BHA News - Brickell Homeowners Association
Transcription
BHA News - Brickell Homeowners Association
VOL. XXI NO. 2 contents 4 6 10 12 16 BHA Legislative Agenda BHA founder, longtime president dies Brickell CitiCentre wows BHA members Sleepy summers thing of the past Simpson Park eyed as educational venue 60th Edition BHA News BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION is comprised of condominium association members and associate members representing some 25,000 residential units along the Brickell corridor and on Brickell Key from the Miami River to the Rickenbacker Causeway and from Biscayne Bay to I-95. Founded in 1990, the purpose of BHA is to communicate common interests more effectively and mobilize support on important issues relating to the quality of life in our neighborhood. www.brickellhomeowners.com NEWSLETTER OF THE BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Summer 2011 Construction begins on Brickell Avenue park; more play and greenspaces in the works hovels and hardhats were donned and photos were snapped. Bulldozers started to move the earth. Ground has been broken officially and in reality for the new neighborhood park at 1814 Brickell Avenue, envisioned by City of Miami CommisCommissioner Marc Sarnoff and Commissioner Frank Carollo, along with BHA’s Gail sioner Marc Sarnoff as “the Feldman and Natalie Brown (3rd and 2nd from right), City of Miami staffers and the landpremiere park of Miami.” scape designers break ground at 1814 Brickell Avenue. “BHA and the Brickell Area group have been the backbone behind nic area and playground. It will have open this project,” Commissioner Sarnoff said at the lawn space as well as hardscapes for easy traJune 2nd ceremonial start of the construction. versing. Commissioner Sarnoff assures us that Enea Garden Design created the land- women in high heels can come to this park and Continued on page 5 scape plan which features a reading area, pic- navigate it with S Candidates Forum slated for Sept. 14 ark your calendar for BHA’s Candidates Forum, Wednesday, September 14, 7:00 p.m. at Miami Science Museum. This forum provides an opportunity to hear from the candidates and ask questions of importance to you and the Brickell community. All those with residential and business interests in the Brickell area and surrounding neighborhoods are urged to attend. We are pleased to welcome KW Property Management as sponsor and underwriter of the evening. Refreshments will be served and there will be plenty of free parking at the Museum, 3280 S. Miami Avenue, across from Vizcaya. The November races of particular importance to BHA are all in the City of Miami: Com- M mission Districts 1, 2 and 4. BHA falls into District 2, which is represented by Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, however, the candidates and incumbents for all three races have been invited to the Forum as their opposition or support is critical to items of importance to Brickell. District 1 is represented by Commissioner Willy Gort and District 4 by Commissioner Francis Suarez. The format will be brief, timed presentations from each candidate and then questions from the audience. Candidates Forum hosting partners are the South Miami Avenue Homeowners Association, Miami-Roads Neighborhood Civic Association and Brickell Area Association.• Safeguarding quality of life for the Brickell community HA PP I NESS TM IS SERIOUS S S E N I S U B The Continental Group is the leading property management company in Florida, as well as in the Brickell corridor. We know how hard your Condo Association works to make your building a great place to live. That’s why we’re extremely proud to support the BHA and their continued efforts to improve the Brickell area. We help out by hosting seminars, courses, best-practice roundtables and other events that are free of charge and open to anyone interested in gaining insight from experts on a variety of topics. For the buildings we serve, our commitment means delivering savings and resources no other company can match. We do it through programs like Continental Value Engineering™, a massive cost-saving LQLWLDWLYHWKDWLQFOXGHVDOLQHE\OLQHUHYLHZRI\RXUEXGJHW¿QDQFLDOVDQGFRQWUDFWVWR¿QGRYHUVSHQGLQJ and eliminate it quickly. Continental Value Engineers will: %HQFKPDUN\RXUEXLOGLQJDJDLQVWRWKHUVLQWKHDUHDWRJDXJHH[SHQVHVDQG¿QGZDVWH Examine vendor contracts and renegotiate better terms 6HFXUHWKHDEVROXWHORZHVWUDWHVIRUXWLOLWLHVFDEOHDQGRWKHUKLJKFRVWDUHDV 