Plan For Park On Old Arena Site Gets Green Light
DOWNTOWN MIAMI (CBS4) - Officials voted Monday night to approve a plan to develop a park on the land that the old Miami Arena sat on.
The Community Development Agency gave the green light, and a $200,000, to Developer Brad Knofler to design an urban gathering spot, similar to New York City's Central Park.
In return, Knofler plans to pay the city $250,000 in lease payments a year.
"I'm willing to give it a try, especially when there's a guarantee. So it's a win-win situation for the city, for the CRA. Anybody from the CRA zone can utilize the park," said Miami Commissioner and CRA Chairman Richard Dunn.
Knoefler owns the property across the street. After years of watching homeless scavenging the downtown lot he has come up with a plan to turn it into a park.
"You already have the residents," Knoefler told CBS4's David Sutta last week. "Now you have to actually give them the facilities they deserve and need."
Knofler plans to rent the lot and turn this depressed section of downtown into concerts, flag football, possible even a drive-in movie theater.
"I just think that would be one of the most interesting things you could do in an urban area. I don't know of any drive-in movie theater in a downtown area." Knoefler told CBS4's David Sutta. Before you write Knoefler off, his idea actually has the attention of the Community Redevelopment Agency. They are looking to give him a $200,000 grant if he commits to operating the park for more than two years.
"This to me is a long term investment to the point if we do this right and we get more people attracted to the area more people will be willing to invest in the area and thus attract more businesses." Miami CRA Director Pieter Bockweg explained.
Skeptics call the deal a "land grab" and believe it's a waste of money, especially since it's temporary.
If you would like more information on it or how to get involved go to grandcentralpark.org.
