Miami Beach City Commission Advances Lincoln Road Revitalization Project
The Miami Beach City Commission Meeting took an important step forward last week on June 28, voting to collaborate with SOBE SEA, LLC, an affiliate of The Ritz Carlton-Sagamore ownership group (which consists of the Kanavos, Ben-Josef and Lowenstein families) on a public-private partnership to make urgent improvements to the 100–300 blocks of Lincoln Road. At the meeting, the commission agreed to the terms of a $12 million financial plan that brings private and public sector partners together through equal funding of $4 million by the developer, $4 million by the City of Miami Beach, and $4 million that will be requested during the state of Florida’s appropriation process by the developer. The ownership group will also invest additional private funds into the project with a new public sidewalk and an updated guest arrival area for The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.
The revitalization of the 100–300 blocks of Lincoln Road has been a community desire for many years as residents, businesses and visitors have witnessed crime, homelessness, and visual blight in the area. The redevelopment of the eastern portion of Lincoln Road includes repositioning the site as a mixed-use area with a new residential component. A major investment in infrastructure will address traffic, functionality, aesthetics, and safety. It will also update underground infrastructure to mitigate flooding and potential sanitary issues.
“My partners and I had the dream of a transformed city center that is safe, welcoming, and beautiful for residents and visitors alike, and we were clear in our vision and mission to get it done,” said Peter Kanavos, an owner of The Ritz-Carlton-Sagamore Group. “I then had the good fortune to meet Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who had long shared the same vision and a deep commitment to achieving progress for an area that desperately needs public-private partnerships. It goes beyond investments in the neighborhood. It’s about public safety. We are grateful for the opportunity, along with Commissioner Fernandez, to be the catalysts for the needed changes in our neighborhood.”
“I have been championing the need to invest in improving the aesthetics and safety of this three-block stretch of iconic Lincoln Road since 2019, before being elected,” shared Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez. “We look forward to rolling out the red carpet on Lincoln Road with this project to enhance the resident and visitor experience while completing the vision of legendary architect Morris Lapidus. No one is better positioned to keep the area beautiful, clean, and programmed with positive activations than the abutting stakeholder. Not only does this revitalization benefit The Ritz-Carlton, but it’s also a long-awaited win for surrounding condo residents, as the 200 and 300 blocks will transform into a safer pedestrian walkway and ultimately improve the quality of retail establishments.”
The project now advances for approval by the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board this September.
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