WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
A Singular Voice in an Evolving City
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County schools to issue bonds for $200 million in July, pg. 13 MARINE STADIUM LOOK-SEE: The City of Miami may use an $80,000 grant to study parts of long-idled Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key. The iconic concrete waterfront stadium hasn’t been used since Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. City commissioners hope to restore the stadium. Commissioners today (7/9) are to consider acceptance of an American Express National Treasures Program grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to fund extended investigation of pilings, seawall and other underwater structures of the stadium. The program requires the city use the grant solely to investigate the structure in compliance with the US Secretary of the Interior’s standards for the treatment of historic properties. The city can’t use the funds for administrative costs or staff salaries.
Export-Import Bank’s lapse leaves vast void here, pg. 15
THE ACHIEVER
MDX ELECTION RESULTS: Miami-Dade Expressway Authority’s board of directors elected attorney Louis Martinez its chair on Tuesday. He is the founder of Louis V. Martinez P.A. and formerly deputy chief assistant attorney general for the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Florida’s Attorney General. Mr. Martinez, who has been a MDX board member since February 2008, replaces Maritza Gutierrez, the only woman to serve as chair. Shelly Smith Fano, director of Miami Dade College’s hospitality management program and inner-city Hospitality Institute, was elected vice chair. Rick Rodriguez Piña, founder of Rodriguez Piña & Associates, was elected treasurer for a second term. WORKFORCE HOUSING: A Miami-Dade County Commission committee is to vote today (7/9) on an order that would put into effect the county’s workforce housing program, which would set rules under which persons with incomes ranging from 65% to 140% of the county’s median income could acquire workforce housing through the county as their primary residences and sets parameters for the county to acquire the housing for the program. Barbara Jordan is sponsoring the measure, which would direct the mayor to report to the commission each time the county acquired any housing for the program. UPPING THE ANTE: Persons who illegally park in spaces reserved for the disabled would pay a $250 fine if caught under a measure before the county’s Metropolitan Services Committee this week. Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz and Sally Heyman are sponsoring the measure, saying it would free more parking space for the disabled and send added fine dollars to the county. The current fine is $150 for the first offense, $250 for later offenses.
Lester Sola
Photo by Marlene Quaroni
Spearheading mammoth water and sewer upgrades The profile is on Page 4
Unveiling bond-funded projects’ operating costs BY SUSAN DANSEYAR
Taxpayers should know exactly what they’re committing to when they vote to let the county borrow via general obligation bonds, so they need detailed costs of running facilities the bonds are to fund, say members of the Miami-Dade Strategic Planning & Government Operations Committee. To that end, the committee on Tuesday unanimously supported a proposed requirement to disclose estimated operating and maintenance expenses of projects for which bond proceeds are sought as well as the proposed funding source in all resolutions calling for a bond referendum. If adopted by the full county commission, the change in Miami-Dade’s code will also require a statement within the bond summary informing voters that approved general obligation bonds will be paid or secured by taxes derived from the assessed value of property in the county. From time to time the commission asks voters to authorize issuance of general obligation bonds payable from property taxes to construct capital projects. General obliga-
AGENDA
tion bond proceeds may not fund the operation and maintenance of capital projects, yet the expenses for the bond-funded enterprises impose potentially large, yearly obligations on the county that must be addressed in future budgets through either cuts in other spending or increases in tax rates. Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava told committee members Tuesday that she agreed with the principal of being transparent with the public but wasn’t sure of the ordinance’s practicality. “How can we estimate operating costs with the issuance when we don’t have the details?” she asked. “We should have the details on what it’s going to cost,” answered committee Chairman Juan C. Zapata, prime sponsor of the measure. “We need to force government to be clear on how we’ll operate facilities.” Ordinance co-sponsor Esteban L. Bovo Jr. agreed the public needs to know the dollar amount necessary for running a given facility. He said the voters have seen bond issues that never seem to end. “We need to get in the ballpark of giving residents some information, and making it as
clear as possible to them what they’re voting on, and that buildings need to be maintained,” Mr. Bovo said. The measure states the commission wants to consider the potential impact to future budgets created by projects proposed to be funded by general obligation bonds before approving referenda. “Disclosure of the estimated operating and maintenance expenses of such projects as well as the expected source of funds to pay such expenses in all resolutions calling special elections for the bond referendum will provide the board with the information necessary to properly evaluate the public interest in issuing such bonds,” the measure says. The ordinance, should the full commission approve it, will become effective 10 days after it’s enacted unless the mayor vetoes it. Should the mayor veto the ordinance, it would take effect only upon an override by the commission. On June 2, the full commission passed the measure 9-2 on first reading. Dennis C. Moss and Audrey M. Edmonson cast the opposing votes.
West Dade government hub sought A committee is to vote today (7/9) to borrow $10 million to build a government center in West Dade. Voters in 2002 approved borrowing for the Building Better Communities program to fund hundreds of projects. A West Dade center was not among them, but the resolution by Juan Zapata and Audrey Edmonson before the Economic Prosperity Committee would carve the funds out of two other projects that had no specifics attached. An October 2013 report from Mayor Carlos Gimenez picked the projects from which to pull the money and outlined potential uses for a West Dade center: a branch Water and Sewer Department office, commissioners’ district offices, Regulatory and Economic Resources Department offices, a pet adoption center, a branch for the county clerk and a library. The mayor’s report offered county-owned sites for the center, one at Tamiami Executive Airport at Southwest 137th Avenue and 120th Street and the Miami-Dade Kendall Cottages site at Southwest 114th Avenue and 80th Terrace. It also listed vacant privately owned sites west of the Turnpike, east of Krome Avenue, on or south of Kendall Drive and north of 152nd Street. The mayor’s report followed a 2013 commission directive to study feasibility of a West Dade center. That resolution, spearheaded by Mr. Zapata, noted that 733,000 residents in unincorporated West Dade rely on the county for their municipal services. He noted that the county was leasing 90,000 square feet for its Building Department in a shopping center at 11805 SW 26th St. and had other services sprinkled throughout the area “that may be more suitably consolidated in one site such as the proposed government center.” The 2013 study request cited a need similar to the one for the South Dade Government Center at 10710 SW 211th St. in Cutler Bay.
