Grovite, Jack King, wrote an interesting column for the Biscayne Times called, "How Did Commissioner Sarnoff Go Wrong?" I think it's an interesting read.
I recently met with one of the big developers in the Coconut Grove who told me that the "mall on the water" will not be as large as projected and if they step out of line with it, he'll step in to stop it. With that, the lawsuits and the anger over the whole project by the majority of Grovites who voted against the project (also a great part of Jack's column), who knows if the damn thing will ever be built.
One thing that Jack says in the column is that Regatta Park was built for his condo buddies. The "condo buddies" told me they know nothing about this. They say they are selling out condos with the Expo Center there or not, it didn't affect sales. So that part confuses me.
Here's Jack's column.
Jack's column is very good but it presents just the tip of the iceberg. Sarnoff has been manipulating the voters- the very people who put him office- with virtually every deal the City is involved. He used the promise of an 8 acre Regatta Park to sell Grove Harbor, knowing full well that the two were totally unrelated. Regatta PArk as Jack notes started at 8 acres and is now down to 4 acres. Many people questioned what was happening with Regatta Park only to be told by Sarnoff and his pet parrot Ron Nelson that they were seeing ghosts..that they were simply the old Grove hippies who complained about everything. This is their refrain..their sound bite when they want to cast dispersions upon those who can see through their duplicity. The litany of Sarnoff offenses is far greater than Jack has presented..What about the Skyrise Project. Giving Berkowitz city land worth perhaps $100,000,000. for no rent for at least four years...and then accepting a rental rate so far below market rates as to be criminal. Lets not forget the Toxic Parks and Old Smokey. Granted Sarnoff didn't create that problem but he hid it from public view for as long as he could. He knew the parks were toxic yet suppressed getting that information out to the community. BUT he made sure the park in front of his own home- Blanche Park- was remediated first...before anyone knew about this problem. Who knows how many lives may have been endangered by his actions?..How about taking a looking at he continual unwarranted up zoning of individual building sites and whole neighborhoods to benefit his financial supporters...Like little Havana and the Upper East Side and now Grove Coconut is again in his sights.. How about Parcel B..the last remaining green-space of what was supposed to be a major downtown park. of course Watson Island, Virginia Key, Supporting the Walmart against the Wynwood Community, Giving away the glass house to the Grove Harbor People, Cutting the trees down on Brickell, The list goes on and on. The man has totally ignored any neighborhood or community desires and has used every means of intimidation and coercion to further his own agenda. Most interestingly he built a personal private "foundation" while giving away city land and projects to his buddies. Projects that had little or no support and more usually great opposition in the neighborhoods they were occurring.Its not a mystery that perhaps 90% or so of Teresa Sarnoff's financial backers are in the real estate, development and construction industries. Sarnoff found a pot of gold sitting under his commission chair. He is not looking to give that up. This man will not leave gracefully he must be soundly humiliated at the ballot box. A vote for Sarnoff ,be it Him or his wife, is a vote for for perpetrating the ignorance and corruption that is now endemic on the Miami City Commission. He must go.He's a blight on the land and future of Miami.
ReplyDeleteIt is completely bizarre that anybody could possibly think that Regatta Park is being built as a favor for a select few people.
ReplyDeleteThe old convention center was an eyesore and it was at the end of it's life expectancy.
The park is a benefit to every person who lives here or visits.
How wrong was Jack's article? Let me count the ways.....
ReplyDeleteHi Ron.
ReplyDeleteWeren't the developers of the new towers for our 'village' supposed to pay for design and construction of the park?
ReplyDelete8:52 For each residence built a fee is collected to build green space and parks in Miami, not to mention moneys collected to clear trees from lots, to replant trees in Miami. During the last building boom a decade ago, it is said 120 acres of parks were to be built in the city for all the units built, since the moneys should have been collected for that purpose from developers and builders, supposedly. What did the commission do with all that park and green space money? Don't ask me, ask the commissioners, they decide what happens with our money.
ReplyDeleteCharles Corda is a tool who got/gets paid by Stephen Kneapler. Btw Charlie, there were appraisals done that established the market rent for SkyRise and the City will get its fair share. Seriously, you just throw stuff out and hope it sticks.
ReplyDeleteMarc Sarnoff has been a huge disappointment to the people who supported him in 2006-2008... His recent actions have caused a new movement called ABT, "anyone but Teresa".
ReplyDelete