HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 530-2025 LTC from the South of Fifth Neighborhood Association (SOFNA) - Relating to Item R9 Al on the December 17, 2025, Commission MeetingMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC #530-2025
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission Eric Carpenter, City Manager
Ricardo J. Dopico, City Attorney
Joseph M. Centorino, Inspector General
FROM: Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk 70
DATE: December 16, 2027
SUBJECT: L TC from the South of Fifth Neighborhood Association (SOFNA) -Relating to
Item R9 Al on the December 17, 2025, Commission Meeting.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the South of Fifth Neighborhood Association (SOFNA), please
find a Letter to Commission (L TC) relating to:
R9 Al Discuss/Action, Selection of Location for Fire Station No. 1. (Bhatt/Magazine/Suarez) CIP
TO:
Mayor Steven Meiner
Vice-Mayor Monica Matteo-Salinas
Commissioner Tanya K.Bhatt
Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Commissioner Joseph Magazine
Commissioner David Suarez
CC:
Rafael E.Granado,City Clerk
Eric Carpenter,City Manager
FROM:
South of Fifth Neighborhood Association (SOFNA)
MEETING:
City of Miami Beach Commission Meeting -December 17,2025
AGENDA ITEM:
R9 (AI)-Discussion Item regarding Fire Station No.1 /Site Selection
COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE -SUBMITTED FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD
On behalf of the South of Fifth Neighborhood Association (SOFNA),this correspondence is
submitted for the public record in connection with Agenda Item R9 (Al)regarding the siting
ofFire Station No.1.
SOFNA strongly opposes the placement of Fire Station No.1 at either proposed location:
811-881 Commerce Street or the City-owned site located at 1 Ocean Drive.
Both locations are unsuitable due to their proximity to high-density residential uses and the
unavoidable impacts ofa 24-hour emergency facility,including sirens,operational noise,
traffic congestion,and emergency vehicle circulation in our streets where tourists flock in
large numbers to our beach.These impacts would materially and negatively affect
neighborhood safety,livability,and quality of life.
SOFNA respectfully urges the Mayor and City Commission to proceed instead with the
previously identified 6th Street location,the South Shore Community Center,located at 833
Sixth Street.This site has already been vetted,is available,meets operational requirements,
and avoids an unnecessary additional land acquisition cost of approximately $26 million to
the City of Miami Beach.
South Beach residents deserve a new fire station.It is time to realize that the only viable site
was selected by city staff and previous commissioners over 6 years ago.We appreciate the
efforts made to see if an alternative location was viable;It is not.
Respectfully submitted,
SOUTH OF FIFTH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (SOFNA)
Keith Marks
SOFNA President
December 14,2025