A massive and controversial plan that would bring a high-rise mini-city to the heart of impoverished Little Haiti won final approval from Miami commissioners, but only after a prolonged hearing that began late Thursday night and stretched past midnight as elected officials wrung some last few concessions from the developers and each other.
The 3-0 vote at 1:10 a.m. Friday clears the way for developers of the Magic City Innovation District to begin development of the nearly 18-acre commercial and residential project, which straddles Northeast 62nd Street and would be built in phases over 15 years. Commission Chairman Ken Russell, whose left arm was in a sling, left before the Magic City hearing began, saying he was physically unable to stay. Commissioner Joe Carollo also left before the hearing but did not give a reason.
In their absence, Commissioners Keon Hardemon and Manolo Reyes agreed to split the expected $19 million in impact fees generated by the project between the Little Haiti area and neighborhoods represented by Reyes. That happened after Hardemon, who initially wanted all the impact fees spent in Little Haiti, in an unusual move switched seats to sit next to Reyes and clasp his arm as he pleaded for his support just before the vote was called.
Read more at our news partner the Miami Herald.
