Miami Today News | Miami Today | July 13, 2021
Below are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.
CRUISE CONTROL: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has sued asking a federal judge to block a Florida law banning Covid-19 vaccination “passports” so the company’s fleet can resume operations. In documents filed Tuesday, Norwegian argued that the legal action is the company’s “last resort” to resume operations “in the way that this cruise line has determined will be best for all concerned – with the benefit of documentation confirming that all of its passengers and crew have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.” Carnival Cruise Line will start requiring unvaccinated people older than 12 boarding cruise ships in Florida to buy $10,000 worth of travel insurance and $30,000 worth of emergency medical evacuation coverage when checking in starting July 31.
PHARMACEUTICAL LURES: County commissioners unanimously directed Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to cooperate with the Beacon Council and its local and regional partners to attract pharmaceutical companies to “establish offices, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers in Miami-Dade County.” The resolution by Rebeca Sosa and Javier D. Souto also proposes the provision of financial incentives and real property at below-market rates. According to the legislation, the mayor or a designee must report to commissioners within 120 days presenting a plan and detailing progress.
FTX AND GUNS: Commissioners last week approved a resolution by Rene Garcia directing the mayor’s office to “annually review, audit, analyze, and report… on the use of all funds disbursed in the prior year from the ‘Anti-Gun Violence and Prosperity Initiatives’ trust fund.” The fund is being fueled by a naming rights agreement that created FTX Arena. On March 26, commissioners voted to give naming rights of the county-owned arena at 601 Biscayne Blvd. to West Realm Shires Services Inc. dba FTX.US. In return, FTX is to pay the county $135 million over 19 years. The resolution that approved the renaming required that 70% of funds “net of expenses” be placed into the “Anti-Gun Violence and Prosperity Initiatives” fund. The company has already paid $14 million. Since 2014 Florida has reported 196 mass shootings and 7,337 homicides/murders/defensive gun use, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
PINNACLE BREAKS GROUND: Miami-based Pinnacle has broken ground on a 140-unit luxury rental community in Fort Lauderdale, to be completed in late 2022. Eight-story Bimini Cove will mix one- and two-bedroom units and have 1,700 square feet of retail/office space. The project is at 2500 SW 22nd Terrace. Pinnacle has a development portfolio nearing 10,000 units in Florida, Mississippi and Texas.
