Jan-Mar 2011 - Miami Downtown Development Authority

Miami DDA
Quarterly Report
January - March 2011
Mission: Make Downtown Miami the most livable urban center in the nation and
strengthen its position as the epicenter of the Americas... an international center for
commerce, culture, and tourism.
Free DWNTWN Movie Night: “Ceremony” - March 7, 2011 at Gusman Center
Spotlight!
Board Committees
“Quarterly Quotable”
Downtown Miami’s Residential Occupancy
Rate Surges To 85%
“…Downtown Miami is rapidly becoming a
lively residential neighborhood…”
Downtown Miami is emerging as one of the country’s fastest
growing urban centers, the product of significant increases
in population growth and commercial activity over the past
two years.The latest Residential Closings & Occupancy study,
commissioned by the Miami DDA, reveals that 85% of the
23,628 condo and apartment units constructed since 2003
are now occupied, reflecting a 31% increase since June 2009.
New York Times, March 2011
The report, conducted by Goodkin Consulting/Focus Real Estate Advisors, signals a strong demand for
urban living in Miami for the first time in the City’s history. According to the study, 78% of the condo units
built during the building boom in the downtown Miami
area have been sold, up 10 percent from only one year
ago to 315 units per month. At the same time, average
monthly leasing velocity has risen 7% in the past year.
Wall Street Journal, February 2011
Other key findings from the study include:
New York Times, March 2011
•
Sales activity is accelerating: Total condo sales in Downtown Miami were up approximately 36% year-over-year from 2009 to 2010, with 3,780 units sold in 2010.
•
Prices are rising: Average sales prices in 2010 were up in Q4 and on a year-over-year basis. The average unit sales price in 2010 was $347,729, a 15% increase from the average price of $302,254 in 2009.
“Meanwhile, downtown Miami prices rose
15% in 2010, from a year earlier, according to the Miami Downtown Development
Authority.”
“Bucking a trend that has curtailed development in other cities, the downtown Miami
skyline has two shiny new offices towers, its
first since 2004, and soon will have a third.”
“More folks are choosing to call downtown
Miami and the surrounding area home,
halting fears of condo buildings closing and
fueling some new and novel businesses.”
NBC 6, March 2011
• Absorption ahead of schedule: If current sales levels persist, Miami’s remaining condo inventory could be absorbed within 26 months.
“A major revival for downtown Miami
condos”
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 2011
According to the Miami DDA Population & Demographic
Profile from May 2010, more than 70,000 people now live
in downtown Miami, up more than 80% from 10 years ago.
“To cater to the growing Downtown Miami
population, Macy’s continues to extend its
store hours.”
Miami Herald, March 2011
“Miami’s urban core has become a hub for
higher education locations that offer graduate and professional degrees for area residents and business professionals.”
Miami Today, March 2011
1
Leadership, Advocacy and Operations
Alyce Robertson
Goal: Enable a top quality organization through effective executive management, financial accountability, and appropriate support services.
Finance Committee Members: Al West (Chair), Tony Alonso, Jerome Hollo, Jose Goyanes
DDA Team: Alyce Robertson, Javier Betancourt, Carolina Londono, Madelyne Raybourne, Milliene Michel
Finance Committee Meeting Dates: 1/5
Project
Overview/Status
• FY 09-10 Audit
Completed FY 09-10 audit on time, with no findings. Submitted to City of Miami
by 2/1/11 deadline.
• 2011 Board Retreat
Planned and held productive Board Retreat on 3/12/11 to discuss accomplishments,
challenges, priorities and direction.
• Annual Report
Prepared and submitted DDA’s required Annual Report to the City on 1/11/11
• New IT Service Provider
Hired a new IT service delivery provider to manage the agency’s IT needs; executing
a strategy for improving our IT infrastructure.
• Quarterly Reports
Developed and distributed the first edition of the new “Miami DDA Quarterly Report” to the Board of Directors.
