Dive Brief:
- The FAA issued "notice of presumed hazard" letters to the developers of six high-rise towers in Miami warning that the proposed buildings might be too tall.
- The interim warnings are rooted in the agency's report that the tall buildings might obstruct or negatively impact operations at Miami International Airport — located west of the city's downtown.
- The warnings are not final, however, and developers have 60 days to request further investigation by the FAA and time for public comment. Those next steps could take up to 120 days.
Dive Insight:
The developers who received the letters include: Related Group, based in Miami, for two of its buildings; Florida East Coast Realty; Chetrit Group, based in New York; Louis R. Montello’s Regalia Beach Developers of South Florida; and Two Roads Development, also based in South Florida.
Despite the warning letters, the developers have said they aren't worried, as they predict further review will result in an easing of height restrictions.
Florida East Coast Realty VP Dean Warhaft told the South Florida Business Journal he has been in contact with the FAA, and he expects his project to be approved at the originally planned height. "It's part of the process," Warhaft said.
Still, in a time when developers are finding ways to build structures taller and taller, they need to consider the result of the buildings on the area around them.
The Journal also noted that it would be no surprise if the FAA ended up permitting the tall structures, but added, "this is a reminder why Miami likely won’t have Dubai-style skyscrapers."
