Downtown Miami’s development boss is out of the driver’s seat, at least for now, after a tense public clash that laid bare months of bad blood inside the agency tasked with keeping the city’s core humming.
On Wednesday, the 15-member Miami Downtown Development Authority board voted unanimously to place Executive Director Christina Crespi on paid administrative leave for one month while she negotiates an exit package with the City Attorney’s Office. The move instantly put the DDA’s day-to-day work - from sidewalk cleanup to business grants - under a microscope as the board scrambles to find new leadership.
Board Installs a Stand-In and Opens the Wallet for a Search
During the same meeting, the board tapped Michaeljohn Green as acting director and approved spending up to $50,000 to launch a search for a permanent replacement while Crespi weighs a separation deal. The vote to sideline Crespi was unanimous, and her leave is set for one month as talks continue.
The session itself was anything but calm, featuring sharp exchanges among board members while Crespi and her attorney watched from the sidelines, according to the Miami Herald.
Veteran Insider Steps In as Interim Boss
Green, the DDA’s chief of economic development and strategy, has been leading the agency’s business-development efforts for years. The Miami DDA staff page lists him among the agency’s senior leadership, according to the Miami DDA. His deep familiarity with the organization is expected to provide a steady hand while the board looks outside for a long-term hire.
Accusations, a Pricey Counteroffer and a Six-Figure Paycheck
Crespi’s exit did not come out of nowhere. Chairman Ralph Rosado had publicly accused her of frequent absences, repeatedly running negative vacation balances and potential “time theft.” Crespi has pushed back, arguing that bookkeeping errors are to blame for the discrepancies.
An internal memo cited in reporting said Crespi carried more than 200 negative sick hours before two employees donated a total of 180 hours to her. When the board floated a separation proposal, Crespi countered with demands that included five months of severance, a seven-month consulting agreement, a 10 percent completion bonus of $27,500 and $21,000 to repay a retirement loan.
The City Attorney’s Office recommended against taking that counteroffer. Board members then hashed out an alternative that would package a short consulting stint followed by severance and continued health coverage. Crespi’s salary sits at about $275,000, according to the Miami Herald.
Why This Little Agency Looms So Large Downtown
The DDA oversees a special taxing district that covers Brickell, downtown and parts of Edgewater, running everything from street-level cleanup and public space projects to business grants and capital improvements. Reporting has put the authority’s budget in the tens of millions, with earlier coverage noting overall spending near $19 million and more recent figures showing about $12.8 million in property-tax revenue, underscoring how much cash flows through the agency’s hands.
The DDA’s role and finances have already drawn public scrutiny and political pressure, as outlined by Miami Today.
What Happens Next
With Crespi on leave and negotiations unfolding behind closed doors, the board now has to keep basic operations running while it launches the executive search and finalizes any separation terms.
The drama has amplified long-simmering questions about board governance and oversight. As downtown residents, businesses and property owners watch, board members are under pressure to prove they can manage public dollars cleanly, even when the fight is in their own house.
