Miami Today: Week of Thursday, January 19, 2017

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE & OFFICE SPACE

Touted Panama Canal gains not budging demand, pg. 13 RECONSIDERING WI-FI @ MIA: The county’s Trade and Tourism Committee is to weigh today (1/19) a deal it deferred in December with Electronic Media Systems Inc. (EMS) for Wi-Fi at Miami International Airport. EMS would pay the Aviation Department the greater of $550,000 a year or 50% of gross revenue from advertising, sponsorships, monthly subscription fees, agreements with other entities, roaming from other carriers, pay-for use transactions and internet access fees. Mayor Carlos Gimenez wrote that EMS has performed satisfactorily in its existing contract and has agreed to provide added services: in lieu of written reports, EMS is working on an online data base to supply reports with compliance breakdowns and resolutions to the Aviation Department; a twice yearly educational forum for aviation staff to review the Wi-Fi system; and up to 20 hours of free Wi-Fi network engineering consulting.

In commercial realty, 2016 was ‘a relatively slow year,’ pg. 15

The Achiever

BRIDGING THE GAP: A $1.5 million annual grant from the US Department of Transportation for five years will advance Florida International University’s Bridge Engineering Program to make the nation’s bridges safer. FIU is one of 20 institutions picked for funding and designation as a Tier 1 University Transportation Center and will serve as the lead institution. Using this grant plus matching funds that make the total more than $10 million, FIU will support graduate students with salary and full tuition to find solutions for dilapidated bridges needing repair. “With accelerated bridge construction, we are able to replace or retrofit bridges without affecting traffic, while providing safety for motorists and workers who are on site,” said Atorod Azizinamini, chair of FIU’s Departmnent of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

NEW YOUTH CENTER: City officials were on-hand for a Jan. 13 ribbon cutting and tour at a new youth center at Hadley Park, 1300 NW 50th St. “The Samuel K. Johnson Youth Center is the newest beacon of light for our children. I am honored to have played a role in the construction of the facility and preservation of Samuel K. Johnson’s legacy,” said Miami Commission Chairman Keon Hardemon. The 22,000-square-foot center hosts an indoor basketball gym, exercise room with lockers and restrooms, classrooms, meeting rooms, a computer room, office space, storage and a concession area. The lobby and reception area interconnect with a newly covered drop-off area for the existing senior center building. A new shaded playground equipped with a rubberized play surface was installed. Cost for design and construction totaled $6.3 million with funding from Homeland Defense Bonds, impact fees and the Sunshine State Financing Commission.

ABC Construction Inc. in conjunction with Rizo Carreno & Partners Inc. served as the design firm.

Christian Seale

Photo by Cristina Sullivan

Runs Startupbootcamp Miami to fund health ventures The profile is on Page 4

Vote kick-starts restoration of Marine Stadium

By John Charles Robbins

City commissioners have approved a contract with R.J. Heisenbottle Architects for architecture and engineering for Miami Marine Stadium, effectively kick-starting a long-awaited restoration of the bayfront structure.

At the same meeting, commissioners delayed approving a new request for proposals to improve and operate marinas on Virginia Key near the stadium.

Revenue from the marinas is expected to account for a big chunk of the money needed to repay borrowed funds for stadium restoration.

Two months ago, commissioners approved borrowing $45 million by issuing bonds to fund stadium renovation and improvements, along with other work on the barrier island, most of which the city owns.

The city closed the unique concrete stadium in 1992 in the wake of Hurricane Andrew.

Architect R.J. Heisenbottle has told city officials that although there is no formal determination it can be restored, his team is confident it is a “very restorable building.”

Reaching a formal determination that it can

be restored, and exactly how the stadium can be shored up, is what’s called for in the professional services agreement approved Jan. 12.

Phase 1 is described as pre-design planning and study to include a building assessment and recommendations, building programming, budget cost estimate and documentation of the stadium’s existing conditions.

Phase 1 costs are not to exceed $1,295,624.

Most residents who spoke at the meeting supported bringing the stadium back to life, but a few voiced concerns about the current draft of the new request for proposals for the marinas.

The request would ask companies to bid on a plan to “create a vibrant recreational marina and restaurant destination with an ancillary ship’s store facility for city residents and tourists alike.”

The winning proposal would result in a long-term lease of city-owned Rickenbacker Marina and Marine Stadium Marina that would face approval by city commissioners and city voters.

A company has operated Rickenbacker Marina on extended leases while the city works to secure a new operator.

Commissioner Ken Russell, whose district encompasses Virginia Key, moved to defer the marinas action over the warnings of city administrators, who said it may mean delaying the project for another year or more.

According to staff, if the city doesn’t request new proposals by Jan. 20 with a deadline of April 20, the opportunity to get a marinas lease on the November ballot will likely be lost.

“I am not trying to delay for the sake of delaying but… we’ve got to get this right,” Mr. Russell said. “I don’t think one more month will hurt.”

The commission voted to defer action to Feb. 9, leaving time for more public input and staff work on a final request for proposals.

“I know it’s tight,” Mr. Russell told City Manager Daniel Alfonso, who again explained the need to get a request published this month in order to make the ballot deadline in late summer.

The Virginia Key Advisory Board on Jan. 4 voted 7-3 to recommend the commission “reject the issuance” of the request for proposals in its current form, giving the board 60 to 90 days to develop its own plan for the Marine Stadium basin.

Big names seek to run city venue The Miami Heat and Miami Dolphins have asked about running a restored Miami Marine Stadium, Mayor Tomás Regalado has told Miami Today, as have global entertainment operators Live Nation, which runs the Fillmore Miami Beach, and SMG, which runs the city’s James L. Knight Center.

“To not subsidize the venue, we need a professional presenter,” he said.

Such interest lends credibility to operation of the Virginia Key city-owned stadium if restoration is completed. The stadium, already underused, was closed after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. It has been vacant since. The mayor, who is in his final year, made reopening the stadium his primary campaign plank almost eight years ago.

All four operators run other county venues. The mayor said that in the case of the Heat and the Dolphins, Miami Marine Stadium would provide a 5,000-seat venue to concert promoters who don’t want to book a far larger site and not be able to fill all seats.

The choice of operator would come via requests for proposals, the mayor said. Turning a city waterfront facility over to a private firm is also likely to require voter approval.

