HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 093-2026 Transmittal of SOBESAFE Email Correspondence Regarding Washington Avenue RedevelopmentMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC #093-2026
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
March 10, 2026
Transmittal of SOBESAFE Email Correspondence Regarding
Washington Avenue Redevelopment
Attached please find a memorandum submitted by SOBESAFE regarding Washington
Avenue's redevelopment.
F:\CLER\$ALL\al TC'SIL TC Template For City Clerk\L TC SOBESAFE Washington Avenue Redevelopment.docx
Memorandum to the Mayor and Commissioner
CC:City Manager,ACMs
Re:Washington Avenue Redevelopment
March 10,2026
SOBESAFE strongly supports the effort,as discussed at the Commission meeting of
March 5,to spur development on Washington Avenue of housing for residents and
families,including our local workforce.
That Washington Avenue is a disaster area hardly needs to be emphasized.As
Commissioner Suarez noted,one of our city's primary corridors is now defined by
vacant storefronts,tourist-trap retail,vape shops,tattoo parlors,alcohol package
stores,and visible homelessness.
Were residents to return,the change would be dramatic.Merchants would have a
stable customer base;security would benefit from families walking on the streets and
the focus of the Police to protect them.All of South Beach would benefit.
That developers have not targeted Washington Avenue is the result of various factors,
but a major cause is the range of government-imposed restrictions,including the
height restriction.This initiative seeks to loosen some current requirements in order to
attract developers while protecting primary public interests.Given the stakes,
SOBESAFE believes such tradeoffs are fully justified.
We generally support the proposed policy statement,but there remains much more
work for the Commission to do.
First,to determine if the specifics of the proposal (e.g.the modified restrictions on
height,on residential unit size,and on parking)are likely to attract developer interest
in building middle-market housing for full-time residents,while simultaneously meeting
the public interest.
Second,to follow up the proposal with a concrete implementation plan.
Our recommendation includes vigorous follow up by the Commission.
It is clear that Washington Avenue needs to change,and the City needs to be flexible
in adapting to the needed change.The past is to be honored,except when it doesn't
seem to work.