20160829 Convention Center SurveySouthwest corner of the renovated Miami Beach Convention Center.
Source: Fentress Architects/Arquitectonica/West 8
MIAMI BEACH
CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL
Maria Ilcheva, Ph.D.
Dario Moreno, Ph.D.
VOTER SURVEY
RESULTS
SUMMARY
Miami Beach residents are deeply divided about building a Convention
Center hotel
Today 46% of the voters support the original project while 46% oppose it
Opposition to the project has grown
Only 30% of those surveyed voted against the hotel in March but 46% are opposed to a
similar proposal
17% of those who supported the hotel in March would now oppose it.
46% of those who did not vote would support the hotel if it was the same as proposed
before, and 18% are unsure.
The proposed hotel’s impact on traffic is clearly the most important concern
for Miami Beach residents.
SUMMARY continued…
Residents’ concerns could be alleviated by a properly designed project that
mitigates the hotel’s impact on traffic and parking.
Part of a citywide comprehensive plan process after the signing of lease
Public participation in the planning process
Process includes experts (architects, planners, traffic and parking engineers)
Comprehensive Plan has more support than downsizing the hotel or
changing location
METHODOLOGY
Survey of 600 registered voters conducted August 2-14, 2016
Race and Ethnicity
• 48% White • 44% Hispanic • 2% Black • 6% Other
Gender
• 47% Male • 53% Female
Language
• 74% English • 26% Spanish
Party Affiliation
• 45% DEM • 31% REP • 22% NPA • 2% Ind
Area
• 25% North Beach • 34% Mid Beach • 41% South Beach
SUPPORT FOR REFERENDUM
Approximately 46% of the voters still support the original referendum that
failed to get the necessary super majority (60%), while another 46% would
oppose it.
The original referendum failed in March 2015 as it received only 54% of the
vote with 46% opposed.
Men are more likely
to support (53%)
than women (41%).
Older residents (65+) are
more likely to support
(52%) than younger (42%).
Hispanic residents are
more likely to support
(59%) than White, non-
Hispanic (35%).
36% of Hispanics
but only 7% of
White, non-
Hispanics
16% of Hispanics
but 26% of White,
non-Hispanics
It will improve the
area, 11.2%
It will provide
additional revenues
to the city, 17.2%
Other , 17.3%
It will create new
jobs, 20.7%
It will help bring
quality
conventions, 21.3%
I would not vote in
favor of the hotel,
31.5%
PRIMARY REASON TO SUPPORT
BENEFITS
OVERALL ISSUES
7.2%
7.7%
12.7%
16.6%
17.1%
30.4%
48.6%
The location of the hotel
The design of the development
The parking shortage it may produce
The height of the proposed
development
Citywide traffic
Other
The traffic congestion it will create
What was your primary concern when you voted
against the hotel development?
While voters are
apprehensive over the
size, height and location
of the project, it is the
hotel’s impact on traffic
that concern most
voters.
ISSUE: TRAFFIC
Two-thirds of the respondents cited Traffic as their principle concern with
the new convention hotel.
Residents are mostly concerned with the project’s impact on traffic in the
area immediately around the proposed site (48.6%) but there was
considerable concern on its impact on citywide traffic patterns (17.1%).
Almost two-thirds of the respondents (64%) would be more likely to support
the hotel development if it includes a comprehensive plan to mitigate traffic
in the area of the hotel.
ISSUE: DESIGN
Residents also have concerns regarding
the design of the building.
Almost half support reducing the
building footprint
49.5% more likely to support if height is reduced
38% more likely to support if rooms are reduced
Reducing the height or number of rooms would
not make a difference for large percentages.
Recruiting a world-class architect to
design the hotel would make 49% more
likely to support.
38.0%
49.0%
49.5%
21.8%
20.3%
20.5%
40.2%
29.0%
30.0%
the hotel size was reduced
from 800 rooms to
approximately 600 rooms
a world-class architect was
recruited to design the hotel
the hotel height was reduced
from 288 feet to a maximum
of 185 feet
HOTEL DESIGN
More Likely Less Likely No difference
ISSUE: LOCATION
Location in parking lot across from Convention Center is a non-
starter as it will significantly increase opposition to the hotel
project
The Gleason theater option has some support (44%) but by itself
not enough to assure passage of hotel project.
49.0%
49.5%
50.8%
64.0%
20.3%
20.5%
25.0%
16.8%
29.0%
30.0%
20.7%
15.0%
a world-class architect was recruited to design the
hotel
the hotel height was reduced from 288 feet to a
maximum of 185 feet, which is approximately the
height of the Clock Tower building at Lincoln Road…
the hotel design was the product of a public process
after the lease is approved
the hotel development includes a comprehensive plan
to mitigate traffic in the area of the hotel
WOULD YOU BE MORE OR LESS LIKELY TO SUPPORT THE HOTEL IF …
More Likely Less Likely No difference
SUPPORT FOR HOTEL CHANGES
SUPPORT FOR HOTEL CHANGES continued…
CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORT
1 2 3 4 5
I voted
and
supported
Hotel development
includes a
comprehensive plan to
mitigate traffic in the
area of the hotel (76.9%)
World-class
architect
(63.4%)
Public process
(60.8%)
Reduced
hotel height
(59.3%)
Hotel developer
rebuild and
incorporate a new
Fillmore Miami Beach
at Jackie Gleason
Theater (53.7%)
I voted
and did
not
support
Hotel development
includes a
comprehensive plan to
mitigate traffic (40.9%)
Reduced
hotel
height
(34.3%)
Public process
(32.6%)
Reduced
number of
rooms(27.6
%)
World-class architect
(25.4%)
I did not
vote
Hotel development
includes a
comprehensive plan to
mitigate traffic (68.9%)
Public
process
(55.0%)
Hotel developer
rebuild and
incorporate a new
Fillmore Miami Beach
at Jackie Gleason
Theater (52.3%)
World class
architect
(51.7%)
Reduced hotel height
(50.3%)
AREA DIFFERENCES: SOUTH, MID AND NORTH BEACH
South Beach residents are more likely to support the hotel (50.8%) than Mid
Beach (42.4%) or North Beach (44.2%).
Traffic was the primary concern for those who rejected the hotel.
Opposition to the hotel remained strong even after suggested concessions.
36% would not vote in favor in North Beach, 33% in Mid Beach and 30% in SoBe
North and South Beach residents mentioned job creation and attracting quality
conventions as their reasons to support the hotel.
Mid Beach residents most frequently mentioned the attraction of quality conventions
and the additional revenues to the city.
The traffic mitigation plan, the initiation of a public process, and the
reduction of the hotel height were most impactful in building support.
AREA DIFFERENCES: SOUTH, MID AND NORTH BEACH
27.5%
21.7%
27.5%
41.5%
35.8%
49.1%
40.0% 42.0%
50.0%
the hotel height was reduced from
288 feet to a maximum of 185 feet,
which is approximately the height of
the Clock Tower building at Lincoln
Road and Washington Avenue
the hotel design was the product of a
public process after the lease is
approved
the hotel development includes a
comprehensive plan to mitigate
traffic in the area of the hotel
Effect of Proposed Changes on Opposition
North Mid South
COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Inclusive process to deal with design, location and traffic 1
Experts, politicians, and citizens 2
Traffic mitigation plan instead of another traffic study 3
Unique and iconic design maybe incorporating the Jackie Gleason 4
Economic Impact Study 5