The city commission in November authorized borrowing $45 million via bonds to restore the stadium. Last week, the commission chose a firm to study what work would be needed, including examination of pilings that have long been under salt water.

While a promoter could relieve the city of operating costs, it would not fund maintenance. The mayor noted that the city and the county both pay the Miami Marlins annually to maintain the team’s county-owned stadium.

He said a “small ticket surcharge” might help fund such costs at the Marine Stadium.

In a few months, Mr. Regalado said, the city will seek construction bids. The city, he said, will supervise construction within its Capital Improvements Department.

“Now,” he said, “we can say we are going to have a stadium.”

14 PLANNED HOTELS WOULD POUR IN 2,215 BEDS IN 2017 ...

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WISDOM OF AIRPORT PEOPLE MOVER PACT IS DEBATED ...

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CHURCH EASEMENT A BIG STRIDE TO EXTEND BAYWALK ...

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53-STORY TOWER LINKED TO OLD GARAGE DOWNTOWN ...

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VIEWPOINT: MIAMI THROUGH LENS OF MAXINE USDAN ...

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AMERICAN DREAM CALLED OUR FIRST REAL THEME PARK ...

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COUNTY WOULD START WATER TRANSIT WITH EXPRESS ...

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CONSULTANT: GABLES TOO SMALL TO SUPPORT ITS RETAIL ...

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MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

The Insider FLAGLER HONOREES: Brian E. Keeley, president and CEO of Baptist Health South Florida, and Bob Dickinson, retired president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, received the first Henry Flagler Awards on Saturday night as HistoryMiami Museum revived the legendary Flamingo Ball, long a staple of the community, at its original home, Hialeah Park. Museum trustee Michael Carricarte Sr., a key figure in the ball committee, noted in the awards presentation that one of the qualifications for the award was to be like Mr. Flagler, the railroad magnate who was instrumental in founding the City of Miami. Mr. Car- Brian Keeley ricarte noted that there were 20 finalists for the award.

The evening’s presenting sponsor was designated historic site Hialeah Park, where horse racing began in 1925; owner John Brunetti underwrote the costs of the evening.

ANDREW DÉJÀ VU: When HistoryMiami this August opens its 25th anniversary exhibit chronicling the impact on the community of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Miamians will be reminded of the voice and image of Bryan Norcross, at the time the chief meteorologist of WTVJ whose steady and factual broadcasting made him the best-known and most-respected human image during the storm and its immediate aftermath. Guests at the museum’s Flamingo Ball on Saturday were told that Mr. Norcross, who later became a meteorologist with the Weather Channel, is to be guest curator of the Andrew exhibition.

ASSISTING YOUNG LEADERS: Miami-Dade’s Transit & Mobility Services Committee is to consider legislation today (1/19) that would provide up to 220 transit passes per month for one year to City Year members. The passes would be distributed to the volunteers serving as tutors, mentors and role models helping children succeed within the county in exchange for no less than 3,500 hours of promotion, marketing and research for the county’s Department of Transportation and Public Works along with placement of the department’s logos on City Year materials.

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

14 hotels planned in county in 2017 would funnel in 2,215 added rooms

By Camila Cepero

Although the county’s hotel market is about to see an influx of new units in the coming year, it won’t be nearly as flooded as it has been in the recent past. Nevertheless, local hotels are expected to become more aggressive to maintain their market share.

According to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, 17 new hotels were completed last year, adding 2,337 rooms to the market, much of it during the latter half of the year.

This year, at least 14 proposed hotels promise to add yet another 2,215 rooms.

The most notable new hotels, in terms of room numbers, are the Design District’s Triptych with 296 rooms, Aventura’s AC Hotels

by Marriott with 233, Brickell’s Panorama Tower with 205 and Aventura’s Autograph Collection hotel with 200 rooms.

Also to open this year are three Aloft Hotels, an Embassy Suites, the SLS Lux, the Iberostar Berkeley, a Hampton Inn & Suites, a Holiday Inn Express & Suites, the Cambria Hotel and a Four Seasons Hotel at Surf Club.

“Every new hotel that comes into the community is an opportunity

for us to bring new customers, but we also understand that all the new inventory adds a lot of pressure to our existing hotels,” said RolandoAedo, e‎ xecutive vice president and chief marketing officer for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Last year had a lot of headwinds – the Miami Beach Convention Center being closed, the problems in Brazil, the Zika virus – and the No. 1 headwind from a hotelier’s perspective was all of the additional inventory.”

After posting record high revenues per available room in 2015, the Miami lodging market saw a decline in performance in 2016, according to a Kroll Bond Rating Agency Miami lodging report.

The Miami/Hialeah metro lodging market achieved record revenue per available room, called RevPAR in the industry, of $152.83 in 2015. It was the fourth highest of the top 25 markets after New York, San Francisco/San Mateo, and Oahu Island.

The record 2015 RevPAR was a 5.5% increase from 2014’s $144.87, the report said.

However, RevPAR for the trailing 12-month period ending November 2016 period declined approximately 2.6% compared to the trailing 12-month period endingApril 2016.

“In 2017 we will continue to see

a lot of hotels in the pipeline, but not as much as we have seen in the past two years,” Mr. Aedo said. “We’re making sure that the hotels are at the center of our marketing strategy... because now more than ever our top priority is the incremental demand for hotel stays.”

Among the new products are limited service and extended-stay hotels, which helps to round out Miami’s hotel portfolio.

Now, with new inventory, the hotel market will become more competitive than it has been in recent years.

“If I’m Hotel X, I have to be more aggressive in how I maintain my market share, and I do that by adjusting room rates to maintain occupancy, but that puts downward pressure on profitability,” Mr. Aedo said.

Despite declining performance, Miami remains one of the top performing hotel markets in the US. It achieves significantly higher occupancy than the US as a whole, according to the Kroll Bond report.

“When you ask an individual hotel how they are doing overall, they will most likely tell you that 2016 and even 2017 have been challenging,” Mr. Aedo said. “And it will be challenging because there’s more hotels competing for customers.”

