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Front Page » Top Stories » Miami Beach Hunts For Convention Center Developer

Miami Beach Hunts For Convention Center Developer

Written by on February 16, 2012
  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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By Scott Blake
The City of Miami Beach wants to get serious about transforming its famed convention center and surroundings to keep up with the competition for large conventions and tradeshows — a key part of the Beach’s economy.

Officials this week requested qualifications for "master developers" to partner with the city to create a "Miami Beach Convention Center District." It would feature a bigger and better convention center, and perhaps a new entertainment venue to replace the famed Jackie Gleason/Fillmore Theater.

Also proposed for the 52 acres are restaurants, a hotel, retail and residential uses, and new parking sites. In addition to the convention center and theater, the redevelopment area includes Miami Beach City Hall and a 1,450-space garage.

"Years from now, we’ll look back and relish in knowing that we had a part in building upon our great city’s successes for future generations," Miami Beach City Manager Jorge Gonzalez said in a statement. "As they say, "Miami Beach is always reinventing itself’ — in a good way."

Recent developments may make the project more feasible.

Now that mega-casino legislation has stalled in Tallahassee, a gaming component for the site — an idea some officials toyed with last year — is not in the plan. Also, planners are now looking at a total project cost of $250 million to $300 million, down from earlier estimates of more than $600 million.

City officials have scheduled a Feb. 27 meeting at the convention center where interested parties can learn more about the plan and make suggestions.

Roughly $50 million in county bond money is available for the project. The rest would come from private investment and possibly other public funds.

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