"This lease should not be executed"
The following was emailed to Commissioners and public officials by Charles Corda, Coconut Grove resident:
A "resolution" Item is coming up on Thursday, July 25, at the City of Miami Commission Meeting.
The City of Miami Commission will be voting on executing a lease for the re-Development of the Coconut Grove Waterfront property that currently is home to the Charthouse, Scotty's Landing and the adjacent Dry Storage Boat facility.
The Approval of this pending lease ( for 50 years +( 2) 15 yr. extensions) is a two step process requiring Voter Approval for final confirmation.
It is my contention that this lease should NOT be "executed" by the Commission. As such I am circulating the attached list of reasons why I believe this property more rightly should be added to our public open space than developed for further commercial and Industrial use.
It is my understanding that as a "Resolution" item there will not be any public comment heard at the Commission Meeting.
If you believe as I do that these publicly held lands should NOT be developed for the proposed uses Please inform your Commissioner and the Mayor of your concerns. Contact info is below.
Thank you.
Charles Corda
Coconut Grove
Charles' "Top 13" reasons why this lease should not be executed:
1.) The Public Lands in question possess rare and unique scenic characteristics of great value to ALL the residents of the City of Miami.
2.) Given the unique nature and scenic value of this Public Land combined with the pressing need for more open park space within the City of Miami, Industrial and Commercial use as proposed in the RFP and the pending development plan, clearly does not constitute it's "Highest and Best" use.
3.) Alternative uses of the land have may not been properly considered in the preparation of the RFP for it's development .
4.) Given the intent to demolish the adjacent Existing Convention Center, this Public land is ideally situated to become a part of that much need proposed park space.
5.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC., does not conform to the Plan prepared by Sasaki Assoc.
6.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. calls for the demolition of both the Charthouse and Scotty's Landing.
7.) Demolition of the Charthouse -designed by Architect Alfred Browning Parker- may result in the loss of an architectural work of lasting importance and local historical significance.
8.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, proposes replacement of the single story Charthouse and Scotty's Landing with multiple 4 or 5 story structures that will dramatically alter the scenic qualities of these public lands.
9.) Locating a 5 Story High ,497 Space, Parking Garage along Bayshore Drive is a troubling architectural intrusion that will forever diminish the scenic quality of one of our most beautiful thoroughfares. In addition this garage may result in a considerable increase in the traffic on the already overburdened Bayshore Drive.
10.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. includes expanding the unsightly Industrial use of "Dry Boat Storage" on this site. Expanding the "Dry Boat Storage racks" is clearly inappropriate given the scenic qualities of this public land and the potential environmental hazards inherent in such use.
11.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. proposes a 20,000 -40,000 SF "West Marine" or similar commercial use. The need for such a large retail development devoted exclusively to the boating market has not been clearly demonstrated nor has it's feasibility been determined. In point of fact NO need for retail development of these public lands has been clearly or convincingly demonstrated.
12.) This Public land belongs to ALL the residents of The City of Miami. This public land should serve the interests of ALL the residents of The City of Miami and not be exclusively dedicated to the interest of the "boating" public.
13.) The Benefits of expanding the adjacent Public Parks to include this property will yield measurable results in the quality of life for ALL the residents of the City of Miami and may ultimately lead to increased municipal revenues through tax appreciation of the properties fortunate enough to be located adjacent to this expanded Park Space.
Here is the contact info:
Mayor Tomas P. Regalado
E-mail: tregalado@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5300 VOICE
(305) 854-4001 FAX
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
(Vice Chairman) District 1
E-mail: wgort@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5430 VOICE
(305) 250-5456 FAX
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
(Chairman) District 2
E-mail: msarnoff@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5333 VOICE
(305) 579-3334 FAX
Commissioner Frank Carollo
District 3
E-mail: fcarollooffice@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5380 VOICE
(305) 250-5386 FAX
Office of Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Francis Suarez
District 4
E-mail: fsuarez@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5420 VOICE
(305) 856-5230 FAX
Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones
District 5
E-mail: MSpence-Jones@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5390 VOICE
(305) 250-5399 FAX
A "resolution" Item is coming up on Thursday, July 25, at the City of Miami Commission Meeting.
The City of Miami Commission will be voting on executing a lease for the re-Development of the Coconut Grove Waterfront property that currently is home to the Charthouse, Scotty's Landing and the adjacent Dry Storage Boat facility.
The Approval of this pending lease ( for 50 years +( 2) 15 yr. extensions) is a two step process requiring Voter Approval for final confirmation.
