Take 5 and Stop Grove Bay is a little get together tonight, October 25, at Grove Properties.
What does it mean to you?
Stop by...have a refreshment...hang out on their historic back deck... talk real estate...share ideas...
What’s going on in the community...get to know the new Grove Properties.
The main topic of discussion is "Stop Grove Bay."
Grove Properties is located at 3936 Main Highway, (Off the intersection of Main Hwy and Douglas Road). Stop by from 5 to 7 pm.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Halloween fun, including regatta at the Sailing Club
The 3rd Annual Halloween Howler Youth Regatta is this week at the Sailing Club. On Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, more than 100 young sailors from around Florida and the Caribbean, will take part on this ghostly regatta.
Sailors between 6 and 18 years of age will compete in three different categories: 420, Lasers and Optimists for two full days of sunny and hopefully windy weather.
Sailors between 6 and 18 years of age will compete in three different categories: 420, Lasers and Optimists for two full days of sunny and hopefully windy weather.
The Coconut Grove Sailing Club becomes a haunted and scary place decorated for the occasion while hosting some of the best sailing in the area. This is an incredible and fun event created to get young children to fall in love with sailing while making good friends for life.
Come and visit, watch the tenacious sailors at work and feel the positive energy of teamwork, sportsmanship and friendship while having some seriously scary fun!
And on Saturday, from 7 to 9 pm, family friendly Halloween activities are part of the annual Haunted Mooring Field Celebration. Parents, bring your kids out to trick or treat on the mooring field (tender boat brings them from boat to boat). Skippers- stock the bilge with candy, and decorate your boats for Halloween. The trick or treaters will be brought out to the mooring field on the launches and the boat owners transform their boats and dinghies into spooky Halloween venues.
The Coconut Grove Sailing Club is located at 2990 S. Bayshore Drive.
And on Saturday, from 7 to 9 pm, family friendly Halloween activities are part of the annual Haunted Mooring Field Celebration. Parents, bring your kids out to trick or treat on the mooring field (tender boat brings them from boat to boat). Skippers- stock the bilge with candy, and decorate your boats for Halloween. The trick or treaters will be brought out to the mooring field on the launches and the boat owners transform their boats and dinghies into spooky Halloween venues.
The Coconut Grove Sailing Club is located at 2990 S. Bayshore Drive.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Third lawsuit filed against Grove Bay project
A third lawsuit has been filed by activist Grace Solares regarding the Grove Bay waterfront project. Two lawsuits have been filed by local businessman Steve Kneapler, who claims the City of Miami violated open meeting laws and bidding rules in awarding the job to the Grove Bay developers.
This third suit claims that there were not the usual proper three bids received by the City of Miami for the project.
The suit also claims that the City-owned waterfront property may be leased only if all of
the following conditions are satisfied:
A) the terms of the lease allows reasonable public access to the water and reasonable public use of the property, and complies with other Charter waterfront setback and view-corridor requirements; and
B) the terms of the lease result in a fair return to the City based on two independent appraisals; and
C) the use is authorized under the existing comprehensive plan of the City; and
D) the procurement methods prescribed by ordinances are observed; and
E) the contract does not exceed five years and does not contain an automatic renewal or termination penalty.
Also, there were no discussions or references during a July 25, 2013 City Commission
Meeting that the proposed lease includes a contractual provision that allows Grove Bay to use this City-owned waterfront property for Casino Gambling as an “other contemplated use” if and when gambling becomes legal in the City of Miami solely upon receiving a favorable vote by the City Commission.
The state requires a municipal referendum ballot summary to be “printed in clear and unambiguous language” and to be “an explanatory statement, not exceeding 75 words in length, of the chief purpose” of the enabling resolution or ordinance. This does not, the ballot question is non-descript.
Here is the ballot question:
"Proposed lease of city-owned waterfront and submerged lands in Coconut Grove
"Shall the City be authorized to lease approximately 7 acres of waterfront and submerged lands in Coconut Grove to Grove Bay Investment Group, LLC, providing for 1) a minimum of $1.4 million in guaranteed annual rent and 2) approximately $17.9 million of privately funded improvements to redevelop an existing marina and public baywalk, construct restaurants and, partially fund a public parking garage for a 50 year term with two 15 year renewal options? "
The suit states that "The November 5, 2013 Referendum ballot title and ballot summary are misleading, fraudulent and deliberately deceptive because they do not reflect the chief purpose of the enabling resolution, Resolution R-13-0305, which was adopted only for the stated purpose of seeking voter approval pursuant to Charter Section 29-B."
In other words, the City wants the votes, tricking the voters in the process, thereby misleading the voters.
Here is the full lawsuit.
This third suit claims that there were not the usual proper three bids received by the City of Miami for the project.
The suit also claims that the City-owned waterfront property may be leased only if all of
the following conditions are satisfied:
A) the terms of the lease allows reasonable public access to the water and reasonable public use of the property, and complies with other Charter waterfront setback and view-corridor requirements; and
B) the terms of the lease result in a fair return to the City based on two independent appraisals; and
C) the use is authorized under the existing comprehensive plan of the City; and
D) the procurement methods prescribed by ordinances are observed; and
E) the contract does not exceed five years and does not contain an automatic renewal or termination penalty.
Also, there were no discussions or references during a July 25, 2013 City Commission
Meeting that the proposed lease includes a contractual provision that allows Grove Bay to use this City-owned waterfront property for Casino Gambling as an “other contemplated use” if and when gambling becomes legal in the City of Miami solely upon receiving a favorable vote by the City Commission.
