Graffiti-Covered Building in Downtown Miami Faces Demolition
No More Extensions for Owners
On Tuesday, the city’s code enforcement board voted not to give the owner of the former VITAS building in downtown Miami any more extensions to clean up the extensive graffiti coverage. The building, located in the heart of downtown Miami, has been covered in graffiti for over a year, and the board has deemed it an eyesore.
Board Members Speak Out
Assistant City Attorney Rachel Dooley stated, "It looks like the because they allowed it to be open season on their structure. For over a year, including all last year holiday, this is what the entire world sees of the city of Miami." Board member Keon Williams added, "We don’t want to give you any more time for scaffolding. We want the thing covered or painted and it should’ve already been done for the better part of the year."
Miami Commissioner Urges Action
Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo held a news conference Tuesday, urging the owners to paint over the graffiti before the New Year’s Eve celebration at Bayfront Park. "That’s not the image we want for Miami," he said. Carollo believes the owners are dragging out the process, and that the building should be demolished.
Community Leaders Unite
Leaders representing the downtown and Brickell areas have also spoken out against the graffiti-covered building. James Torres, President of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, stated, "It’s not just downtown, it’s the entire city of Miami. If this is happening here, imagine where else it could happen." Assistant City Attorney Dooley reiterated, "Not in over a year painting, covering up, doing anything to remove this graffiti is quite frankly unforgivable."
Conclusion
The code enforcement board’s decision is a clear indication that the city is serious about taking action to address the graffiti issue. The owners of the VITAS building have had ample time to clean up the property, and their failure to do so has led to the city taking drastic measures.
FAQs
Q: Why is the city taking action against the VITAS building owners?
A: The city is taking action against the VITAS building owners because the building has been covered in graffiti for over a year, and the owners have failed to clean it up despite repeated extensions.
Q: What is the plan for the building?
A: The plan is to demolish the building.
Q: Why are community leaders speaking out against the graffiti-covered building?
A: Community leaders are speaking out against the graffiti-covered building because they believe it is an eyesore and a reflection of the city’s image. They are also concerned about the potential for similar incidents to occur elsewhere in the city.
Q: What can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future?
A: To prevent similar incidents in the future, the city can take proactive measures such as increasing code enforcement, providing education and resources to property owners, and addressing the root causes of graffiti, such as poverty and lack of opportunities.
