Steven Meiner rode into the Miami Beach mayor’s office in 2023 after beating his former city commission colleague, Michael Gongora, in a run-off. Meiner made good on one of his campaign promises to make it a little harder for developers to seek more density for their projects.
Last year, the city commission unanimously approved his legislation requiring six out of seven members of the elected body, including the mayor, to green-light any requests to exceed the city’s maximum allowable floor area ratio, or FAR, for new buildings. The commission also approved requiring developers to conduct a neighborhood impact assessment of any proposed FAR increases.
Yet, Meiner’s four-year term as mayor has been marred by a few fumbles. In March, the mayor faced significant community backlash over his unsuccessful attempt to cancel a lease at a city-owned historic building at 1130 Washington Avenue with O Cinema. Meiner sought to terminate the agreement because the art house company refused to stop showings of a Gaza War documentary he claimed was offensive to Jewish people. Meiner also resigned from his job as a lawyer for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission following a human resources investigation that he sexually harassed three female colleagues and an intern, published reports state. The inquiry had just gotten underway when Meiner quit.
Despite his efforts to reign in development and his controversies, Meiner has racked up strong financial support from real estate interests compared to city commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, his only opponent in the upcoming Nov. 4 election.
Prominent developers like Russell Galbut, Terra’s David Martin and JDS Development’s Michael Stern can’t donate to any Miami Beach candidates because they have pending business with the city, according to city records. But Miami Beach First, a political action committee backing Meiner, has collected $134,000 in contributions from well-known real estate and hospitality players in Miami and Miami Beach.
Meiner, a non-party affiliated candidate, said in a statement that the financial backing from the real estate and hospitality industry reflects broad support for his reelection campaign.
“Residents and businesses recognize our success and want to keep the momentum going for Miami Beach,” Meiner said.
Rosen Gonzalez, an outspoken advocate for historic preservation in Miami Beach, told The Real Deal that she is only raising money through her individual campaign account, and has not sought donations through a separate PAC. She said she is getting indirect support from groups such as Save, South Florida’s longest-serving LGBTQ rights group, and the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.
Rosen Gonzalez also has picked up some support from restaurant and hotel owners in Miami Beach’s Art Deco District.
“They are very upset with the current state of the city,” Rosen Gonzalez said. “They have more confidence in me than the mayor. When the streets are empty and hotels aren’t full, that is a problem.”
Top Meiner donors
Leading the charge for Meiner is Lennar co-CEO Stuart Miller, who lives in Miami Beach and contributed $50,000 to Miami Beach First, campaign finance reports show. In April, the Federal Elections Commission dismissed complaints against Miller that alleged he attempted to conceal his identity when an entity he controls donated $125,000 in 2022 to a pair of committees backing Republican congressional candidates, including Miami congressman Carlos Gimenez.
Real estate investor Michael Simkins, who lives in Miami Beach, donated $25,000 to Miami Beach First. Simkins’ business partner, Marc Roberts, kicked in $10,000. Simkins and Roberts co-own E11even nightclub in downtown Miami, and they are also partners in a pair of E11even-branded condominium projects.
David Grutman, founder of Miami Beach-based Groot Hospitality, pitched in $20,000 to Miami Beach First. In Miami Beach, Groot owns Papi Steak, a restaurant in the city’s South of Fifth neighborhood, and co-owns Liv nightclub in billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort. Grutman is also building a house at 2050 North Bay Road.
Miami Beach First also notched $18,000 from Alex Kleyner, a Miami Beach-based real estate investor. Kleyner and his wife, Diana Ulis, own a waterfront development site in Fort Lauderdale slated for a boutique condominium, as well as a Coral Gables property that was previously approved for a condo project. The couple acquired the sites from affiliates of Location Ventures, the defunct firm founded by disgraced developer Rishi Kapoor.
In addition, Meiner’s committee received $10,000 each from Miami Beach developer Scott Robins and New York-based Naftali Group; as well as $5,000 each from Julia Grimes, managing partner of the Hilton Bentley Hotel South Beach, and entities managed by Miami Beach real estate investor Jimmy Resnick. Faena Hotel Miami Beach gave $2,000.
Outside of Miami Beach First, Meiner’s individual campaign received a combined $5,500 from entities tied to New York-based Infinity Real Estate, led by David Berg and Steve Kassin. Berg also donated $1,000, campaign reports show. In addition, an Infinity affiliate gave $1,000 to Rosen Gonzalez.
Last month, Infinity acquired an assemblage on Miami Beach’s Alton Road, including the former Epicure Gourmet Market & Café site, from developer Michael Shvo.
Miami Beach First has collected a total of $540,745, compared to $97,727 via Meiner’s individual campaign.
Top Rosen Gonzalez donors
In her bid to unseat Meiner, Rosen Gonzalez has raised $146,806 for her individual campaign, with roughly $28,000 donated by real estate and hospitality professionals in Miami Beach. For instance, three members of the Mirmelli family, which has significant real estate holdings in the city, each gave $1,000, the maximum allowed, campaign finance reports show.
Catherine and Anthony Arrighi, owners of Ocean’s Ten restaurant at 960 Ocean Drive, and two entities they manage each gave the maximum $1,000. Five affiliates of Miami Beach-based Think Hospitality, led by Shawn Vardi, donated a combined $5,000 to Rosen Gonzalez’s individual campaign. Think owns seven Art Deco hotels in South Beach.
Another hotelier, Alan Lieberman, his wife Dianne Lieberman, and an entity he manages, gave a combined $3,000 to Rosen Gonzalez. Lieberman’s South Beach Hotel Group owns 16 boutique hotels in the city. Five entities managed by Jim Cavanaugh, who owns a hotel at 1360 Collins Avenue, each gave $1,000, according to campaign finance reports.
And South Beach restaurants and bars Palace Bar, Mango’s Tropical Cafe, Prime 112 and Big Pink each gave $1,000 to Rosen Gonzalez.