VIRGIN CRUISES BERTH MAY BRING PORT $63 MILLION ...
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CONDOS PLANNED ON WATER NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL ...
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COUNTY MIGHT ISSUE THE UNDOCUMENTED ID CARDS ...
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VENEZUELA STILL PAYS RENT ON VACANT CONSULATE ...
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NEXT KEY STEP ON TAP FOR MAMMOTH WORLDCENTER ...
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NEW YACHT BUSINESS RAISES HOPE ALONG THE RIVER ...
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VIEWPOINT: GET MARLINS TO PAY STADIUM PITTANCE ...
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COUNTY MAY ALLOW PUBLIC INTO CAR SHARING POOL ...
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WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
TODAY’S NEWS
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PPP=WiFi for transit
Development district next vital step for Worldcenter
BY NICOLÁS RIVERO
BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
A major step in the evolution of mega development Miami Worldcenter is expected July 14 when county commissioners decide whether to create a Community Development District for the project. The district would provide a financing mechanism for community infrastructure, facilities and services, along with some ongoing Miami Worldcenter operations and maintenance. When first heard by MiamiDade commissioners in June, the proposal got unanimous support, though a number of commissioners said “Yes, for now” when voting. That meeting brought out community activists and residents, many asking commissioners to defer approval until developers agreed to pay to train unemployed locals, hire them at a living wage and meet with union and community representatives. Bounded by Northeast Sixth and 11th streets and between North Miami Avenue and Northeast Second Avenue, Worldcenter plans to turn about 24 acres of mostly vacant lots into a prominent destination with residential, office, hotel, retail, restaurant and entertainment uses. The developers are calling it the largest construction project in Miami’s history. In its petition asking for a Community Development District, the developers say the plan for property within the proposed district includes construction of
MIAMI TODAY
Land in green would fall into the Community Development District. AmericanAirlines Arena is at right.
6,390 residential units, 150 hotel rooms and 926,500 square feet of retail space with associated roadway, earthwork, storm drainage and water and sewer facilities, estimated to cost $72,800,800. According to the county, a Community Development District is a special taxing district that may levy taxes and assessments and issue bonds. These taxes and assessments are added to the tax bill for the payment of the infrastructure. This infrastructure includes the design, construction, acquisition and maintenance of roadway improvements, streetlights, water distribution systems, sewers, storm water management and landscape buffers. The legislation before commissioners says the proposed district “will constitute a timely, efficient, effective, responsive and economic way to deliver community development services in the area, thereby providing a solution to the county’s planning, management and financing needs for delivery of capital infrastructure therein without overburdening the county and its taxpayers….” Last year, the Miami City
Commission approved a resolution supporting the developers’ request for a Community Development District. About three weeks ago, the developers announced that the city had granted site plan approval for the first phase of development, applications for building permits would be submitted in the coming weeks, and that past litigation involving the project had been resolved. “Miami Worldcenter is in the final stretch of the planning and approval process, with construction set to begin in the third quarter of this year,” said Nitin Motwani, managing principal for Miami Worldcenter Associates. The city’s site plan approval applies to The Mall at Miami Worldcenter, the Paramount Miami Worldcenter condominium, and Luma at Miami Worldcenter, a 429-unit luxury apartment building to be developed by ZOM. Construction of the mall and Paramount tower are to begin in the third quarter, while ZOM’s Luma project is to get under way in early 2016. Additionally, Newgard Development Group has filed plans with the city to construct a mixed-use tower
within the project. Last week, the city’s Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency hired a $430,000-a-year consultant to monitor minority job creation at Miami Worldcenter. The developer will pay the bill, according to Clarence Woods III, CRA executive director. The CRA board is made up of city commissioners. The mammoth mixed-use project in Park West is to get tax breaks as high as $6.889 million a year through 2030. Those breaks are tied to Worldcenter’s pledge to be a “direct pipeline to thousands of jobs and opportunities for small businesses,” said an agreement signed when the project was OK’d last year. According to last year’s agreement, construction workers will be paid at least $12.83 and electrical journeymen $30.11 hourly, and workers who have committed minor crimes won’t be disqualified. Developers promised to hire neighborhood residents for 30% of unskilled and 10% of skilled jobs. If they can’t find qualified residents, they next must hire from low-income ZIP codes, then the county at large.
Miami-Dade Transit is “aggressively pursuing” a public-private partnership to expand WiFi on the Metrorail, Metromover and buses at little to no cost to the county, said Rosie Perez, the department’s senior chief of information technology. Currently, commuters have free WiFi access in all Metrorail cars and stations, all Metromover cars and nine bus routes. Metromover stations are scheduled to offer WiFi by the end of August, according to county spokesperson Karla Damian. But Ms. Perez said she is working on a plan to expand wireless access to the county’s entire fleet of more than 800 buses and “hugely improve” wireless infrastructure and bandwidth onboard the Metrorail and Metromover. Because she is still trying to secure funding for the project, Ms. Perez warned, there’s no telling when it might be completed. “It’s further along than just a concept,” Ms. Perez said, “but it’s still in the early stages.” So far the project’s limiting factor has been cost, Ms. Perez said. She said it would cost about $2,000 each to equip buses with WiFi and about $40 per bus per month to operate, but said she could not yet estimate what the project’s total budget would be. She did say that funding would have to come almost entirely from private partners. The county offers wireless access by installing AT&T cellular modems in train cars, stations and buses. Ms. Perez said this means the county’s WiFi will always be subject to the same limitations as cell service – dead zones, dropped connections and bandwidth restrictions included.
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TODAY’S NEWS
WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
MIAMI TODAY
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Venezuela’s consulate on Brickell still rented but vacant three years BY NICOLà S RIVERO
The condo would rise in the outlined area south of Mercy Hospital.
