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Commission awards annex renovation contract at 18050 Collins Avenue after heated debate; some commissioners oppose replacing potential restaurant
Summary
The commission voted 3-2 to award a construction contract to Waypoint Contracting Inc. for the annex building at 18050 Collins Avenue, ending a multi‑meeting controversy over whether the property should instead be redeveloped as a restaurant. The city has expended $430,849.17 on the annex to date, according to staff.
The City of Sunny Isles Beach commission approved a contract award to Waypoint Contracting Inc. to renovate the annex building at 18050 Collins Avenue, a decision that concluded a months‑long series of meetings and public debate.
City staff said the annex property has been under interim uses and that the commission in a prior resolution directed the city manager to repurpose the property to provide office space for the building department while reserving a portion for a café. Staff reported $430,849.17 in expenditures to date related to work on the annex and said further delay risks losing a private contract that would generate an estimated $160,000 to $200,000 in annual revenue for the city.
Opponents on the dais argued the site is prime beachfront Collins Avenue property and raised concerns that earlier processes — including hiring a broker and private tenant selection — were mishandled. One commissioner said the property could have supported a standalone restaurant and characterized the decision to proceed with the city office/café plan as a lost commercial opportunity; that commissioner voted against the award. Supporters said prior votes and resolutions directed the city to proceed with office space plus a café and urged moving forward to avoid further cost escalation.
The motion to award the contract to Waypoint Contracting passed by roll call 3‑2. Vice Mayor Lamont and Commissioner Viscara joined the mayor in the majority; Commissioner Joseph and Commissioner Stuyvesant voted no. The contract award authorizes the city manager to proceed with the renovation work per the contract documents and to complete the build‑out in line with the previously approved resolution directing the annex repurposing. Staff said the item will return to the commission for standard contract administration and that additional financial details and procurement documentation are available in the project file.
