FYI Miami: May 26, 2016

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SOUTH DADE CULTURAL HUB: County commissioners last week directed administrators to solicit ideas for development of a South Dade Cultural Arts Village. The resolution by Dennis Moss, co-sponsored by Daniella Levine Cava, formally announces Miami-Dade’s desire to develop 8.76 acres in the South Dade Government Center. The site is near Southland Mall, the South Dade Government Center and the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, Mr. Moss said. “We want to stimulate the development of restaurants, offices, workforce housing and artist lofts to increase visitation to the South Miami-Dade County area and the town of Cutler Bay.” Commissioners said they anticipate the development will create businesses and a multi-attraction entertainment area that will in turn expand the visitor market and improve existing area venues.

HOLD THAT BEETLE: Community leaders are looking out for the Miami Tiger Beetle and calling for restoration of its habitat. Miami commissioners on May 12 voted to support the designation of the Miami Tiger Beetle as a threatened species and urge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to make the same designation. The legislation supports the preservation and restoration of Richmond Pine Rocklands. The area, bounded by Southwest 152nd and 184th streets and 117th and 137th avenues, is one of Miami-Dade County’s last remaining tracts of Pine Rockland, known as the Richmond Tract. The area’s habitats support rare plants, animals and insects including the Tiger Beetle. Development has diminished these habitats greatly in the county, according to the resolution.

A REPLAT FOR RESIDENTIAL: Miami city commissioners on May 12 accepted the final plat of Courtside Apartments, at the southeast corner of Northwest 17th Street and Northwest Fourth Avenue. The intent is to create one tract of land to construct residential units. The apartments will be near the Culmer Community Action Center. The plat was filed by Miami-Dade County; Mourning Family Foundation Inc., executed by Allen S. Furst; and AMC HTG 1 Ltd., executed by Mathew Reiger. The platted area is 72,497 square feet, or 1.664-acres.

FUELING CONSUMER PRICE HIKE: Consumer prices in Miami-Dade and Broward counties rose 0.7% in March and April and 1.4% in the 12 months ended April 30, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The jump in the two-month period was spurred by a 14% increase in combined gasoline and diesel fuel prices for the period, during which the cost of food dipped 0.4%.