Government NEWS

City Approves Ocean Drive Closure for FIFA World Cup 2026

The Miami Beach City Commission on March 18, 2026, approved a resolution directing the administration to close Ocean Drive to vehicular traffic during the FIFA World Cup 2026 games in Miami. The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas and co-sponsored by Commissioners Joseph Magazine and Tanya K. Bhatt, stems from a February 20, 2026, Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee recommendation.

Journal Staff Mar 22, 2026

Transportation

Public Safety NEWS

Monument Island Gets Swim-Only Lifeline as Miami Beach Moves to Ban Motorboats from Popular Biscayne Bay Destination

A tragic Easter Sunday fatality, hundreds of boating citations, and years of regulatory wrangling have converged into a proposed ordinance that could fundamentally reshape how Miami Beach residents and visitors experience one of Biscayne Bay's most iconic recreational destinations.

Journal Staff Mar 22, 2026

Parks

Government NEWS

City Expands "Forever Proud" Banners, Adds Israeli Flag Initiative

The Miami Beach City Commission voted 7-0 on March 18, 2026, to expand the "Forever Proud" lightpole banner initiative into additional corridors within the Art Deco Cultural District, while also directing staff to explore a companion banner program featuring Israeli flags near the Wolfsonian museum. The item, R7K, was sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez and co-sponsored by Commissioners Laura Dominguez, Monica Matteo-Salinas, and Tanya K. Bhatt.

Journal Staff Mar 22, 2026

Government NEWS

City Commission to Explore Naming Rights Deals for Capital Projects

The Miami Beach City Commission is set to discuss naming rights opportunities for city facilities and public spaces as a potential funding mechanism for unfunded and underfunded capital projects at its March 18, 2026 meeting. The item, designated R9X, is sponsored by Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas and applies citywide.

Journal Staff Mar 18, 2026

Budget Parks

Environment NEWS

Miami Beach Distributes $90,000 in Rising Above Grants to Seven Environmental Organizations for 2026

A city-sponsored competitive grant program channeling public funds to philanthropic organizations committed to environmental education, marine resource protection, and community stewardship — and backed by a measurable track record.

Journal Staff Mar 17, 2026

Budget Beach

Government NEWS

City Board to Weigh Seawall Variance for Flood-Prone Property

The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board is scheduled to consider a variance request from Zachariah Cohen of ZCLL IX LLC for the property at 1835 Michigan Avenue, a 1931 Med-Revival single-family home in the Palm View Historic District. The applicant seeks to repair the existing seawall while maintaining its current elevation of 4.48 feet NGVD — more than a foot below the city's minimum required height of 5.56 feet NGVD.

Journal Staff Mar 12, 2026

Development NEWS

W Hotel Seeks HPB Approval for Major Beach Club Expansion

The Historic Preservation Board is scheduled to review an application from 2201 Collins Propco, LLC at its March 17, 2026 meeting seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness for significant renovations and additions to the W Hotel at 2201 Collins Avenue. The proposal includes a new patisserie with 173 total occupancy, a beach club restaurant with 237 exterior seats, and a private members-only club accommodating 307 guests

Journal Staff Mar 12, 2026

Government NEWS

Miami-Dade Seeks Approval to Replace 11 Venetian Causeway Bridges

Miami-Dade County's Department of Transportation and Public Works is seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness from Miami Beach's Historic Preservation Board to demolish and replace 11 of 12 bridge structures along the Venetian Causeway, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The application, designated HPB25-0681, is scheduled for review at the board's March 17, 2026 meeting as Item 5.

Journal Staff Mar 12, 2026

Infrastructure

Development NEWS

Historic Hotel Complex Seeks HPB Approval for Minor Modifications

The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board is set to review proposed modifications to an approved hotel development at 1509 and 1515 Washington Avenue and 1500 Collins Avenue during its March 17, 2026 meeting.

Journal Staff Mar 12, 2026

Government NEWS

Miami Beach Moves to Direct $7,500 in Private Philanthropy Toward Senior Bingo Programs at Four Residential Communities

A $10,000 donation from a prominent real estate billionaire's foundation could soon translate into expanded recreational programming for elderly Miami Beach residents — but questions linger about how the remaining funds will be allocated and whether the distribution formula is equitable across all participating communities.

Journal Staff Mar 12, 2026

Government NEWS

Miami Beach Eyes $8.4M Contract to Replace Aging Marine Patrol Hub — But Is the City Getting a Deal?

When Miami Beach's City Commission convenes on March 18, 2026, one of the more consequential capital improvement decisions on the table involves the future of the city's Marine Patrol operations — a project that would demolish and replace a decades-old, 2,500-square-foot facility with a modern, three-story complex nearly four times its size.

Journal Staff Mar 12, 2026

Government NEWS

City Commission Eyes Artificial Turf for Two North Beach Dog Parks

The Miami Beach City Commission is set to consider a referral directing the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) to evaluate replacing natural grass with artificial turf at two North Beach dog parks. The item, sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt, targets Allison Park Dog Park and the dog park at the intersection of Rue Vendome, Biarritz Drive, and Brest Esplanade.

Journal Staff Mar 12, 2026