It is my contention that this lease should NOT be "executed" by the Commission. As such I am circulating the attached list of reasons why I believe this property more rightly should be added to our public open space than developed for further commercial and Industrial use.
It is my understanding that as a "Resolution" item there will not be any public comment heard at the Commission Meeting.
If you believe as I do that these publicly held lands should NOT be developed for the proposed uses Please inform your Commissioner and the Mayor of your concerns. Contact info is below.
Thank you.
Charles Corda
Coconut Grove
Charles' "Top 13" reasons why this lease should not be executed:
1.) The Public Lands in question possess rare and unique scenic characteristics of great value to ALL the residents of the City of Miami.
2.) Given the unique nature and scenic value of this Public Land combined with the pressing need for more open park space within the City of Miami, Industrial and Commercial use as proposed in the RFP and the pending development plan, clearly does not constitute it's "Highest and Best" use.
3.) Alternative uses of the land have may not been properly considered in the preparation of the RFP for it's development .
4.) Given the intent to demolish the adjacent Existing Convention Center, this Public land is ideally situated to become a part of that much need proposed park space.
5.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC., does not conform to the Plan prepared by Sasaki Assoc.
6.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. calls for the demolition of both the Charthouse and Scotty's Landing.
7.) Demolition of the Charthouse -designed by Architect Alfred Browning Parker- may result in the loss of an architectural work of lasting importance and local historical significance.
8.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, proposes replacement of the single story Charthouse and Scotty's Landing with multiple 4 or 5 story structures that will dramatically alter the scenic qualities of these public lands.
9.) Locating a 5 Story High ,497 Space, Parking Garage along Bayshore Drive is a troubling architectural intrusion that will forever diminish the scenic quality of one of our most beautiful thoroughfares. In addition this garage may result in a considerable increase in the traffic on the already overburdened Bayshore Drive.
10.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. includes expanding the unsightly Industrial use of "Dry Boat Storage" on this site. Expanding the "Dry Boat Storage racks" is clearly inappropriate given the scenic qualities of this public land and the potential environmental hazards inherent in such use.
11.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. proposes a 20,000 -40,000 SF "West Marine" or similar commercial use. The need for such a large retail development devoted exclusively to the boating market has not been clearly demonstrated nor has it's feasibility been determined. In point of fact NO need for retail development of these public lands has been clearly or convincingly demonstrated.
12.) This Public land belongs to ALL the residents of The City of Miami. This public land should serve the interests of ALL the residents of The City of Miami and not be exclusively dedicated to the interest of the "boating" public.
13.) The Benefits of expanding the adjacent Public Parks to include this property will yield measurable results in the quality of life for ALL the residents of the City of Miami and may ultimately lead to increased municipal revenues through tax appreciation of the properties fortunate enough to be located adjacent to this expanded Park Space.
Here is the contact info:
Mayor Tomas P. Regalado
E-mail: tregalado@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5300 VOICE
(305) 854-4001 FAX
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
(Vice Chairman) District 1
E-mail: wgort@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5430 VOICE
(305) 250-5456 FAX
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
(Chairman) District 2
E-mail: msarnoff@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5333 VOICE
(305) 579-3334 FAX
Commissioner Frank Carollo
District 3
E-mail: fcarollooffice@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5380 VOICE
(305) 250-5386 FAX
Office of Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Francis Suarez
District 4
E-mail: fsuarez@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5420 VOICE
(305) 856-5230 FAX
Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones
District 5
E-mail: MSpence-Jones@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5390 VOICE
(305) 250-5399 FAX
posted by Tom Falco at 6:00 AM
YOU MAY NOT LIFT THE PHOTOS & TEXT. IT'S COPYRIGHTED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. YOU CAN HOWEVER SHARE A STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY USING THE LINKS HERE.
For linking to this one story, just click on the time it was posted & just this story will open for sharing - only through social media. Not copying and pasting.
12 Comments:
Well said Charles. The people want a Community Center and activities for all!
Change?! We fear change.
Very well said. More open land and water views. Need to keep any building to one floor. I love the chart house.
I appreciate the effort and valid points, but #13 is weak at best. First, please provide the measure of this allegedly yielded "measurable" result. One cannot readily measure quality of life for all residents of the city, and certainly a park in that spot would have no effect measurable or not for many city residents, and really anyone outside of that specific neighborhood. Moreover, the claim of tax appreciation to adjacent properties as compared to this lease is laughable. good intentions, I think, but poor logic. In addition, the author ignores the current eyesore in the location, which has existed for far too long.
Where are the comments from the Center Grove business owners, or the tree huggers?
3 measly comment? Really?
