FYI Miami: December 1, 2022

Bellow are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.

RIP-UP ON SOUTH DIXIE: A year-long $6 million state project due to begin next week is expected to create traffic delays along South Dixie Highway between Riviera Drive in Coral Gables and Southwest 80th Street in South Miami, the Florida Department of Transportation says. Work is to be done in stages. The state says “drivers might experience delays traveling through the area and should seek alternate routes if possible.” A broad menu of projects in that highway stretch includes rehabilitating the bridge over the Coral Gables Waterway and constructing traffic islands at Southwest 62nd Avenue, Southwest 71st Street and Santona Drive. There is also to be upgrading of vehicular and pedestrian signals, signage and pavement markings, as well as reconstructing of sidewalks, curb ramps, and curbs and gutters.

SHORT-TERM RENTAL CRACKDOWN: Miami Beach investigated 1,700 short-term rentals and issued 700 violation notices in 2022 after having dedicated three code compliance officers to the task last year. Hernan D. Cardeno, city code compliance director, said the department’s proactivity in tracking down these illegal short-term rentals on all the booking platforms rose 88% from 2021. In addition, the city issued 10 violation notices for commercial use of properties without permission. Illegal short-term rentals are classified for their lack of business tax receipts, lack of resort tax, or location in prohibited zoning, he said. “Anywhere between 4,000 and 7,000 properties are identified in the Miami Beach area (as short-term rentals). We notify the platform and issue a violation, and they have an affirmative duty to remove it.”

GAS UNDER $3?: Average gasoline prices in Miami fell 5.8 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.43 and “it’s entirely possible the national average price of gasoline could fall under $3 per gallon by Christmas, which would be a huge gift to unwrap for motorists after a dizzying year at the pump,” according to GasBuddy. Gas prices in Miami are 11.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 5.1 cents higher than a year ago, the company said. The national average dropped 12.4 cents in the past week to $3.52.

TRANSIT-HUB HOUSING: Miami-Dade’s transportation department is getting $840,000 to spur transit-oriented developments along the planned Northeast rapid transit corridor from the Federal Transit Administration. The City of Homestead is getting $533,000 from the federal agency to plan for creation of transit-oriented developments around three bus rapid transit stations that are part of the South Dade TransitWay, now under construction.