Cutler Bay council approves first reading to seek up to $17 million in bonds for Legacy Park; soil cleanup has already cost millions
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Summary
On Feb. 18, 2026 the Town of Cutler Bay approved first reading of an ordinance to pursue up to $17 million in capital improvement revenue bonds to finish Legacy Park and the municipal complex. Finance staff and the town manager said soil remediation has already drawn millions from ARPA and general-fund transfers.
Cutler Bay council members voted on first reading Feb. 18 to authorize town staff to pursue up to $17 million in capital improvement revenue bonds to help complete Legacy Park and the town’s municipal complex.
Town manager Rafael Casals and bond counsel described the measure as gap financing to carry the project through remaining construction phases. Casals introduced bond counsel and said the item followed a detailed workshop and staff outreach. The motion to move forward was made by Council member Lord and seconded by Council member Duncan; the council approved the item by roll-call vote (Lord: yes; Duncan: yes; Ramirez: yes; Vice Mayor Callahan: yes; Mayor Marybeth: yes).
The ordinance comes as the town has already spent millions on soil remediation at Legacy Park. Finance director Robert D’Addario told the council the town had recorded a $3.6 million operating surplus through June 30, 2025 but transferred roughly $1,440,000 from the general fund to Legacy Park soil remediation and that Miami-Dade ARPA funds covered about $6,500,000 of the work. “Through June 30, 2025, approximately $7,900,000 was spent on soil cleanup at Legacy Park,” D’Addario said. He warned that, after accounting for those transfers, the full fiscal year will likely show a deficit in the range of $750,000 to $1,000,000.
Emma Jones, the owner’s representative for the Legacy Park project, reported that Phase 1 soil import/export and compaction are complete and the team is awaiting DERM review to close the phase. Jones said staff are now working on pricing for GMP2 (underground utilities/site work) and GMP3 (vertical construction) while agency permitting and testing continue.
Council members also discussed green-building requirements for the complex. Council member Lord asked for a March presentation comparing LEED and Green Globe certification costs; several members said they wanted concrete cost estimates before committing to certification requirements that could affect overall project budgets.
What’s next: the ordinance advances as a first reading authorizing staff to continue negotiation and financing work. A subsequent council hearing will be required to finalize bond authorization and any related financing documents.
