Grasping at straws
There was a meeting last night at Grove Isle for the residents of Grove Isle, about the Grove Bay waterfront project. I did not post the meeting notice because it was for the residents and I didn't feel like it was proper for the whole town to show up, but it seems like that is what happened anyway. I did not attend for that reason, I felt it was barging in on their condo meeting, but as others told me, the folks needed to hear the other side and that makes sense.
So the Stop Grove Bay people showed up and lots of others from the opposing side. It's interesting to note that those neighbors in favor, if there are any in favor, did not show up.
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and others were there to push the plan to the neighbors, but according to friends who were there, the neighbors were not buying it. One wife admonished her husband as they left the room saying, "We're voting NO!" I could almost hear him saying "Yes, dear."
It's sort of the Streisand effect, the more they push the project, the more it makes people suspicious of the project.
It was very interesting that Sarnoff who has been shunning the Village Council for years, he even allegedly threw them out of City Hall years ago so they could not get tv time, was telling people, "Even the Village Council has approved of the plan." That's really grasping at straws. People saw right through that, I was told of many nasty whispers under people's breath after that comment.
Many present asked why he was not talking about an alternative solution since people don't seem to care for this plan and of course the question remains, where was the bidding process? There was only one bidder, even at Grove Isle condo, all those folks are well aware of getting three bids for projects. They cannot paint the buildings or even get a new lawn guy without getting at least three bids, yet this large waterfront project was approved by our City Commission even though there were no bids, it ended up coincidentally being the same Grove Bay that built The Fresh Market and the Marina.
Vote NO on this project.
So the Stop Grove Bay people showed up and lots of others from the opposing side. It's interesting to note that those neighbors in favor, if there are any in favor, did not show up.
Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and others were there to push the plan to the neighbors, but according to friends who were there, the neighbors were not buying it. One wife admonished her husband as they left the room saying, "We're voting NO!" I could almost hear him saying "Yes, dear."
It's sort of the Streisand effect, the more they push the project, the more it makes people suspicious of the project.
It was very interesting that Sarnoff who has been shunning the Village Council for years, he even allegedly threw them out of City Hall years ago so they could not get tv time, was telling people, "Even the Village Council has approved of the plan." That's really grasping at straws. People saw right through that, I was told of many nasty whispers under people's breath after that comment.
Many present asked why he was not talking about an alternative solution since people don't seem to care for this plan and of course the question remains, where was the bidding process? There was only one bidder, even at Grove Isle condo, all those folks are well aware of getting three bids for projects. They cannot paint the buildings or even get a new lawn guy without getting at least three bids, yet this large waterfront project was approved by our City Commission even though there were no bids, it ended up coincidentally being the same Grove Bay that built The Fresh Market and the Marina.
Vote NO on this project.
posted by Tom Falco at 9:00 AM
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18 Comments:
Let me guess, if you weren't there to give an accurate account of the meeting, Charles Corda was more than happy to give you his... right?
No, I don't have a relationship with Charles like that. I was called by three separate neighbors who live there. And I stayed away out of respect for the neighbors since I thought it was a private condo meeting.
Have you or anyone posted any concrete reasons opposing this project? What I have read from the proponent's side makes the project seem like an overwhelmingly good idea. I hate Sarnoff as much as the next grovite. Simply because he supports the project I agree is a very good reason to be skeptical of it. However, skepticism alone should not warrant a vote against a project. Do you have or can you point us to a good outline of the opposition to the project? Other than removing Scotty's I don't see the downside but I am certainly willing to become more informed as most voters should be. Thank you.
With all due respect Joe, try reading all the stories here in the Grapevine as every single story explains why it's wrong and none of them is about keeping Scotty's.