8VHRXUEXONSXUFKDVLQJSRZHUWRORZHURSHUDWLRQDOFRVWV 6HFXUHSUHIHUUHGEDQNLQJWHUPVDWWKHEHVWUDWHVDYDLODEOH Last year alone Continental Value Engineering™ saved our communities in South Florida over PLOOLRQ7KDW¶VPRQH\WKH\XVHWRJURZUHVHUYHVDYRLGDVVHVVPHQWVDQGSD\IRULPSURYHPHQWV Sound good? Then let us provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation analysis of your community. Give us 30 minutes at an upcoming Board Meeting and we’ll tell you how Continental is so effective at saving money that we typically more than pay for ourselves! Call us at 954-378-1048 Email us at [email protected] Or ask a Board Member to contact us. www.tcgmgt.com From the President Ernesto Cuesta Communications and the political arena n so many aspects of life, we are often reminded that communication is key to successful outcomes. In business, conveying one’s advantages over that of others generates customers and builds brands. In interpersonal relationships, the ability to express oneself honestly yet tactfully promotes healthy, lasting bonds with others. In politics, communication is similarly key. We want to hear where elected officials stand on issues, that they hear our concerns and that they have not just ideas, but the necessary skills to make things better. We want to hear from candidates for office about how they would address our concerns and solve our problems. We are able to respond to elected officials and those aspiring to office through the election process. I Lately in Miami we’ve had more occasions than usual to make our voices heard in the political arena. Surprisingly, although many are unhappy with local government, few take advantage of these opportunities. In the County Mayoral recall in March and the May election and June runoff to fill the empty post, we saw abysmal voter turnout; about 200,000 people out of 1.2 million registered voters, or 16 to 17%. Why don’t residents turn out at the polls? Some don’t think their vote will matter. Some think that politics is so rotten that even the “good guys” and gals can’t effect change. Whatever the excuse, the reality is that the polls are our only chance of making ourselves heard…in the language that politicians hear. The BHA Board has made voter education and engagement a priority for our community. Ernesto Cuesta, from The Metropolitan In this issue you’ll read about our Candidates Forum, an annual event BHA has held with its partner organizations for elections for 20 years. The Candidates Forum is your chance at two-way communication. The candidates are there to answer your questions. Then, at the polls in November (or earlier by absentee ballot) we get a chance to be heard again. BHA will be holding voter registraContinued on next page BHA Board of Directors BHA OFFICERS PRESIDENT Ernesto Cuesta THE METROPOLITAN VP/TREASURER Eduardo del Rio BRICKELL TOWNHOUSE VP/GENERAL COUNSEL Santiago Echemendia Marguerite Beaty Susan King THE PALACE BRICKELL WOODS Enrique Cordoba Joaquin Mayoral-Parracia BRICKELL SHORES THE METROPOLITAN Jose Maria Carneiro da Cunha Stephen Owens SANTA MARIA THREE TEQUESTA POINT Timothy Czerniec Juan Carlos Pulido TWO TEQUESTA POINT TWO TEQUESTA POINT 500 BRICKELL (WEST BLDG.) SECRETARY Gail Feldman Fred Drasner Juan Carlos Sagreda BRISTOL TOWER FOUR SEASONS RESIDENCES BRICKELL PLACE PHASE I MEMBER AT LARGE Larry Imber Katherin Fernandez Mac Seligman THE PALACE THE CLUB AT BRICKELL BAY PLAZA BRICKELL TOWNHOUSE MEMBER AT LARGE David Lucterhand Lourdes Figueroa Xavier Suarez THE IMPERIAL AT BRICKELL BRICKELL 25 William Fitch Scott Wizner DIRECTORS BRICKELL ON THE RIVER VILLA REGINA Guillermo Undiano Aguilar Louis Gonzalez Yvonne Yeomanson BRICKELL PARK ST. LOUIS HOUSES OF BRICKELL Astrid Annexy Sergio Garcia Granada THE ATLANTIS ON BRICKELL BRICKELL BAY CLUB BRICKELL EAST Blanche P. Back Steve Greenberg ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Marta Armas BANKATLANTIC Scott Buser BROWN & BROWN OF FLORIDA Donna Candreva Arthur Murphy CMC MANAGEMENT Alan Ojeda RILEA GROUP Randy Olen BRICKELL AREA ASSOCIATION Fernando Perez HOTEL URBANO ON BRICKELL BRICKELL MAIN STREET, LLLP (MARY BRICKELL VILLAGE) Joseph L. Combs Millie Raphael IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH Cesar Garcia-Pons DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Robert B. Green 1550 BRICKELL APARTMENTS Tibor Hollo FLORIDA EAST COAST REALTY Jeffrey Hooper FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rabbi