FYI Miami: July 28, 2022

Below 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.

MIA GROWTH: Miami International Airport (MIA) is having its busiest year, on track to surpass 50 million annual passengers for the first time, the Aviation Department announced Tuesday. The previous record of 45.9 million was in 2019, before the pandemic. Statistics show MIA served 25.5 million passengers through the first six months of 2022, 8.5% above the midpoint of the record in 2019. Cargo shipments are also up: the more than 1.3 million tons through June is 3.2% above last year. International freight was up 2.7% and domestic grew 5.8% year-over-year, the county details. The airport aims to expand cargo operations as it negotiates for a vertical cargo hub to be built by CCR USA Airport Management Inc. and AIRIS USA LLC, and is in talks with Atlas Air to expand its cargo operations. “Our county is experiencing more tourism growth than any other community in the country, which means a stronger economy and increased job opportunities for our residents,” wrote Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. 

CAUSEWAY CAUSE: Miami city commissioners, who seven years ago endorsed a Rickenbacker Causeway project to make it more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, are to vote today (7/28) on reaffirming that endorsement and asking Miami-Dade County to reopen or reissue a request for proposals to develop, maintain and operate the causeway and its recreational elements. The proposal on the city agenda asks that the county bring its causeway design before the city commission “during the early design to allow for input and comment.” The resolution says that the county in January terminated a request for proposals 45 days before bids were due and decided to focus on replacing the Bear Cut Bridge on the causeway “for an estimated $90 million with construction likely to extend into 2030 if the funding can be secured.” The city documents recommends that the county run a process “redefining the Rickenbacker Causeway as a regional transportation and recreation corridor.”

LITTLE RIVER EXPANSION: Three free-standing warehouse buildings totaling 28,306 square feet on a 41,026-square-foot lot in the Little River Business District, at 287 and 297 NE 67th St. and 290 NE 68th St., sold for $7.8 million. Gridline Properties represented both the seller, Little River Spaces LLC, and the buyer, Chicago-based Diamond Realty Holdings, (DRH). “We are excited about expanding our holdings to South Florida and have chosen Little River due to the concentration of warehouses, ability to service the surrounding neighborhoods, and its eclectic mix of amenities and tenants,” said Josh Diamond, principal of DRH.