Miami Beach, FL – On August 26, 2003, the State of Florida Cabinet,
sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust
Fund, approved the transfer of the 11 contiguous State-owned beachfront
lots in Altos Del Mar, between 76th and 77th streets, to the City
of Miami Beach for the sum of $10.00.
“This is a great
victory for our residents. In acquiring these lands, the City ensures
that they will always remain recreational open space for enjoyment
by all of our residents,” said Miami Beach Commissioner Jose Smith,
who attended the proceedings on Tuesday. “The land is now valued at
nearly $10 million.”
The City will
now be able to proceed with the $2.9 million investment into the Altos
Del Mar Park Project converting the area for open space conservation
and recreation purposes. In 1999, Miami Beach voters approved a $92
million General Obligation Bond, which included $2.9 million for the
design and construction of the new Altos del Mar Park on the 11 contiguous
lots. The bond requires that the City hold title to the land prior
to spending the funds. With historic properties currently occupying
portions of the lots, the City plans to incorporate the structures
into the overall design of the park.
Twenty-two Altos
Del Mar properties were acquired by the State in the 1980s as part
of the Save Our Coast (SOC) land acquisition project. However, in
1989, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) made
a final effort to acquire additional properties, but none of DEP’s
offers were accepted by private owners and all further acquisition
efforts were terminated. In order for the original purpose of this
project to have been realized, a sufficient number of contiguous lots
had to be acquired to provide adequate land area for the project.
Because DEP was not able to acquire a sufficient number of contiguous
lots for this project, DEP requested and was granted approval by the
Board of Trustees on September 28, 1993, to dispose of the 22 lots
acquired. The original 22 lots were purchased with funds from the
SOC Trust Fund for a total of $6,676,188. The City had invested approximately
$300,000 towards the original purchase of these lots.
In order to realize
the grand vision of the Altos del Mar recreational space, representatives
from the administration alongside state representatives and DEP officials
worked tirelessly for more than five years to facilitate the sale
of the 11 non-contiguous lots as well as the title transfer of the
remaining 11 contiguous lots; thus ensuring the continued prominence
of an issue vital to the community’s quality of life standards.
“Such a wonderful achievement is indicative of the powerful results
made possible through our positive partnership with our state and
governmental partners,” said City Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez. “Not
only have we furthered conservation and quality of life efforts through
this venture but have created a legacy of fulfillment for generations
of our residents to enjoy.”
On August 13,
2002, and October 8, 2002, the Board of Trustees approved the sale
of the 11 non-contiguous state-owned lots located between 77th and
79th Streets for a total of $8,750,000, subject to a deed restriction
for single-family use. Because DEP recouped more than their original
investment from the sale of the 11 non-contiguous lots, the City requested
title to the remaining 11 contiguous lots for the development of Altos
Del Mar Park.
The State determined
that selling the remaining 11 lots to the City will provide a greater
benefit to the public than if the 11 lots are retained in state ownership
and not developed as a park, since it would not be practical for the
State to manage such a small parcel.
History
of Altos Del Mar Park Project (Acrobat).