We got our first look this week at the costs incurred by the Miami Beach Convention Center due to the August 1 “rain bomb” and Hurricane Irma. In a Letter to Commission, City Manager Jimmy Morales said in addition to the rain damage from the first storm, the pre-Irma prep, damages incurred during Irma, and post-hurricane clean up, the City had to pay additional costs to meet the deadline for Art Basel. Total bill: $6.9 million.
Because of the 15 days in lost construction time from Irma, the City incurred costs for premium time to get the construction to a point where the art fair could utilize it. Other costs include temporary generators due to delays completing an electrical vault as well as outdoor tents, rental space at the Botanical Garden, “and other expenses incurred by Art Basel due to the inability to complete construction as a result of Irma”.
Hurricane costs include damaged insulation and fencing, damage to trees and landscaping stored off-site, broken curtain wall glazing, and engineering costs to rectify the structural integrity of the building. Costs due to the August 1 rain event included drywall replacement and mold remediation, light fixture, ceiling grid and tile replacement.
Morales said the administration will recommend to Commission at its meeting next week that the $6.9 million come from excess RDA trust fund revenues.
The Convention Center is currently scheduled to be substantially completed by August 2018 and the adjacent park by June 2019.
The full Letter to Commission and Convention Center update is here.
Storms Cost Convention Center $6.9m:
damage, costs to get back on track for art basel
final steel beam hoisted into place
seawall project creates opportunity to incorporate final phase of design plan
two shows cancelled, two moved
design miami considering long-term commitment, similar to art basel