HomeMy WebLinkAboutTAB A.1 Cover LetterSECTION A:
PROJECT INFORMATION
A.1 COVER LETTER
Akerman
May 6, 2011
HAND DELIVERY
Mr. Anel Rodriguez, Administrator
Office of Hearing Boards
Miami Riverside Center
City of Miami
444 S.W. 2' Avenue, 7th Floor
Miami , FL 33130
Re: Brickell CitiCentre ("BCC") Special Area Plan (SAP) Application
Dear Mr. Rodriguez:
Neisen O. Kasdin
Shareholder
Akerman Senterfitt
One Southeast Third Avenue
25th Floor
Miami, Florida 33131
Tel: 305.374.5600
Fax: 305.374.5095
On behalf of our client, Swire Properties, parent company of Brickell CitiCentre East, LLC, Brickell
CitiCentre West, LLC, Brickell CitiCentre North, LLC, and Brickell CitiCentre Plaza, LLC (collectively, the "Co -
Applicant"), and the entire BCC project team, we are pleased to join the City of Miami in the submittal of this
application for a Special Area Plan designation pursuant to the requirements of Sec. 3.9.of Miami 21.
The enclosed application is comprised of an assemblage in excess of nine (9) acres located within
the heart of the Brickell district. The SAP area is oriented along S. Miami Avenue and roughly bounded by
8th Street to the South, portions of 6th & 7th Streets to the North, S.W. 1st Street to the West, and Brickell
Avenue to the East.
The application proposes minor modifications to the T6-48b 0 transect designation that currently'
governs development on the subject parcels. The modifications will facilitate the development two (2) levels
of underground parking, totaling approximately 1,600 spaces, and connected below S.E. 7th Street and S.
Miami at the lower basement level. The aforementioned parking will support approximately 530,000 s.f. of
open-air, destination and neighborhood serving retail across five levels, including a high -end food market.
The retail The proposed underground garage has been designed to internalize circulation and limit the
impact of the adjacent state roadway system and Brickell Avenue.
In addition to the retail component, the program proposed by the Co -Applicant includes the
development of 755 residential units across two (2) residential towers of approximately 40 stories in height
on BCC North and West. A hotel and service apartment building, consisting of approximately 290 hotel
rooms and 75 service apartment units, is also proposed for the BCC East parcel. An additional 1,500
parking spaces will be provided above grade to support these uses.
The proposed application also call for the development of approximately 925,000 s.f. of office
space across the entirety of the SAP area. A 78,000 s.f. office tower (8 +/- stories) is proposed for BCC
akerman.com
BOCA RATON DALLAS DENVER FORT LAUDERDALE JACKSONVILLE LAS VEGAS LOS ANGELES MADISON MIAMI NAPLES
NEW YORK ORLANDO PALM BEACH TALLAHASSEE TAMPA TYSONS CORNER WASHINGTON, D.C. WEST PALM BEACH
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Mr. Anel Rodriguez
May 6, 2011
Page 2
West, with a twin medical office/wellness center of approximately 95,000 s.f. (8 +/- stories) on BCC
East. Finally, an office tower of approximately 733,000 s.f. is proposed to replace the current office
building which currently house Eastern National Bank located immediately east of the 8th Street
Metromover station.
In addition to the above -listed programmatic elements, the application contemplates a number
of significant elements designed to enhance the public realm. Foremost among such elements is the
climate ribbon that serves as unifying theme for the project, connecting the various parcels of Brickell
CitiCentre site, the 8th Street Metromover station, and, hopefully, the Miami River. The climate ribbon
will provide protection from the elements to patrons traveling along the open air corridors of the retail
center and across the pedestrian connections that will serve to unify the site above the street. It is
anticipated that the ribbon will also serve as a vehicle to generate electric power for the facility through
the incorporation of solar panels, as well assist with collection of rainfall that can be used for various
water features on -site.
Beyond the climate ribbon, the application proposes the creation of several Civic Space types
throughout the subject area, exceeding the requirements of Sec. 3.9.1.f. of Miami 21. Additional
contemplated public improvements include: (i) enhancements to the area under the Metromover
guideway to create public spaces and a linear park that would enhance Brickell community's connection
with the Miami River and (ii) a significant remodeling of the 8th Street Metromover station that would
serve to enhance station capacity, integrate the station with the surrounding proposed uses, increase
system ridership, and provide a multi -modal connection to the planned, city of Miami Brickell Trolley line.
The proposed application will also produce tremendous recurring fiscal benefits for the City of Miami.
Among the anticipated fiscal benefits are ad valorem tax remittances of approximately $5.4 million for both
the city's general fund and debt service, $1 million in annual parking surcharge revenues, and approximately
3,800 permanent jobs.
For the foregoing reasons, we respectfully request the city's approval of this SAP application.
cc: Steve Owen, Swire Properties
Anne Cotter, Arquitectonica
Tony E. Crapp, Jr., City of Miami
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