The state requires a municipal referendum ballot summary to be “printed in clear and unambiguous language” and to be “an explanatory statement, not exceeding 75 words in length, of the chief purpose” of the enabling resolution or ordinance. This does not, the ballot question is non-descript.
Here is the ballot question:
"Proposed lease of city-owned waterfront and submerged lands in Coconut Grove
"Shall the City be authorized to lease approximately 7 acres of waterfront and submerged lands in Coconut Grove to Grove Bay Investment Group, LLC, providing for 1) a minimum of $1.4 million in guaranteed annual rent and 2) approximately $17.9 million of privately funded improvements to redevelop an existing marina and public baywalk, construct restaurants and, partially fund a public parking garage for a 50 year term with two 15 year renewal options? "
The suit states that "The November 5, 2013 Referendum ballot title and ballot summary are misleading, fraudulent and deliberately deceptive because they do not reflect the chief purpose of the enabling resolution, Resolution R-13-0305, which was adopted only for the stated purpose of seeking voter approval pursuant to Charter Section 29-B."
In other words, the City wants the votes, tricking the voters in the process, thereby misleading the voters.
Here is the full lawsuit.
Canes Crawl this Saturday in the Grove
Canes Crawl to benefit UM Sylvester Cancer Center is Saturday, October 26 in Coconut Grove. The crawl from 5:30 pm to midnight is $20 if you wear Canes attire and $25 if not. You can register on-site.
All proceeds raised go to supporting healthy lifestyles, encouraging community awareness and support of cancer research at UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
This event is in support of the 2013 Dolphins Cycling Challenge. To learn more visit www.ridedcc.com.
Participating bars and specials:
Mr. Moe’s - Register here, too.
5:30-6:30 pm - First draft beer or Moose Juice Free
Barracuda Bar & Grill
6:30-7:30 pm - First Beer Free (12oz PBR Draft)
Sandbar
7:30-8:30 pm - Free Shot of Skyy Flavors & $3 Drinks and Drafts
Taurus
8:30-9:30 pm - Free shot, $5 well drinks, $3 Miller Light
Greenstreet
9:30-10:30 pm - Free Lemon Drop shot. $3.50 draft beer, $4.50 well drinks, $6 well martinis, margarita or mojitos
Duffy’s Coconut Grove
11 pm-midnight - Free Canes Crawl shot, 2-4-1 Beer, Wine & Spirits
All proceeds raised go to supporting healthy lifestyles, encouraging community awareness and support of cancer research at UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
This event is in support of the 2013 Dolphins Cycling Challenge. To learn more visit www.ridedcc.com.
Participating bars and specials:
Mr. Moe’s - Register here, too.
5:30-6:30 pm - First draft beer or Moose Juice Free
Barracuda Bar & Grill
6:30-7:30 pm - First Beer Free (12oz PBR Draft)
Sandbar
7:30-8:30 pm - Free Shot of Skyy Flavors & $3 Drinks and Drafts
Taurus
8:30-9:30 pm - Free shot, $5 well drinks, $3 Miller Light
Greenstreet
9:30-10:30 pm - Free Lemon Drop shot. $3.50 draft beer, $4.50 well drinks, $6 well martinis, margarita or mojitos
Duffy’s Coconut Grove
11 pm-midnight - Free Canes Crawl shot, 2-4-1 Beer, Wine & Spirits
The Sale Rack is turning 4
The Sale Rack is 4 years old and they are celebrating tonight, October 24. Starting at 7 pm, join in the celebration with tasty beverages and nibbles and of course, a huge confetti-worthy sale all day long!!!
The Sale Rack is at 3444 Main Highway.
Their Facebook page is here.
Create art to support art
The fundraiser will raise money for next month's Mad Hatter Arts Festival being held at The Barnacle.
The Trading Card event is Sunday, October 27 from noon to 4 pm. Cost is $20 for all supplies and materials needed plus delightful treats and champagne punch.
You will be making Artist Trading Cards. These are 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" works of art, like a business card, but better. Any subject matter is fine, let your imagination go wild.
On Saturday, November 2, Blu Moon is presenting "Dreaming in Color," for Gallery Walk night. Escape from the humdrum of everyday life and immerse yourself in a sensuous and enchanting world of color, joy and beauty painted by artist Carla Golembe.
This is from 7 to 10 pm. Enjoy refreshments and live music, too.
Blu Moon is at 3444 Main Highway, in the back.
Why you should vote NO on the Grove Bay mess
This is a great video, which was on the Channel 10 website. Writer and journalist and Coconut Grove resident, David Villano, explains why we should vote NO on the Grove Bay waterfront project. That is #401 on the ballot. It's a way for us to regroup and get the city to do something right before it does something wrong and it's too late.
This video is not showing on mobile devices, please try Channel 10's site here.
Also this: From the Signed GROVE BAY LEASE
Section 2.7 Prohibition on Casino Gambling
Lessee agrees that if casino gambling shall in the future become legal in the City of Miami, the Property hereby demised shall not be used for casino gambling, or games of chance, unless (1) Lessee obtains the prior consent of the Lessor, which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the City Commission and (II) if the Lessor Consents, the Parties shall in good faith negotiate an appropriate modification or amendment to this Lease, permitting such use and providing for the payment by the Lessee to the Lessor, as Additional Rent, of an amount to be negotiated by the parties.
Basically it's like this. When and if casino gambling is allowed, do you think Grove Bay, which has this specifically stated in the lease, is going to turn it down? All they need to do is get 3 commission votes, which will not be hard to do.
As for the Regatta Park next door, where the Expo Center is now. We are NOT voting for that. That park is happening no matter what. We are only voting against the improper wording and lease and bid on the Grove Bay / Scotty's Landing site.
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