Luxury waterfront condo due near Mercy Hospital BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
A developer hopes to build a new luxury condominium on waterfront property next door to Mercy Hospital in Coconut Grove. The project will require a land use and zoning change, which has gained preliminary approval from Miami commissioners. Two ordinances must receive approval on a final reading later, one to change the land use of property at 3851 E Glencoe St. from single-family residential and medium-density multifamily residential to low-density multifamily residential and medium-density multifamily residential. The other ordinance would rezone the land. The city’s planning department and the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board recommend approval. Planning Director Francisco Garcia told commissioners he believes the changes should be approved and said the proposed residential development is “well conceived� and a “very appropriate redevelopment� of the property. There already exists an older condominium on the property, a parcel that extends out to Biscayne Bay. Attorney Javier Fernandez, representing applicant Grove Bay Properties LLC, told commissioners the city has letters of support from neighboring condo owners. A slide presentation on the project, called Bay Colony, was cued up for commissioners but they didn’t ask to view it and quickly voted in favor of the land use and zoning changes on first reading. The site is bounded on the North by Halissee Street, Biscayne Bay to the east, and East Glencoe Street and South Bayshore Court to the west and south, respec-
F ILMING These film permits were issued last week by the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources’ Office of Film and Entertainment, (305) 375-3288; the Miami Mayor’s Office of Film, Arts & Entertainment, (305) 8603823; and the Miami Beach Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment-Film and Print Division, (305) 673-7070. NOISEWORKS MEDIA. Coral Gables. Pasteur Medical. Rock Ridge Park. 44 BLUE PRODUCTIONS INC. California. Tentatively Rock and a Hard Place. Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. TVM PRODUCTIONS INC. Fort Lauderdale. Graceland. Collins Ave./17th St. to 41st St., Hialeah Expressway, W 8th Ave. HIGH NOON PRODUCTIONS LLC. Denver. Quinceanera. Countywide, Miami Beach citywide, Unincorporated Miami-Dade County. PILGRIM STUDIOS. California. UNTITLED DANCING
tively. The developer intends to redevelop the property as a 20-unit, luxury condominium with parking and related amenities. In a letter to the city, Mr. Fernandez spelled out the needed land use and zoning changes. Also, he mentioned the need for a modification to the waterfront setback standards in the city charter, “in exchange for certain public benefits that will enhance direct public access to the waterfront.� The proposed land use change “protects and enhances the quality of life in the city neighborhoods by improving the condition of the built environment via the replacement of an outdated structure with a building of greater economic and architectural value,� he wrote. “The proposed redevelopment will further expand public access to Biscayne Bay through the creation of a recreational amenity on the bay front. In addition, the [land use change] will advance a more efficient use of the more intense (waterside) portions of the Property and utilize the less intense (landside) portions in a manner that provides for a transition to the abutting, single-family residential sections of the neighborhood,� Mr. Fernandez wrote. The letter goes on to say adoption of land use change will allow for redevelopment of the site and replacement of a residential building constructed in 1958. “Redevelopment of the property will result in the construction of a modern building that will meet existing building codes and meet newly required elevations. The construction of a modern structure and newly mandated elevations will minimize the potential for loss of human life and destruction of property by hurricanes,� the letter reads.
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M IAMI
MIAMI SERIES. Unincorporated Miami-Dade County. UGLY BROTHER STUDIOS. California. Family Takeover. City of Hialeah. FLAMA MEDIA NETWORK LLC. NY. Left Unattended. Miami Beach citywide. LEMANS CORPORATION. Wisconsin. “Drift #4.� Parcel B. TELEMUNDO STUDIOS MIAMI LLC. Miami. Quien es Quien. Unincorporated Miami-Dade County. PARAGON PRODUCTIONS SERVICES. Miami Beach. Stills for 3 People. Miami Beach citywide. MKM PRODUCTIONS. Miami Beach. Stills for editorial/ catalog shoots. Miami Beach citywide. FULL BEAUTY BRANDS. NY. Stills for Jessica London holiday shoot. Miami Beach citywide. VISUAL APPROACH PHOTOGRAPHY LLC. Plantation. Stills for Swimwear Shoot. Hobie Beach. NICHOLAS AIR. Mississippi. Stills for marketing director. Tamiami Airport. DAVID SEGUI PRODUCTION SERVICES. Miami Beach. Stills for next directory. Countywide, Miami Beach citywide.
It’s awfully quiet on the third floor of the well-appointed office building at 1101 Brickell Ave. The Venezuelan consulate, which had operated there, emptied out its staff in 2012 in a continuing diplomatic spat, but Venezuela is still paying to rent the vacant space into 2021. The Venezuelan government, then still under the late Hugo Chavez, shuttered the diplomatic hub in retaliation for Washington’s decision to expel Miami Consul General Livia Acosta Noguera after an FBI investigation into allegations that she was involved in a cyber-attack against the US. Miami, home to 50,000 Venezuelans, had one of the largest Venezuelan consulates in the US. The brunt of the burden of closure fell on the 20,000 Venezuelan nationals from across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas who
were registered to vote in their country’s elections at the Miami consulate before 2012. In 2013, thousands made the 1,500-mile trek from Miami to the nearest operating consulate in New Orleans to cast their vote in presidential elections. Some speculated that Mr. Chavez’s decision to close the Miami consulate was an attempt to disenfranchise a voting bloc that had overwhelmingly opposed him in previous elections. But just one year before the diplomatic snafu, Venezuela signed a ten-year lease on the 7,940-square-foot office. When the consulate refused to pay its rent the first two months after it closed its doors, Tibor Hollo, president of Florida East Coast Realty, which owns the building, threatened to sue. Afterward, the Venezuelan government agreed to honor the lease and resumed paying rent in the upper $20s per
square foot – the rate at which space in the 251,889-square-foot building is leasing today, according to multiple real estate web sites. Since then, said Wayne Hollo, executive vice president of Florida East Coast Realty, the Venezuelan government has been an ideal tenant. “It’s quiet and they’re still paying the rent,� Mr. Hollo said. The building, which occupies the entire block on Brickell Avenue between Southwest 11th and 12th streets, underwent a $12 million renovation in 2009 to update elevators, increase energy efficiency and install fiber optic telecommunication technology. Florida East Coast Realty announced plans in 2012 to develop the back lot at 1101 Brickell into the Panorama Tower, an 83-story skyscraper that is to be the tallest residential building in Miami, by the end of 2017.
