FYI Miami: March 14, 2024

Below 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.

TRI-RAIL USERS GROW: Since Tri-Rail made its long-awaited entry into downtown Miami on Jan. 13, passenger counts downtown have risen from 100 daily to reach 300, the service reported Tuesday. Tri-Rail’s overall weekday ridership averaged 15,000 daily in February, rising to match the total in February 2020 just before covid hit. The service said it also averaged its highest weekend ridership, nearing 8,000 each Saturday and Sunday combined. For the Ultra Music Festival March 22, 23 and 24 Tri-Rail plans special train service from downtown Miami at the end of each concert.

CITY-COUNTY ZONING CLASH: City of Miami and Miami-Dade County commissioners met jointly last week at the Transportation Planning Organization to discuss expansion of the rapid transit zone that is at the core of a dispute between the two govsernments. The debate revolves around who has the legal authority to set zoning rules and what buildings get developed along bus routes and the Metrorail. County Commissioner Raquel Regalado said that although some of the properties are within city limits, the county controls zoning, while the city argued the county is trying to take away its zoning power. The two didn’t reach a compromise but agreed to keep talking to find a resolution that could prevent a lawsuit.

PRESIDENTE TO SOUTHLAND: Miami-based Presidente Supermarkets, a Miami-based company for more than 30 years, has leased 25,000 square feet for 15 years as anchor of the first residential tower as Southland Mall in Cutler Bay becomes Southplace City Center. “Retailers are looking for ‘live-work-shop-play’ communities, and that is exactly what Southplace City Center will become,” said Paul Motta, chief operating officer of Urban Retail Properties, in a written statement. At buildout, the property is expected to offer about 4,500 new residential units plus new retail, restaurants and other offerings. The property, which began life as Cutler Ridge Mall, is owned by Electra America and BH Group.

PATRIOTIC VISITS: Representatives of certain “patriotic organizations” would be allowed to visit schools and speak with students, under a bill ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis for action. The measure would allow eight groups into schools “during school hours and instructional time” to speak with students and distribute materials “in a classroom setting to students to encourage participation” in the groups. The groups would be Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Civil Air Patrol, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Marine Corps League and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.