ARCHIVING A CITY: The Coral Gables Community Foundation and the City of Coral Gables last week offered tours and cut a cake to dedicate the Raul E. Valdés-Fauli Coral Gables Archive Collection, housed in the city’s Historical Resources & Cultural Arts Department at 2327 Salzedo St. Community Foundation Executive Director Mary Snow welcomed a roomful of city officials Mary Snow and guests, including the children of Raul Valdés-Fauli the late Mr. Valdes-Fauli, an attorney who in 1999 noted abysmal storage conditions of city historic documents and newspapers and vowed to find better. The community foundation’s Archives Collection Fund made that possible. Son Raul Valdés-Fauli, a former mayor By Catherine Lackner It would be in county’s best inter- be fueled by compressed gas, to walk of Coral Gables and a candidate again for the office, spoke for siblings Jose est to re-negotiate, he said. “The RFP trust members through the financial Valdés-Fauli, Gonzalo Valdés-Fauli and Teresa Valdés-Fauli Weintraub.

Accepting the recommendation permits it, and even if it didn’t, your justification for the technology, to PURSUING JUSTICE: The American Bar Association Tort Trial and of Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s office, lawyer will tell you that you can. explain the environmental justificaInsurance Practice Section will honor Julie Braman members of the Citizens Indepen- Negotiate with all three.” tion for the move, to “re-establish the Kane, a partner at Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables, dent Transportation Trust voted “The county has negotiated a veracity of the procurement process, with its Pursuit of Justice Award during the American unanimously last week to back a very good deal in the taxpayers’best which we spent a quite a bit of time Bar Association Midyear Meeting in Miami on Feb. $429 million contract with Trillium interest and that is what’s before you on,” and finally, to explore the best4 during the TIPS Welcome and Pursuit of Justice Transportation Fuels LLC to sup- today,” said Alex Heckler, attorney and-final-offer concept.

Award Reception. The award recognizes lawyers and ply compressed natural gas for the for Trillium. “This was a thorough “We were advised quite clearly judges who excel in providing access to justice for all. county’s buses. process.” that it would jeopardize or eliminate Ms. Kane is president of the American Association for This was over the objections of Clean Energy Fuels protested the ability to seek federal and state Justice and serves on its board of governors. She is a past president of the Miami-Dade Florida Association Julie Braman Kane Clean Energy Fuels, an unsuccessful the bid and lost, he said. “My client funding,” Mr. Scurr said. “We had a bidder. “I’m here to encourage you put a significant proposal together, very extensive discussion, presentafor Women Lawyers and served on the Florida Elections Commission from 2008-11. Ms. Kane is the recipient of the Marie Lambert to direct the county to go back and we hired engineers, and we did our tion and debate. We covered these Award from the Women’s Caucus and the Joe Tonahill Award from the negotiate with all three of the ven- homework. We took four out of five items in great detail.”

Young Lawyers Section. dors and then request their best and first-place votes and were selected.

The trust agreed, voting to recom-

Compressed natural gas buses deal fuels explosion by competing firm

GOLD BATON: The Miami Symphony Orchestra on Sunday awarded the MISO Gold Baton Recognition to Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón. The award is given to an outstanding community member. Dr. Padrón “is a true Miamian. He’s always there for the challenges of this community,” said symphony board Chairman Rafael Diaz-Balart in making the presentation with symphony Music Director and Conductor Eduardo Marturet. Earlier recipients of the award were impresario Judy Drucker, Florida International University President Mark Rosenberg and county cultural chief Michael Spring.

BOOK WORK: Ray Baker, assistant director of the Miami-Dade Public Library System and a county employee for almost 24 years in seven different offices and departments, has been appointed interim library system director effective Feb. 18 when current director Gia Arbogast retires. In making the appointment, Mayor Carlos Gimenez noted that before Mr. Baker joined the library system in 2015 he had risen through the ranks of county government, most recently as chief of policy, legislation and business services in the Internal Services Department. He twice served as assistant to the county manager, from 2002 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2009, after which the manager’s office was abolished. Ms. Arbogast, the mayor noted, opened the library system’s 50th branch in the Town of Bay Harbor Islands, the first municipality to join the library taxing district since 2006.

COMPUTER LEARNING LAB: Gia Arbogast’s last major impact as director of the county library system before she retires next month is expected to be the launch this month of the first mobile library computer training lab in South Florida, which Mayor Carlos Gimenez wrote will be “bringing digital literacy directly to underserved areas of Miami-Dade County.” In a memo to commissioners, the mayor said that she “has established [the library system] as a force in digital media, computer learning and other hands-on learning experiences through the opening of [the system’s] first creative learning center Gia Arbogast (YOUmake Miami) and expansion of [its] second digital media center (YOUmedia Miami).”

final offers,” said Joe Goldstein, the company’s attorney. “This procurement could have been done better.”

Clean Energy is at a disadvantage because the county decided to negotiate only with one vendor, Mr. Goldstein said. “It took county staff a year to compete the evaluations of the proposals, then a year to get the solicitation moving, and then it took them a year to negotiate with only one vendor. That three-year process extended this.”

During those three years, the price of compressed natural gas versus diesel fuel went down, “therefore you can get now more competitive pricing,” he said. “During the course of those three years, the county’s needs and changes got solidified, and only Trillium had the benefit, during that year-long process, to negotiate with the county,” he said.

“The county knows what they need better now, and should go back to all three of the vendors and negotiate. The original evaluation was based on pricing of a much more limited project” and the change of scope should be taken into account, Mr. Goldstein said.

Clean Energy only took one out of mend the Trillium contract, which five first-place votes. now faces a vote of approval by the “The selection committee could county commission. have recommended to the mayor to do a best and final offer, or to do dual negotiations, but they didn’t.

We want to hear from YOU! They said ‘recommend the No. 1 Phone: (305) 358-2663 firm,’ and that happened.”

Staff Writers: To re-negotiate, the county would have to reject all bids, produce a bid Camila Cepero wavier (which would require nine of ccepero@miamitodaynews.com 13 votes on the commission), and Susan Danseyar start all over, Mr. Heckler said. sdanseyar@miamitodaynews.com Trust member Miles Moss, an John Charles Robbins engineer with Miles Moss & Asjrobbins@miamitodaynews.com sociates Inc., said the county could probably save money by re-opening Letters to Editor negotiations but would risk the loss editor@miamitodaynews.com of $32 million to $72 million in fedPeople Column eral funding because of the delay. “I people@miamitodaynews.com would not be in favor of losing the Michael Lewis federal funds or waiting another year mlewis@miamitodaynews.com or two years.”

