Help Us Save Ocean Terrace

What is Ocean Terrace?
Ocean Terrace is an historic oceanfront block in the North Beach neighborhood, located between 73rd & 75th Streets. It is home to a beautiful public beach, popular beachfront path, and charming art deco and mid-century architecture. Ocean Terrace is reminiscent of an earlier golden age of Miami Beach’s history, and it should be a treasured part of our future.Ocean Terrace is special, but it’s also struggling. The area is in dire need of sensible redevelopment that can revitalize the neighborhood without destroying its unique beauty. North Beach has been eagerly awaiting our promised Master Plan and responsible growth.Unfortunately, much of Ocean Terrace has been bought up by developers who plan to radically revise its zoning in order to build a massive high-rise complex. If they have their way, North Beach will become just another overcrowded concrete canyon.But this November, you can protect Ocean Terrace and the North Beach neighborhood.How Can I Save Ocean Terrace?
In 1997, the “Save Miami Beach” referendum was passed, requiring any new upzoning to be first placed on the ballot and approved by voters. For 18 years, there has been no Mayor or Commission that has placed upzoning on the ballot, until now. On November 3rd, voters in Miami Beach will be asked to approve plans to increase the “Floor Area Ratio” (FAR) of the Ocean Terrace Overlay district. This would allow developers to destroy our historic MiMo buildings to erect a massive high- rise condominium and commercial complex.But you can change that. Voting “NO” on the FAR Increase will help preserve the historic integrity of this beautiful community—and send a powerful message that Miami Beach demands sustainable and suitable development.

• We’ll lose our MiMo style – As a part of the developer’s proposed plan, prominent MiMo structures that have defined the style of this neighborhood for generations will be destroyed. In their place will be an over-sized compound that will (literally) overshadow North Beach without activating Ocean Terrace.

• Traffic and parking will be a nightmare – This is already a congested area; overdevelopment will put a major strain on the existing infrastructure as local residents are forced to compete with potentially thousands of new residents and their cars on the road.

• Our public beach will become exclusive – The multi-million dollar condos at the heart of the proposed project would have a negative effect on one of the last great public areas in Miami Beach. Beyond the increased traffic and congestion, parking will likely be much more expensive, making the area less accessible to working families on a budget. The beach will be more crowded and less serene.

• Locals will be pushed out – North Beach is one of the few affordable, livable neighborhoods left in Miami Beach, and the influx of big money would push out longtime locals. Prime real estate will be controlled by absentee investors who don’t contribute to the local economy. Property taxes will increase, translating into unaffordable rent hikes that will hurt middle- and working-class residents and their families.

• We’ll be in the shadows – One of the reasons we love Ocean Terrace is the ample sun our beach gets both in the morning and the afternoon. If the proposed development moves forward, the sun would be blocked in the afternoon, with the building’s shadow being cast down on beach-goers.

• This is a slippery slope – Upzoning on Ocean Terrace would set a dangerous precedent for the future of Miami Beach. Developers would feel confident that their money holds more influence than community concerns, and city officials would feel comfortable ignoring residents’ objections. This is an opportunity to remind developers and politicians that Miami Beach residents are watching, talking, caring—and voting.

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