Public Notice NOTICE IS GIVEN that a meeting of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at 9:30 AM, in the Commission Chambers, located on the Second Floor of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. First Street, Miami, Florida, wherein, among other matters to be considered, a public hearing will be held on the following proposed ordinances and resolutions: t 0 SEJOBODF HSBOUJOH QFUJUJPO PG .JBNJ 'JSTU --$ .JBNJ 4FDPOE --$ .JBNJ 5IJSE --$ .JBNJ 'PVSUI --$ .JBNJ " * --$ BOE 'PSCFT .JBNJ /& TU "WFOVF --$ for establishment of a Community Development District; creating and establishing Miami World Center Community Development District t 0SEJOBODF HSBOUJOH QFUJUJPO PG )JBMFBI $PNNVOJUJFT --$ for establishment of a Community Development District; creating and establishing Bonterra Community Development District t 0SEJOBODF BNFOEJOH $IBQUFS "SUJDMF *9 PG UIF $PEF PG .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ SFMBUJOH UP UIF Workforce Housing Development Program Administration BNFOEJOH EFmOJUJPO PG UIF UFSNT iXPSLGPSDF IPVTJOH SFOUw PS 8)6 SFOUw TFUUJOH NJOJNVN BNPVOU PG $PVOUZ NPSUHBHF t 0SEJOBODF revising Zoning and other land development regulations pertaining to the Naranja Community Urban Center District BNFOEJOH 4FDUJPOT BOE UISPVHI PG UIF $PEF PG .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ 'MPSJEB t 0SEJOBODF revising Zoning and other land development regulations pertaining to the Leisure City Community Urban Center District BNFOEJOH 4FDUJPOT BOE PG UIF $PEF PG .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ 'MPSJEB t 0SEJOBODF relating to Zoning; amending the Downtown Kendall Urban Center District regulating plans; SFEFTJHOBUJOH TUSFFUT BCVUUJOH UIF TVCKFDU QSPQFSUZ from ‘’A’’ to ‘’C’’ and ‘’F’’; amending Section 33-284.61 of the Code PG .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ 'MPSJEB t 0SEJOBODF granting petition of Interlaken Community Development District A %JTUSJDU PS A 1FUJUJPOFS to expand the boundary of the District FTUBCMJTIFE CZ 0SEJOBODF /P t 3FTPMVUJPO BQQSPWJOH UIF Plat of Palmera at Coral Way, located in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 10, Township 54 South, Range 39 East CPVOEFE PO UIF /PSUI BQQSPYJNBUFMZ GFFU 4PVUI PG 48 5FSSBDF PO UIF &BTU BQQSPYJNBUFMZ GFFU 8FTU PG 48 "WFOVF PO UIF 4PVUI CZ 48 4USFFU BOE PO UIF 8FTU CZ 48 "WFOVF
t 3FTPMVUJPO BQQSPWJOH B Class I Permit BQQMJDBUJPO CZ UIF Cloisters on the Bay Condominium Association, Inc. to USJN NBOHSPWF USFFT JO B DPBTUBM CBOE DPNNVOJUZ GPS UIF DSFBUJPO BOE NBJOUFOBODF PG WJFXJOH DPSSJEPST BU 3471 Main Highway in the City of Miami, .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ "MM JOUFSFTUFE QBSUJFT NBZ BQQFBS BOE CF IFBSE BU UIF UJNF BOE QMBDF TQFDJmFE The proposed ordinances listed below will have a Second Reading to be considered for enactment by the Board at the time and place speciďŹ ed above: t 0 SEJOBODF relating to the Rules of Procedure of the Board of County Commissioners BNFOEJOH 4FDUJPO PG UIF $PEF PG .JBNJ %BEF $PVOUZ 'MPSJEB SFRVJSJOH UIF $PVOUZ .BZPS UP QSPWJEF B written social equity statement regarding any proposed County ordinance and place such statement on an agenda with the proposed Ordinance prior to public hearing on the ordinance t 0SEJOBODF SFMBUJOH UP UIF West Kendall (Section Three) Municipal Advisory Committee DSFBUFE UP TUVEZ UIF QPTTJCMF JODPSQPSBUJPO PG B NVOJDJQBMJUZ JO UIF 8FTU ,FOEBMM 4FDUJPO 5ISFF BSFB renaming such committee the West End South Municipal Advisory Committee The County Commission’s ability to consider enacting the foregoing ordinance is contingent upon the Unincorporated Municipal Service Area Committee, at its July 7, 2015, meeting, forwarding the ordinance to the Commission in accordance with the Commission’s Rules of Procedure. t 0SEJOBODF SFMBUJOH UP UIF West Kendall (Section One) Municipal Advisory Committee DSFBUFE UP TUVEZ UIF QPTTJCMF JODPSQPSBUJPO PG B NVOJDJQBMJUZ JO UIF 8FTU ,FOEBMM 4FDUJPO 0OF BSFB renaming such committee the West End North Municipal Advisory Committee The County Commission’s ability to consider enacting the foregoing ordinance is contingent upon the Unincorporated Municipal Service Area Committee, at its July 7, 2015, meeting, forwarding the ordinance to the Commission in accordance with the Commission’s Rules of Procedure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agendco@miamidade.gov BU MFBTU mWF EBZT JO BEWBODF PG UIF NFFUJOH
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WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
TODAY’S NEWS
MIAMI TODAY
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Miraculous streetscape to revamp Miracle Mile BY NICOLÁS RIVERO
The Coral Gables Streetscape, a $20 million plan to redesign Miracle Mile and a section of Giralda Avenue, is nearing the end of the design phase and construction is expected to begin in January, says Mayor Jim Cason, after a final city commission vote in August. The goal is to revitalize downtown, create pedestrian-friendly streets and bring business back to Coral Gables, Mr. Cason said. Although not yet finished, the new pedestrian-centric design will call for sidewalks on Miracle Mile to be widened from 15 feet to about 23 feet, creating space for spillout seating and displays in front of restaurants and shops, said Earl Jackson, who leads the design team from New York firm Cooper, Robertson & Partners. To make room for the sidewalk, the city is to replace 45 degree angle parking with parallel parking. Giralda is to become curbless, with retractable bollards that can be raised to block auto traffic for special events. Streetscape will also give downtown a facelift. Wider sidewalks on Miracle Mile will create room for three rows of trees on each side of the street, which Mr. Jackson said should give the impression of a long, linear park. He said a new design of blue-andwhite paving stones meant to mirror the South Florida sky will replace the current pink concrete slabs. Down the center of Giralda, plans call for a row of trees to divide lanes of traffic and for a canopy of lights strung above the street to replace concrete lampposts. Mr. Jackson said the curbless street will be paved with stones set in a pattern of overlapping concentric circles meant to suggest raindrops. The project also includes muchneeded improvements to the streets’ drainage that Mr. Jackson said will eliminate chronic standing puddles. Mayor Cason said he would like public utilities ranging from circuit boxes to manhole covers converted into public art. “Our downtown is shopworn to say the least,” Mr. Cason said. “It doesn’t reflect our vision for Coral Gables. As I like to say, if we didn’t do something like this soon, it would be a miracle if anyone walked on our mile.” Marina Foglia, executive director of the Coral Gables Business Improvement District, said this project has been her
