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Miami River Commission gives thumbs-up to Knight Center and Hyatt redevelopment proposal

A proposal to replace the James L. Knight Convention Center and the adjacent Hyatt Regency Miami with a three-tower mixed-use project gained support from a key quasi-public agency, leading the way toward a public referendum.

The Miami River Commission on Monday voted unanimously to recommend approval of the redevelopment project, which is being spearheaded by an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corp. that operates the Regency. On Thursday, the Miami City Commission is to vote on placing a referendum on the Aug. 28 ballot to extend and expand a ground lease Hyatt Equities has with the city. If approved by voters, Hyatt would add the city-owned Knight Center’s 4.1-acre site and have its lease extended for 99 years.

Tim Gomez, a lobbyist with Floridian Partners representing Hyatt, said if voters approve the new lease, Hyatt would build the project in three phases, beginning with the pedestal and a new hotel. Two residential towers would be built in the final two phases. The three buildings would have a total of 2,250 units even though Miami 21 allows for the development of up to 4,200 units. “The count is well below what we can do per acre,” he said. “Hyatt and the city have gone the extra mile to also create a family and pedestrian friendly stretch as part of the redevelopment.”

During a presentation, project architect Kobi Karp displayed renderings that show the entrance to the Hyatt and James L. Knight property would be shifted off Brickell Avenue to improve traffic flow in a very congested area of downtown Miami. The project would also feature a 500-foot public plaza and riverwalk that would connect to the Riverwalk Metromover Station and Fort Dallas Park.

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TRD