> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://friends-of-south-dade.ghost.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Cutler Bay Gets the Traffic. Terra Gets the Deal
- URL: https://friends-of-south-dade.ghost.io/cutler-bay-gets-the-traffic-terra-gets-the-deal/
- Published: 2026-08-09T19:20:44.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-09T19:20:44.000Z
- Author: Pete Kendall 

Danielle Cohen Higgins has found an innovative approach to development in Cutler Bay.

 If the project doesn’t fit the rules, change the rules.

**THE DEAL**

 Cohen Higgins sponsored a **99-year lease of County-owned land at the South Dade Government Center** to a Terra affiliate.

 Terra is the Miami-based development firm led by David Martin, responsible for major residential and mixed-use projects throughout South Florida.

 The project has now grown to **724 apartments in four eight-story buildings.**

**THE WISH LIST**

 Terra wants to eliminate planned streets, reduce required open space from **195,900 to 135,834 square feet**, provide **zero required ground-floor retail**, and allow buildings to face parking lots instead of streets or open space.

 And this “transit-oriented” development is expected to add about **275 vehicle trips each during the morning afternoon rush hours.**

**AFFORDABLE TO WHOM?**

 All 724 apartments technically qualify as affordable housing.

 But only **10 percent** must serve households earning 80 percent or less of area median income ("AMI"). The remainder can serve households earning up to **120 percent of AMI**.

 At current limits, that can allow “affordable” rents exceeding **$3,000 for a one-bedroom apartment**.

 Terra hasn’t said it will charge that much.

 But Cutler Bay residents can certainly ask.

**ONE MORE THING**

 A Terra affiliate, **Terra City Center MF LLC, contributed $5,000 to *We Are, Miami-Dade***, one of the political committees supporting Cohen Higgins.

 That doesn’t prove the contribution bought anything.

 But when a developer gets **99 years of public land and a fistful of zoning accommodations**, voters are entitled to know who is helping finance the politics.

 **Cutler Bay gets the congestion and the traffic. Terra gets the deal.**

 **And Danielle gets the PAC support.**