As luxury towers rise across Miami, developers are paying millions of dollars into a little-known city fund that trades bonus height and density for cash — fueling parks projects, affordable housing deals and growing concerns about overdevelopment.
David Villano
City Staff Recommend Scaling Back Grove Carve-Out in Density Transfer Debate
A last-minute recommendation from the City Attorney’s Office would preserve some development rights in Coconut Grove and other protected neighborhoods under Miami’s controversial affordable housing density transfer expansion.
Despite Grove Carve-Out, Density Transfer Program Set to Expand
A revised version of the controversial affordable housing density transfer program would exclude Coconut Grove from some aspects, but other late-stage changes — including a doubling of allowable bonus density — have dramatically expanded the scope of the proposal set for a final vote Thursday.
Miami Quietly Approves $1 Million Stadium Spending Amid $47 Million Budget Expansion
A last-minute substitution memo revealed previously undisclosed spending tied to LoanDepot Park, along with dozens of new city positions and expanded budget powers for City Manager James Reyes — all approved without discussion by the City Commission.
New Lawsuit Targets Grove Bonus-Height Developments
The legal challenge — like a similar lawsuit focused on The WELL — centers on whether Miami officials unlawfully allowed developers to lock in three extra stories under a repealed zoning provision, as well as a separate claim that one of the projects is barred from any bonus-height allowance because of existing restrictions under the city’s Miami 21 zoning code.
The WELL, Mr. C and a Density Shell Game
With little notice, Miami officials reassigned unused density credits from Mr. C Residences to The WELL Coconut Grove, allowing the proposed luxury condo project to increase its unit count by 50% — a first-of-its-kind maneuver with no clear basis in city code.
Amid Record Spending, City Asks for $46 Million More
Just months after Mayor Eileen Higgins pledged to rein in runaway spending, city officials are pushing to increase the current-year budget by about 2.5% while leaving unclear why much of the money is needed and where it will ultimately go.
Miami Eyes New Firefighter Pension Expansion Without Public Cost Estimate
As Miami’s pension obligations continue to swell, a city proposal would expand firefighter retirement benefits and extend participation in the lucrative DROP program, ending pension reforms imposed during the city’s fiscal crisis — but without publicly disclosing how much the changes may ultimately cost taxpayers.
Inside City Hall: The Soaring Price Tag for Miami’s Police
As Miami debates a proposed $450 million public-safety bond, the ever-escalating cost of policing — driven by rising salaries, pensions and overtime — has climbed to levels few major U.S. cities can match, even as crime reaches record lows.
Inside City Hall: Higgins Spends Big on Revamped Office Staff
After moving out nearly all of former Mayor Francis Suarez’s office staff, Miami’s new mayor has assembled a more top-heavy team of higher-paid senior advisers with total salaries (excluding her own) exceeding $2 million.
Sponsors + Advertisement
Recent News
Zombie Boards: The Life — and Death — of Miami’s Citizen Oversight
With three new citizen advisory groups created this
Benefits Boom: How Miami Quietly Turned Bonus Height Into Big Money
As luxury towers rise across Miami, developers are
The Lingering Shadow of Old Smokey in Coconut Grove
The trash incinerator’s smokestack was demolished in
City Staff Recommend Scaling Back Grove Carve-Out in Density Transfer Debate
A last-minute recommendation from the City
Despite Grove Carve-Out, Density Transfer Program Set to Expand
A revised version of the controversial affordable
At 97, Dorothy Wallace Takes a Tour of her Legacy Project
Wallace and her family are working to restore The Ace,
Latest Report on Biscayne Bay Health Shows Little Progress
The waters surrounding Coconut Grove have improved
Stronger Miami Petition Drive Falls Short Ahead of Election
Organizers collected more than 20,500 signed
Miami Quietly Approves $1 Million Stadium Spending Amid $47 Million Budget Expansion
A last-minute substitution memo revealed previously