. We want them to remain producing their hit TV show at the Dinner Key Expo Center for 2-3 additional seasons.. But the fact is that few have come out publicly to try and prevent this terrible financial and PR loss to our community. Why has the GMCVB, Beacon Council, Miami Chamber, DDA been so silent? Not even the Grove BID or Grove Village Council have spoken out to support Burn Notice. Only the local Film Industry and Grove Chamber of Commerce have spoken out. Wiser heads must prevail. Saying that “Miami Is Film Friendly” is pretty ironic when we don’t do much to prove it.
It is not the first time the commission has shut down businesses: Flavors on McFarlane Road, Christabelles Quarter on Commodore Plaza, Apple Martini at Cocowalk all closed because the Commission changed the rules in the middle of the game, hundreds lost their livelihoods.
And they think Green Street on its own is going to pick up all the slack in lost jobs. The crew better polish up on their waiting and busboy skills
I'm curious, what happened with those clubs? The 3am liquor cut off or did something else happen?
Well said Frank Rollason, We certainly need you back involved!!!! Since the Grove is getting snubbed on everything to date you have all forgotten that the Grove was also snubbed on the City of Miami free trolley system reserved for every other part of the City except the Grove. It makes so much sense to include the Grove our politicians can't even muster up a good reason we do not have it. There is only 1 reason "someone doesn't want a lot of people in the Grove". Also speaking of financial urgency did anyone else here our Mayor defend that, can you say "Banana republic" not to mention the SEC Fraud and Moody's downgrade rating. We need a recall and fast! As Frank said these bad decisions effect the entire City of Miami not just District 2. I see a Police and Fire STRIKE approaching soon as well.
After reading all of the articles, watching the commission meeting, listening to supporters and detractors, it appears to come down to a very simple issue.
ONE ISSUE.
The City of Miami only wants Burn Notice in the city of Miami IF the producers agree to move into Wynwood, pay rent AND pay hundreds of thousands to make the raw space workable for the production. Have you been there? We encourage you to check it out.
Making space work is something the production has already done at the Convention Center for five years. Their lease is "as is." Their rent pales in comparison to what they have paid MIAMI vendors to keep the building intact. Why would they have to do the same for Wynwood for just one year?
Sarnoff says "we got them to syndication." Really? We think that has more to do with the show itself than the city commission. Does the show make money for the studio? Sure, isn't that what it is supposed to do? Why is that thrown around like it is a sin? It also made over ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS in Florida expenditures alone in five years. So Miami profits as well.
The city says it was the money to knock down the Coconut Grove Convention Center but in the same breath seeks a freeze of police and firefighters as they are freefalling into a 40 million dollar deficit. Would one really build a park in place of using one more year of Burn Notice money to supplement police and fire departments? With a straight face?
Keeping the Dinner Key Expo Center as an economic generating facility and successful accidental film studio should be decided by those folks that live in Coconut Grove. Put it to a public referendum. Let the voters decide, especial those living in Coconut Grove. I suspect that most voters will wish to keep Burn Notice here where they contribute millions to our economy and provide great PR throughout the world. Burn Notice is now paying $240K per year that just $2.24 cost per sq. ft. for the 107K sq. ft. of area they rent. But that’s a significant increase for the previous $8,400 annual rent that former Mayor Manny Diaz was charging them. Over $1.8 million of dollars has been raised from Burn Notice rent in the past few years. None of those funds have been set aside to benefit staffing the Film Office to better service the Film Industry. All those fund have been placed in an account to demolish the very building there are in. Sort of like paying for the bullets in the gun being used to stick you up. So let’s prove that Miami is “Film Friendly” and offer them 1-2 more years of rent and increase the rent to $5, 7 or 10 cost per sq. ft. That way everyone wins.
Just in a nutshell here are some hard numbers (and independently verified by the Office of Film & Entertainment Incentive folks) from years One through Five. Six is not yet complete:
Number of Florida Workers from 2007 - 2012: 15,017
Number of total Hotel Nights from 2007 - 2012: 13,244
Florida Wages Paid from 2007 - 2012: $62,908,280
Florida Vendors Paid from 2007 - 2012: $46,328563
Incentive Reimbursement Amount: $35,605,599 (expenses that were approved for the incentive and made the cut)
Approved Florida Expenses: $109,236,843 (expenses that may not have qualified for the incentive but still have to be approved by the Film office and FOX)
As you can see, this is just ONE show that is filming in Miami, not including The Glades and the new show that FOX is bringing called GRACELAND that is based in Malibu, CA but will be shot entirely in Miami, Florida. Just so you know, there were over 1300+commercials, shows etc. that never got the incentive that film in our state in any given year.
Burn Notice, Pain and Gain, Magic City, Dexter, Glades and all TV and Film Production are in South FL because of FL Film Tax Credits. They are certainly not here as a result of any so called “Film Friendly” efforts by local politicians. The Beacon Council’s mission is to attract industry here. The GMCVB’s mission is to market South FL to an International audience. Burn Notice is improving our economy and showcasing South FL to the world. Let’s thank Burn Notice and keep them here in Coconut Grove for 1-2 more years.
60,000 emails have been sent to Sarnoff and the City in support of Burn Notice staying in Grove for one more year. But the petty dictator is still going at it. Do you think referendums matter in dictatorships?
Broward county is nice! and still in Florida! they couldn't wait one year? WTF? sounds like another stadium deal. wait its the same folks! what a coinkidink!
Best line of the last commission meeting. Sarnoff, "I've traced all of these emails." Wow. And you admit it?
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