organization’s top priority for 15 years. She said local businesses fully support Streetscape, which is why they have agreed to shoulder 50% of the cost in a publicprivate partnership. Half of Streetscape’s funding is to come from the city; a special assessment on downtown property owners is to fund the other half. Wayne Eldred, owner of Tarpon Bend Raw Bar and Grill on Miracle Mile and chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, said the project will crePhotos by Maxine Usdan ate the kind of energy that will Sidewalks on Miracle Mile are to be widened from the 15 feet above to 23 feet shown in rendering below. make families want to stroll through Coral Gables after a meal. Mr. Eldred said even a free activity like walking will inevitably lead visitors to spend more money in shops and restaurants along the way. But Jorge Kuperman, an architect whose owns an office on Giralda, said he doesn’t expect to get any increased business from window-shoppers. Instead, he said he expects to see his property’s value rise in more ways than one. “Being on a nice street and being able to entertain clients in restaurants and coffee shops, it’s a plus,” Mr. Kuperman said. “And as subjective as it may sound, this place makes me proud.” But rising property values might not be a boon for every business. Ms. Foglia said it’s possible that smaller shops might be pushed out of Miracle Mile by national chains with more resources. She said the Business Improvement District will do what it can to protect longstanding vendors. Mr. Eldred, who saw his property taxes shoot up by $35,000 a year when his landlord sold the building that houses Tarpon Bend two years ago, said that’s just a cost of doing business. He said he thinks rents in Coral Gables are inflated and hopes that the Streetscape will raise the location’s actual value to be in keeping with what business owners currently pay to be there. At Baptist Health Primary Care, we’re Mr. Cason said no major obimproving the primary care patient experience stacles remain to stop Streetscape from the ground up – starting with same-day from breaking ground next year. or next-day appointments, extended night There will be at least one more and weekend hours, plus best-in-class public hearing, he said, and then doctors, nurse practitioners and care team the final design will be presented dedicated to you. for a yes-or-no vote at a city commission meeting in the first week of August. Mr. Cason said he expects the vote to be unanimous. The mayor said the design team originally estimated construction would take 18 months, but he said he would like it done in a year.
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The mayor wants to convert circuit boxes like this one to public art.
WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
TODAY’S NEWS
MIAMI TODAY
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Users shift in convention center remake, Art Basel stays put B Y C ARLA V IANNA
The $500 million renovation of the Miami Beach Convention Center is to begin in December, but there’s no need for Art Basel fanatics to fret – the art show isn’t going anywhere. Construction is to be completed in phases, each circling around the art show’s annual return. Accommodating the major art show at the center makes sense, considering that Mayor Philip Levine hopes to reel in more events like it. “The most important thing is that we must make sure that we get a return on our $500 million investment,” Mayor Levine said. “Specifically, we want to attract more conferences and conventions that are making Miami Beach a fly-in destination.” Art Basel is the perfect model, drawing in more than 70,000 visitors each year. It generates hotel stays, as opposed to “commuter shows” for which locals drive into the city. Renovations will begin as soon as this year’s Art Basel is over, said Matt Hollander, the center’s general manager. Throughout 2016, two exhibit halls on the west side are to be open while the east side is renovated. In December 2016, all four halls are to be open to host Art Basel. Following the art show’s closure until the end of April 2017, the entire center is to be shut down. In mid-2017, two exhibit halls on the east side are to open while the west side undergoes renovations. Then in December 2017, all four halls are to open yet again to host Art Basel. The center is also to host Major League Baseball’s All-Star FanFest in 2017. Renovations should be complete within the first quarter of 2018, Mr. Hollander said. Another example of the shows the mayor hopes the new center will attract is the Paris-based Maison-Objet, an internationally known event showcasing high-end design and furnishing event that was held at the center in May. Renovations are to be from floor to ceiling. No part of the building will go untouched, Mr. Hollander said. The center will pick up an additional 100,000 square feet, he added. Colorado-based Fentress Architects and local firm Arquitectonica are on the design team, among others. Pre-construction is being done by Clark Construction Group. Historically, the center is known to host more trade and consumer-oriented shows. With the new center, the city hopes to attract more professional conventions within fields such as medicine, pharmacology and finance, Mr. Hollander said. Mayor Levine said the center will remain open for all conventions, but there will be a change in booking policy. Costs, he said, will now take various factors into account: the season, what the show pro-
duces for the community, the length of the event and how much set-up and breakdown time the show would require. With renovations looming, certain shows have already planned to relocate. The Seatrade Cruise Global convention is moving to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center for the next three years, event manager Chiara Giorgi said. “The plan is to return,” she said. The Miami International Boat Show, one of the center’s longterm partners, plans to take its exhibit to Virginia Key next February. “They have an invitation to come back after the renovation is complete,” Mr. Hollander said. “We’re hopeful that they’ll bring their event back home.” Mr. Hollander said he doesn’t consider the loss of conventions as loss of business. It’s Photo by Maxine Usdan postponed business, he said. As the Seatrade Cruise Global event ended in March, organizers decamped for Broward for three years.
