First Miami Presbyterian voted on a deal for an 80-story Brickell condo. Results here

Members of the First Miami Presbyterian Church voted Sunday in favor of a land sale that would allow a towering condominium to be built — one of the tallest in Miami — behind the historic building at 609 Brickell Ave.

The Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek, part of the church’s leadership, moderated a meeting over Zoom for two hours with just over 100 members. The Miami Herald monitored the meeting.

Sixty-eight members voted in favor of the deal while 42 members opposed the proposal, which has divided the church and raised concern in the surrounding community in Brickell.

“There have been many times when we don’t know what the future will bring,” Benek told worshipers on Zoom. “Time and again you have delivered us.”

The condominium would replace the church’s waterfront surface parking lot and the Key Point Christian Academy, an elementary and middle school attached to the church. The condominium property would be developed by the Brickell-based real estate firm 13th Floor Investments.

“I firmly believe that up until now we have used the property to the best of our opportunity,” said church member Andrew Mouacdie on the Zoom, speaking in favor of the plan. “With the purpose of expanding, this is a no-brainer. If the deal is done correctly, this can serve for our benefit moving forward.”

“I have a condo that overlooks the church and parking lot, but I’m not against it,” added church member Jim Brock. “The idea is that this church will be the doorstep to Brickell.”

Another member backing the project, Jose Mahomar, said on Zoom, “I am trusting God that he’s put the right people in place. I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to pass on God’s will.”

Benek — who said during the meeting that the condo would be 80 stories, which would make it one of the tallest buildings in Miami — did not discuss with worshipers any immediate next steps after the Zoom vote had concluded.

The proposal has angered some in the neighborhood who say there’s already been enough high-rise development and are concerned about worsening traffic congestion, among other issues.

The church members against the plan said they were troubled by a “lack of transparency” and they wanted more time to decipher the details of the condo development.

“I am not against the development, but I am against this proposal because of the lack of transparency through this process,” said church member Amy Shipley, who added that no congregational meetings have been held about it. “No responsible shareholder of a church, nonprofit or business would approve a deal of this magnitude, and with such enormous consequences to the City of Miami forever, without a more thoughtful, deliberate, inclusive and transparent process.”

“What I’ve learned is that deals shouldn’t be rushed and that process matters,” church member Austin Ericson said on the Zoom. “I think you’d be hard pressed to find a Realtor or financial expert who would say you wouldn’t get the same amount or more in a month or two.”

The project would be built on one of the last remaining waterfront properties in Brickell, with views of Brickell Key, Biscayne Bay and the ocean. According to the proposal, the church would receive about $240 million.

The plans are for retail and restaurant space on the ground floor of the condo building. It would also provide the church with congregation space and parking inside the tower.

This story was originally published October 17, 2021 at 3:46 PM.