• Personnel Changes
Conducted two personnel changes which resulted in the hiring of Sonja Bogensperger as the DDA’s new Senior Manager for Marketing & Communications; and
Nicholas Martinez as the DDA’s new Coordinator for Research and GIS.
•Miami Circle Park Grand
Opening
Represented the DDA at the grand opening ceremony for Miami Circle Park, as a
$25,000 funding partner.
• Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan
Advocacy
Advocated for passage of the Downtown Bicycle/Pedestrian mobility plan with
various city and county officials.
• South Miami Avenue
Streetscape Plan Advocacy
Advocated for construction funding for the DDA’s South Miami Avenue Streetscape
Design Plan with various county officials.
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Miami Circle Park Grand Opening
South Miami Avenue Streetscape
Miami DDA FY 09-10 Audit
What’s Ahead
• Board retreat follow-up
• Budget preparation and workshops
• Voter registration / get-out-the-vote strategy
• Continued advocacy of DDA priorities
2
Urban Design, Transportation & CIP
Cesar
Cesar Garcia-Pons
Garcia-Pons
Goal: Envision, create and advocate for a new, improved downtown urban environment that establishes Downtown Miami as the preferred destination to live, work, play and learn.
Committee Members: Jerome Hollo (Chair), Neisen Kasdin, Tony Alonso, Misha Mladenovic, Alan Ojeda
DDA Team: Cesar Garcia-Pons, Sarah Ingle, Hilda Maravilla
Committee Meeting Dates: 1/6; 2/3; 3/3
Project
• Downtown Mobility
City of Miami Trolley –Proposals for Biscayne/Brickell Trolley Service were received
by the City on March 29 and are now being reviewed and ranked.
Bicycle-Pedestrian Mobility Plan – This plan is being presented to City, County,
and MPO officials in preparation for MPO, City, and County adoption in the next
quarter.
• Biscayne Boulevard Conceptual
Streetscape Design
Stakeholder meetings and 2-day public workshop held on March 7 & 8 at the DDA
office and MDC campus. Several alternative streetscapes were explored. Draft
report to be presented to the UD Committee in April.
• South Miami Avenue
Streetscapes
Brickell District – Coordinated construction schedule and new above-ground
improvements with other Brickell area projects and adjacent City CIP project.
CBD – Working with Macy’s & Barlington Group and City & County Departments
to improve the streetscapes adjacent to Flagler St.
• Brickell Avenue Construction
Convened the first multi-agency construction coordination meeting on March 16
at the DDA office. Agencies included FDOT, City PWD & CIP, County PWD &
WASD plus Brickell area stakeholders. Issues coordinated included construction
sequencing, maintenance of traffic and overall design coordination between adjacent
projects.
• Joint Planning Efforts
Port of Miami – The Port Director presented a draft Port of Miami Master Plan to
Urban Design Committee
Miami Dade College – DDA staff met with MDC Wolfson Campus President and
Dean to coordinate on issues of mutual interest. MDC will present its Master Plan
to the DDA board in the upcoming quarter.
Bicycle Sharing – Advocating for the City to pursue bike sharing/rental program,
like Miami Beach’s DecoBike program. The City is preparing to issue an RFP for a
similar program.
Brickell Avenue Construction
Overview/Status
Bike Sharing
What’s Ahead
• Flagler Street comprehensive redesign & reprogramming
• Signage & Wayfinding implementation
• Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines
• South Miami Avenue Conceptual Design Study (CBD)
3
Biscayne Blvd. Streetscape
Quality of life & Services
Cesar
Cesar Garcia-Pons
Garcia-Pons
Goal: Foster a clean, safe, attractive, and welcoming environment that showcases Miami as a world-class tropical waterfront city.
Committee Members: Jose Goyanes (Chair), Danet Linares, Jerome Hollo, Tony Alonso, Kim Stone
DDA Team: Cesar Garcia-Pons, Sarah Ingle, Jennifer Rodero, Hilda Maravilla
Committee Meeting Dates: 1/11; 2/1; 3/1
Project
• Downtown Parking
Advocated for and coordinated additional MPD and MPA presence on Flagler
Street to enforce proper usage of disabled parking permits.