If you give people a choice between going for a meal at Shula's on the Water or Greenstreet Cafe, where do you think they're going to go?
Then after they finish eating, do you think they'll walk 3-4 blocks to have a beer or a drink at Mister Mo's or the Barracuda?
Even a casual review of the City's Master Plan or Miami 21 reveals that most of what is in the RFP Proposal is in direct contradiction to those documents?
Where are all the folks who whine about obeying the law?
If you think that the Playhouse is going to save you, then you all better get out in the streets with coffee cans to start collecting money like the homeless people to pay that developer who claims he's owned a couple million off.
He doesn't care about your Playhouse, he wants his money, or he wants the land.
No matter what, this time the Grove is in real trouble, and there's no one to blame but yourselves.
We are in need of a community center.....Key Biscayne, Coral Gables and so many more have a community center...What about COCONUT GROVE????
how about start organizing a campaign "NO BAYFRONT DEVELOPMENT, YES GREEN OPEN BAYFRONT". Who can take on the leadership? it will be critical to get the owner of the Grand Bay on board, does anyone know of his thoughts on the development plans. I heard one of the towers is 95% sold, penthouse prices at $5.5M. I wonder if the future owners bought their expensive crips without ANY knowledge of the development?
Open views on the bay, why did I not think of that?
We HAVE a community center. We have HAD one in Peacock Park since forever but it was stolen by the NET offices and the Chamber of Commerce back in the 80's. Now that they have nice new offices that they have moved into, the one's who we vote into office as stewards of our community property are acting like owners and want to sell it as a restaraunt. Just what we need:another restaraunt in the Grove.
If you want to see what our officials REALLY think our parks mean go take a walk through Peacock. The boardwalk at the end of the park, the only water view the Grove has left, is locked more often than not. Disused City signs thrown on the ground near the back wall by the bleachers for the past year and a half The playground is behind a low plastic, orange fence with Police Line- Do Not Cross tape wrapped around the playset like a present wrapping. The entire upper half of the park is a construction zone and has been since the beginning of summer, but im sure that that will all be taken care of by the time the church school opens again because during the school year the church, for all intents and purposes owns the park. Complete with their own City of Miami Police Officer and patrol car. Think about that. A church,which pays no taxes, with a select student body of children of wealthy families, takes over a PUBLIC park during school hours and has for years now.
Now those who gave away a public park to a church, stole our Community Center from us, continue to leave the lights and ac on 24/7 for us to pay the bill, and intend to rent it out as a restaraunt want to tear down the existing waterfront and put up a garage and shopping mall and ......
......wait for it....
ANOTHER RESTRAUNT to replace the current.. um... well... restaraunt.
Our current and past elected officials don't care about the residents or families in the Grove. They care about what they can give away to the right people for favors, political donations and future connections.
The business owners don't care about the residents or families because their business is predicated and focused on the groups with the most disposable income at hand who are the college kids and the tourists.
Those who actually own the property really don't give a damn about residents and local families because they are so far up the economic food chain any loss for them is only a tax deduction in the long run.
We. Are. Screwed.
You are screwed only if you lay down and allow yourselves to be screwed. What has happened to the notion of citizens standing up to their government?
These are YOUR PUBLIC LANDS!
It doesn't require an armed revolution to stop this from happening. This is municipal government we're talking about here.
There will be a referendum in November. Raise some money, produce one or two cheap, but hard hitting commercials, create some flyers, and get some folks with political campaign experience to help out with the mechanics of identifying voters, and then get your asses out on weekends to talk to people and generate a No vote.
You'll be surprised how a little effort and money can stop this from happening.
The BIG question is, do enough people really want to stop this???
Or, are folks willing to believe the lies and misinformation that has been circulated - almost all of it by people who either have already, or are expecting to benefit financially from this deal going through!
Again, it's PUBLIC LAND!
Peacock park is going to be Astroturfed so the church money machine can have its elite children run on public land. What would their parents think after they find out about the health hazards of Astroturf.
More open land and water views!!!! We love it !!! ...But open water view means no Chart House nor Scotty's...who cares, their food is so bad that their concession should have be taken away long time ago.
About the 13 reasons to vote against the lease for the re-Development of the Coconut Grove Waterfront, there are several inconsistencies, but I'm sure most of our Grove community agrees with his intentions.
I totally support a open land and water views park and a community center and I will do whatever it takes to support it. We can stop any undesirable development in our community.
By the way, I liked the comment about the church that owns the park and most of his comments, but I don't agree with the "We. Are. Screwed." We won't be screwed if we do something about it.
Post a Comment
<< Home