Miami Herald, quoting Miami-Dade county commissioner Joe Martinez and Genting’s lawyer Al Dotson Jr., reported that Miami-Dade would need to sign off on any future plan to include gambling in the proposed 36-storey hotel within a 0.4-hectare (one-acre) leasehold site.
"Genting agreed to spend US$ 16 million upgrading the bus stop off Northeast 14th Street, including adding an air-conditioned shelter and turning over a side street it partially controls. Before Genting can start building above the station, it must pay Miami-Dade US$ 10 million in cash,” Miami Herald reported.
It was reported that Martinez and other commissioners hailed Genting’s plan as a good deal for Miami-Dade since Genting would upgrade the busy bus depot, and assume the depot’s maintenance cost. "I am willing to live with a casino there,” Martinez said.
Dotson was quoted as saying that for Genting’s plan to succeed, the group would need a change in Florida law and local approval for gambling expansion. Dotson also said Genting needed to request Miami policymakers for a change in zoning to allow for slots or card games on the site. "Then and only then,” he said, "would gambling go on that site.”
Source: GMB / Theedgemarkets.com
