Miami Beach residents had many thoughts about Mayor Steven Meiner’s advertisement campaign in New York City.
Screenshot via X/@StevenMeiner
New Times readers, including plenty of Miami Beach residents, weren’t big fans of Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner’s Times Square ad campaign inviting New Yorkers to move south.
The billboards, which ran following Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral election, portray a brightly-hued Miami Beach lifeguard stand with the message, “Miami Beach is open for business. Everyone welcomed! Mayor Steven Meiner.”
The mayor posted images of the Times Square ads on Thursday with the caption, “New Yorkers: look up. Miami Beach is open for business. A world-class destination to live, work, and invest capital,” followed by instructions to “Text or email me” with the corresponding contact info.
A Miami Beach spokesperson told New Times that the ads were “coordinated directly by the mayor,” and “no city resources or funds were used in their production or placement.” Meiner dodged a question on social media about who paid for the campaign, merely stating, “No taxpayer funds were used on this billboard.”
When news happens, Miami New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Real estate developer Russell Galbut later confirmed to the Miami Herald that he had paid for the digital billboards the previous week, but declined to disclose the cost. He stated that the ads were displayed over the course of two days last week. He also revealed that there will be a second billboard that shows people lying on beach chairs with the message: “Why aren’t you here? Your neighbors are. Welcome to Miami Beach.”
Meiner nor his office responded to multiple emails or text messages about the ads from New Times. Here is a sampling of what New Times readers had to say about the Miami Beach billboards. Let’s just say they are not welcoming New Yorkers with open arms, despite what the mayor may suggest.
Mayor of New York City Miami Beach
Some commenters pointed out that Meiner should focus on his constituents, rather than recruit newcomers from the Big Apple:
“Do something for your city.”
“We don’t want any more New Yorkers.”
“Housing’s already unaffordable down here.”
Don’t Be Fooled
Others laughed at Meiner’s description of Miami Beach as “world-class,” given its penchant for flooding and lack of affordability:
“Welcome to King Tide Floods… we Bustelo at 3.”
“That city just needs to sink into the ocean already.”
Leave a city whose new mayor is fighting FOR affordability, and come to one that’s actively FIGHTING affordability!”
Word Class Destination” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
“Ew”
Other commenters kept things brief, pointing and laughing at the mere absurdity of Meiner’s splashy Times Square ads:
“It’s giving, desperation…”
“Truly ridiculous.”
“This is embarrassing.”
“Immense loser energy @stevenmeiner.”
“Eeeeyuck.”
“Ew. Makes me never want to do the Miami Beach…”
“Truly ridiculous.”
“Cringe.”
“Ew lol.”
“Man. Fuck that.”