Worldcenter tenant challenges developer with lawsuit

Miami Worldcenter first phase rendering
Miami Worldcenter first phase rendering

On Monday, tenants of the Miami Worldcenter, the owners of Grand Central Lounge, reportedly asked Miami-Dade Circuit Court to halt the development plans of Worldcenter.

The tenant’s attorney, Paul Savage, wrote the Worldcenter agreement violates state laws, and that it unlawfully gives the developer zoning exemptions from future requirements – for example, to obtain liquor licenses the Daily Business Review reported. Savage also disputed that the development agreement approved by the city was never made public, as required by law.

Grand Central’s Brad Knoefler, who recently joined forces with activist groups Miami Neighborhood United and the Urban Environment League, said in a statement that the lawsuit was initiated to confirm Worldcenter does not get special exemptions from fees or laws that would normally apply to everyone else.

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Reports say Worldcenter previously sought to evict Grand Central, according to the Daily Business Review. Savage is also representing another pending lawsuit against the developer, which seeks to reverse a City Commission decision to close three streets because of the Worldcenter project. [Daily Business Review] — Kristina Puga