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City may build Miami Worldcenter parking

Ongoing talks could lead to a significant public-private partnership between the developers of Miami Worldcenter and the Miami Parking Authority.

If successful, it could mean thousands of new public parking spaces downtown.

Miami Worldcenter would replace more than 10 blocks of mostly vacant urban land with a mixed-use quilt of hotels, restaurants, stores, entertainment venues and more.

Until recently the developers had been dealing solely with officials from the city and Miami-Dade County on a multitude of issues, including zoning and land use.

When talk turned to parking needs, though, the parking authority was brought to the table.

The possibility of an agreement with the authority was mentioned Aug. 6 by its CEO Art Noriega, who told the Off-Street Parking Board he had “exciting news.”

Mr. Noriega said he’s been meeting with Nitin Motwani of Worldcenter, county finance officials including Deputy Mayor Edward Marquez, Miami Deputy City Manager Alice Bravo and others, and discussing what role the parking authority might play in the development.

Mr. Marquez, who also serves as county finance director, confirmed the talks but stressed they are in the early stages, and said he could not discuss any possible funding scenarios.

“We’re talking, yes,” said Mr. Marquez. “Worldcenter asked for participation from the city, county and the [Community Redevelopment Agency]…. Numbers were presented to us and we’re taking a look.… As to what the government participation could be and should be, it’s very preliminary.”

[...]

“We’re talking about 3,000 public spaces to the project, for the surrounding public and for visitors to the mall,” Mr. Schwartz told Miami Today.

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Written by John Charles Robbins
August 13, 2014
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2014/0...enter-parking/