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Surfside is moving forward with a memorial to the victims of the Champlain Towers South collapse, but the approved design differs from what a family-led memorial committee proposed.

The big picture: The 88th Street memorial park project has already faced delays and had its funding reduced to avoid a voter referendum.

Now, a new group of commissioners has overruled design choices made by some of the family members of the 98 victims who died in the 2021 collapse.

Driving the news: The memorial committee decided last year that the memorial should include a roughly 15-foot-tall water feature depicting the collapsed building and integrate pieces of rubble throughout the project.

Last month, Surfside commissioners voted 3-2 to replace the image of the collapsed building with a depiction of two clasped hands alongside the names of the 98 victims.

They also voted to reduce the use of rubble in the park's landscaping, which the town called a public-safety hazard. (The memorial will still include 13 pillars created out of collapse debris.)

The original water feature design for the Surfside memorial showing the collapsed Champlain Towers South building. Rendering: Courtesy of Keith and Town of Surfside

What they're saying: In an emailed statement to Axios, Mayor Shlomo Danzinger said the redesign reflects "broader feedback gathered from the community, including families, survivors, first responders, and residents."

Danzinger declined to say how many family members he had heard from who opposed the design or provide email correspondence showing their displeasure.

He said the use of rubble from the collapse site "caused unnecessary pain to families, survivors, and residents who pass by the site every day."

"This memorial is meant to honor those we lost with dignity, not to reopen wounds each time someone walks by."

Two people walk along a paved park path flanked by tall, glowing lattice pillars; palm and other trees frame the scene beneath a blue dusk sky, labeled "RENDERING - PILLARS OF LIGHT".

A rendering of the "Pillars of Light" planned for the Champlain Towers South memorial, using rubble from the collapse site. Courtesy: Keith and Town of Surfside

Zoom in: Following the July 28 meeting, acting town manager Mario Diaz emailed the memorial committee members to thank them, inform them of the design changes, and dissolve the committee.

Martin Langesfeld, a committee member whose sister Nicky, 26, and brother-in-law Luis Sadovnic, 28, died in the collapse, said the committee should have been consulted before the design change.

"You do not erase history because the truth is uncomfortable. A memorial exists to preserve the reality of what happened and show respect."

Friction point: During the July meeting, Danzinger downplayed family support for the original design, claiming that it had been "pushed by one or two family members."

Danzinger said the committee's role was to provide input, which he said the town considered and adopted in many cases, but "there are certain elements that offended others."

"We're the ones that live here. We're the ones that have to see it every time we have to walk to the beach."

Langesfeld called Danzinger's remarks "inaccurate and insulting" in a statement to Axios, adding that the original design had emerged from "years of extensive family and community input."

He said the collapse image was intended to make visitors feel what he and other family members felt on the night of the tragedy.

"The truth is disturbing because the reality was disturbing. So is visiting my sister at her grave."

Surfside changes memorial design chosen by victims' families

A family-led memorial committee suggested one design. Surfside commissioners went in a different direction.

A rendering of Surfside's Champlain Towers collapse memorial water wall featuring two clasped hands and the message "Love Lives On."

A rendering of Surfside's Champlain Towers collapse memorial water wall featuring two clasped hands and the message "Love Lives On." Courtesy: Keith and Town of Surfside

Surfside is moving forward with a memorial to the victims of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Champlain Towers South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/24/surfside-five-year-champlain-towers-south-collapse" data-vars-content-id="2a5f3dd6-6c5b-4f6c-bcbd-778b99cb270b" data-vars-headline="Surfside changes memorial design chosen by victims&#x27; families" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/24/surfside-five-year-champlain-towers-south-collapse" target="_self">Champlain Towers South</a> collapse, but the approved design differs from what a family-led memorial committee proposed.

Politics

Miami-Dade County and the creators of the "Grand Theft Auto" video game franchise are discussing a partnership that could reimagine everything from Miami International Airport to Metromover stations.

Why it matters: Any marketing partnership would not only pay the county much-needed revenue, it could also convert video game hype into real-life engagement and tourism.

The big picture: "GTA VI," the most anticipated video game in years, is set in a fictionalized version of Miami called Vice City. 

It encourages players to steal and shoot their way through the city and Florida — or Leonida, as it's called in the game.

Pink tropical metro tram at a station with a city skyline in the background. Large black text "VICE CITY LOOP" across the scene; people stand on the platform.

