Among the slew of items passed by Miami voters on Tuesday was outgoing Mayor Tomás Regalado’s $400 million Miami Forever general obligation bond, reports the Miami Herald, which states “Miami’s city officials have promised to spend $192 million on storm drain upgrades, flood pumps and sea walls to curb flooding that has worsened in recent years and begin to fund an estimated $1 billion in projects needed to brace the city against rising seas.”
Tack on another $100 million for affordable housing and economic development, $78 million for some much-needed parks and cultural facilities, $23 million for infrastructure improvements, and $7 million for public safety. The bond initiative was passed by approved by roughly 55 percent of voters.
The City of Miami’s next mayor will be Francis Suarez and the City of Miami Beach’s next mayor will be Dan Gelber. Both captured over 82 percent of the vote.
As for the two major items on Miami Beach’s ballot, 65 percent of voters rejected rolling back alcoholic beverage sales times on Ocean Drive and 59 percent of voters approved a rezoning plan in North Beach, the latter paving the way for a master plan that revitalizes a 10-block district along 71st Street between Collins Avenue and Indian Creek Drive.