Miami May Ease Downtown Affordable Housing Requirements

Struggling to meet its mandate that requires 15 percent of new units downtown to be affordable, the Miami Downtown Development Authority is asking officials to change the rules.

1 minute read

December 15, 2006, 9:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"The city's Planning Advisory Board unanimously decided last week that it needs more time to review the agency's request to amend a 2002 master development order requiring that 15% of all residential units within the downtown development of regional impact be affordable."

"Agency officials want to extend the boundary to encompass the entire city, citing rising land costs downtown."

"The agency's request 'shortchanges the downtown community,' said Carol Gardner, president of Tacolcy Economic Development Corp., a non-profit that builds low-income housing, including the Edison Towers complex in Liberty City. 'The initial idea was to build the 15% of (affordable) units downtown. They might end up putting the whole 15% in some low-income neighborhood, which undermines what the city asked them to do.'"

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 in Miami Today

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist