Miami-Dade Courthouse

Crescent Heights Proposes Building New Miami-Dade Courthouse

New County Courthouse Rendering

New County Courthouse Rendering

Crescent Heights developer Russell Galbut has proposed building a new $300 million courthouse, designed by architect Kobi Karp, on a surface parking lot at 54 W. Flagler St in exchange for the existing courthouse at 73 E. Flagler St., according to The Miami Herald. 

By building a new $300 million courthouse, Miami-Dade would pay Crescent Heights $18 million a year in rent over the course of a 99 year lease. In exchange, Crescent Heights would redevelop the existing courthouse, built in 1928, and turn it into high end offices with shops and restaurants on the ground floor.

In November 2014, voters rejected a tax increase of $390 million to help fund a new courthouse.

Previously in April 2016, Crescent Heights proposed building two 43 story towers with 391 residential units on the 54 W. Flagler St lot.

Voters Reject Plan To Replace Downtown Courthouse

Voters rejected a plan that would replace the aging Miami-Dade Courthouse in Downtown Miami. 

If the bond was passed it would have increased property taxes to help fund the $390 million plan, which $25 million would have gone towards fixing the current courthouse.

According to the Miami Herald, 64% of voters voted no against the plan.

Voters To Decide On New Courthouse

Miami-Dade County Courthouse

While the Miami-Dade County Courthouse is currently going through $30 million in renovations, voters will decide in November whether to pass a $393 million bond to help fund a new courthouse. The location of the new courthouse has not yet been determined.

If the bond is passed, it will help fund a new 620,000 square foot courthouse and provide $25 million towards the existing courthouse.

Built in 1925, the existing courthouse is listed under the U.S historical places.

Miami-Dade County to Build New Courthouse?

Miami-Dade Courthouse

Miami-Dade Courthouse

County officials have been talking to All Aboard Florida about building a new courthouse in Downtown Miami that would be public-private according to ExMiami.

The County is currently spending $30 million to renovate the courthouse which includes the the roofs, plaza and facade, but have outgrown the space.

The courthouse was built in 1925 and at one point was the tallest building in Miami. It was added to the U.S National Register of Historical Places in 1989.