“It’s important for everyone to understand that we’ve just come from a two-hour, very intense comLike us: mittee meeting,” said Charles Scurr, Miami Today trust executive director. “We asked Follow us: the county to focus on five issues for this procurement, “which were @MiamiTodayNews to re-establish a need for the buses to

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

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Church easement a big step to expand baywalk for public

By John Charles Robbins

Miami commissioners are taking a major step forward in expanding the public baywalk along Biscayne Bay. Commissioners on Jan. 12 authorized City Manager Daniel Alfonso to accept an easement from the First Presbyterian Church of Miami “for baywalk purposes over and upon a portion of the property” at 609 Brickell Ave. The move will allow the city to move ahead with plans to pay for constructing that section of baywalk east of the church, a desire expressed by city officials for years.

The legislation is sponsored by Ken Russell, whose district includes nearly all of the city’s bayfront.

The resolution also directs the city manager to record the easement along with a companion restrictive covenant from the church.

The commission in July 2016 authorized Mr. Alfonso to work with the church on a final easement.

Commissioner Russell said last week it was good to see the city was able to negotiate an acceptable easement that will serve to “open up the baywalk” in that area.

The resolution notes that the city charter and city zoning code require that certain waterfront properties, in connection with development activities, provide a baywalk or riverwalk along the portion of land abutting Biscayne Bay and the Miami River.

The city requires waterfront developers to have a 50-foot setback, in most cases, and construct the public walkway within that setback on the bay and river.

The First Presbyterian Church of Miami was constructed in 1948, prior to the enactment of the baywalk regulations, and because the church has never developed its property in a way that would require a baywalk as a condition, there’s a gap in the baywalk system at the church’s property, the resolution says.

City officials consider the gap to be a “pinch point,” where the

The First Presbyterian Church of Miami on Brickell Avenue will let the city construct baywalk on its land.

public baywalk simply dead-ends at a property line. Several pinch points identified in a 2013 study of the baywalk included the one behind the church.

The church has expressed that it doesn’t plan to redevelop its property for the foreseeable future and absent redevelopment by the church, it doesn’t have to create a baywalk.

The resolution says the church wants to convey an easement to allow the city to construct, at its expense, a baywalk across the church’s property in order to further connect the city’s baywalk system.

The city will pay for the construction and maintenance of that portion of the baywalk.

Further, the city has requested, and the church has provided, a restrictive covenant running with the land to allow for repayment of funds expended by the city “on a decreasing amortized basis dependent upon the length of time between the creation of the baywalk and the time the church redevelops the property

which would otherwise require it to provide a baywalk itself.”

A proposed repayment plan in the covenant also provides for a discount if the city gets grant financing from the Florida Inland Navigation District or other non-city sources.

The resolution concludes: “ … the city’s construction and maintenance of the easement … will allow for the use and enjoyment of the baywalk to occur in the near future, rather than when the church redevelops its property, which may not occur in the future …”

At the Jan. 12 meeting, Mr. Russell said the baywalk along the easement from the church could cost about $2 million.

If the property is ever redeveloped, by the church or a new owner, the city could recover its costs, he said.

Mr. Russell, who finished his first year on the commission recently, said early on in his freshman year he would make the baywalk a top priority.

The project aims to make most

of the shoreline on Biscayne Bay into an improved public walkway for pedestrians, bikes, strollers and other non-motorized transportation.

Last week, Mr. Russell told fellow commissioners that opening the baywalk and riverwalk could be a legacy endeavor.

“I look forward to the city doing this more,” he said of the church easement and plan for the city itself to take on the financing and construction, to fill in as many gaps as possible.

Opening up longer stretches of finished baywalk can serve as “a big incentive to property owners” who may have one of the pinch points to help make the baywalk contiguous northward, according to Mr. Russell.

Mr. Russell asked the city manager to analyze all of the pinch points and calculate potential costs to build out the baywalk – “a worst case scenario for the upfront costs.”

He added, “Let’s make it happen.”

Ayear ago, Mr. Russell held a sunshine meeting with Commissioner Francis Suarez about the baywalk.

Nearly 10 pinch points were identified then, Mr. Suarez said.

“We’re working together to work on a program whereby we can get it done quicker and find a way that, hopefully, the city can be reimbursed; or some kind of financial vehicle can be created whereby the city can take over, do the baywalk and whoever owns the property at some point will pay the city back with interest,” Mr. Suarez said then.

The 2013 city study involved public meetings and workshops, and invited input from stakeholders including Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces; Florida Department ofTransportation; South Florida Water Management District; Brickell Homeowners Association; Venetian HomeownersAssociation; Edgewater Homeowners Association, First Presbyterian Church and others.

The area of study for the baywalk ran about 7 miles along Biscayne Bay from Alice Wainwright Park in the south to Albert Pallot Park to the north.

Along this route several segments have been developed. Some are on public property or within municipal parks. There are also segments on private property that have been completed based on the city code.

However, the study noted, many properties on Biscayne Bay were developed before the city adopted its ordinance requiring public access to the bay. These properties don’t have to provide public access to the bay until they are redeveloped, which may be many years off.

A summary of the 2013 study says, “The Miami waterfront is alive with exciting opportunities …

The linking of all the various segments together to form a continuous Baywalk would certainly put this space in the category of world class public water front along with those in New York, Chicago, Barcelona and Sydney.”

Urban Lifestyle Specialist Robbie Bell has a Passion for People, laces…and Life in South Florida.

“Well-traveled”…a “culinary lifestylist”…and a “master networker” whose passion is connecting people to people through art, cultural events, food and music…

These are just a few highlights used to describe Robbie Bell – self-proclaimed “urban lifestyle specialist” and seasoned residential real estate expert with EWM Realty International. Bell, a native of San Francisco who relocated to South Florida following a successful career as a sales and training professional in the oceantransportation industry, is entrenched in Miami living and a strong proponent of its myriad of multi-cultural aspects and offerings. The crux of her work involves connecting buyers and sellers with their dream home, whether it is a single-family residence or condo, in locations that put them well within reach of their places of work -- and places to “play” -- including Midtown Miami, the Design District, Brickell and Coconut Grove.

