City and County Pay Millions Annually for Jungle Island

A city official says Jungle Island generates about $1 million in revenue each month

Jungle Island  _ one of South Florida's famed tourist attractions _ doesn't pay rent, doesn't make loan payments and owes local governments millions.
 
Miami's mayor Tomas Regalado said the city made a bad deal with the attraction.

"Every year we bail them out. Yes this is a bailout," said Regalado.

Commissioner Francis Suarez blames politicians who served before him for the tourist attraction's friendly deal.

"Apparently prior commissions felt that was a good idea and that the city was in a financial condition to withstand that. We certainly don't feel that way, " Suarez said.

According to city officials, Miami has made $13.8 million in loan payments on behalf of Jungle Island. Rent payments to the city and Miami-Dade County totaling $17 million have been deferred until 2020.

Meanwhile, a city official says Jungle Island generates about $1 million in revenue each month.
   
Owner Bern Levine would not comment to NBC Miami, but his spokeswoman released a statement.

"Jungle Island is up-to-date with all payments and has met all requirements including the job creation goal set forth in the initial terms, something that we;ve actually exceeded," said Ashley Serrate, a Jungle Island spokeswoman. "We will continue to meet all of the terms set forth by the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County."

This fiscal year, Miami police officers are choking down a reduction in pay, and the city had to plug a $30 million budget gap.

Jungle island is scheduled to make a payment of about $533,000 to the city in February.

"We would hate to see that place close because it's one of the few family things to do in the City of Miami, but it's been a burden to the city," said Regalado.

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