Chaim Lipskar BETH DAVID CONGREGATION Jeff Samas WELLS FARGO INSURANCE SERVICES OF FLORIDA Javier Sardinas THE CONTINENTAL GROUP, INC. Maria Tablada MIAMI MANAGEMENT, INC. Phillip Yaffa ENGEL & VOELKERS __________________ BRICKELL BISCAYNE THE SHUL OF DOWNTOWN/ THE SHUL OF BRICKELL Ron Smith BRICKELL HARBOUR Herbert Bailey Bruce Higley Greg Mangram Natalie Brown BRICKELL FOREST 2000 BRICKELL Gabriel Barros Carl Hochheiser SOLARIS AT BRICKELL BAY 25 BAY TOWER Michael Basanta Reed Khan THE EMERALD AT BRICKELL SUMMER 2011 500 BRICKELL (EAST BLDG.) BHA DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL CITY NATIONAL BANK COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Regan Marock ASST. COMMUNICATIONS DIR. KW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Eugene Michelle ST. JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH Josie Gulliksen Cindy Bettner ADVERTISING & MEMBERSHIP SALES MANAGER 3 “President’s Column” continued from previous page tion activities in the fall to be sure our neighbors who are eligible to vote are registered and their residence data is up to date for their Brickell precinct. BHA will continue to do its best to ensure that polling locations are convenient and accessible for its residents. And finally, we will work to keep channels open and dialog ongoing with all our elected representatives, those directly representing us in our district as well as the other commissioners who impact our quality of life with their support or opposition to matters important to Brickell. Our Legislative Agenda (opposite) contains the highlights of our current advocacy issues and quality of life concerns. It’s a dynamic list as new issues come to our attention regularly. I welcome your ideas on how to make our views heard and advance our goals for the neighborhood. Please send me email: [email protected]. See you at the Candidates Forum, and at the polls! • BHA Legislative Agenda FDOT and Brickell Avenue • • • • Planned closure at SE 6th Street of • Needed for our growing community of major concern families Ineffective, dangerous flashing beacon Garbage & Waste Hauling at 1800 block • Condominium owners have long subsiKeeping the speed limit at 30 mph on dized City of Miami garbage fees in all of Brickell Avenue after construction their property tax assessments despite completed and not going up to 35 mph paying private commercial haulers: Sidewalk improvements, non-obstruction refunds or service is sought and safety Parks and Green Space • • • School for Brickell Community Development of 1814 Brickell Avenue Park Brickell Park Other green space Police Coverage of the Brickell area • • Issues we’re monitoring: • Median Landscaping & Beautification • • Poor craftsmanship and inconsistent design features leave the Brickell Avenue medians—the gateway thoroughfare to the City of Miami—sorely lacking and unbefitting the community A dedicated force is sought Enforcement of dog curbing, littering and related “nuisance” ordinances • • Mega billboards Use of Impact fees from Brickell development Code and Zoning Enforcement – including 1900 Brickell Avenue FPL’s proposed new high voltage transmission lines, their location and impact 1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 800 • Miami, Florida 33131 Phone: (305) 789-7900 www.kanecpas.com 4 BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION “Parks” continued from front page ease. The space was planned to accommodate those looking for a place to relax as well as those looking to socialize, people with and without children, and executives just taking a break after a day at the office. Designers gathered input from residents and incorporated a variety of key elements to satisfy the diverse community. The design incorporates and relocates a few existing palms, Live Oak and Pink Tabebuia trees and adds Rain Trees, Horseflesh Mahogany, Magnolia and Live Oak trees. Areas will be framed by Dwarf Firebush, Spanish Stopper and Green Island Ficus shrubbery. The project will convert the 35,000square-foot parcel (just under one acre) into public greenspace for the surrounding community. At the June groundbreaking Commissioner Sarnoff thanked Sheila and Tibor Hollo, who provided initial funding toward acquiring the land. He also thanked Commissioners Frank Carollo and Francis Suarez for their support of the project. Acquisition and construction costs are being covered by improvement funds