As a transplant herself, Bell is well-versed in getting new-to-area prospective buyers in touch with everything South Florida has to offer, or helping empty-nesters downsize from suburban estates to Bayfront condominiums. From her oversight and production of The Scrumpterou Report* (a foodie insider’s guide to good eats), market insights as a contributing real estate writer, and membership with the Greater Miami Chapter of Links, Inc., she is the quintessential connection between people, places, vibrant ideas and exploration.

Contact Robbie Bell Today!

305.528.8557 Bell.R@ewm.com

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MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

Miami Today is an independent voice of the community, published weekly at 2000 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, Florida 33133. Telephone (305) 358-2663

The many sides of Miami through the lens of Maxine Usdan

Maxine Usdan, a University of Miami graduate and news photographer whose work appeared from Miami Today’s first issue on June 3, 1983, to this month, died last week after a long and valiant battle with cancer. In all, more than 10,000 of her photographs have appeared in this newspaper.

Photographs we publish are rarely the exciting action or tear-jerking pathos that appear in the daily press. Rather, they show the growth of Miami and the people who are building it.

Maxine’s first two Miami Today photos were of a little tree nursery called Los Hondureños, which today would be smack in the middle of the mammoth Brickell City Centre complex, and the principal of Southside Elementary School reading to three pupils.

The photos on this page, some never before published, show Miami through Maxine Usdan’s lens.

Karl Ruhnke in a gondola at dock at Bayside Marketplace in 1994. Set for 1993 action comedy “True Lies” atop 1200 Brickell Ave.

2006 hurricane impact, Espirito Santo Plaza.

Razing of Grove’s Grand Bay Hotel in 2012.

Miami Beach resident Mike Burke and Mayor Matti Herrera Bower in 2012 confrontation.

Families enjoy art in the park at Shops of Midtown in 2011 as one snaps a photograph.

Master ice carver Joseph Pomiban, 2012.

Andres Manso, Bay of Pigs Museum, 2012.

miamitodaynews.com FOUNDED JUNE 2, 1983 VOLUME XXXIV No. 34 ENTIRE CONTENTS © 2017

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Robin Morris paints on the façade of 2632 N Miami Ave. in 2012.

Miami Seaquarium general manager Andrew Hertz & friend, 2010.

MIAMI TODAY (ISSN: 0889-2296) is published weekly for $145 per year; airmail: to Europe $190 per year, the Americas $145 per year. Published by Today Enterprises Inc., 2000 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, Florida 33133, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Miami, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MIAMI TODAY, 2000 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY, SUITE 100, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133.

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

TODAY’S NEWS

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9

County to start water transportation with two express routes

By Marilyn Bowden

Plans to introduce waterborne services to Miami-Dade County’s menu of public transportation services are starting to come together, says Irene Hegedus, chief of transportation enhancement.

The Department of Transportation & Public Works is looking into both commuter and on-demand services on Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, Ms. Hegedus says, but the commuter service, which would run on fixed routes and schedules, is the primary focus, since its aim is to alleviate traffic congestion during peak commuter hours.

“We had identified existing infrastructure, travel paths, travel speeds, desired vessels and desired vessel capacity,” she says. “We did grant research, and we’re now looking at capital costs.”

Water transportation had been considered before, she says, and the county looked at several older plans, including a proposal by the 2003 Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization that was ultimately rejected.

“They had far too many routes,” Ms. Hegedus says, “and it would have been way too expensive.

We’re going to start with two express routes and see how they perform.”

The proposed north-south route would run from Haulover Park to Sea Isle Marina, which is just one block away from a downtown Metromover station.

“For that route,” Ms. Hegedus says, “parking, facilities and infrastructure are in place, so it would save money. We’ve talked to the county Department of Environmental Resources Management, and the US Army Corp of Engineers gave us an okay.”

A test run using police boats, she

Photo by Marlene Quaroni

Irene Hegedus and the site where the north-south route would dock just north of the Venetian Causeway.

says, showed it could save a commuter 20 to 40 minutes compared to using congested highways, “not including time spent looking for parking.”

Municipalities to the north of downtown such as Bal Harbour, Surfside, Sunny Isles, Aventura and Bay Harbor Islands already have trolley service, she says, that could transport passengers to the nearest dock.

The county is also looking at an east-west route, Ms. Hegedus says, which could include a dock the City of Miami is building for water taxis just north of the Venetian Causeway. “But we may not be able to do that because there are no open spaces along the water.

Everything is private property, and parking in South Beach is extremely limited. So we are also looking into a third route.”

The waterborne vessels would run at 15-minute intervals during peak commuter hours, she says.

Keeping that schedule on two routes would require six vessels,

plus a seventh that could serve as a replacement, “because everything on the water is high maintenance.”

Ms. Hegedus says the vessel capacity is envisioned to be anywhere between 35 and 49 passengers.

“The smaller the boat,” she says, “the less requirement of opening the bridges. And the vessels will need to be air-conditioned and covered.”

Because the commuter service would be an offshore extension of the existing public transportation system, the fare during rush hour would be $2.25 – the same as Metrobus – and would be compatible with transfers, EASY cards and the like. During off-peak hours, Ms. Hegedus says, the price would go up.

The Department of Transportation & Public Works is facilitating the deployment of on-demand waterborne services – chiefly water taxis – by meeting with the 16 affected municipalities and helping to identify existing or future docking facilities. This information is

passed along to the Department of Environmental Resources Management and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission for review.

“The meetings have been very encouraging and successful,” Ms. Hegedus says. “Creating multi-

modal transportation opportunities is essential for reduction of congestion and to enhance the quality of life in our county.”

Of the 16 municipalities, she says, all but three – the Village of Key Biscayne, Village of Indian Creek and Village of Miami Shores – expressed interest. So far, the City of Miami has identified 10 docking locations along the Miami River and 11 along Biscayne Bay. An additional 10 sites were identified by other municipalities.

“Not all the Miami sites can be developed,” Ms. Hegedus says. “For example, three on the river have water-depth issues. That could be resolved by dredging, but it takes money.

“If we can assist with decongesting, we want to do that. But on-demand water taxis are more of a weekend or tourist attraction, and the municipalities will have to determine how they will proceed.

“We would like to see interlocal agreements between municipalities.”

Nominate a Champion for Children The David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award is bestowed annually for lifetime achievement and leadership through trailblazing work with lasting impact or by accomplishing systemic change that has improved the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.

