Miami Today

01/24/2025

GAS BUBBLES UP: Average gasoline prices in Miami rose 7.5 cents per gallon last week to $3.16, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Miami are 12.9 cents higher than a month ago and 7.6 cents higher than a year ago.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/fyi-miami-january-23-2025/

01/24/2025

These film permits were issued last week by the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources’ Office of Film and Entertainment, (305) 375-3288; the Miami Mayor’s Office of Film, Arts & Entertainment, (305) 860-3823; and the Miami Beach Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment-Film and Print Division, (305) 673-7070.

David Sutta Photography, Miami. Commercial for EdFed. Village of Palmetto Bay.

White Door Productions, Los Angeles. Commercial for Delow Deck, Canada Dry. Crandon Park Marina.

Deputy, Chicago. Commercial for Zilbrysq. Amelia Earhart Park.

Select Services, Coral Gables. Still photography for JJILL. Crandon Park Beach.

The Production Factory, Miami Beach. Still photography for THS. Crandon Park Beach.

Paradise Custom Drone Solutions, Miami. Still photography for Bulkhead Repair Bays. Port of Miami.

Agency, The Midnight Club Client, Burbank, CA. Still photography for Adidas. Doral Legacy Park.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/filming-in-miami-january-23-2025/

These film permits were issued last week by the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources’ Office of Film and Entertainment, (305) 375-3288; the Miami Mayor’s Office of Film, Arts & Entertainment, (305) 860-3823;

01/24/2025

Beacon Council plans business missions to Brazil, Europe

The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade’s economic development organization, continues to attract businesses as it focuses on partnerships, local efforts and outreach missions, this year targeting Brazil and Europe.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/beacon-council-plans-business-missions-to-brazil-europe/

The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade’s economic development organization, continues to attract businesses as it focuses on partnerships, local efforts and outreach missions, this year targeting Brazil and Europe. This story is premium content for our subscribers only. Unlock

01/24/2025

KEEP ’EM ROLLING: Miami-Dade commissioners are being asked to approve spending $41 million for 580 county vehicles in this year’s budget – and that’s just the remainder of the total annual vehicle spending. In November, commissioner approved more than $126 million for 610 vehicles deemed emergency, priority and time sensitive buys. These 580 vehicles are the balance of the year’s purchases. A memo from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava notes that the minimum goal is for departments to make 40% of all vehicle purchases battery electric. The sheriff’s department is the largest beneficiary of the current vehicle purchases, totaling 171 vehicles for just over $7.4 million.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/fyi-miami-january-23-2025/

01/23/2025

CITY OFFICES BREAK GROUND: Miami’s long-awaited updated city administration building has broken ground at Miami Freedom Park. The city and Adler Development celebrated the start of work following the State of the City Address by Mayor Francis Suarez. Slated for completion in 2027, the building at 1802 NW 37th Ave. will house Miami’s government offices and become part of the broader mixed-use Miami Freedom Park. The facility will span 382,592 square feet over eight stories, offering office space and an attached garage for up to 889 vehicles. Miami’s administrative headquarters at the Miami Riverside Center, 444 SW Second Ave., has long been called functionally obsolete, prompting the city to seek replacement. After a competitive process, the city selected Adler Group to develop the building on the former Melreese Golf Course site near Miami International Airport.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/fyi-miami-january-23-2025/

01/23/2025

Freedom Tower fundraising launched for centennial reopening

Miami Dade College (MDC) has officially launched the philanthropic campaign for its National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower.

In celebration of its centennial anniversary this year, MDC introduced the 33-member Freedom Tower Centennial Committee representing South Florida’s cultural arts community. Members include Miami music icons Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and W***y Chirino.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/freedom-tower-fundraising-launched-for-centennial-reopening/

Miami Dade College (MDC) has officially launched the philanthropic campaign for its National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower. In celebration of its centennial anniversary this year, MDC introduced the 33-member Freedom Tower Centennial Committee representing South Florida’s

01/23/2025

Miami Beach looks to diversify as a business hub

Miami Beach propels its economy as it continues to provide incentives for businesses, welcome high-level events to the city and maintain a safe environment for both visitors and residents.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/miami-beach-looks-to-diversify-as-a-business-hub/

Miami Beach propels its economy as it continues to provide incentives for businesses, welcome high-level events to the city and maintain a safe environment for both visitors and residents. “One of our goals is to diversify

01/23/2025

The Achiever

Joe Echevarria: UM president targeting the progression from great to elite

Joe Echevarria’s journey from growing up in the South Bronx to the seventh president of the University of Miami (UM) is the epitome of a full-circle moment as he was appointed in October the first alumnus to lead the university.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/joe-echevarria-um-president-targeting-the-progression-from-great-to-elite/

Joe Echevarria’s journey from growing up in the South Bronx to the seventh president of the University of Miami (UM) is the epitome of a full-circle moment as he was appointed in October the first

01/23/2025

OPINION | Miami Beach housing stipend looks like self-serving effort

It’s touching that Miami Beach’s elected officials think so highly of their own staff aides and care so much about them that the city is considering a $500-a-month supplement to each one to help them beat the city’s high housing costs.

