Miami Citizens Poll: Where to start to REFORM Miami City and County Government?? (Homestead: sales, condos)

[precisio]

So many posts on this poll talk about how much Miami and Dade County has changed over the last several years (decade?). Many cite crime, overcrowding, overpopulation, immigration, jobs. lack of funding for local non-foreign small business as key issues in the city.

In your response, state your #1 and #2 issues, say where you think city/county government has gone wrong, offer your suggestion.(obviously some issues will stir debate, try to reserve).

[kevinkagy]

Public transit. They need to focus on light rail throughout the city.

[precisio]

What's the primary problem? Some areas are too remote to get too without a car so jobs/affordable housing not accessible? Traffic congestion? Gas expenses? Other?

[sjones123]

I'm a New Yorker now living in Miami. I would say focus on the lightrail.

It will attract more businesses.

[muscleman305]

Number one is affordable housing! I read an article not to long ago that 95% of all new condos and houses built in the last 5 years have been luxury units. Right on its heels is the serious lack of public transportation. The morons running the city approved all of these new condos without the infrastructure to support it. Right now developers have yet to sell even a fraction of new condos, wait until a couple of years when thhat changes our roads now are going to feel like sunday in homestead when that congestion from hell hits us unless something is done fast.

[EnjoyTheSilence]

- A fully functioning, extensive mass transit system, in line with other +5 million metro areas. This would involve an east/west Metrorail link (including a rail link to MB) and perhaps extending TriRail down as far as Homestead.

- More parks, open spaces (something really lacking in the concrete jungle known as Miami)

- Affordable housing

- Real investment in Downtown Miami, i.e. with a mix of retail, residential and commercial + a decent theater, an IMAX movie theater and a bigger library. Miami needs a vibrant downtown area -- one that stays alive well after 6pm.

- Politicians who aren't corrupt and aren't quite as self-serving.

- TRUE diversity, not just Latin/non-Latin

- Reduction in property tax, to be replaced by state income tax (that's a state issue, of course) and a decrease in sales tax (since the increase in Dade County was never used for mass transit).

- Tax incentives for corporations to relocate their operations to Downtown Miami

[muscleman305]

Originally Posted by BCreass

-
- More parks, open spaces (something really lacking in the concrete jungle known as Miami)

i

Yes!!! Turn watson island into a large park for everyone!! not another exclusive sanctuary for the rich, like the yacht club they are proposing. Also open up 1st street pier again.

[EnjoyTheSilence]

Originally Posted by muscleman305

Yes!!! Turn watson island into a large park for everyone!! not another exclusive sanctuary for the rich, like the yacht club they are proposing. Also open up 1st street pier again.

Miami could be a beautiful city for all, not just the rich. With an almost-tropical climate, you'd think that there would be more lush vegetation, beautiful parks and tree lined streets (not just palm trees). Also, I've never experienced such a huge metropolitan area with so few proper parks.

[doggiebus]

The penny tax to expand the MetroFail is what went wrong. The county miss used that money, and hasn't really expanded the MetroFail which they promised that money would go to. We NEED to connect the Metrorail to the airport, South Beach, and the Port of Miami, if we want to become a major city. And downtown Miami needs to be connect to the port, so many people stay a night before and after a cruise, that cabs are their only option.

Another example of stupidity, is the ballpark they want to build, it shouldn't be built on the old orange bowl spot, that area is so depressing, not safe, parking is always an issue (unless they emanate domain some homes right around there for parking), etc. They should build it on the old arena spot in downtown Miami, I know still not a great area, but its easier to get to, parking is much better, tourist could actually catch a game if it was in downtown, etc. And if they build it on the Orange bowl spot, they need to connect it to the MetroFail too. I know if they build it there, I will not be going to many games.

Oh and that stupid tunnel to the port they want to spend more money on. The bridge is fine, use it.

[EnjoyTheSilence]

STOP the Marlins Stadium...that'd be a good start.

How can they justify paying for this when 1) we are in a recession and 2) our schools are grossly underfunded?

No, let's build a stupid stadium so a 525 béisbol-loving jackasses can go watch the Marlins in an empty stadium, paid for by the ever-milked Dade County taxpayer.

This an outrage -- it's pure robbery, plain and simple.

Only in Miami....