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County schools to issue $200 million in bonds this month BY SUSAN D ANSEYAR
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools plan to issue about $200 million in bonds this month due to cash-flow needs for district-wide upgrade projects. Up to this point, the school district has been working on smaller projects that were badly needed, but it is rapidly progressing and moving onto larger construction projects, according to Leo Fernandez, MiamiDade County Public Schools treasurer. Coming up are renovations and other projects that could cost $10 million or more, he said, so the district needs additional money to continue its 21st Century Schools initiative. “We’re going through the first $300 million and will need more cash,” Mr. Fernandez said, adding that over $90 million is in the pipeline for encumbrances – contracts and purchase orders. On Nov. 6, 2012, 70% of voters approved the issuance of $1.2 billion in general obligation bonds for the district to renovate facilities, update technology, build school replacements, expand student capacity and enhance facility safety. Mr. Fernandez said the district made a promise not to burden taxpayers, so its bond schedule depends on the work roll-out
Photo by Maxine Usdan
Sign at Coral Gables Preparatory Academy heralds a $2.5 million upgrade from general obligation bonds.
plan and cash-flow estimates. “We walk a fine line all the time between issuing additional bonds because that costs more to the taxpayer [in terms of millage rate increases],” he said. “If we’re not going to spend the money, we won’t issue the bond.” The bonds are paid off by property taxes labeled “school
debt” on a resident’s tax bill, separate from the line item indicating the school district’s tax. Issuing a bond tranche before funds are needed means taxpayers would be paying the bill without the benefits of school upgrades as the money would just be sitting in the bank. It’s good timing, Mr. Fernandez said, that the July
bond issue is coming before the Federal Reserve raises interest rates. The Federal Reserve has indicated that it might increase interest rates in September. So far, the district has issued $300 million from the bond program: $200 million in 2013 and $100 million in 2014. Interest rates were low in 2013 and the district locked in those rates for
the 2014 issuance. According to the district’s website, Miami-Dade County Public Schools plans to finish issuing the entire $1.2 billion in 2018. “The superintendent has a plan to go as fast as possible to make the schools run better,” Mr. Fernandez said. Work will continue after 2018 and taxpayers will still be paying off the bonds. The last bond will be paid off 30 years after it is issued. The school district’s bonds mature in intervals. A portion of each bond matures every few years, with the last part maturing in 30 years. The district’s website states as it moves forward with the $1.2 billion bond program, the inequity that existed between the instructional experience of students attending newer schools and those in outdated buildings will disappear. “We will take full advantage of today¹s technology and digital learning environments. Aging schools will be replaced or updated to ensure all students have access to cutting-edge academic programming and modern safety and security measures,” the site states. Details: http:// bondsforschools.dadeschools.net/
euro down, but ‘they’re still going to bring their money here’ BY CATHERINE LACKNER
Miami’s economy is resilient even in the face of falling currencies in countries from which tourists, shoppers and investors hail, observers say. “We are known as a safe haven,” said Hal Lewis, partner at the Pathman Lewis law firm and head of its banking, real estate, corporate and transactional departments. “People in South and Central America, and some in Europe, want a safe place for themselves and their money. That’s what’s driving capital flight from those countries, rather than getting a good exchange rate.” During the mortgage crisis of 2008, the euro was strong against the dollar and Europeans flocked to scoop up real estate bargains, Mr. Lewis said. “Now the euro is down, but they’re still going to bring their money here, I don’t get the sense that Europeans are backing off.” There might or might not be an effect on retail, he said. “A modest decline is probably unavoidable. But even then, the driver is different. They quality of goods is something they can’t get back home, and they love to come to South Florida.”
Hal Lewis: Europe won’t back off. Peggy Fucci: prices keep rising. Gregory Santín: a euro, dollar par?
Russia might prove another story, he said. “The situation there is dire.” Political instability in Venezuela and Brazil also might complicate life for people who want to invest money here, he said, but also drives the desire to establish a US beachhead. “Things are not getting better in these countries,” Mr. Lewis said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen in the next cycle, but I think we’re in a good position for a couple of years at least.” “We are still perceived as a safe place for investment,” agreed Peggy Fucci, CEO of OneWorld Properties. “Prices continue to increase, and we’re experiencing interest from markets we’ve never seen before,” she said, including from buyers
in China. At Paramount Miami Worldcenter, a property her company represents, buyers come from 25 countries, she added. To deal with fluctuating currencies, agents have tried to work with buyers, she added. Some buyers have asked to increase their deposits or pay other expenses now in anticipation that currencies will fare even worse against the dollar in the future. “We have become more flexible. If we need to work with them on the deposits or give other concessions, we will do that. “As we sell out, people want to take advantage of the opportunity to buy, because they know is not going to get less expensive as time goes on,” Ms. Fucci said.
“The strength of the dollar today versus foreign currencies has two meaningful effects on the Miami-Dade economy,” said Gregory M. Santín, vice president and relationship manager, commercial real estate, at BankUnited and chief development officer of the Miami Finance Forum, in an email. “The first is that foreigners traveling to Miami and/or purchasing goods and services find our local market more expensive than it was six, 12, and even 24 months ago versus present-day.” The euro is still stronger than the US dollar but only slightly, he added. “As an economist by education, I firmly believe the euro will be on par with the US dollar once the Federal Reserve commences raising interest
rates, which is expected this September.” The second effect is foreign goods and services become less expensive for those with US dollars, he said. For example, a Miami business that imports European goods has the ability to purchase more with less and to offer the savings to its customers, creating revenue growth and maintaining profits. “Europe has been in a recession for several years,” Mr. Santin said. “Latin American economies like Brazil have slowed significantly, and local government controls and US dollar exchange restrictions in Argentina and Venezuela have begun to affect the demand for Miami’s residential real estate and retail goods.” Yet, despite the strength of the dollar, retail and residential continue to thrive, he observed. “Investment in commercial real estate remains strong, and as one demand driver weakens, another steps up,” in this case, buyers from the US Northeast and Canada, he added. “Miami-Dade County continues to be the economic engine of the South Florida economy and the rest of State of Florida,” Mr. Santin said.
