STOP THE BAILOUTS!!!
Commissioners, you already folded on that stupid Children's museum a few weeks ago (or as I call it, the indoctrinating children to advertising museum). That was stupid enough. I don't usually write about the City of Miami but this Parrot Jungle Catering Hall has me pissed because this deal is more stupid than usual: "We can't meet the terms now so give US EVEN MORE to lose money on!"
Frank Carollo: Do the right thing, you can count at least, send Parrot Jungle packing. The rest of the Commission should get smart and FINALLY SAY NO TO SOMETHING so these beggars will stop feeding from the public trough. They will just keep coming if you keep saying yes. Voters will admire you all for your ability to say no...for once. What have the Commissioners said no to? Anything?
I fear that I know what is going to happen. The whole damn lot of the City commission will fold, groveling to lobbyist Brian May. Well I have had it and I don't even live in the City of Miami. I am just so tired of schemes. I am so tired of commissioners posturing, lecturing and complaining and then they turn around and fold and bail out the beggars. DO NOT FOLD City of Miami Commissioners, we are watching. FINALLY take a stand on something...against losing money for your taxpayers. Cut your losses. Keep the Marina, dump this operator and get someone else to operate this catering hall. Let's all be honest, that is all Parrot Jungle is...a catering hall and apparently not a good one if they can't make any money.
31 comments:
O.K.
Let's say the commission stands strong (as you say) and tells them NO.
What next?
Do you think they just hand the keys to the property over to the City?
No.
The City and the County subordinated their position as creditors to the Bank. So the bank gets the property and tries to find someone else to run it (maybe?).
Meanwhile, the facility is shuttered up for many years while the bank's and city's and county's attorneys try to screw each other, and all the while, the City and the County are still on the hook for the $26 million HUD Loan.
This will never revert to some beautiful passive park where people stroll with umbrellas while sipping lemonade.
The city can barely maintain the facilities they have now. You really think they have the wherewithal to maintain Jungle Island?
Think Marine Stadium.
M
The owners of Jungle Island have a lot of nerve asking for more land and a longer lease when they have not paid the City rent owed, the HUD loan, and property taxes.
Many promises have been made by Parrot Jungle over the years, but very few fulfilled. It seems to be a no brainer to take the property back and find new operators.
Thanks for writing about the city of Miami I think it should be covered more- there are so many issues perfect for eye on Miami's attention. Have you considered this latest deal is a set up for a future gambling emporium? Parrot jungle shares the same lobbyist team as the Sands casino owner?
Did I mention this is all PUBLIC land?
Put a casino on Parrot Jungle Island.
Shame on the city and county for continuing to subsidize businesses that use animals for entertainment- like parrot jungle and Miami seaquarium. Get with the program- these retrograde tourist sideshows of the 1950's are an embarrassment. Shut them all down and replace them with public parks.
We need a series of public workshops to redesign the entire waterfront, integrating the Marine Stadium area (with real attractions- such as an Atlantic World Emporium), job training and a welcome center pulling together the entire island-- along with a reconsidered Watson Island. These are supposed to be public waterfront places - not enclaves for rich boat owners. We could add immeasurably value to the entire waterfront by having places to go to through a water taxi system and more sustainable forms of transportation so we dont choke these places with cars.
We need a series of public workshops to redesign the entire waterfront, integrating the Marine Stadium area (with real attractions- such as an Atlantic World Emporium), job training and a welcome center pulling together the entire island-- along with a reconsidered Watson Island. These are supposed to be public waterfront places - not enclaves for rich boat owners. We could add immeasurably value to the entire waterfront by having places to go to through a water taxi system and more sustainable forms of transportation so we dont choke these places with cars.
Jungle Island,
another Miami PUBLIC/PRIVATE partnership FAIL!
American Airlines Arena, Adrienne Arsh center, Marlins Ballpark, Port of Miami Tunnel Project.
Give it to Jorge Perez. He knows what to do with it. go marlins.
Jungle Island and its plain vanilla catering hall has been a complete failure. Their business plan and their businesses have been such failures that they cannot pay rent and they have never paid a penny towards the HUD loan they took out from the Federal Government. Nonetheless, the two shady promoters, Ronnie Krongold and Bernie Levine live on gated islands in the City of Miami Beach. Hibiscus Island and Palm Island respectively.
The City of Miami should demand Krongold and Levine honor their commitments. Pay up the rent, pay the HUD loan and pay the RE taxes... Now.
This is a short term fight. With sea level rise from global climate warming Watson island will disappear into the sea within a generation. No more public funds should be expended on islands of the sea. We will need all resources for an orderly exit from this region.
City of Miami Commissioners should show intelligence and courage and JUST SAY NO.
Let the banks take it then. Auction off every last fork. Don't give in to threats from lobbyists.
I'm not sure about the technicalities, but if the County/City covered the debt, how would the Bank be able to foreclose? I honestly don't know the financing details of this whole boondoggle, but if that is the case, every politician who approved this in the first place - in addition to the two owners, should be digging in their pockets to pay the tax payers back (it will never happen, but I thought I'd throw it out there).
For the City of Miami to even consider a fifty year lease for a business that has completely failed it's first fifteen years is beyond absurd. Only in our own personal Banana Republic of Miami would any sitting Council or Commission even hear anything about an "anonymous investor"! Is it the tooth fairy or santa claus?
It's even further unbelievable no one stood up to motion to outright reject the whole darn thing as another fantasyland, pie in the sky, or are you f***** kidding me? But, there was an actual motion to "defer"!
Don't these two operators have any personal liability for these losses? If not, why not?
Oh, and finally, I guess I better look up the old Miami Arena, the new Miami Arena, the Marlins stadium, the Arsht Center and of course, the Jorge Perez Art Museum!