A rendering of the Metromover in "GTA" colors and designs. Image: Courtesy of Miami-Dade County

Driving the news: Rockstar Games reached out to Miami-Dade about a possible marketing campaign and the county proposed several concepts, says Carlos Suarez, a spokesperson for Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

They range from souvenir transit passes to GTA-inspired manhole covers and large-scale events and installations at PortMiami and Tropical Park.

The proposed marketing plan was first reported by The Miamian,

"Given Miami-Dade's clear influence on the game, we think there is a unique opportunity to reach a massive audience, showcase our community and generate revenue for the County," Suarez said in a statement.

Airport arrivals hall with a bold overlay reading "ARRIVE IN VICE CITY." Pink-glass interior; left flight information board; travelers with luggage and colorful planes with palm imagery in the background.

Miami International Airport could get in on the "GTA VI" fun, too. Rendering: Courtesy of Miami-Dade County.

What's inside: In a slide deck the county presented to Rockstar, ideas include a "GTA"-themed display aircraft and redesigned passenger areas at MIA that would create an "arrival experience that immediately establishes Miami as the real-world inspiration for Vice City."

Another idea is to create an art installation or mural at PortMiami and launch a temporary water taxi from behind the Kaseya Center for fans to see it.

Around pedestrian areas of downtown and Brickell, there could be artist-designed manhole covers and utility box wraps that incorporate Vice City themes.

Rickenbacker Beach redesigned as a "Grand Theft Auto" location. Rendering: Courtesy of Miami-Dade County

Yes, but: Nothing has been formally agreed to or approved, Suarez says.

The intrigue: The county also suggested that Rockstar could fund permanent installations around the county, including covered bus shelters, shaded seating or water bottle refill stations at Rickenbacker Beach, and public art.

What's next: The game comes out Nov. 19. 

Rockstar released an extended trailer this week.

How Miami could get a "Grand Theft Auto"-themed transformation

Vice City could come to life under a proposed marketing campaign.

Neon Miami street scene with a pink transit bus at a glassy stop, palm trees, and a city skyline; large bold text across reads "NEXT STOP: VICE CITY".

Miami-Dade Metrobus stations could get a "Grand Theft Auto" makeover under proposed marketing campaign with video game maker. Rendering: Courtesy of Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County and the creators of the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Theft Auto" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/02/grand-theft-auto-vi-delayed-to-2026" data-vars-content-id="67ac31d9-a7cc-42bc-b571-85c232cbc9e7" data-vars-headline="How Miami could get a &quot;Grand Theft Auto&quot;-themed transformation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/02/grand-theft-auto-vi-delayed-to-2026" target="_self">Grand Theft Auto</a>&quot; video game franchise are discussing a partnership that could reimagine everything from Miami International Airport to Metromover stations.

Culture

Miami-based artist Kyle Holbrook has lost several friends and loved ones to gun violence.

That's why in 2021 he started the National Stop Gun Violence Mural Tour, spreading peace through art.

The big picture: After five years, Holbrook recently finished his final mural in Anchorage at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska.

Zoom in: Each mural is different, but all feature a hand holding up the peace sign. The Alaska mural featured nature imagery, including an eagle and a moose. Local kids helped paint.

Flashback: Holbrook did his Miami mural in 2021 in Liberty City near Charles R. Drew K-8 Center.

What they're saying: Instead of centering the artwork on images of violence, Holbrook chose the peace sign to focus attention on what "communities could move toward instead," a press release explains.

“I’ve experienced the consequences of violence personally, but I never wanted violence to have the final image,” Holbrook said in a statement. “The message was always about peace, hope and possibility. No matter where we traveled, people understood that.”

What's next: As part of the project, Holbrook has amassed an archive of photos, video footage, interviews, community collaborations and stories from across the country.

He and his youth-empowerment group MLK Mural Project plan to draw from that for future film, book, exhibition, educational and speaking projects.

Miami street artist completes 50-state gun violence mural project

He is well known in Miami for his Heat basketball mural. But this project is more personal.

Two murals: left a blue circular emblem reading Unity & Peace with a peace-sign hand, wildlife and children; right a colorful graffiti wall with a large peace-sign hand and geometric shapes.

Peace murals in Alaska (left) and Miami. Courtesy of Kyle Holbrook.