WEEK OF THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
BANKING & FINANCE
MIAMI TODAY
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Export-Import Bank, without authorization, leaves big void BY CARLA VIANNA
Log on to the Export-Import Bank of the United States website and users will be greeted with a message typed in 50-size-font capital letters: AUTHORIZATION HAS LAPSED. “Due to a lapse in EXIM Bank’s authority, as of July 1 2015, the Bank is unable to process applications or engage in new business or other prohibited activities,” a disclaimer reads. The authorization of the Export-Import Bank, an independent federal agency that aims to support jobs by facilitating the export of US goods and services, expired at the end of June and was not reauthorized by Congress. Therefore, the bank can only manage the about $110 billion it has given out in loans but cannot take on any new loans until re-authorization occurs, said David Schwartz, president of the Florida International Bankers Association. “The Ex-Im Bank was one of the few profitable government agencies [last year $675 million in fees back to the Treasury], and it is estimated that it helped to create 1.3 million jobs in the export business,” Guillermo DiazRousselot, president and CEO of Miami’s Continental National Bank, told Miami Today. He said the bank played a large role in helping Florida exporters in the
Photo by Maxine Usdan
The lapse in Ex-Im’s authority could significantly impact trade finance banks here, said Dennis Campbell.
’70s and ’80s, and helped Miami become a hub for international business. In Florida alone, there are about 58,000 exporters. Data show that total trade through Miami International Airport and PortMiami topped $93.1 billion in 2013, according to the county’s most recent international trade report.
In 2014, Miami Today reported that small- and medium-sized businesses make up more than 96% of Florida exporters and account for 68% of Florida exports, the highest among all 50 states. Mr. Schwartz called the decision, or lack of one, unfortunate. “[This] will make us the only
independent nation that does not have this type of institution,” he said. A number of banks in Miami focus on export-import transactions, said Dennis Campbell with Campbell Law Firm. A lot of these trade-finance banks focus on trade with South and Central America.
“Ex-Im assumed risks that trade finance banks are unable or unwilling to accept and guaranteed payment of the debt,” Mr. Campbell told Miami Today. “The lapse in Ex-Im’s authority could have a significant impact on tradefinance banks in South Florida and require these banks to change their business models.” Let’s say an exporter wants to finance trade with a foreign country. A local bank may look at that country’s risk factors, such as currency or political risk, and deem it an unsafe transaction. An Ex-Im bank might have more experience financing trade with that particular country, and is therefore more willing to take the risk. The Ex-Im bank is meant to benefit small- and medium-sized businesses, but critics say it’s being used by major manufacturers instead, said Richard Zelman, co-founder of the Sacher, Zelman, Hartman, Paul, Beiley & Sacher law firm. There have been discussions about reforming Ex-Im bank processes, perhaps in the form of a bill or amendment on a bill, but at present, Mr. Schwartz said, nothing is in the works. The hope is that the re-authorization will come attached to a bill that both the bank’s supporters and opponents want to pass. But as a standalone bill, he said, it won’t make it through.
Bank branches decrease everywhere, but Florida has uptick BY CARLA VIANNA
The number of federally-insured bank branches in Florida peaked in 2009 before dipping from 5,820 to 5,670 the year after. About 150 branches were lost when the financial crisis hit, and branch numbers had been slightly decreasing ever since. A tightened regulatory atmosphere coupled with technology are factors halting the growth of branches in the US. But in 2014, there were 5,450 operating federally-insured branches in Florida, which was two more than the year prior, according data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. And that might be the direction of the future. “The trend is definitely positive toward more branches,” said
South Florida ‘will go against national trends because we have such a good banking market here.’ Ken Thomas
Homestead-based Community Bank of Florida, for example, has seen a 40% decrease in the number of customers stepping into its offices over the past five years, said President and CEO Robert Epling. OneUnited Bank, which has a branch in Liberty City, will not be opening additional branches in its short- or medium-term future in response to the increase in online banking, said President Teri Williams. “We’re using our branches more as a place for the community to become educated in financial literacy,” Ms. Williams said, by holding informational workshops for customers. Eight national bank branches have been approved year-to-date in Miami-Dade County, according to data from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Another is on its way to approval. But six national branches have applied for closure in the county, according to the comptroller’s office. Between June 2013 and June 2014, FDIC-insured state banks closed about 20 branches, according to FDIC data. Mr. Thomas said there are some closings, but in general, the state (specifically the tricounty area) “will go against trends because we have ‘There is some concern national such a good banking market in the industry. Are here.” Of all Florida counties, branches relevant or as 40% of the state’s deposits are the tri-county area, he added. relevant as they used to in The Florida Office of Finanbe?’ cial Regulation tracks informaAlex Sanchez tion on state banks that are poorly rated, said Jamie Mongiovi, com-
Ken Thomas, a Miami-based bank consultant, economist and founder of Branchlocation.com. “It bucks a national trend.” Nationally, the number of bank branches peaked in 2010 at 99,550, but that number has been steadily decreasing to about 94,700 in 2014. Only two states had more FDIC-insured branches than Florida as of last year – California and Texas. “There is some concern in the industry. Are branches relevant or as relevant as they used to be?” said Alex Sanchez, president and CEO of the Florida Bankers Association. “It depends on your geography and clientele. If you’re banking 20-year-olds; younger people are not going to the branch as often as perhaps their parents.”
munications and government relations director. Florida state banks that are doing well aren’t required to report branch applications to the office. “In an attempt to reduce regulatory burden on institutions, we don’t require all institutions to report to us on all events that happen within their institution,” said Barry Gilman, division director of financial institutions. The office reported 36 merger applications approved for state banks from 2010 to 2014. On the acquisition front, 10 have been approved. Three merger applications are currently pending. “We’ve seen a lot more merger activity,” Ms. Mongiovi said.
“That’s what we’ve been seeing as a trend in Florida since the crisis.” Recovery is ongoing, she said, but the state’s office is seeing more merger and acquisition activity than new branch applications. Only two totally new banks have opened in the entire nation since the financial crisis. “It’s much easier to come in and acquire existing customers, existing deposits and existing loans versus the startup cost from scratch for a new branch or location,” Mr. Gilman said. When the deals are no longer there, he said, the state might see some new banks coming down the pipeline.
