In election ad, Miami Beach commissioner likens mayor to Putin

Miami Seashore politics are at all times messy, particularly when public land is slated for personal redevelopment.

• Throw in some dangerous blood between the mayor and his chief critic on the fee — together with a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin — and it should imply the Nov. 8 elections are nearly right here.

Driving the information: In her private marketing campaign to defeat two actual property initiatives on the November poll, Miami Seashore Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez in contrast Mayor Dan Gelber to Putin — posting side-by-side pictures of the 2 leaders on Fb over the weekend.

• “What do these two leaders have in widespread? Sham referenda!” she wrote, urging residents to vote towards Referendums 5 and 6. The measures are associated to leasing Lincoln Street parking tons to construct workplace and residential buildings.
• Rosen Gonzalez shortly apologized for evaluating the 2 however not earlier than Gelber shot again, criticizing the commissioner for making “private assaults,” the Miami Herald first reported.

Why it issues: Political drama apart, the elections will decide whether or not voters aspect with the extra pro-development minds within the metropolis or those that wish to protect public land.

State of play: The poll questions suggest 99-year leases for the parking tons at 1664 Meridian Ave., 1688 Lenox Ave. and 1080 Lincoln Lane North to develop a complete of three.3 acres into mixed-use initiatives with workplace, retail and residential parts.

• The town would obtain a mixed $355.8 million in lease funds for all of the initiatives, and the misplaced parking spots would get replaced.

What they’re saying: Gelber and different supporters of the initiatives say they may assist diversify Miami Seashore’s hospitality economic system, entice nationwide corporations seeking to relocate to Florida and assist revitalize Lincoln Street as companies shut there.

• Rosen Gonzalez has criticized the proposals for together with lease funds she feels are beneath market and missing public enter into what will get constructed on public land.

What’s forward: All of it comes all the way down to voters subsequent month. The Metropolis Fee has already authorised the event agreements for each initiatives this summer time, pending the end result of the election. If the referendums are authorised, the initiatives will transfer ahead.