Miami-based artist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kyle Holbrook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/02/06/jimmy-butler-mural-removed" data-vars-content-id="840a1040-6832-4d6e-8538-31f065455496" data-vars-headline="Miami street artist completes 50-state gun violence mural project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/02/06/jimmy-butler-mural-removed" target="_self">Kyle Holbrook</a> has lost several friends and loved ones to gun violence.<ul><li>That&#x27;s why in 2021 he started the National Stop Gun Violence Mural Tour, spreading peace through art.</li></ul>

Freebee, the Miami-based rideshare company that offers free transportation services across Miami and beyond, is among the fastest-growing private companies in the country.

Why it matters: The company, founded in 2012 by University of Miami business school graduates, is now Florida's largest microtransit provider, according to Refresh Miami.

Freebee vehicle in Coconut Grove. Photo: Courtesy of Freebee

Driving the news: Freebee was included in the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, an annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. 

Freebee achieved a 172% three-year revenue growth, good for No. 1991 on the list.

How it works: The company, whose electric vehicles operate across 33 service areas in Miami-Dade County alone, partners with local governments to offer on-demand and fixed-route services.

There are 137 Freebee vehicles across Miami-Dade, which riders can hail via a free app.

What they're saying: "Our growth is driven by a simple mission: making transportation more accessible, sustainable and convenient for the communities we serve," said Jason Spiegel, Freebee co-founder and CEO, in a statement.

Miami-based Freebee ranked among fastest-growing businesses

Freebee's electric cars are all over South Florida.

Freebee co-founders Jason Spiegel and Kris Kimball.

Freebee co-founders Jason Spiegel and Kris Kimball. Photo: Courtesy of Freebee

Freebee, the Miami-based rideshare company that offers free transportation services across Miami and beyond, is among the fastest-growing private companies in the country.

Transit

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

Miami's tree activists are up in arms about the removal of 10 large trees along I-95 near Wynwood.

Why it matters: Local activism around preserving and growing the city's tree canopy has ramped up in recent years as residents use social media, WhatsApp and city data to challenge tree removals.

Driving the news: On Aug. 17, an environmental activist posted a video to Instagram showing a tree trimming company loading up freshly cut trees onto a trailer at 652 NW 31st St.

Prior to the removals, Northwest Sixth Court near Northwest 31st Street was lined with trees.

The latest: After the activist said he reported the incident to the Florida Department of Transportation, the agency tells Axios it is "actively investigating."

Spokesperson Maria Rosa Higgins Fallon wrote in an email that the agency "did not issue a permit for the removal of 10 mature Mahogany trees along I-95, and the activity is unrelated to any current FDOT project."

What they're saying: Miami Commissioner Christine King tells Axios that she began looking into the "slaughter of these trees" after residents contacted her.

"We learned the property is under FDOT's jurisdiction and that these trees, some nearly as old as the highway itself, were cut down illegally," she wrote in a statement. "We have a license plate and are working with FDOT to identify who is responsible."

She called for "severe penalties" for whoever is responsible and that the trees be replaced.

FDOT investigating tree 'slaughter' near Miami highway

The removals come as activists are trying to protect Miami's tree canopy.

(From left to right) The trees along I-95 last year versus Aug. 19. Photos: Google Maps; Sandy Moise. 

(From left to right) The trees along I-95 last year versus Aug. 19. Photos: Google Maps; Sandy Moise

Miami&#x27;s tree activists are up in arms about the removal of 10 large trees along I-95 near Wynwood.Why it matters: Local activism around preserving and growing the city&#x27;s tree canopy has ramped up in recent years as residents use <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/miamicanopywatch/" data-vars-content-id="b817dfdc-188f-44d3-9725-f837e9d8713f" data-vars-headline="FDOT investigating tree &#x27;slaughter&#x27; near Miami highway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/miamicanopywatch/" target="_blank">social media</a>, WhatsApp and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city data" data-vars-click-url="https://miamicanopywatch.com/" data-vars-content-id="b817dfdc-188f-44d3-9725-f837e9d8713f" data-vars-headline="FDOT investigating tree &#x27;slaughter&#x27; near Miami highway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://miamicanopywatch.com/" target="_blank">city data</a> to challenge tree removals.

Martin Vassolo

Featured stories

How Miami could get a "Grand Theft Auto"-themed transformation

FDOT investigating tree 'slaughter' near Miami highway

Surfside changes memorial design chosen by victims' families

Miami-based Freebee ranked among fastest-growing businesses

Miami street artist completes 50-state gun violence mural project