Coconut Grove's aging fire infrastructure could get a major overhaul if Miami voters approve a $450 million bond measure Nov. 3.
The Miami City Commission voted 3-2 on Thursday to place Mayor Eileen Higgins' Safe & Ready Miami bond on the fall ballot. The measure would authorize the city to borrow up to $450 million in general obligation bonds to build a new unified public safety headquarters, construct seven new fire stations, and repair or modernize existing police and fire facilities.
The total cost with principal, interest and issuance: an estimated $795 million over the life of the bonds, according to the city's bond analysis presented at the meeting. The city says the debt millage rate would not increase from its current 0.5935 mills.
The bond will share the Nov. 3 ballot with a statewide constitutional amendment backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to reduce property taxes. City officials have estimated that measure could cut Miami's annual property tax revenues by as much as $53.9 million.
Aging stations in the Grove await a repair priority list
Of Miami's 17 fire-rescue stations, eight are more than 50 years old and two exceed 60 years. Some are unable to fit modern emergency vehicles. Firefighters have reported plumbing failures, aging living quarters and limited functional restrooms. A separate commission vote Thursday, sponsored by Commissioner Ralph Rosado, directed City Manager James Reyes to complete a Facility Condition Index assessment of all police and fire facilities within 60 days. That assessment will grade each building's structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, safety and accessibility systems and produce a prioritized list identifying which stations get replacement or repair first.
Cost concerns drove a 3-2 commission split
Commissioners Miguel Angel Gabela, Rolando Escalona and Ralph Rosado voted yes. Commissioners Damian Pardo and Christine King voted no.
"You don't contemplate $450 million in two months. You just don't do that. That's not fiscally responsible," King said at the meeting.
Gabela, the swing vote, secured amendments requiring that proceeds from any future sale of the current police headquarters be applied to reduce bond debt. He also won provisions directing the city to pursue state and federal grants and developer community-benefit contributions to offset borrowing costs. Gabela said he believes the headquarters sale alone could exceed $100 million.
The current police headquarters opened in 1976 and was built for roughly 560 officers. It now houses about 1,390 sworn personnel and 400 additional staff.
City launches website ahead of November vote
The city attorney's office is finalizing ballot language. The city has launched SafeAndReadyMiami.com with an interactive map and a seven-year phased timeline for the bond projects. Reyes also agreed to identify $10 million in the current fiscal year's budget to begin the most urgent facility repairs before bond proceeds become available.
The Facility Condition Index assessment is due within 60 days of Thursday's vote. Voters decide Nov. 3.
