North Beach awards first façade improvement grants to two businesses

Two North Beach businesses have received the first grants from the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency's new façade improvement program. Tree Bees Inc. and Ducale LLC were identified as Commercial Façade Improvement Program recipients in city records dated June 17, 2026. Grant amounts have not been publicly disclosed.

A first step for a young redevelopment district

The awards mark the first tangible spending from the NBCRA, a 326.4-acre special district created in February 2021 to address commercial vacancies, limited housing stock and resiliency challenges in North Beach. The district runs from 87th Terrace south to 65th Street, between Rue Notre Dame and the Atlantic Ocean.

In its initial budget year, the agency launched four programs: the Commercial Façade Improvement Program and a Residential Property Improvement Program, both targeting privately owned buildings in the Normandy Fountain and Rue Vendome Plaza area; arts and culture tourism support; and small business development assistance.

The NBCRA operates on a 30-year timeline through 2051, funded by a portion of incremental property tax growth within the district contributed by both the city of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County. Mayor Steven Meiner chairs the NBCRA board, which includes six city commissioners and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Micky Steinberg. Eric Carpenter serves as executive director.

How residents can weigh in

Residents and business owners who want a voice in how the money gets spent can attend the NBCRA Advisory Committee's next public meeting Sept. 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive. The committee, chaired by Ronnie Issenberg with Tom Richerson as vice chair, meets monthly except during August recess. The July meeting was canceled.

The advisory committee was established to ensure continued participation by residents, business owners and community representatives in the redevelopment area, first by resolution in 2021 and later codified in city code by Ordinance No. 2023-4558.

The agency cannot use eminent domain or change zoning, and property values do not freeze within the district.

Contact information

The NBCRA district office at 962 Normandy Drive is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents can call 305-673-7090 or email [email protected].

Upcoming NBCRA Advisory Committee meeting

• Sept. 8, 2026, 4:30 p.m., Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive (dates subject to change)