Last call: Miami Beach voters want the party to stop at 2 a.m. Good call | Editorial
The most controversial question on Miami Beach’s ballot Tuesday asked Miami Beach residents: Do they want a 2 a.m. cutoff on the sale of alcohol in the city?
Currently, the liquor flows until 5 a.m. at a handful of popular clubs and bars, such as the Clevelander and Mango’s Tropical Cafe along Ocean Drive.
The issue divided residents, club owners and politicians.
But Tuesday, residents answered with a resounding Yes. Put a cap on those bottles. They’ve had enough of the partying, they said.
And we don’t blame them.
The vote is a startling change in public sentiment. Four years ago, when voters were asked the same question, the measure lost by 65%. A different story Tuesday night.
Since then, there’s been too much crime and chaos linked to South Beach, unfortunately. Those who live within the city limits have obviously had enough.
The vote is a victory for Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. It was a non-binding vote, but it is still a powerful symbolic victory for the make-the-party-go-away proponents. Club owners threw a lot of cash into defeating the measure, but too much havoc has transpired from them to be blame-free.
Now, Gelber, on a mission to transform South Beach into a “live, work play” area, anchored by arts and culture, has the thumb’s up to move ahead. This straw ballot victory offers the chance to evolve. Carefully, we would advise.
As we urged in a recent editorial, we ask the mayor to lead a high-level meeting with all stakeholders, including club owners, to craft a solution that works for everyone, with room for exemptions.
Homeless Tax:
In a tight race, Miami Beach voters approved a referendum question that will clear the path to allow a new 1% tax on the sale of food and beverages on Miami Beach. Restaurants in hotels and motels would be exempt.
The new tax money will be added to the coffers of the county’s Homeless Trust. Some of the money would also go toward a domestic-violence center.
We commend Miami Beach voters for essentially voting to tax themselves.
The City Commission will now adopt a resolution to urge the Florida Legislature to allow for the collection of the money.
Why are diners in Miami Beach being singled out to pay this homeless tax?
Back in 1993, Miami-Dade voters agreed to pay the tax, but Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour were exempt because they already had restaurant taxes that went toward municipal services.
The question of fairness has risen and Miami-Dade Homeless Trust head Ron Book personally asked the Miami Beach commission to place the question on the ballot.
The “yes” vote allows the Florida Legislature to officially request that Miami Beach pay the 1% tax on the sale of food and beverages, which means nearly an additional $5 million will go to the trust to help end homelessness in the county.
Holocaust Memorial Lease and Expansion:
Voters approved, by a large margin, extending the lease of the city’s Holocaust Memorial to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation from 2099 to 2120 and allowing the memorial to grow in size.
Voter approval clears the way for the memorial to expand its educational center into an adjacent city parking lot along Dade Boulevard and Meridian Avenue. This will not cost taxpayers a penny as the federation funds the memorial.
Good move by Miami Beach voters to protect the future of the memorial.
Smith & Wollensky Lease:
Voters easily approved extending the city’s lease for Smith & Wollensky, a popular steakhouse in South Pointe Park.
With its current lease expiring in November 2025, the restaurant asked for it to be extended to 2045.
In return, the eatery promises to finance a $3.3 million upgrade and to have its rent increased annually by 2.5 %, or $11.6 million over the first 10 years, plus other perks.
As long as the restaurant is viable, this is a better financial deal for the city.
Voters did the right thing to approve this new deal. structure
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 3:22 AM.