• Park West Planters
Coordinated and installed 75 planters in the public right-of-way along sections of
NE 7th and 8th Street with the Downtown Enhancement Team (DET).
Provided landscape training to DET members including: proper tree installation,
staking, fertilizing, root placement and watering procedures.
• Downtown CLEAN Team
Coordinated the City Code Enforcement, Police, NET, Solid Waste, and DMP to
identify and correct cleanliness and safety issues affecting Downtown.
• DWNTWN Ambassadors
Expanded program to include Ambassador services on Downtown special event
nights that including the DWNTWN Concert Series, Miami International Film
Festival, and Flagler Fest.
Developing a brochure to introduce the Ambassador Program services to
Downtown stakeholders.
• DET/NEAT
Fumigation, replacement, fertilization, and maintenance of Flagler Street landscape
planters.
Quarterly Certificate of Appreciation presented to DET Member Steve Neisser.
• Safety & Security
No-Panhandling signs have been ordered and are set to be installed in collaboration
with the MPA in April.
• Street Vendors Program
Coordinating with City NET and Public Works to update the existing City
Ordinance.
• Homelessness
Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust has added a “Downtown issues” discussion
item to its monthly Executive Committee agendas. Solutions regarding street
feeding, the Indoor Meal Program, and coordination with the SAO Repeat Nuisance
Offender Program are being explored.
Park West planter installation
Overview/Status
Ambassadors at special event
What’s Ahead
• Continue DWNTWN Ambassador, DET & Street Vendor Programs
• Advocate for increased Film Permit Inspections in Downtown
• Coordinate with City CIP regarding downtown loading zones
• Flagler Improvements / Repairs
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Planter training
Business Development, Real Estate & Technology
Leo Zabezhinsky
Goal: Promote a strong Downtown economy by supporting corporate and retail business development, attracting real estate investment, and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
Committee Members: Hank Klein (chair), Neisen Kasdin, Dr. Rolando Montoya, Nitin Motwani, Danet Linares, Tony Alonso, Jerome Hollo
DDA Team: Leo Zabezhinsky, Hunter Halten, Karry Maravilla
Committee Meeting Dates: 2/4; 3/8
Project
Overview/Status
• Downtown Miami Conference
Center Market Analysis - RFQ
DDA Board Resolution Approved in March 2011 to Award RFQ to CSL
International
• Goodkin/Focus 2011 Residential Closings & Occupancy
Study
Completed Study in February 2011 Highlighting 85% Residential Occupancy.
Implemented distribution and media/pr strategy with SMS.
• 2010 New Business Visitations
& Welcome Packages
Completed in-person visitations to all 35 new retail businesses that opened in
2010.
• Resident Advisory Group
Launched in March 2011 and completed outreach to 70 residential buildings in
DDA area to secure participation.
• Retail & Office Advisory
Groups
Hosted quarterly meetings; Sponsored Miami-Dade County Retail Bus Tour.
• DDA/DMP Property Incentive
Programs:
• Façade/Shutter Improvement
• Tenant Improvement
• Retail Window Films
DDA Board Resolution approved March 2011 to secure DMP for program
administration.
Two projects completed; four projects approved/under construction; $55,000
allocated for match grant funding.
• Incubate Miami
Launched Technology Advisory Group in March 2011. Joint-participation at GMCC
Technology Committee meeting and tour of UM Life Science & Technology Park.
• Macy’s West Building
Redevelopment
Assisting property ownership and new businesses with streamlining various issues.
Proposed Conference Center Concept
Downtown Retail Strategy
What’s Ahead
• Downtown Conference Center Market Analysis
• 2010 U.S. Census Challenge
• One Community. One Goal. -- Targeted Industry Study
• Downtown Office Marketing Co-Operative
• Downtown Retail Strategy
• ICSC ReCon Annual Conference
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2011 Closings & Occupancy Comparison
Marketing & Communications
Sonja
Bongensperger
Cesar
Garcia-Pons
Goal: Reinforce Downtown Miami as a great Live/Work/Play destination by marketing Miami DDA programs and proactively communicating with Downtown stakeholders and the media.
