Arriola Told To Negotiate Agencies Extension With County

By Deserae del Campo
Miami commissioners have told City Manager Joe Arriola to ask Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess to reconsider his opposition to extending the Omni and Overtown redevelopment agencies after negotiations soured over funding commitments for Parrot Jungle Island.

"This is the best shot in Miami’s entire history to make a real improvement in that area," said Commissioner Johnny Winton at last week’s meeting, "but the county pulled the plug on the issue because of the Section 108 loan for Parrot Jungle Island."

"It’s unfair for the county to hold our most needy residents hostage," he said. "I think it’s wrong."

Last week’s unanimous resolution asked Mr. Arriola to negotiate with the county to extend the agencies to 2027, extend a reverter clause for a 1,050-unit Crosswinds housing development in Overtown from 2007 to 2017 and increase the Omni redevelopment agency’s tax increment funds that would pour millions into the Miami Performing Arts Center.

This month, Mr. Burgess asked county commissioners to block the redevelopment agency extensions after Mr. Arriola revoked the city’s 2005 agreement to repay 70% of a federal loan for development of Parrot Jungle Island.

County commissioners voted unanimously March 21 to authorize Mr. Burgess to take back former county land that is now the Crosswinds site if development doesn’t start by Aug. 1, 2007.

"The city manager needs to continue negotiations with the county and sit back at the table and find a solution to this problem," Mr. Winton said.

"I cannot predict the future," said Commissioner Joe Sanchez, "but by passing this resolution, this puts the ball in the other court for the county to do what they need to do." Advertisement