Florida Construction News staff writer

Calling it “a new cultural renaissance”, the City of Miami Beach will break ground at 11 a.m. today, July 27, on an innovative workforce housing complex. The 80 residential units, located at 224 23 St., will be prioritized for income-eligible artists, educators, first responders, veterans and other Miami Beach employees with households that earn 120 per cent or less of the area median income for Miami-Dade County.

This public-private partnership (P3) is partially funded through the city’s 2022-voter led Arts and Culture General Obligation Bond program and includes dormitory housing serving Miami City Ballet’s student dance education program. The project will also feature ground floor space for potential public, cultural or performing arts activations through not-for-profit partners.

Developed in collaboration with housing developer Servitas and Moss Construction, the project’s innovative bond financing structure permits housing to be constructed and operated at minimal cost to the city, and enables excess rental revenues to support cultural programming at the complex.

“This project represents years of exploration, discussions and planning involving the City of Miami Beach, residents and our cultural anchor, the Miami City Ballet,” said Miami Beach city commissioner David Richardson. “This project not only provides much-needed workforce housing inventory at a time when housing costs have soared, it also complements Miami Beach’s creative spirit and cultural character by supporting our cultural partners and programming.”

Servitas executive vice-president Angel Rivera, says the company is proud to be a catalyst for affordable workforce housing and a contributor to the growth of the creative and essential worker community of Miami Beach. “We understand that what we build impacts the quality of life of a community and we work to create spaces that deliver meaningful value,” Rivera said.