Committee Members: Nitin Motwani (Chair), Al West, Danet Linares
DDA Team: Javier Betancourt,Yami Roa, Lauren Bourgoyne, Emerson Calderon, Karry Maravilla
Committee Meeting Dates: 1/12; 2/2; 3/2
Project
Overview/Status
• Free DWNTWN Movie Night
The DDA sponsored and produced a free movie night for DWNTWNRs - “Ceremony” starring Uma Thurman, during the Miami International Film Festival on March
7, 2011. The event at the Gusman Center brought out over 800 DWNTWNRs.
• DWNTWN Miami Concert
Series
A free community event that takes place in Bayfront Park featuring local and
national talent. The DDA produced three concerts from January to March featuring Locos Por Juana, Xperimento, Nicole Henry, The South Florida Jazz Orchestra,
MAYDAY and Art Official.
• GameOn! Campaign and
Website
Continued the GameOn! Marketing campaign with updates to the website featuring new participants, deals and events. As part of the campaign, the DDA conducted
a drawing among gameondwntwn.com participants and also produced a Sunday
Shootout event throughout Brickell visiting several pubs during a Miami Heat game.
• Special Events
The DDA sponsored and had a presence at the Miami International Film Festival,
Meet Your Neighbors, 2 Family Fest events, Flagler Fest and ING Miami Marathon.
• American Airlines Partnership
The Miami DDA is working with American Airlines to develop a marketing partnership. As part of this effort the DDA hosted American Airlines representatives on
a tour of Downtown to showcase the district and discuss potential opportunities.
• Downtown Welcome Centers
The DDA approved a $25, 000 grant for the continuation and improvements to the
Downtown Miami Welcome Center at the Gusman and entered into an agreement
to have prominent placement of DDA materials at the Resident & Visitor Center in
Mary Brickell Village.
• Media and Public Relations:
Downtown Occupancy Report
SMS has generated multiple stories about the unprecedented growth of downtown
as evidenced in the Occupancy Report. Among the outlets that have covered the
news are: Miami Herald, Nuevo Herald, Sun-Sentinel, Diario las Americas, NBC 6,
and CNN en Español.
• Media and Public Relations:
Downtown as a Destination
Stories such as Macy’s leasing of adjacent property for new restaurant/bars, Macy’s
extension of hours, and the new FIU facility in downtown – have all incorporated
interviews with DDA spokespersons and/or positive points about downtown.
Miami DDA & AA Partnership
DWNTWN Miami Concert Series
Free DWNTWN Movie Night
What’s Ahead
• Work with remaining Downtown Special Funding Request program grantees
• Hotel Advisory Group - Reconvene group on a bi-montly basis
• MyDDA publication - complete and distribute to all downtown property owners
• Continue with website enhancements including layout, look and feel, navigation and content updates
• Retail Directory - Add feature to the online version of the CityGuide
• Develop a Marketing Plan
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Coming Soon...
Board Members
Alyce Robertson
Marc Sarnoff, Chairman
Board Chairman
Neisen Kasdin
Vice-Chairman
Bruno Barreiro
County Commission Representative
Alvin West
Board Treasurer
Tony Alonso
Jose Goyanes
Jerome Hollo
Hank Klein
Danet Linares
Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run 2011
April 28, 2011
Miroslav “Misha” Mladenovic
Dr. Rolando Montoya
Nitin Motwani
Alan Ojeda
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Oscar Rodriguez
Kim Stone
Alyce Robertson
Executive Director
Javier Betancourt
Deputy Director
Voters Registration and Get Out The Vote
Miami Downtown Development Authority
200 S. Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2929
Miami, FL 33131
www.miamidda.com