Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Partners Chad Friedman and Maria Currais represent town in complex transaction

In an exciting milestone for Cutler Bay, the town has completed a land swap with a private property owner acquiring the 16-acre future site of a new municipal complex and park on Old Cutler Road. Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Partners Chad Friedman and Maria Currais represented the town in the complex transaction.

For over a year, the attorneys worked closely with town officials and the private property owner, GCF Investments Inc., to finalize the land swap. The town took ownership of the 16 acres, which are located north of SW 212 Street and east of Old Cutler Road within a property known as the “potato field,” in exchange for a six-story office building and adjacent property at 10720 Caribbean Blvd. The existing Town Hall is located on the property.

Cutler Bay is leasing the site of the existing Town Hall from GCF until the new facility is completed.

By acquiring the vacant land, the town is creating much-needed open gathering space for the community as well as mitigating potential traffic impacts along Old Cutler Road.

“It is very exciting to be involved in a transaction that will positively change the landscape of the town,” Friedman said. “It is rare to find such a significant piece of land for the public to enjoy. Completing this transaction would not have been possible if not for the leadership and vision of the current and previous Town Council and Town Manager, as well as, the cooperation and patience of GCF.”

The approval process for the land swap spanned two Town Council administrations as an election occurred in November 2018.

“This successful outcome is a testament to the vision of previous Town Council and the guidance of the current Town Council working together to ensure this important legacy for the Town,” Town Manager Rafael Casals said. “Everyone involved recognized the unprecedented opportunity to secure this land for the benefit of all current Cutler Bay residents and for future generations to come,” Mayor Tim Meerbott expressed.

Friedman focuses his practice on representing property owners and governmental entities in the areas of land use and zoning.

Currais specializes in the real estate and banking practice areas, with an emphasis on commercial real estate lending, commercial real estate transactions and condominium and Housing and Urban Development filings.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for the Town’s e-notifications and follow the Town’s official social media pages to be notified of upcoming Public Involvement Meetings to discuss the vision and planning of this newly acquired public space. To sign up visit www.cutlerbay-fl.gov and for further information contact Town Hall at (305) 234-4262.

About Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L.:

Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L. is a prominent South Florida law firm serving corporate, governmental and individual clients with an integrated array of professional services including commercial litigation, land-use and real estate law, corporate law, construction law, communications and cable law, labor and employment law, government law and governmental relations. The firm has offices in Coral Gables, Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton. For more information, visit www.wsh-law.com.