Miami Beach Commissioners Unanimously Approve North Beach CRA

(Miami Beach, FL) Feb 10, 2021 -

The Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the creation of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (NBCRA) which will spearhead the revitalization of the historic neighborhood and oversee millions of dollars in new investments over the life of the CRA..

“We want to attract new investment to the area, including retail businesses, housing, office space, restaurants and cultural institutions,” explained Miami Beach Interim City Manager Raul Aguila. “We don’t want to create another South Beach, but we do want to catalyze investments and projects consistent with the family-friendly character of North Beach.”

Under the measure adopted by the commission, the mayor and city commission will serve as the CRA’s governing body with the city manager serving as executive director. The city attorney will serve as general counsel.

Commissioners also recently approved the creation of an ad hoc North Beach CRA Advisory Committee that will provide input for the upcoming redevelopment plan. The plan will require approval by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners in addition to the city.

Miami Beach commissioners took an important step in the formation of the CRA in July of 2019 by declaring the existence of a blighted area in North Beach. The designation generally spanned the area from 87 Terrace to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, 65 Street to the south and Rue Notre Dame to the west.

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners subsequently voted in July of 2020 to accept the city’s “Finding of Necessity” and delegated powers to create the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. The county approval provides for a maximum of one year to prepare and adopt the NBCRA redevelopment plan.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our city to develop North Beach into a resilient and sustainable treasure for Miami Beach and a great place to live, work and play,” Aguila added.