County Commissioners Take $38,000 From Developer Before Vote to Approve Taxpayer Funds for Mega Mall
After previously opposing the American Dream Miami mega mall, Commissioner Raquel Regalado accepted $12,500 in donations from the developers and voted to approve subsidies for the project in July.
The Miami-Dade County Commission’s decision to reverse a ban on public subsidies for the American Dream Miami mega mall has sparked controversy. This move followed significant donations from the mall’s developers, the Ghermezian family, to political committees linked to key commissioners.
The American Dream Miami project, led by the Ghermezian family-owned Triple Five Group, aims to build a massive mall on the edge of the Everglades in Northwest Miami-Dade. The project has faced opposition due to environmental concerns, worries about out-of-control traffic and the use of public funds to subsidize a private project. Back in 2018, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved the mall’s construction but adopted a policy against using taxpayer dollars for its development.
Raquel Regalado Initially Opposed the American Dream Miami Mega Mall
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado initially opposed the mall. In 2015, while running for mayor, she criticized the project for offering low-wage jobs and questioned its economic benefits. In a video statement, she slammed then-Mayor Carlos Gimenez for supporting the project and emphasized the need to diversify the economy. However, she eventually voted in favor of selling the land needed for the mall’s development while on the school board, saying it was a good deal despite her opposition to the project.
Fast forward to 2024, campaign finance records show Regalado’s political committee received $12,500 from the Ghermezian family before the crucial July vote. Despite her previous stance, she voted in favor of reversing the ban on public subsidies, playing a key role by amending the resolution’s language from “ban” to “modify,” easing her colleagues’ concerns and ensuring the vote’s passage.
The Donations from the Ghermezians
Leading up to the vote, the Ghermezian family donated $38,000 to various political committees linked to Miami-Dade Commissioners:
- Commissioner Kevin Cabrera: $10,000 to “Dade First PC” on 7/5/2024.
- Commissioner Rene Garcia: $7,000 to “People for Accountable Government” ($2,000 on 3/28/2023 and $5,000 on 6/24/2023).
- Commissioner Khionne McGhee: $3,000 to “1 South Dade” on 7/11/2023.
- Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez: $3,000 to “America First Florida First” on 6/19/2023.
- Commissioner Eileen Higgins: $2,500 to “Rebranding Politics” on 5/19/2023.
- Commissioner Raquel Regalado: $12,500 to “Citizens for Excellence in Miami-Dade County Government” ($2,500 on 11/3/2023 and $10,000 on 5/14/2024).
On July 8, 2024, the commissioners voted to potentially allow public subsidies for the American Dream Miami project, marking a significant victory for the Ghermezian family. A lobbyist for the project had earlier indicated that $350 million in public funds might be needed to make the mall a reality. And guess who’s leading the charge for these taxpayer funds? None other than Miguel Diaz De La Portilla, a member of the Diaz De La Portilla political dynasty and part of our Miami Corruption Tracker.
The reversal of the ban on public subsidies for the American Dream Miami mega mall raises questions about the influence of developer donations on political decisions. Raquel Regalado’s flip-flop highlights the potential impact of these donations on public policy. As the final vote approaches, the community will closely watch the implications for public spending and environmental impact.
Sources:
- Florida tax dollars could help fund American Dream Miami
- American Dream Mega-Mall Development Passes Crucial Votes, Will Move Forward | WLRN
- 'Be careful': Warning as Miami-Dade considers subsidies for mega mall on the edge of Everglades - WLRN
- Dade School Board Cancels Lease, Paving Way For Mega Mall - CBS Miami
- Raquel Regalado slams mega-mall plan in Miami-Dade | Naked Politics
- Resolution from July 8