The proposed “American Dream Miami” project, or “mega mall” deal that the state Cabinet is prepared to vote on is causing quite a stir throughout the state of Florida, as both proponents and opponents of the project are actively pitching their cases as to why the Cabinet should, or should not authorize the land purchase in Miami-Dade County for this private-public partnership.
As we stated just the other day in a story regarding this proposed deal, this project would create a ton of new jobs and further fuel Florida’s economy, which has been surging ever since Governor Rick Scott took office.But could a project as large as this also create more traffic nightmares to Miami-Dade County’s already burdened roadways?
Like I said before, I am supportive of these types of job and economic development projects, but “I hate being stuck in traffic and having to pay anymore taxes than I have to.”
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In that same story, we also posed a list of serious questions about the possible negative and positive impacts to the already ‘nuts’ Miami-Dade traffic situation, as well what kind environmental and infrastructure impact this project bring to the surrounding neighborhoods, if and when it is approved and eventually completed.
Opponents of the project, who really aren’t against the issue, are simply calling for more review of the plan to build the “mega mall,” as well as asking that more thought be put into addressing any and all possible issues that could negatively impact those communities that would surround the proposed project.
Those pushing the “mega mall” deal are saying that the project is an mega-boon for the state’s economy that would create thousands of construction jobs, as well as thousands of future permanent jobs in the area.We also stated that Governor Scott has put this project on a “fast track” to get the land buy approved, but exactly how quickly would this project be completed, if the land buy is approved?
As we researched the process in which these types of projects have to go through, the approval of the land sale is only the first step in a long and public process of detailed reviews before any approval to build could be granted. First and foremost of those reviews will be the traffic study conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). And, as every developer in Florida will attest, FDOT simply doesn’t approve projects that fail to meet its clearly defined service level standards for traffic on Florida’s roads and highways. Ever.
Similar reviews and analyses are required for environmental and infrastructure impacts associated with all developments — especially large developments such as this one.
Remember, these types of projects have to pass through all kinds of local and state red tape that usually push them back several years, if not longer, before a shovel is ever allowed to break ground.
All this said, the main concern that local officials and citizens ask that developers and elected officials address before moving forward with this project, is the potential traffic nightmare that the “mega mall” could create.Former state Representative and current Miami-Dade Commissioner Estebon “Stevie” Boo echoes those traffic concerns, saying that this is an issue that developers need to address otherwise the deal could be “dead on arrival.”
That’s one of the things we’ve got to hear from the mall developer — how do you plan to get people into your property…Right now, 183rd Street is the only option. And if that’s the only way in on the final plan, this thing is dead on arrival as far as I’m concerned.”-Miami Herald
So just who are these ambitious developers who want to undertake the construction of the “mega mall?”
Triple Five, the developers, have made a name for themselves for building and operating other similar projects in North America. The group is currently building another similar “mega mall” in New York City.
From my understanding, Triple Five plans to invest something like $4 billion in this Miami “mega mall” project. If the project proves to be successful, the mall would draw tens of millions of yearly visitors, in addition to creating all those jobs we previously mentioned.I can remember way back in the 1980’s a similar, yet smaller project being considered for construction. The project was call the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida. While this mall is by no means a “mega mall,” at the time, the Sawgrass Mills Mall was considered to be a potential economic gold mine for Broward County and for the state.
*Note-I am not sure if the Sawgrass was subsidized by the state of Florida, asI can’t find anything on the web that states that taxpayer dollars were use to build the mall. There is a very good chance that tax dollars were used, afterall, this was a huge project.
Developers wound up hitting a homerun, as the Sawgrass Mills Mall became an instant tourists shopping destination, and has been able boast about how it consistently draws huge crowds (second only to Disney World) which translates into increased revenues for businesses, as well as being a big tax base for the local and state governments.
So, is this “American Dream Miami” project a genuine model of economic development project between state and local governments that will in fact result in an economic windfall for the state of Florida?
While most, if not all will say that is. However, the biggest question that still looms over the entire project is, what will Triple Five do to prevent the almost certain traffic disaster that this “mega mall” project would bring to south Florida?