Rumors

Vol.4, No. 13 22 September 2023

SOUTH MIAMI MARKET

I have heard that the demographics of South Miami will not support Fresh Market. It has been suggested that after a few years, Fresh Market will be losing money. If so, they are likely to want to stop doing business altogether, because paying rent is cheaper than running a losing business.

It is hard to believe that a more affordable FULL-service grocery store could not be found for the former Winn-Dixie site. There are some good ones out there - Aldi's, Navarro, Winn-Dixie. Even though Publix and Milam's are a bit more pricy, at least they are full-service, not just fancy delicate essens. I wonder if the developer wanted more rent than an affordable full-service grocery store could afford.

THE SHOPS AT SUNSET PLACE

Rumor has it that a proposal is going to be made to erect a thirty +-story apartment building at the SE corner of Red Road and US 1. This proposal may be due to be considered at the next Commission meeting.

One person wrote: IT WILL OPEN OUR CITY TO HAVE OTHER REQUEST[s] MADE. IF THIS IS APPROVED, THEN IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR OTHER HIGH RISE BUILDING TO BE APPROVED. IT WILL BE LIKE [a] 32 STORY BUILDING IN THE DESERT. THIS BUILDING WOULD [be] 17 STORIES HIGHER THAN ALL THE BUILDINGS AT DADLAND, LOOK AT THE TWO BUILDINGS JUST BELOW SHORTY'S [at] 9600 [and] US 1. [Actually Shorty's is at Dadeland Boulevard - about where 93rd Street would be.] THE 32 STORIES WOULD MORE THAN TWICE AS HIGH AS THOSE BUILDINGS. OUR CITY WOULD BECOME A CITY OF HIGH RISES WITHIN 5 TO 10 YEARS. LIKE THE GABLES AND MIAMI. IT IS FAR FROM BEING COMPATIBLE WITH OUR CURRENT CITY. THIS WILL NO LONGER THE CITY OF PLEASENT LIVING. The same writer said: "the overwhelming number of residents are opposed to anything that high. maybe 8 to 10 stories. that would meet the present situation."

If, indeed, an overwhelming number of residents are opposed to such a building, I wonder if they will make their opposition heard by the Commission. The next Commission meeting is October 3.

TRANSPORTATION IN and AROUND SOUTH MIAMI

I have heard that the Mayor is negotiating with Uber to replace the current FreeBee system with an Uber contract that will charge $2.00 per ride. It may be that the current FreeBee contractor is willing to expand the service (so that residents could get to affordable full-service grocery stores) and use Tesla cars (rather than the open, un-air-conditioned golf carts) for less than the Uber contact. I am not sure why the Mayor thinks that such improvements are not attractive. I have heard that one member of the Commission thinks that Tesla cars are too fancy for South Miami residents.

It is likely that Uber cars, for the most part, will be gasoline-powered. (Think about it: how many Uber drivers can afford to buy a Tesla - or any other electric car - to drive as a taxi service?) So, if the Uber proposal were to be accepted, the air in South Miami would be further polluted, the City will pay more, and the residents who need transportation will be charged.

Keep an eye on the agenda for October 17. That may be when the Mayor shows South Miami how much it will benefit from an Uber contract rather than a FreeBee contract.

Keep safe, stay healthy.