Bernard Perlmutter 2005

Hon. William E. Gladstone 2006

Tracy & Alonzo Mourning 2007

Lilia Garcia 2008

Helene Good 2009

Sister Lucia Ceccotti 2010

Jean Caceres-González 2010

Robert D. Nolan, Ph.D. 2011

Michael Alessandri, Ph.D. 2012

Cheryl Little 2013

Eduardo Bancalari, M.D. 2015

Michael Duchowny, M.D. 2016

Beacon Council partners for Spain

By Camila Cepero

The Beacon Council is preparing to embark on its first economic development mission of the year to Madrid and Barcelona from Feb. 21 to March 1.

The mission will be led by Beacon Council chair Jaret Davis, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office, and Beacon Council interim president & CEO Sheldon Anderson.

For its first stop in Madrid, the organization has partnered with the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce and the US Commercial Service Spain at the US Embassy in Madrid, as it has in the past.

For this mission in particular, the Beacon Council has also partnered with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Trade Commission of Spain in Miami.

The partnerships will culminate in a business seminar at the Madrid Chamber of Commerce.

At the Beacon Council’s last seminar in Spain in February of last year, more than 100 Spanish and US companies were in attendance.

“For this February, we’re expecting something similar,” said Mario Sacasa, senior vice presi-

Mario Sacasa targets prospects.

dent of International Economic Development for the Beacon Council.

“This is how we identify new prospects from different industries – it’s a multi-sector seminar and that’s how we get a lot of our business from Spain,” Mr. Sacasa said.

This will be the Beacon Council’s 16th mission to Spain. To date, the organization has assisted about 105 companies in establishing business ties across both countries.

On the trip will be a Spanishspeaking attorney, tax expert, and realtor to explain the nuts and bolts of doing business in Miami-Dade.

“The seminar is a very important tool,” Mr. Sacasa said. “It’s a win-win situation because companies learn a lot about MiamiDade and Florida and how to do business here.”

On the second day of the trip there will be a business networking reception with the deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy.

Also in Madrid, delegates will have the opportunity to conduct one-on-one meetings, he said, which they are responsible for scheduling.

BBVA Spain will be sponsoring and hosting a dinner reception in Madrid.

The delegation will then travel to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona for the latter half of the trip.

The Mobile World Congress, to take place Feb. 27-March 2, is a combination of the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry and a conference. This will mark the third time the Beacon Council will attend the conference Organizers are now finalizing the delegation, Mr. Sacasa said.

“Invitations have been distributed to board members and our membership,” he said. “We expect to have 12 to 15 member companies.”

Nominations accepted through Tuesday, January 31 Visit thechildrenstrust.org for nomination requirements.

Because All Children Are Our Children

Current board members and staff of The Children’s Trust are not eligible.

The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their futures.

12

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

Aviation deals that caused hot words to fly to on tap again Aviation Department conducted site visits to them and determined they Discussion could become sharpcould provide the required services, toned today (1/19) when the county’s according to Deputy Mayor Jack Trade & Tourism Committee Osterholt. considers approving the Aviation However, at the Dec. 15 meeting, Department’s signage and fabricaseveral commissioners expressed tion contracts at Miami International concern that none are local. Rebeca Airport, if the conversation Dec. Sosa was surprised that firms that 15 when the item was deferred in a want to do business in Miami-Dade unanimous vote was foreshadowing. did not even bother to come here for The Aviation Department is interviews but, rather, county staff requesting that commissioners aphad to travel to them. prove five contracts of $15,037,050 She said her questions about nonto be paid from its Facilities Main- Audrey Edmonson cites authority. local subcontractors and expenses tenance Operating Fund, Reserve incurred by the county as a result Maintenance Fund and Airport Mailbox Designs LLC, Baron Sign of having to make a trip to see the Capital Improvement Fund. The Manufacturing and Don Bell Signs companies must be answered by five firms – Allen Industries Inc., LLC – either have satisfactory track Aviation Department Director and Architectural Graphics Inc., Creative records with Miami-Dade or the CEO Emilio González who was unBy Susan Danseyar

Rebeca Sosa wants firms to visit.

able to attend the December meeting.

Audrey Edmonson was also concerned about the contracts, saying a lot of authority was being delegated

without the commission being properly notified about expiring approvals. Aviation Department Deputy Director Ken Pyatt said expiring contracts are under the purview of the director.

Nevertheless, said Committee Chair Jose “Pepe” Diaz just before the vote to defer, the feeling on the dais is that legislation from the Aviation Department often comes late and is rushed, which has become tiresome. He asked Mr. Pyatt to convey the message to Mr. González that commissioners are displeased with having to take up “emergency” matters when it comes to theAviation Department’s contracts and asked that they be briefed on their questions before today’s meeting.

Will working river’s sights and sounds add or repel diners?

By John Charles Robbins

New York developer Shahab Karmely and his KAR Properties LLC are intent on investing millions into projects on the Miami River.

His latest venture proposes an upscale restaurant right next door to a long-established and working boatyard.

The boatyard owner, Cory Offutt, is opposed to the restaurant, saying he fears he will be regulated or somehow forced out of business.

To Mr. Offutt, a restaurant with outdoor seating is incompatible with a loud, smelly boatyard.

But to Mr. Karmely, the sights and sounds of a working river are part of its attraction.

“I am here to tell you of our commitment to Miami, and my passion for the Miami River,” Mr. Karmely told a recent meeting of the Miami River Commission.

The commission deferred action on two separate proposals to establish restaurants on marine-industrial properties: nMr. Karmely’s plans for River Arts Complex, which would transform a trio of old warehouses into a dining and event space at 125, 129 and 131 NW South River Drive. A recent announcement is a partnership with Yachtlife, a private yacht club with yacht sales/rentals. Using an online application, persons can charter luxury yachts. The plan also sets aside one commercial fisherman boat slip, which would provide the restaurant with fresh seafood catches. n Longmore LLC proposes remodeling two buildings at a former Anchor Marine boatyard at 961 NW Seventh St., with one

Shahab Karmely: the sights and sounds of the river’s work are a plus.

serving as a restaurant, the other for storage and an office for a marine charter business.

