The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget for 2026 once again includes a study to determine the feasibility of building a parking garage in The Cove Shopping Center. A parking facility in the city owned parking lot is an idea that has surfaced previously but now funds that Mayor Todd Drosk called a “placeholder” are proposed for a study which would be done next year.
Drosky said if board members have other ideas about how to spend these dollars they should speak up.
If the CRA Board, which is made up of the city commission, goes forward with a parking garage project, estimated now in the $9 million range, it could be its last major improvement to the CRA area. The agency sunsets in 2028 or 2029, so no projects beyond those dates are being considered.
In other business, the board approved a $40,000 expenditure for a mural on the pier restaurant building, now under renovation. Pop culture artist Alex Yanes has created vivid art works for the north and east walls of the restaurant being operated by the owner of Oceans 234 who requested the public art funds. Yanes is well known in Miami as a staple of the Wynwood Art District and has created art for many famous brands including Disney, Target, and Coca Cola.