"This lease should not be executed"

The following was emailed to Commissioners and public officials by Charles Corda, Coconut Grove resident:

A "resolution" Item is coming up on Thursday, July 25, at the City of Miami Commission Meeting.

The City of Miami Commission will be voting on executing a lease for the re-Development of the Coconut Grove Waterfront property that currently is home to the Charthouse, Scotty's Landing and the adjacent Dry Storage Boat facility.

The Approval of this pending lease ( for 50 years +( 2) 15 yr. extensions) is a two step process requiring Voter Approval for final confirmation.

It is my contention that this lease should NOT be "executed" by the Commission. As such I am circulating the attached list of reasons why I believe this property more rightly should be added to our public open space than developed for further commercial and Industrial use.
 It is my understanding that as a "Resolution" item there will not be any public comment heard at the Commission Meeting.

If you believe as I do that these publicly held lands should NOT be developed for the proposed uses Please inform your Commissioner and the Mayor of your concerns.  Contact info is below.

Thank you. 
Charles Corda
Coconut Grove

Charles' "Top 13" reasons why this lease should not be executed: 

1.) The Public Lands in question possess rare and unique scenic characteristics of great value to ALL the residents of the City of Miami.

2.) Given the unique nature and scenic value of this Public Land combined with the pressing need for more open park space within the City of Miami,  Industrial and Commercial use as proposed in the RFP and  the pending development plan, clearly does not constitute it's "Highest and Best" use.

3.) Alternative uses of the land have may not been properly considered in the preparation of the RFP for it's development .

4.) Given the intent to demolish the adjacent Existing Convention Center, this Public land is ideally situated to become a part of  that much need proposed park space.

5.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC., does not conform to the Plan prepared by Sasaki Assoc.

6.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. calls for  the demolition of both the Charthouse and Scotty's Landing.

7.) Demolition of the Charthouse -designed by Architect Alfred Browning Parker- may result in the loss of an architectural work of lasting importance and local historical significance.

8.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, proposes replacement of the single story Charthouse and Scotty's Landing with multiple 4 or 5 story structures that will dramatically alter the scenic qualities of these public lands.

9.) Locating a 5 Story High ,497 Space, Parking Garage along Bayshore Drive is a troubling architectural intrusion that will forever diminish the scenic quality of one of our most beautiful thoroughfares. In addition this garage may result in a considerable increase in the traffic on the already overburdened Bayshore Drive.

10.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. includes expanding the unsightly Industrial use of "Dry Boat Storage" on this site. Expanding the "Dry Boat Storage racks"  is clearly inappropriate given the scenic qualities of this public land and the  potential environmental hazards inherent in such use. 

11.) The Plan proposed for this site by Grove Bay Investments Group, LLC. proposes a 20,000 -40,000 SF "West Marine" or similar commercial use. The need for such a large retail development devoted exclusively to the boating market has not been clearly demonstrated nor has it's feasibility been determined. In point of fact NO need for retail development of these public lands has been clearly or convincingly demonstrated.

12.) This Public land belongs to ALL the residents of The City of Miami. This public land should serve the interests of ALL the residents of The City of Miami and not be exclusively dedicated to the interest of the "boating" public.

13.) The Benefits of expanding the adjacent Public Parks to include this property will yield measurable results in the quality of life for ALL the residents of the City of Miami and may ultimately lead to increased municipal revenues through tax appreciation of the properties fortunate enough to be located adjacent to this expanded Park Space.

Here is the contact info:

Mayor Tomas P. Regalado
E-mail: tregalado@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5300 VOICE
(305) 854-4001 FAX

Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
(Vice Chairman) District 1
E-mail: wgort@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5430  VOICE
(305) 250-5456 FAX

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
(Chairman) District 2
E-mail: msarnoff@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5333  VOICE
(305) 579-3334 FAX

Commissioner Frank Carollo
District 3
E-mail: fcarollooffice@miamigov.com 
(305) 250-5380 VOICE
(305) 250-5386 FAX
Office of Commissioner Frank Carollo 

Commissioner Francis Suarez 
District 4
E-mail: fsuarez@miamigov.com 
(305) 250-5420 VOICE
(305) 856-5230 FAX

Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones
District 5
E-mail: MSpence-Jones@miamigov.com 
(305) 250-5390 VOICE
(305) 250-5399 FAX