Transit Miami

10 Responses to “Sarnoff Pledges to Clean Up Downtown”

1. 1 Anonymous
   Jun 18th, 2007 at 5:12 am

   Well considering his previous expressed attitude towards Umoja village and the poor I think that we all know what he really means. Another divider rather than a coalition builder.

2. 2 C.L. Jahn
   Jun 18th, 2007 at 8:27 am

   But he’s absolutely right; until Miami punished the offenders, nothing will be fixed. We don’t NEED another pointless coalition that doesn’t accomplish anything; we NEED the city to follow its own LAWS.
   The only division I see him doing is separating those who care about solving the problems from those who only want to make a buck at the expense of the citizens.

3. 3 Anonymous
   Jun 18th, 2007 at 9:02 am

   So lets see what he’s gonna do. Better hurry though it ain’t getting any less cruddy.

4. 4 Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal
   Jun 18th, 2007 at 9:12 am

   I’m kind of worried about the course of action Sarnoff and the DDA will take. Hopefully, someone has the sense to see that the last thing the downtown needs is more parking. We need someone to make the local building owners accountable for the buildings appearances, improve our public works cleaning sector, improve pedestrian activity, add street accessible retail, etc.

   Only time will tell…

5. 5 C.L. Jahn
   Jun 18th, 2007 at 9:24 am

   It’s heartening that Sarnoff DID specify sidewalks, wheelchair navigation, citing absentee landlords, and cleaning up those buildings owned by the City. I find it encouraging that he did what someone investigating this issue should do: he took the train and walked the streets.
   The problems with downtown are all solve-able, all it takes is the will to fix it.

6. 6 A#2
   Jun 18th, 2007 at 11:24 am

   On the subject of downtown, whose genius idea was it to make Flagler two-way instead of one way and what was the reasoning behind it? The only consequences I can see is increased congestion and decreased pedestrian friendliness.

   A#2

7. 7 Anonymous
   Jun 18th, 2007 at 3:09 pm

   Pay attention to the battle for DDA chairmanship that is about to begin between Sarnoff and Sanchez.

8. 8 Brent Cutler
   Jun 20th, 2007 at 12:30 pm

   Wednesday, June 20, 2007

   Commissioners Sarnoff and Sanchez:

   Please read Ms. Lackner’s following article reference downtown, and specifically the future of Macy’s and then comment.

   You both have shown your ‘zeal’ at recent city commission meetings that you respectfully, are the individual to ‘fix’ these issues. My request for your comments are being sent to all concerned individuals as will your comments.

   Both of you please comment publicly so as not to make your recent speeches at City Commission nothing more than hyperbole.

   Respectfully,

   Brent Cutler
   305-754-4113

   ——————————————————————————–

   Macy’s might get incentives to stay downtown
   By Catherine Lackner

   In their quest to keep Macy’s in downtown Miami, officials of the City of Miami and the Downtown Development Authority might offer incentives to help the retailer “redo its corporate offices,” said land-use attorney Neisen Kasdin, a member of the authority. Though Macy’s officials have not announced plans to leave downtown, they have made it clear that they have concerns about street conditions and crime. “Mayor [Manny] Diaz and I have met with Macy’s on a number of occasions,” Mr. Kasdin said at last week’s authority meeting. “Short-term, they’re concerned about having police presence and [street] cleanliness. Long-term, they would like an incentive package so they can redo their corporate offices,” part of the company’s 840,000-square-foot complex at 22 E. Flagler St.

   The store opened as Burdines’ in 1912. After the meeting, Mr. Kasdin said an incentive amount hasn’t been discussed and the negotiations are preliminary. Mr. Kasdin is chairman of the authority’s Economic Development Program Committee, which deals with retail issues. In return for incentives, the city has some requirements for Macy’s to fulfill, Mr. Kasdin said. “The mayor has insisted the store has to be redone so that it is appealing and more open to the street,” he said. “They definitely need to take a look at their store,” said Jose Goyanes, a downtown businessman who sits on the authority board. “I own the building across the street. [Macy's officials are] 100% correct that there are some problems downtown, but they need to take care of their store better. They are also at fault.” Plate-glass windows facing the street have been bricked over, resulting in blank walls at ground level. “They need to open up those windows,” Mr. Goyanes said. Mr. Kasdin said glass should be put back into the windows. “It’s a security issue as well,” he said. “The way it is now, there are fewer eyes on the street. “Macy’s has said their decision to upgrade will be based on their analysis of market conditions,” Mr. Kasdin said.

   Macy’s is conducting demographic and market studies with information provided by the authority as well as from its own research, Mr. Kasdin said. “We told them there is a potentially huge market downtown,” he said. “There are residents downtown now, and the office market is as tight as it’s ever been.” “It’s going to take a lot to talk them into staying,” said Scott Robins, a board member and downtown property owner. Melissa Goff, Macy’s vice president of public relations, said the ball is in the city’s court.
   “There is critical development work to be done in the city,” she said. “We’ve expressed our concerns and are pleased that they struck a responsive chord with so many in the business community. “Now we need the leadership of our elected officials, our capable DDA executive director and the chamber to develop a plan and then to make it happen.”
   ——————————————————————————–

9. 9 DDA must go
   Jun 24th, 2007 at 1:21 pm

   Downtown is disgusting. It is a mess. The Downtown Development Authority seems like a useless organization that only exists to take money from the taxpayers. Joe Sanchez is the Chairman of the DDA. Johnny Winton is the former Chairman. Have they accomplished anything?

   The DDA pays its 20 employess $2 Mil. That is $100,000 per employee. Think anyone downtown is benefitting? Where is the money going?

   Time for getting rid of the DDA?

10. 10 Eliminate DDA
    Jun 25th, 2007 at 8:17 pm

    I agree. How much rent does the DDA pay? Isn’t the budget bloated?

Leave a Reply