FAA warns developers that planned Miami towers pose hazard to MIA flights

The FAA issued warnings to the developers of four towers in downtown Miami that their projects were so tall they might interfere with air traffic.

Downtown Miami sits in the path of airliners landing at Miami International Airport so the FAA is careful to regulate the height of buildings near the typical flight paths. In December, Brickell City Centre, One Bayfront Plaza, Aria on the Bay and Met Square were sent letters on height concerns from the FAA.

Swire Properties’ mixed-use Brickell City Centre wants to soar 1,039 feet above sea level, but the FAA said that would pose a hazard to air traffic. It recommended a height of 461 feet.

Florida East Coast Realty has proposed building its One Bayfront Plaza office and retail tower 1,005 feet tall. The FAA wants to cut it down to 470 feet.

Melo Group wants the Aria on the Bay condominium to reach 535 feet, but the FAA proposes to cap it at 460 feet.

MDM Development Group’s residential and hotel project Met Square is planned for 538 feet, yet the FAA wants to cut it to 471 feet.

“The proposed structures are located 5.7 nautical miles or less east of the Miami International Airport,” the FAA said in a statement. “The FAA issued Notices of Presumed Hazard (NPH) for the proposals indicating that initial studies have been completed. The NPH is not a final FAA determination, it is an interim step in the process used to notify the proponent of the initial findings and begin negotiations on possible mitigations.”

The developers have 60 days to respond to the FAA.

In previous building booms, the FAA has issued NPH letters but the developers reached compromises and the buildings mostly moved forward. Downtown Miami has dozens of buildings taller than 475 feet. However, several new proposals – such as Brickell City Center and One Bayfront Plaza – would take the tallest building in Miami title away from the 789-foot Four Seasons Hotel & Tower.

However, the FAA announced a policy change several years ago to place more restrictions on tall buildings near major airports around the country.

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Story by: Brian Bandell – Jan 12, 2015, 2:29pm EST
Photo Courtesy: Biz Journals

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