SkyRise Miami failed to secure $9 million in county funding, as some Miami-Dade commissioners resisted the use of public dollars for a private development.
The planned 1,000-foot observation tower split the 13-member county commission 6-6 on the proposed funding, according to the Miami Herald.
Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado has urged commissioners to reject county funding for the $430 million project. But Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez touted it as a true “game-changer” for the local economy.
“This is an iconic building that will probably end up becoming a symbol of Miami,” Gimenez told commissioners. “The Eiffel Tower of Miami.”
However, commissioners did approve a $75 million economic-development earmark that will mean a small increase in county property taxes. [Miami Herald] – Christopher Cameron