156-1998 LTC
,-~ITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.f1.us
L.T.C. No. 156:98
LETTER TO COMMISSION
November 10, 1998
TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City C mmission
FROM: Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
SUBJECT: OPENING OF FINESTRA MOVIEPLEX ON LINCOLN ROAD
Members of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce met recently with George Panarites and
administrative staff to initiate a discussion regarding the community impacts anticipated when the
FinestralRegal Movieplex opens at the end of March 1999, at Lenox Avenue and Lincoln Road.
FACTS
Regal Cinemas anticipates an average of 3,500 patrons per week-day and 7,500 on
weekends.
- The adjacent six level parking garage will add 300 parking spaces to those currently
available and has been designed to allow 14 cars to stack at its entrance.
- Security will be provided throughout the garage and within the Movieplex block.
- Regal will have 3,000 seats in 18 screens on two upper levels of development.
- The ground floor will have a restaurant and retail stores.
- Peak arrival time is expected between 7PM - 8PM, with the greatest impact to Lincoln Road
from 8PM - lAM. (Last movie ends by 1 :30 AM.)
- Ticket price is $8.50.
CONCERNS
_ Security: At present, Lincoln Road has Armor Security with one guard per shift and an
overlap of two guards from 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM.
- Police: Teen gang activity, drugs in parking area, purse snatching/slashing, shop-lifting, etc,
are all current issues since the advent of the AMC's 24 screen theater opening in Aventura.
Miami Beach can anticipate similar problems.
_ Sanitation: The City currently provides sidewalk cleaning and trash disposal seven days
per week as follow:
Two pickups per day (container emptying): one in the morning and one in the late
afternoon.
The sidewalk/street cleaning is 7 days per week on the following schedule:
Saturday--Thursday: 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM - 10:00 pm
This schedule may be changed (increased) once new staffing has been achieved (additional
staffing for night shift may be spread across Washington Ave., Ocean Dr. Collins Ave, and
Lincoln Road)
An additional average of 3,000 - 7,500 people cannot be met with current staffing.
- Parking: A new parking garage at Lenox and 17th Street has been approved (approximately
300 - 400 spaces), but construction will not begin until the public/private parking projects
have been negotiated and approved.
ACTION STEPS
- Security:
For the past several months, the Miami Beach Police Department and the Administration
have been evaluating the creation of a Security/Ambassadorial Guard Program to be piloted
on Lincoln Road and then expanded into other tourism areas including Lummus Park and
the Boardwalk (these programs are successfully operating in Manhattan, Philadelphia, and
other areas of the Country). The Police Department is supportive of this approach and would
like the guards to be trained and the program administered through the Miami Beach Police
Department. These guards would be able to write misdemeanor citations and would each
have direct radio contact with the police.
The City recently received a proposal from Wackenhut Corp. They currently provide
"ambassador style scurity" services to the business improvement district in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin and in Jackson, Mississippi. In Miami, they provide service at the
Metrorail Stations. Wackenhut believes it is developing a unique service in response to the
growing needs of communities for "more than a guard, less than a policeman" style security.
The Administration is examining its proposal in an effort to tailor the program to best meet
local needs. Presuming that funding is identified, (current Armor Security budget
(Attachment #1) plus other sources) guard service could be available January 1999, in time
for Super Bowl Weekend, etc. By using the County contract, the City may not need to bid
the process.
The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is planning a meeting with Lincoln area property
owners to address the urgency of providing adequate security. The issue of an assessment
for this purpose will be explored.
- Sanitation and parking issues will need further analysis and resource development.
Clearly, the success of Lincoln Road must be protected. The Administration will keep you advised
as action steps are developed.
SR:RS:pw
Attachments
f: \cmgr\$all\ronnie\lincoln \movieplx.ltc
ARMOR SECURITY
Current Security Officer Expenditures:
Boardwalk
Lummus/Ocean
Lincoln Rd.
168 x 8.09 =
324 x 8.09 =
224 x 9.39 =
Attachment
Week Annual
$1359.12
2621.16
2103.36
$6083.64
$ 70,674.24
136,300.32
109.374.72
$316,349.28