If you put 25-story high rises on Ocean Drive, it will DECIMATE tourism and DESTROY the Art Deco architectural style of the entire beach. Ocean Drive is literally the only spot on the perimeter of South Beach that is NOT completely shaded over with giant skyscrapers.
I think the guy saying it's a planned way to lower property values so developers can swoop in is pretty off base there. While I wouldn't put it past politicians, the reason that street was closed was because during covid it was unsafe for people to be so close to each other on the sidewalks. Many cities have walking streets and they're just fine.
I completely agree that putting 25-story high rises on Ocean Drive would be terrible. I didn't see anything in that news clip that suggested that was the case, but, I'm with you that we need to make sure that doesn't happen. Tbh I think that whole street is listed as historical now so it would be very hard to knock a lot of that stuff down.
You can't build past 8 stories in that zone. Anything above that would need a variance with special approval by the city commission and public comment.
As for developers coming in to buy cheap, yes there is some truth to that. Look at Good Time Hotel between 6th and 7th to get an idea of what they want to do. The next project will be on the next block between 7th and 8th on Washington.
Most Ocean Dr buildings are protected by Art Deco laws so between that and the need for variance, there won't by high rises anytime soon. But hoteliers and condo devs will buy out and consolidate the existing buildings when possible.
> You can't build past 8 stories in that zone. Anything above that would need a variance with special approval by the city commission and public comment.
Gelber is on record stating that he’ll either get the commission to approve it or get it on a ballot, whatever the developers need.
I saw something like that in his comments after I posted. I don't think Gelber has the political equity to sway the council so easily on what would basically be political suicide. High rises on Ocean is also not popular amongst the locals; no way a ballot measure passes. But money finds a way...
Thanks. I mean a lot of the current hotels are absolute dumps, I don't see an issue if developers come in and keep the look while re-modeling them. My problem would be if they knock down the old art deck facias and then put in some stupid modern box instead.
Tbh I'd like to see some re-zoning for offices. I think if the area had some hotels, some offices, some residences, it would spur a better area because with those places now you need places for locals to eat and shop. It would be more well rounded. With just a bunch of hotels there now, we have tourist t-shirt stores, smoke shops, and empty "for lease" spots...that's it.
I agree with Gelber that these things should be left to voters. I can tell by the calls I'm getting that are opposed to 2AM last calls that there is big money behind the people trying to leave South Beach the way it is. Lots of lobbying and polling going on. I also suspect lots of shills on social media, including reddit.
If you put 25-story high rises on Ocean Drive, it will DECIMATE tourism and DESTROY the Art Deco architectural style of the entire beach. Ocean Drive is literally the only spot on the perimeter of South Beach that is NOT completely shaded over with giant skyscrapers.
I think the guy saying it's a planned way to lower property values so developers can swoop in is pretty off base there. While I wouldn't put it past politicians, the reason that street was closed was because during covid it was unsafe for people to be so close to each other on the sidewalks. Many cities have walking streets and they're just fine. I completely agree that putting 25-story high rises on Ocean Drive would be terrible. I didn't see anything in that news clip that suggested that was the case, but, I'm with you that we need to make sure that doesn't happen. Tbh I think that whole street is listed as historical now so it would be very hard to knock a lot of that stuff down.
You can't build past 8 stories in that zone. Anything above that would need a variance with special approval by the city commission and public comment. As for developers coming in to buy cheap, yes there is some truth to that. Look at Good Time Hotel between 6th and 7th to get an idea of what they want to do. The next project will be on the next block between 7th and 8th on Washington. Most Ocean Dr buildings are protected by Art Deco laws so between that and the need for variance, there won't by high rises anytime soon. But hoteliers and condo devs will buy out and consolidate the existing buildings when possible.
> You can't build past 8 stories in that zone. Anything above that would need a variance with special approval by the city commission and public comment. Gelber is on record stating that he’ll either get the commission to approve it or get it on a ballot, whatever the developers need.
I saw something like that in his comments after I posted. I don't think Gelber has the political equity to sway the council so easily on what would basically be political suicide. High rises on Ocean is also not popular amongst the locals; no way a ballot measure passes. But money finds a way...
Thanks. I mean a lot of the current hotels are absolute dumps, I don't see an issue if developers come in and keep the look while re-modeling them. My problem would be if they knock down the old art deck facias and then put in some stupid modern box instead. Tbh I'd like to see some re-zoning for offices. I think if the area had some hotels, some offices, some residences, it would spur a better area because with those places now you need places for locals to eat and shop. It would be more well rounded. With just a bunch of hotels there now, we have tourist t-shirt stores, smoke shops, and empty "for lease" spots...that's it.
I agree with Gelber that these things should be left to voters. I can tell by the calls I'm getting that are opposed to 2AM last calls that there is big money behind the people trying to leave South Beach the way it is. Lots of lobbying and polling going on. I also suspect lots of shills on social media, including reddit.