Legislation moving ahead says it would offer that help because the aides “are critical members of the staff who provide invaluable support in the performance of city business, often working demanding schedules that require in-person commitments during unpredictable hours, late nights, weekends, and holidays,” Miami Today’s Janetssy Lugo reported last week.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/miami-beach-housing-stipend-looks-like-self-serving-effort/

It’s touching that Miami Beach’s elected officials think so highly of their own staff aides and care so much about them that the city is considering a $500-a-month supplement to each one to help them

01/23/2025

INFLATION’S GRIP EASES: The pace of South Florida’s inflation has dipped below national levels for all urban consumers after several years where prices rose far faster here than in much of the nation. Figures released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics last week showed that while prices from Miami to Palm Beach rose 2.8% over the past year, the national urban increase was a bit higher at 2.9%. The change was most notable in the last quarter of 2024, as the nation as a whole saw a 0.4% price increase in December after a 0.3% rise in November while prices in South Florida declined 0.1% during that two-month period. South Florida prices were rising twice as fast at the end of 2023, when the annual increase was 5.7% versus 2.8% annually at the end of 2024.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/fyi-miami-january-23-2025/

01/23/2025

Resentments swamp water bills payment deal

Resentment about an unapproved cost increase to pay county water bills via credit card overflowed in the inaugural meeting of Miami-Dade’s new Appropriations Committee, at least temporarily sinking approval of extending a decades old bill-processing contract.

Some members were surprised last week that the vendor could raise charges to residents without commission approval. All seemed upset that water and sewer officials hadn’t prepared early enough to have alternative vendors lined up when the 2003 contract expired.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/resentments-swamp-water-bills-payment-deal/

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Resentment about an unapproved cost increase to pay county water bills via credit card overflowed in the inaugural meeting of Miami-Dade’s new Appropriations Committee, at least temporarily sinking approval of extending a decades old bill-processing

01/23/2025

BREAKING NEWS: QR scam has Miami parking agency removing 7,000 signs

The Miami Parking Authority is cracking down on scammers and frauds following an organized attempt to scam locals and tourists in December that employed fraudulent QR codes similar to those that drivers use to pay for on-street and garage parking.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/breaking/qr-scam-has-miami-parking-agency-removing-7000-signs/

The Miami Parking Authority is cracking down on scammers and frauds following an organized attempt to scam locals and tourists in December that employed fraudulent QR codes similar to those that drivers use to pay

01/23/2025

County incentives fund mystery logistics adding 525 jobs

An unidentified transportation and logistics company was approved Jan. 22 to receive $7.5 million in incentives to create a $450 million headquarters in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and add 525 more workers over seven years.

The company already employs 1,100 in Miami-Dade, according to the application submitted by the Beacon Council for a company labeled “Project Hometown.”

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/mystery-logistics-firm-adding-525-jobs-in-line-for-county-cash/

An unidentified transportation and logistics company was approved Jan. 22 to receive $7.5 million in incentives to create a $450 million headquarters in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and add 525 more workers over seven years. The company

01/22/2025

Condition of record-setting Miami International Airport under pressure

As Miami International Airport reported new passenger highs and a litany of upgrades in process or nearing a start, the county’s Airport Committee last week had harsh words for both the condition of the airport and the vendors hired to care for it.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/condition-of-record-setting-miami-international-airport-under-pressure/

01/22/2025

BREAKING NEWS: County taps McKinsey to study efficiency, share in savings

An outside consulting firm would study a to-be-chosen department in Miami-Dade County government to target savings and revenue growth and would get a percentage of the gains it pinpoints under legislation headed to county commissioners.

The legislation that the county’s new Appropriations Committee recommended unanimously last week said the no-fee contract would be negotiated with McKinsey and Co., a national consulting firm.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/breaking/county-taps-mckinsey-to-study-efficiency-share-in-savings/

An outside consulting firm would study a to-be-chosen department in Miami-Dade County government to target savings and revenue growth and would get a percentage of the gains it pinpoints under legislation headed to county commissioners. The

01/22/2025

Stinky county sludge might fuel cruise ships

Revolutionary technology facing Miami-Dade commissioners this week could help resolve an ever-more-costly and rapidly expanding buildup of smelly wastewater sludge and turn it into salable fuel to power cruise ships.

The solution would start with a small-scale test that would cost the county $3 million, funds that would be returned if a successful test in two years moves the hydrothermal biosolids technology ahead to a far larger processing plant that would cost the county nothing and handle a third of our wastewater sludge.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/stinky-county-sludge-might-fuel-cruise-ships/

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Revolutionary technology facing Miami-Dade commissioners this week could help resolve an ever-more-costly and rapidly expanding buildup of smelly wastewater sludge and turn it into salable fuel to power cruise ships. The solution would start with a

01/22/2025

Residential real estate gains seen as inventory flows back

Experts look to 2025 as a year of residential real estate growth in Miami-Dade as the market begins to open back up.

“We’re seeing a sharp increase in the amount of inventory,” says Berkshire Hathaway President Ron Shuffield. “We have increased inventory, which is good for buyers and going to give them a lot more selection. This will keep prices in check, because we have more inventory. Our monthly supply is our number-one metric.”

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2025/01/22/residential-real-estate-gains-seen-as-inventory-flows-back/

Experts look to 2025 as a year of residential real estate growth in Miami-Dade as the market begins to open back up. “We’re seeing a sharp increase in the amount of inventory,” says Berkshire Hathaway President

01/22/2025

BREAKING NEWS: Spring break? What spring break? It’s gone, mayor says

Miami Beach city officials plan to continue last year’s spring break success and prepare to clamp down once again this spring.

“Last year, we changed the nature of the spring break chaos,” said Mayor Steven Meiner. “We ended it last year. It was through a number of initiatives. I had brought legislation that our commission had approved. We actually passed a very similar legislation this year; it’s 16 points to it that gives our city manager not only direction, but mandates certain actions take place.”

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/breaking/spring-break-what-spring-break-its-gone-mayor-says/

Miami Beach city officials plan to continue last year’s spring break success and prepare to clamp down once again this spring. “Last year, we changed the nature of the spring break chaos,” said Mayor Steven Meiner.