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Six artists devise 3-D façades for Design District garage BY JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
A garage like no other has advanced in Miami and will add another 800 parking spaces to the growing Design District. Called Museum Garage, the 7story building with ground floor retail is planned by Dacra for a stretch of Northeast 41st Street. The city’s Urban Development Review Board on June 17 recommended approval of the unique structure. Museum Garage is one of several parking sites being built by Dacra, the developer chiefly responsible for transforming land north of I-195 into a luxury retail destination where fashion, art and architecture are merging. Akerman attorney Neisen Kasdin, representing Dacra, told the review board that Museum Garage is part of the overall master plan for the Miami Design District. Dacra recognized the need for parking to help the district thrive, and Museum Garage is just one of several the company is building for the area, Mr. Kasdin said. Current plans will see an additional 2,500 parking spaces provided in the Design District, he said. A key component to the growing district, Mr. Kasdin said, is public art, and the proposed Museum Garage celebrates that in a big way. The building is to highlight the work of a half-dozen artists who are to craft diverse 3-D façades. The planned garage includes design elements that encroach into the right-of-way above the ground floor. Last September, the developer gained review board approval for those encroachments. The innovative project was back in June with firmer plans and drawings. Architectural firm Keenen/Riley is overseeing design of Museum Garage. Terence Riley, formerly director of the Miami Art Museum, told the board Dacra asked his company to curate the façade of the garage with unique designs that would stretch the length of the building and wrap around the corner. Mr. Riley said he sought to identify architects with enough experience to handle complicated work and still young enough to have fresh ideas. The designers are from New York, Tokyo, Spain, Berlin and elsewhere. Mr. Riley’s presentation showed the design board renderings of each façade with background on each architect. The eastern façade is called “Ant Farm,” with cutouts exposing stairs and walkways that pedestrians and customers will use. He said the design will offer
The Ant Farm segment of the garage intersects at the corner with a façade that resembles a British flag.
a “special and physical manifestation of life in Miami.” The Ant Farm intersects at the corner with a façade that resembles a British flag, with candy cane colors on interlocking fingers and curves. The main garage entrance is to be framed by the most ornate of the designs, called “Serious Play,” from Nicolas Buffe. It is a symmetrical splash of Japanese cartoons and baroque architecture. Next in line is a piece called “Urban Jam,” from Clavel Arquitectos of Murcia, Spain. The façade will feature row upon row of the tops of cars, painted lux gold and silver finish, Mr. Riley said. Mr. Riley’s own company, Keenen/Riley, designed the next portion, called “Barricades.” The façade uses the repeated pattern of orange and white road barricades. Planters are scattered among the façade. The final piece, on the corner and western end of the garage, is a mural. On a sea of pale blue is
a large candle burning at both ends with the message on the candle, “BUT I ONLY WANT YOU.” Board member Dean L. Lewis praised the work on Museum Garage, calling the design “very creative” and well thought out. “You’ve broken the project into manageable pieces. That makes sense,” he said. Mr. Lewis did suggest rethinking the candle, which he said is more mural than architecture. “I think it’s a wonderful piece of work,” said Board member Anthony E. Tzamtzis. He said the type of project defies commentary. “It is art,” he said. Board member Gerald C. Marston noted that the review board has recently evaluated several impressive designs for what basically are garages, and said Museum Garage is yet another. He called it a “wonderful, wonderful addition” to the Design District. Board chair Robert Behar said he liked the “fantastic” project. He said Miami may get the dis-
tinction having the best-looking parking garages around. Mr. Riley provided background on architects and artists involved. They include: Dan Wood leads international projects for WORKac, ranging from master plans to buildings across the US as well as in Asia, Africa and Europe. Mr. Wood is originally from Rhode Island and lived in Paris and in the Netherlands before moving to New York in 2002. He is a licensed architect in New York and is LEED certified. Amale Andraos is the new dean of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Ms. Andraos was born in Beirut. She has lived in Saudi Arabia, France, Canada and the Netherlands prior to moving to New York in 2002. She serves on the board of the Architectural League of New York and the Advisory Board of the Arab Center for Architecture in Beirut. J. MAYER H. was founded in 1996 by Jürgen Mayer H. in
On a blue segment of the garage exterior, a candle burning at both ends reads “BUT I ONLY WANT YOU.”
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Berlin. In January 2014, Andre Santer and Hans Schneider joined as partners. Jürgen Mayer H. studied at Stuttgart University, The Cooper Union and Princeton University. His work is part of numerous collections including MoMA New York and SF MoMA. Manuel Clavel Rojo, born in Murcia, is a graduate of the Polytechnic of Madrid. His work has won more than 70 awards. He was director of the Citizen Participation Project “Aleop!” and of the International Laboratory for Creative Industries of Miami. Mr. Clavel has been a visiting professor at the University of Miami since 2012. Nicolas Buffe, a French artist based in Tokyo, is the creator of a multifaceted and multidisciplinary universe mixing erudite and popular culture. Born in 1978, he developed from childhood a passion for anime, manga and video games. K/R (Keenen/Riley) is a creativity-based practice with a focus on architecture and design, led by John Keenen and Mr. Riley. With offices in New York and Miami, K/R’s effort has made contributions in architecture, master planning, urban design, interior design, museum planning, exhibition design, sustainability and education. Stefan Sagmeister, born in Austria, lives and works in New York. He has worked for the Rolling Stones, The Talking Heads, Lou Reed, The Guggenheim Museum and Levis. Jessica Walsh is a multidisciplinary designer working in New York City. She has received distinctions such as Computer Art’s “Top Rising Star in Design,” an Art Director’s Club “Young Gun,” and Print Magazine’s “New Visual Artist.” Along with Museum Garage, Dacra recently completed work on another public garage with a unique outer shell. Rising in the shadow of I-195, City View Garage is hard to miss. The southeastern end is covered with a sea of aluminum panels, a façade designed by firm Iwamoto Scott. The main body of the building is a parking structure, above a level of retail storefront. It is to include a small six-story office block. Iwamoto Scott’s portion of the façade wraps around the main corner of the garage and encompasses an elevator lobby, exterior stair and the office block. Leong Leong was commissioned to design the western façade of the City View Garage, a series of gold titanium-coated stainless steel panels.
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