I say every politician who approved the above public/private give away needs to find a new job not in public service, because the only people they seem to serve are themselves and lobbyists for the ultra rich
I don't mind the ultra rich, I mind my tax dollars subsidizing them and their life styles, which to me, is worse than the Ponzi schemers!
I love reading this blog! Eyeonmiami readers are a wonderful and diverse bunch, this post alone drew the conspiracy theory ( casinos are everywhere) the climate change warnings( these are real and Watson Island will be one of the first to go under) the historical perspective and the visionaries. I personally like the suggestion that the entire waterfront undergo a longer term visioning process, with smart growth and sustainability principles at the forefront. Look at what other major cities have done with their waterfronts, that draw the public to the public spaces.
To the last anon - Navy Pier in Chicago is a pretty good example, or Lincoln Park (not the band) and that whole "Public" lake front.
Slick promoter Ronnie Krongold and his ethics challenged lobbyist Brian May are trying to deceive the low IQ City staffers and comatose City commissioners. That formula has worked often.
Does anyone have Brian May's phone number? We couldn't afford our property taxes last year and were wondering if he would represent us. We want last year's taxes forgiven and have the city lot across the street thrown in. It'll increase our property value which will benefit the city, eventually. If they can do it for Parrot Jungle, why not me?????
M- the marina should be given Parrot Jungle. Why should parrot jungle get more?
Don't care if the facility is shuttered up. People get shuttered up all the time. It is called foreclosure. Why is it right for them and not the Jungle M? At least it won't be costing taxpayers additional funds.
Did you read Michael Lewis in Miami Today? He says Brian May is tied to the Sands. This unknown developer/investor has to be the Sands. What a fucked up deal this is. I voted for Sarnoff he should vote this deal down. What are we going to have a casino district?
They aren't going to shudder it up if they don't get the new deal with more property and a longer lease. They can restructure it to be a restaurant like the Rusty Pelican and get rid of the Parrot jungle part of it that the public has soundly rejected.
Turn it into a bayfront park for Pinecrest residents.
How many "free" events do County and city commissioners get to host at Parrot Jungle/Jungle Island? How many free tickets to events do elected officials get each year? Who pays for the full page ads of events in The Miami Herald? How much revenue does the Miami Herald get from Jungle ads each month? Everyone in this town is compromised one way or another. Only the taxpayers are kept out of the loop - though they pay for everything.
There is not enough money for parks, public libraries, environmental enforcement in county and city budgets and scams like this are why.
The Quebec waterfront is a good example - a long, winding bike/walk path along the river, with sculptures, gardens, a small cafe, playgrounds. It was a gift to the people of Quebec from the local government (AHHH! What a concept!). A public promenade with no commercial development, just a peaceful, beautiful linear park. That's what we need back on Watson Island and also Virginia Key's waterfront along the Marine Stadium.
See an amazing video (in French) of the Quebec linear park along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. This is actually the transformation of an industrial site into a public park. Link to video: http://www.telegraphe.com/sites/indexen.html
Here's the info below if you want to do your own research. Please, people, let's get a global perspective:
Promenade Samuel-De-Champlain
On March 27, 2012, the "Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec" presented the concept of the "station du Foulon, eastward extension of the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, between "côte de Sillery" and "côte Gilmour", on the banks of the St.Lawrence River in Quebec City.
As long as you're talking Canada - check out the Canal Lachine in Montreal. Another post-industrial site (14 miles long) transformed into an amazing public space - active with bike paths, boat rentals, walking paths and of course, gardens. See it for yourself: http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/canallachine/index.aspx
People in Miami have to realize they are allowed to demand such amenities for themselves as public right on our public lands. Until elected officials are held accountable, it will all be same old playbook - take public lands for private enterprises - with the justification that a small check will be written to the government that will go into the black hole of the budget. And the public will be excluded, once again, though we foot the bill.
Go marlins.
Brian May the lobbyist represents deadbeats and it now appears he represents a Las Vegas casino company too. Will low IQ City staff make the connections?
Brian May represents the deadbeat Island Garden team which in ten years hasn't turned a shovel of dirt and owes the City millions. Now May represents the lowlife promoters who have failed at Jungle Island. Ick.
Just say No. Send them packing. After they pay the rent and taxes they owe.
Monty Python
Dead Parrot Sketch
Mr. Praline: Um...now look...now look, mate, I've definitely 'ad enough of this. That parrot is definitely deceased, and when I purchased it not 'alf an hour ago, you assured me that its total lack of movement was due to it bein' tired and shagged out following a prolonged squawk.
Owner: Well, he's...he's, ah...probably pining for the fjords.
Mr. Praline: PININ' for the FJORDS?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that?, look, why did he fall flat on his back the moment I got 'im home?
Owner: The Norwegian Blue prefers keepin' on it's back! Remarkable bird, id'nit, squire? Lovely plumage!
Mr. Praline: Look, I took the liberty of examining that parrot when I got it home, and I discovered the only reason that it had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been NAILED there.
Owner: Well, o'course it was nailed there! If I hadn't nailed that bird down, it would have nuzzled up to those bars, bent 'em apart with its beak, and VOOM! Feeweeweewee!
Mr. Praline: "VOOM"?!? Mate, this bird wouldn't "voom" if you put four million volts through it! 'E's bleedin' demised!
Owner: No no! 'E's pining!
Mr. Praline: 'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!
Does City Manager have the courage to tell Ronnie Krongold and Bernie Levine to honor their promises? Or will he be another mouse like Pete Hernandez and Carlos Migoya?
Will City Commissioners be corrupt stooges like they were voting for the Marlins scam or will they show backbone?
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