FYI Miami: July 27, 2023

Bellow are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.

PANTHER BUS TERMINAL: Construction of a new $11.5 million bus terminal on Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus is now in its design phase, with the Florida Department of Transportation reviewing the required roadway improvements along Southwest Eighth Street, Maria Perdomo of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works told the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust. At the same time, she said, the department is working with FIU “to finalize the license agreement” for the terminal. The terminal is to have five bus bays for county buses and three bays for FIU and municipal buses. The federal government is to pay $4.7 million of the project with the county’s half-percent transportation sales tax that the trust oversees paying the remaining $6.8 million.

PERMITTING SPEED-UP: Miami-Dade plans to expedite construction and development permitting via a new centralized web portal and single physical location to resolve permit issues and a central web portal to collect information about multi-department permit reviews and approval status, as well as access to staff to review permit comments and make appointments. Legislation to do so by Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera won unanimous approval with an addition by Commissioner Eileen Higgins that the effort would also focus on how to accelerate workforce and affordable housing permits. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has 90 days to report on action.

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE COST: A new report from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation shows Miami-Dade County homeowners average the third-highest cost for their property-insurance premiums as of March 31. Counties with the highest average premiums are Monroe County at $7,584, Palm Beach County at $5,710, Miami-Dade County at $5,665, Broward County at $5,519, Martin County at $5,157 and Collier County at $4,610.

GAS PRICES STABLE: Average gasoline prices in Miami rose 4.9 cents per gallon in the past week to $3.45, according to GasBuddy’s survey. That’s 9.2 cents higher than a month ago but still 74.7 cents lower than a year ago. The national average price rose 2.1 cents per gallon in the week to $3.55, down 0.4 cents per gallon from a month ago and 78 cents lower than a year ago. “It’s been a remarkably quiet summer for gas prices, which have been far less active than normal,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.