Since we have 3 places where developers tore down the Grove to make a "mall" thing (Mayfair, Cocowalk, and Monty's], we have historical data to prove what a financial mess this has been for the Grove. A fourth mall will be the ultimate definition of insanity: Doing something over and over again thinking you're going to get a different result. To newcomers to the Grove, we have been here before and the whole thing has been a failure. Why on earth do we want to build a mall for the fourth time? 3 failures, but this time it's going to work? Think again! Malls are already sitting in spots that took away the very thing people come to the Grove for. Do we really need more of that crap in our lives? The only people that will win here are the developers and the politicians that rolled out the red carpet for them!
the old grove failed not becuse ita mall but becuase all the good clubs and restaurants were run out by greedy management and old people who dont want noise or traffic.wake up and see the facts.you mush have not lived here when this place was jumping and everybody was making money.now we all have to strugle to sell enought to pay for are overhead
How will the extra traffic be managed? By turning Bayshore Drive into an Interstate Highway?
Keep in mind your blog posts are not articles. They are biased, one-sided, uninformed opinions you have posted on your blog in an attempt to pass of as pieces of factual information. You're no better than the developers as you try to convince people you are a journalist writing articles that are fair and balanced. Go work for Fox News.
The clubs are gone for 2 reasons. First, South Beach. Second, Sarnoff stopping the 5am closures. Now everyone heads to South Beach or Downtown.
Oh, come on people. We can do better for The Hon. Commissioner Sarnoff than this.
Of course, we gave him Sarnoff Circle. And a doggie park-- now astro turfed to cover toxic fumes, but we failed to turn Virginia Street into a pedestrian (doggy) promenade.
The Honorable Commissioner has suffered enough! Let's give him his mall on the bay.
After all, he is the Ethics Commissioner and a watch dog for the little guy.
Yesterday I received an email from Sue McConnell pushing the project upon her email list.
I replied that I thought that was shameful. She replied "you have the right to vote."
Yes I do and will but that wasn't the point. I replied to her suggesting she be more fair to her list and send out information on both sides of the issue instead of pushing Sarnoff's information upon her list.
She didn't reply. I hope to heavens the good people of Coconut Grove and Miami get out and vote against this 80 year trampling of the waterfront.
This area would never be the same. I'm in favor of something constructive being done but let it happen fairly with 3 bids, remove the cloak of secrecy so everyone is informed accurately. We most certainly do not need a Shula's steak house chain restaurant nor a 3 story garage or mall of shops.
Just take a look at Coco Walk. No success story there.
What surprised me last night is that I understand, Commissioner Sarnoff has been promoting this project throughout the City, last night MANY residents inquired if a Traffic Impact study had been conducted, he seemed lost to the question, he said "i don't have it but I can email to you". Another resident asked, how wide is the bay walk, he replied " i don't have it but I can email to you" others asked "what's the alternative to the project" he replied "there isn't none you either vote yes, or no". One lady asked to support it because "we will be able to ride water taxis to the place". He spend a lot time promoting the regatta park, and most residents asked aloud "are we voting for the regatta park"? I heard a resident seating next to me whispered to the person next to him "I wonder how money is going into his pocket?" Then Mr. Nelson came into his rescue by point out to the presentation picture and circled around the development area included in the referendum which excludes the garage, and that got the crowd more confused and were about start questioning, by then Commissioner Sarnoff said he promised the meeting to last 1 hours. Thank you for coming!
Well, it was a little unreasonable to expect the Hon. Commissioner to attend the meeting.
His dogs probably needed to be walked in Sarnoff Doggy Playground.
Yes, there certainly were some rude people at the meeting and the negative people were loud, but what all of us Grove Isle folks really wanted were the facts to make our own decisions. On the whole, it was NOT a negative meeting. And Commissioner Sarnoff was there. Get your facts straight.auknoth
Those of us who know TFM & Marina since opening day are witness to the deterioration & FILTH of the surroundings. That confirms the reputation of the Grove Bay waterfront project bid winner ...
Why are there secret meetings about this at Grove Isle ?
Smarmoff still has not rescheduled after his no-show at Sue's very special Center Grove Neighborhood Assoc. meeting. Please un-subscribe to her useless, special interest, lying emails. She is a sell-out to her neighbors. I am so glad I never paid my dues to her. This is what she would have used member dues for, promoting more bad commercial development in our town.
Isn't it a voluntary association meaning no one ha to belong to it as a condition of ownership in Center Grove ?
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