still available in District 2. Construction is being carried out by the City’s Capital Improvements department. A fall completion is planned. The ideal sculpture has even been identified: La Familia by Manuel Carbonell. Carbonell is the creator of sculptures familiar to Brickell, including two of Miami's largest monuments: the 53-foot Tequesta Family on the Brickell Avenue Bridge and the 21-foot El Centinela Del Rio at Tequesta Point on Brickell Key. Two Carbonell monumental sculptures also sit in front of Brickell Townhouse on Brickell Avenue. “Enea Garden Design incorporated art into the park design because art helps define a feeling of community,” said Ricardo J. Gonzalez, director of Beaux Arts Gallery in Brickell and agent for the works of Carbonell. “In contrast with European cities where art is an essential part of their cities’ landscape, art in Miami has not played an important part of our city’s budget up to now.” The Cuban-born, modern master sculptor has pledged to donate more than half the cost of the La Familia, however its pricetag is still a not-insignificant $250,000. A patron is needed. “Having La Familia as part of the park will not only make it a destination park where people will come to enjoy the art, but it will help to familiarize the children with art at their early stage in life,” Gonzalez said. Other “pocket parks” in the works In more green news, Commissioner Sarnoff is spearheading creation of One feature of the design plan is still another public park, at least as tempoan open item: a sculpture. Acquisition of a monumental work of art was part of rary greenspace. This one is on that trithe design but ultimately outside the angular slice of land sandwiched scope of the budget. A donor or bene- between South Miami Avenue and SE factor is sought to complete the vision. 1st Avenue, and between 9th and 11th Streets. Dubbed the “Flatiron” parcel after the famous Manhattan skyscraper on Fifth Avenue, the park would occupy part of the three-acre property until the owner decides to build. In more green news, Commissioner Sarnoff listened to requests from area residents and new playground equipment is being installed at Brickell Park, the public park between the Icon condo and To provide an idea of scale, the above image shows La Familia First Presbyterian Church. Wanted: Monumental Sculpture superimposed in a park setting. It is 6 feet x 8 feet x 4 feet. SUMMER 2011 Parks eyed for years BHA has been advocating for more parks for much of its twodecade existence. Soon after Commissioner Sarnoff took Commissioner Marc Sarnoff office in 2007, he became a chief advocate for the cause, vowing to BHA and moms with strollers that he would find greenspace. He said the Brickell community—unique in Miami and beyond—has “beautiful high rises, extraordinary buildings, but a scarcity of greenspace.” BHA contends that parks and other improvements should have come to the area through impact fees paid by developers who built huge new projects here. ”Impact fees were stolen from the residents of Brickell,” BHA President Ernesto Cuesta explains, “and used by the City for purposes and in places other than where they were supposed to go; that is, infrastructure support for the neighborhood impacted by the additional people and increased demand for resources.” BHA is on guard to not let impact fees be diverted in the future, such as with the planned Brickell CitiCentre project. The nine-acre, mixed-used development will bring a lot of business, people and amenities to the neighborhood, but also necessitate corresponding infrastructure improvements on the part of local government. BHA passed a resolution supporting the project, provided that the City ensures that impact fees will be properly spent. BHA has long known and Commissioner Sarnoff has confirmed that impact fees were not properly used during the Brickell boom years in the early 2000s when so many new condominiums were built. The commissioner has been trying to rectify the situation ever since to get the resources due to the residents. Green can come in many forms. • 5 T. Sinclair “Tory” Jacobs BHA founder leaves lasting legacy HA’s long-time leader and founder, Tory Jacobs, died in late March after a battle with cancer at age 87. Tory served as president of BHA for 19 years after having founded the organization with attorney Henry Taylor Jr. in 1990. “Tory was a mentor to me and a close friend,” BHA President Ernesto Cuesta