On April 11, 2025, the Opportunity Zone Summit at Miami’s Frost Museum of Science came alive with the “Public-Private Partnerships” panel, a session that unfolded like a tapestry of urban transformation. Larry M. Spring, CFO of the City of Miami, moderated with a steady hand, guiding a trio of visionaries—Debra Sinkle Kolsky of Redevco, Chris Hodgkins of Miami Tunnel, and Neisen Kasdin of Akerman LLP—through a discussion on how public-private partnerships can weave community collaboration, infrastructure funding, and zoning incentives into a fabric of equitable growth.
Spring opened with a declaration that set the stage, his voice resonating with the promise of collaboration.
Larry M. Spring
“Opportunity Zones and public-private partnerships are critical to meeting the needs of the City of Miami, supporting projects that drive growth and equity.”
Debra Sinkle Kolsky stepped forward, her story rooted in Liberty City, where a food desert once stood. She recounted how the Shops of Liberty City, an 8.5-acre project, became a thriving retail hub by purchasing and leasing the site fully, overcoming challenges like perceived crime with police partnerships, and securing city permits in just three days, a testament to community collaboration.
Debra Sinkle Kolsky
“Shops of Liberty City turned a food desert into a retail hub, fully leased for 25 years. We educated the community on self-investment, and fast permitting with community collaboration ensured success.”
Chris Hodgkins followed, his tale centered on the Miami Port Tunnel, a project planned over 32 years but finished $90 million under budget. He shared how infrastructure funding—$450 million from local vendors via Operation 305 (83% from the 305 area code) and $250 million from federal TIFIA—transformed downtown Miami, removing 80% of truck traffic and improving air quality.
Chris Hodgkins
“The Miami Port Tunnel used infrastructure funding of $450 million locally and $250 million from TIFIA. Operation 305 hired 83% of 7,000 workers locally, removing 80% of downtown truck traffic.”
Neisen Kasdin then painted a picture of Midtown Miami, where a 55-acre rail yard became a thriving hub with a billion-dollar tax base, starting from just $25 million. He highlighted the role of zoning incentives like the Live Local Act, noting challenges with luxury projects and NIMBYism but emphasizing the power of leadership in equitable development, including his past work on Newtown.
Neisen Kasdin
“Midtown Miami turned a rail yard into a billion-dollar hub from $25 million. Zoning incentives like the Live Local Act are key, though luxury projects face challenges with housing costs.”
The panel’s stories wove a powerful narrative: public-private partnerships, through community collaboration, infrastructure funding, and zoning incentives, drive sustainable urban redevelopment, offering a blueprint for cities to follow.
