Miami Beach should reject hurting businesses, disappointing visitors in March | Opinion
Miami Beach’s Ocean Drive is undergoing a renaissance, fueled by a half-billion dollars in real-estate renovations by property owners. It’s where the world comes when it thinks of Miami.
When Fox Sports was deciding where to put its South Florida studio for Super Bowl week, there was only one choice. “When we were designing this, I said, ‘This is what I want: Ocean Drive, Art Deco, palm trees, the sea,” a Fox executive was quoted as saying. “What do people think of first when they think of Miami? It’s this beach.’’
All of the TV networks and national print media outlets showcased Ocean Drive during Super Bowl. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle felt safe to make their first public appearance in Miami Beach — a glow that will carry over to the important spring season period.
And yet, on Wednesday, the city of Miami Beach will consider a proposal that would halt alcohol sales at 2 a.m. for 17 days in March, prohibit any amplified music between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and force outdoor cafes to close at midnight — all precisely when Spring Breakers, the Ultra Music Festival in Miami and other events will be in town. This misguided move will send the message to the world that Miami Beach no longer is a nightlife destination for the world.
We have a number of concerns about this proposed ordinance:
Thousands of tourists have booked flights, reserved rooms and made plans for March. To let them know at the last minute that they won’t be able to drink at their hotel or South Beach establishments will ruin their experience and their view of Miami Beach. Miami Beach’s brand will be damaged for no reason.
If the 2 a.m. ban is implemented, hundreds of service workers will either be laid off or lose a significant portion of their hours and incomes — again, with no time to make alternate plans to support themselves and their families. More than 30 percent of tourism employees are Miami Beach residents.
The business community understands the need for common-sense solutions, which is why it supported the high-impact ordinances passed after last year’s Spring Break. They have worked effectively during Memorial Day Weekend, New Year’s and last week’s Super Bowl festivities. They have never been tried during a Spring Break and should be allowed to work this year before economy-destroying measures are implemented.
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, The Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Washington Avenue Business Improvement District and Ocean Drive Association all oppose this measure, while also remaining committed to working with the city and law enforcement to ensure the safety of our valued guests and visitors.
These organizations know that reckless and ill-conceived restrictions on alcohol sales, music in our establishments and forced early closures will damage businesses in the entire city. Previous surveys of hoteliers have shown that more than 60 percent think that Ocean Drive is important to their guests’ decisions to stay at their hotel, and half indicated that current alcohol rules, allowing sales until 5 a.m., is important or extremely important to their guests. And 43 percent said any change to those hours would have significant or severe impacts on their occupancy and average daily rate.
Most significant, a 2 a.m. ban is a solution in search of a problem. Most of the crowd-control issues that take place during Spring Break happen in the late afternoon and early evening hours — not in the wee hours of the morning. And it will simply push visitors and guests to other parts of Miami Beach where these restrictions are not in place.
We implore city leaders to put the brakes on this proposal and allow the city to use all the tools at its disposal to ensure a safe March for us all without sending a message to the world that Miami Beach can’t provide a safe experience for its visitors at all hours of the day and night.
Lynne Hernandez is South Florida regional director for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. Steven Keup is vice president of operations for Hersha Hospitality.
This story was originally published February 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM.