New courthouse plan focuses on funding repairs

Miami-Dade County's courthouse
Miami-Dade County's courthouse

After a $390 million bond to help fund construction of a new courthouse in downtown Miami was resoundingly rejected by Miami-Dade voters, the county could use up to $75 million to cover the most pressing repairs at the 86-year-old structure.

Chief Judge Bertila Soto, a leader in the unsuccessful campaign for a property tax increase to raise money for a new civil courthouse, endorsed a proposal from Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata to inspect the existing courthouse for potential safety issues. The $75 million was allocated for other courthouse projects. Proponents of a new courthouse complained about mold and leaks, among other concerns.

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

Zapata opposed last week’s referendum, according to the Miami Herald. Miami-Dade’s Public Safety Committee unanimously supported his proposal, which will now go to the entire commission for a vote. [Miami Herald]Eric Kalis