“Shall Miami’s Charter be amended extending Jungle Island’s Lease for an additional 39-years, plus 15-year option, by waiving competitive bidding and allowing construction of a privately funded hotel and attractions with a maximum 130-foot height in exchange for: The hotel and lease extension require the approval of voters at referendum.Ī similar plan discussed last year was deferred in July to afford ESJ more time for community outreach, which the company says has now been accomplished.Ī lease extension would mean more revenue to the city, contributions from ESJ to an adjacent park for improvements and money for low-income housing, and the promise of hundreds of new jobs.Īt the request of Miami Today, a representative of ESJ provided this proposed wording of the ballot proposal: The city leases the land at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail to ESJ JI Leasehold LLC. at City Hall.Ĭity officials have until the close of business that day to file with the county elections department a formal ballot proposal request to make the August ballot.

It involves Jungle Island and plan to build a hotel as part of a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the animal theme park on city-owned Watson Island. Miami city commissioners will be playing a version of Beat the Clock on June 8 when they hold a special meeting to get a property lease before voters on the August primary election ballot.

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