The commission delayed voting on recommendations for the developments in part to afford committees that focus on urban infill and the greenway and riverwalk more time to sort out remaining questions about the proposals.

Both are back for another looksee by the full river commission at a special Jan. 23 meeting.

Both proposals would use land zoned marine-industrial for uses other than marine-industrial, a concern of the river commission.

The proposed restaurants are in an area generally considered East Little Havana, and on the south side of the river. While both sites are zoned for marine-industrial uses, a restaurant would be allowed with special permission or by warrant.

The warrant process is a special conditional use that is decided by the city’s planning director and is subject to appeal by neighboring property owners. The granting of a warrant can be appealed first to the city’s Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, and that decision can be appealed to the city commission.

The RiverArts Complex has been under review for several months, and Mr. Offutt has voiced objections to the plan at several meetings.

On Jan. 9, Mr. Offutt told river commission members they have a responsibility to protect a waterdependent property for use by waterdependent businesses.

“This is a huge impact on my business,” he said of the restaurant proposal. “There’s no way we can survive in harmony together.”

Mr. Offutt complained the part-

nership with Yachtlife and the planned yacht club component didn’t come up at previous meetings, so they could “sandbag us here.”

Commission member Ernie Martin agreed new information about the proposal recently surfaced and he desired more time for a closer examination.

“I don’t feel comfortable acting on this today,” he said.

At earlier meetings, when the compatibility of the restaurant and boatyard were discussed, attorney Iris Escarra reported that Mr. Karmely was well aware of the boatyard next door and that he loves the working river – noise, big ships and all.

Mr. Karmely himself made that proclamation Jan. 9.

He said the value of “the promise of the river” is immeasurable. He mentioned the importance of rivers to cities like London, Bangkok and Frankfort.

“Rivers are transformational.

Why not take care of this great asset?” said Mr. Karmely.

“We are very committed to the river,” he said, mentioning that his company is behind one of the largest projects on the river. One River Point is planned as dual 60-story towers connected at the top with a private club and at the bottom with a giant waterfall, along with a series of highend lodging units on the top floors.

KAR Properties is building One River Point on the river’s north bank, right next to the Miami Avenue Bridge, next to three existing condo towers.

Mr. Karmely said the river is the heart of the city.

He said the key to development along the river is how to “weave

the fabric of the river” into other uses – uses that open up the river to different constituencies.

The river can be a place for multiple uses, he said, including restaurants and lounges.

“I love the fact the river is a working river,” said Mr. Karmely.

He reminded the commission that his proposed restaurant is in an area where several successful restaurants cluster along the river. “We’re very proud of being a part of that story.”

In the project proposed by Longmore, plans call for converting the property to a dual-purpose site, remodeling a 7,509-square-foot building into a restaurant and a 3,696-square-foot building into an office for a separate marina charter business, with some associated storage.

The site is about one-half acre, extending east from where Northwest 10th Avenue ends into Northwest Seventh Street, which continues southeast as Northwest South River Drive.

The property is owned by Henry Greenberg.

At the Jan. 9 meeting, questions remained on the relationship between the private property and abutting right-of-way owned by the city and leased for limited parking to a prior tenant.

River commission members also expressed concerns about adequate parking for the restaurant, while some argued no on-site parking would be required.

Both proposed restaurants were to undergo one more review by a committee of the river commission this week, before returning to the commission at the Jan. 23 special meeting.

County looks at events to increase awareness of Everglades

By Susan Danseyar

In celebration of the Everglades National Park’s 70th anniversary on Dec. 6, 2017, Miami-Dade’s Trade and Tourism Committee will today (1/19) consider a series of events to raise awareness about this significant natural resource.

Established in 1947 and located in this county along with Monroe and Collier, the Everglades is the most important and biggest freshwater, subtropical peat wetland in North America. According to legislation sponsored by Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, today Everglades National Park is “the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, consisting of more

than 1.5 million acres,” which includes habitat for endangered and threatened species such as the Florida panther, the American crocodile and the manatee.

Historically, the resolution reports, the Everglades covered about 2.5 million acres from the south shore of Lake Okeechobee to the mangrove estuaries of Florida Bay. The county commission wants to recognize the date that marks our natural treasure so, if passed in committee today, it will take a final vote directing the administration to work with the National Park Service and – in particular – Everglades National Park to collaborate on a series of awareness-raising events

about the park and its environmental significance scheduled throughout 2017 and leading up to the anniversary.

According to the US National Park Service, which oversees the Everglades National Park, water in South Florida once flowed freely from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee and southward over low-lying lands to the estuaries of Biscayne Bay, the Ten Thousand Islands and Florida Bay. “This shallow, slow-moving sheet of water covered almost 11,000 square miles, creating a mosaic of ponds, sloughs, sawgrass marshes, hardwood hammock, and forested uplands,” the site states. “For thousands of years, this

intricate system evolved into a finely balanced ecosystem that formed the biological infrastructure for the southern half of the state.”

However, to early colonial settlers and developers, the Everglades were potential farm land and communities, according to an overview of Everglades’ history and culture. “By the early 1900s, the drainage process to transform wetland to land ready to be developed was underway,” the site’s researchers state. “The results would be severely damaging to the ecosystem and the species it supported.”

Details: https://www.nps.gov/ever/ index.htm

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

COMMERCIAL & OFFICE SPACE

MIAMI TODAY

15

As buildings rise, Doral tallies robust office properties sales

By Catherine Lackner

The office market in Doral continues to be one of the most attractive in the Miami-Dade County, observers say.

“2016 was a year of robust sales of office properties in the Doral market,” said Donna Abood, principal and managing director of Avison Young’s Miami operations.

In March, the 280,000-squarefoot Doral Costa office building at Northwest 107th Avenue and 41st Street sold for more than $73 million to Triarach Capital Group, she said via email.

Later in the year, Hines sold the 276,758-square-foot Doral Corporate Center at 3750 NW 87th Ave. to Rialto Capital Management for more than $48 million.

Two new commercial buildings entered the market in 2016, Ms. Abood said. They were Rita Gardens at 10305 NW 58th St. and Riviera Point Business Center at 1500 NW 89th Court. The 71,581-squarefoot Rita Gardens contains office, medical and retail space; Riviera Point Business Center comprises about 41,000 square feet.

Among buildings under construction is Elite Centre At Doral, a 56,407-square-foot office building at 10450 NW 33 St., which is set to open in June.

