Most recent Sun Sentinel editorial 2/8/22:
Caryl Shuham is not a prosecutor. But shortly before midnight last Wednesday, the Hollywood city commissioner delivered a forceful indictment.
For roughly 45 minutes, Shuham — a construction lawyer — picked apart the proposed deal under which Related Group of Florida would build a 30-story condo on a public oceanfront site in return for building a park and community center. Supporters call it a great example of public-private partnerships, known as P3s.
Such partnerships, however, must strike the proper balance between public and private. Shuham argued that the deal would have been very unfair to Hollywood. “It began on Related’s terms” after the company approached the city, Shuham told me, and stayed there.
Shuham called the projected revenue to the city “speculative” because Related based it on inflated sales prices. The contract, she said, “guarantees nothing” to Hollywood. After Related sold the 190 units, the city would be dealing with a condo association. Nothing prevented the project from becoming rental.
One example especially stood out: As Shuham pointed out, the city based many of its projections on material from CBRE, the real estate services firm. CBRE will make a $1 million fee if the commission approves the deal.
Shuham correctly called that “a conflict.” In addition, Shuham said, CBRE’s money would come out of what the city was supposed to get.
Mayor Josh Levy had strongly backed the deal. When Shuham finished, Levy praised her and said, “Now, we finally have an opportunity to discuss this as a city commission.”
But Levy missed the larger point. The development agreement with Related is 130 pages long. The lease is 107 pages. Each was before the commission for approval.
Instead, Hollywood should have scheduled a workshop meeting for commissioners to raise criticisms and ask questions. To the many opponents, calling for a final vote confirmed fears that after two years the city wanted to rush the approval.
Such partnerships can be tempting. They offer cities and counties the lure of new civic projects without having to pay for them. Often, however, the private benefits come first.
A P3 in Fort Lauderdale allowed Inter Miami FC’s soccer field on Lockhart Stadium. Last month, City Commissioner Heather Moraitis complained that the team still hasn’t built the promised park next to the stadium. The completion date was to be July of this year.
Shuham’s tone and demeanor bolstered the substance of her presentation. She thanked the staff for its work. She never sounded harsh. When we spoke Friday, she called Levy “a lovely person” and expressed support for Levy’s wish to raise revenue through redevelopment and thus enable Hollywood to provide services, build amenities and avoid tax increases.
But Shuham called Related’s condo “the wrong building in the wrong place.” Put taller buildings inland, not on the beach. Use existing rules to increase density rather than create new ones. Emphasize sustainability.
There would be nothing wrong, Shuham said, if two-story oceanfront condos added three stories. Allowing the Related condo, though, would set off land speculation along the beach that Hollywood has considered “sacrosanct.”
Developers, Shuham said, “are waiting for Hollywood to fold. The city has to be strong.” Almost every South Florida city has tall buildings on the beach. Hollywood, Shuham said, “keeps a low profile” along the ocean that she believes will enhance the city’s appeal and boost its economy.
Most residents apparently agree with that approach. Like other critics, Shuham noted that no civic group or community association supported the deal. Indeed, many of them came out against it.
Nothing illustrated that seeming disdain for the public more than when Related offered to subsidize the city’s legal fees if opponents sued to block the deal. Land-use lawyers have claimed that the deal wouldn’t be legal under Florida’s public-private partnership law. The city’s legal team liked the idea.
The commission did not approve Shuham’s motion to deny the application. It will come back to the commission on March 16. Shuham said Friday that the proposal already has changes. More likely will follow.
It seems unlikely, though, that the new deal will contain what it most lacks: strong public support. That’s the most damning indictment of all.
You can make a citizen comment at 9 AM on March 2nd at the CRA meeting, city hall, 2nd floor. The mayor and commissioners will be there at 9 AM and will listen to each resident speak (each resident can speak for a maximum of 3 minutes). You do not have to pre-register beforehand. Just wear a mask and bring ID and go up to the 2nd floor to sign up to speak. Fill out a speaker's card and hand it to the city clerk at the front of the room (Commission Chambers, 2nd floor, City Hall). Then wait for your name to be called.
9 AM is the CRA meeting, and the entire city commission is the CRA Board. (6 commissioners and the Mayor). Citizen Comments are in the beginning of every CRA meeting and you can speak about anything (including the condo).
Don't forget to sign the letter to the city commission at NoNewTower.com
The vote on the condo deal is March 16 time TBD. We are not sure the public will be allowed to speak on March 16.
Follow the FACEBOOK PAGE (created by Hollywood residents) for updates. Thank you!