Council approves transfer of 27 D Northeast to Miami Special Utility Authority for potential barter with local business

The Miami City Council on Aug. 19 approved transferring a parcel located at 27 D Northeast to the Miami Special Utility Authority (MSUA) to enable a potential property exchange with Allen Signs. City speakers said Allen Signs is interested in the adjoining parcel (the former AT&T site) and that the smaller parcel at 27 D Northeast contains covenants and a sewer line running through it that limit its commercial development value. Because of those covenants and the presence of the sewer line, staff described the property as having limited market value but said a barter or in-kind arrangement with Allen Signs for compensation and city work could be beneficial to the community. The council discussed that transferring the parcel to MSUA would make for a cleaner transaction for land transfers. A motion to transfer the property to MSUA passed with recorded “aye” votes by Jones, Forrest, Eastep (as recorded), Zocal and Parker. Council members said Allen Signs has already purchased the old AT&T property and that the parcel in question adjoins that purchase. No sale price or final terms were approved at the Aug. 19 meeting; council authorized the transfer to MSUA to allow city staff and the utility authority to pursue the arrangement and negotiate specific terms.