A service alley behind Lincoln Road is set to become a place to eat and shop. Miami Beach commissioners voted 7-0 on Oct. 14 to approve a concession deal with developer Michael Comras of The Comras Company, Miami Today reported.

Lincoln Road Mall at night, March 2015. Context.
Lincoln Road Mall at night, March 2015. Source

The project is called the NoLi District, short for North Lincoln. It covers the city-owned stretch of North Lincoln Lane between Meridian Avenue and Meridian Court, one block north of Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, FL 33139.

What's planned

Plans call for outdoor dining, landscaping, lighting and new retail and cafe space in the lane. A new passage through the buildings at 719-737 Lincoln Road would connect the lane to Lincoln Road. Part of a building will be torn down to make room for a covered walkway, the South Florida Business Journal reported.

Comras told commissioners the project is "for locals, by locals," according to Miami Today.

The deal

The city keeps ownership of the land. Comras pays to build and take care of the improvements. Work on the city land is estimated at about $3 million: roughly $2 million for public space and $1 million for retail and cafe structures.

The concession starts with a 20-year term. Three 10-year renewals could stretch it to 50 years. Payments begin after 18 months, with a $100,000 minimum guarantee each year plus percentage rent. After 15 years, the city can end the deal for convenience with five of seven commission votes. Comras withdrew an earlier request for city parking passes.

Because the deal involves city property, it needed six of seven votes. Commissioners also waived competitive bidding, which took five of seven votes, according to the city's public hearing notice. The city manager will finalize the agreement. Special events in the lane will still need city permits.

When it could open

Comras said he expects the first phase to be done by the middle of 2027. He aims to finish most of the work before the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach convention center hotel opens. The Business Journal reported the redevelopment should be complete by the end of 2027.

Anabel Llopis, who leads the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District, told commissioners more than 20 leases are in the pipeline across the district.

What it means for nearby owners

For people who live or own property north of Lincoln Road, the plan would add a new block of outdoor dining and shops between the mall and 17th Street. It is approved, not built. No construction start date has been set.

The Lookout has been tracking other Miami Beach projects, including the Five Park owners' lawsuit over the Buren bridge and Galbut's withdrawn Live Local plans. For something free nearby, see our guide to the Beethoven WallCast soundscape.

Buying or selling in Miami Beach? The Miami Lookout is founded by Joe Biscaha, a Miami real estate advisor with Compass.