The sale price of the Doral Costa building is the highest ever for an office building in Doral, said Brian S. Gale, vice chair of office brokerage services at Cushman & Wakefield.

That’s indicative of the market’s strength, he said.

“We represent two properties in Doral” and leasing is healthy in both, he said. The first, 9250 Doral, at Northwest 36th Street and 92nd

41,000-square-foot Riviera Point Business Center is a new commercial market entry in booming Doral.

Donna Abood: year of robust sales.

Brian Gale: Doral leasing healthy. Andrew Easton: office market tight.

Avenue, was vacant when Cushman & Wakefield took over three years ago,Amadeus NorthAmerica having moved to another Doral building. It’s now 96% leased with tenants including Univision (40,000 square feet), West Coast University (45,000 square feet) and Prestige Health Choice (50,000 square feet), Mr. Gale said.

Rialto Capital Management in October hired Cushman & Wakefield to lease its newly acquired Doral Corporate Center. The complex consists of two seven-

story office towers with a total of 280,428 feet.

“There’s really a ton of demand and not a lot of vacancies” in the Doral market, Mr. Gale said. He attributes that to several factors: the area’s location strategic for major expressways, how it is being developed, and the value proposition compared to office space in the central business district.

Not only are residential projects (both single- and multi-family) under construction or recently opened in the market, but retailers

and restaurants are flooding in along its main spines: Northwest 36th and 58th streets, and Northwest 87th and 107th avenues.

“These are all things that support office space,” Mr. Gale said.

“People want to live nearby, and office tenants want options for lunch.

Now there are some good ones.”

In Miami’s central business district, rents can reach $50 per square foot and parking options are limited.

The same space in Doral can be had in the $35-per-square-foot range, with free parking, making it $20-

$24 per square foot less expensive than downtown, he said.

Given that it is adjacent to the Florida Turnpike and state roads 826 and 836, Doral is also a good choice for employers who are concerned about employees’ commutes, he added.

Compared to today, “If you had driven along the 36th Street corridor three years ago, you would have thought you were lost,” Mr. Gale said. “Now, Doral is one of the most booming cities in Miami.”

“The office market has continued to tighten over the last nine months because a lot of the land in Doral is being developed for housing, hotel, self-storage and retail uses,” said Andrew Easton, a vice president and leader of the office investment and brokerage division at The Easton Group. “There are not many new office buildings under construction at the moment,” he added.

The Easton Group is planning to develop a 157,665-square-foot office building in the International Corporate Park in Doral, he said via email. The corporate park is a 300-acre master-planned business park west of Miami International Airport with 4 million square feet of industrial, office and retail space, he said.

“Easton is currently working to identify an anchor tenant for the new office building located on the corner of Northwest 19th Street and Northwest 102nd Avenue,” Mr. Easton said. “We own a few pieces of vacant land in Doral, and many of the potential buyers who’ve come to us want to build hotel and self-storage facilities. If this trend continues, office lease prices should continue to increase as office development is giving way to other product types.”

In commercial realm, 2016 branded ‘a relatively slow year’

By Catherine Lackner

Brexit and the US elections were among factors that made 2016 a stable and steady – but not record-breaking – year in real estate markets across Miami-Dade County, observers say.

“It was a relatively slow year,” with some companies waiting until year’s end to make major decisions, said Marc Miller, research manager for JLL. For example, Wells Fargo & Co. in mid-December signed a lease for an additional 54,000 square feet in the Wells Fargo Center at 333 SE Second Ave. The banking giant will consolidate its operations there by November and will become the largest tenant in the building.

“Brexit created uncertainty and caused some tenants to take a wait-and-see approach, as did the election,” Mr. Miller said. “We saw the same thing happen four years ago.”

He said he didn’t notice any major shifts in demand throughout the county’s larger submarkets, though Airport West may have seen a slowdown because of lack of available product. It’s still a highly sought-after area, he said.

“Demand was steady, if muted.

At the tail end of 2014 and 2015, the market was really hot. 2016 was a fall back to earth,” he said.

“Vacancies went up, but we’re seeing rent growth across the board.

Going into 2107, landlords are still

John Bell: in extra cyclical innings.

Photo by Maxine Usdan

In a relatively slow year, some firms waited until year’s end to make major decisions, said Marc Miller.

very confident.”

Presumably because of Brexit and the election, the Federal Reserve Bank delayed several interest rate hikes. “We escaped another year without a correction” in the real estate market, said John Bell, managing director of capital markets for Transwestern. “We’re in the seventh year of a five-year cycle – in extra innings, so to speak.”

Valuations were constant throughout 2016, though pricing

leveled off somewhat, he said. In Miami-Dade, demand remained high and new capital found its way into the real estate market via changes to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act that made foreign investing easier, he said.

That bodes well for Miami, Mr. Bell said. “The importance of Brexit can’t be overstated,” he said. “A lot of companies are pulling out of the UK and looking at places like Miami, which are seen

as being less risky. You’ve got a lot of international demand and an affluent community.”

“There have been shifts in financing, values and general economics on the commercial side” of the local real estate industry, said Rick Morgan, a shareholder at the Miami office of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.

“In Miami-Dade County, there has been a modest slowdown,” he said via email. “On the residential

Rick Morgan: modest slowdown.

side, market participants claim there is not enough inventory, and that is driving up values and perhaps forming a bubble. On the other hand, there are concerns that there are now fewer cash borrowers, and that raises concerns in the credit markets.”

24

WEEK OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

MIAMI TODAY

Gold Medal Awards Have you, your company or organization been recognized by your professional peers with an honor in 2016?

2017

Then Go for the Gold!

You are a potential candidate for Miami Today’s 18th Annual Gold Medal Awards.

A panel of top-level, Miami-based judges will select Gold, Silver, and Bronze individual and organization winners who will be honored at an invitation-only reception and dinner. Winners will be featured in an exclusive Miami Today Gold Medal Awards special section published in 2017.

Nominations must be submitted by January 31 Send this form and no more than two 8 1/2 x 11 pages of supporting materials to: Miami Today Gold Medal Awards

By Mail: 2000 South Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33133

By Email: marketing@miamitodaynews.com or go to www.miamitodaynews.com and click on the Gold Medal Awards application link

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