said. “He had a visionary spectrum of makes a metropolitan city. He was savvy in terms of dealing with elected officials and a great advocate and citizen of the City of Miami.” Financial Corporation, dedicated to managing investments for institutional clients. Tory's first home was at 1865 Brickell Avenue, in Brickell Place I. In 1981 he moved to Brickell 25, a 37-unit building on 25th Road overlooking Biscayne Bay. It was here that Tory met Attorney Henry Taylor, who convinced him that residents needed to be proactive rather than reactive, and that a homeowners group of all the neighborhood condo owners could get further at City Hall than just the few of them. Together they formed BHA, which was formally incorporated in 1990. Tory was the natural choice as its first president, a job that stuck. He worked tirelessly on Brickell area initiatives geared toward improving quality of life. “We all stand on the shoulders of Tory,” Commissioner Sarnoff told the BHA Board in April. “He was the foundation of all we are doing here. We will continue to improve upon his work.” Among the early battles were preventing a Greyhound bus station from Tory Jacobs at Miami City Hall October 8, 2009, accepting the moving to Brickell, reducing jet ski honor of S.E. 25th Road—where he lived for many years— noise and guarding against advertisbeing named in his honor. ing and commercial encroachment. Tory devoted himself to the Brickell In 2009, the City of Miami Commiscommunity, and was affectionately sion bestowed Tory with one of its highcalled “Mr. Brickell” by many. He first est honors: naming S.E. 25th Road “Tory came to Miami from New York in the Jacobs Boulevard.” Commissioner 1970s, lured by an attractive job offer. Sarnoff said it was one of his proudest He found he loved the warm climate moments as a city commissioner. and the great activities outdoors. “It was a privilege to work side by Tory worked for General Develop- side with Tory in his role as president of ment Corp (a.k.a. GDC), which was the the Brickell Homeowners Associalargest community development compa- tion…where we tackled quality of life ny in Florida for a time. In 1985, he and related issues in Miami,” Commisbecame his own boss, forming Bankers sioner Sarnoff said in a release. B Tory Jacobs outside his condo at Brickell 25 “Together with Tory we successfully fought for increased beautification, noise and traffic abatement, as well as the launching of the Brickell Avenue Streetscape Plan and backing projects such as Mary Brickell Village. “A great man has passed on but he leaves behind a great legacy for the residents and businesses of Brickell Avenue and the City of Miami to enjoy for decades to come, the Commissioner said.” Editor’s Note: I had the privilege of working with Tory on BHA for many years. He was incredibly devoted, always eager to learn new things, tackle new problems and meet new people. He made a tremendous impact on the Brickell community. • In the 2007 photo above, Tory Jacobs is at the podium at a City Commission meeting while Commissioner Sarnoff presents an ordinance for the Brickell area. BHA News is published by the Brickell Homeowners Association to keep neighbors, public officials and others in the community informed of the activities and concerns of its residents. Advertising is accepted on a space-available basis, and BHA reserves the right to accept or reject all advertising. For advertising information or other details, reserve your space at the BHA website (www.brickellhomeowners.com) or send an email message to Communications Director Natalie Brown at [email protected]. Editorial suggestions are also welcome for consideration. Editor Natalie Brown • Writer/Assistant Editor Josie Gulliksen • Advertising & Member Sales Manager Cindy Bettner BHA’s mailing address is: P.O. Box 45-2403 • Miami, FL 33245-2403 6 BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Meetings with FDOT: necessary, frustrating, ongoing esidents and business owners who have heard of plans to close the left turn from Brickell Avenue to Southeast Sixth Street are not pleased with the notion. FDOT is steadfast in their intent to close the median, despite the objections raised by many who live and work in the area. Residents of 500 Brickell already have problems with motorists cutting through their valet area under their building to make a quick exit from Brickell and head west. For those at 600 Brickell, the proposed median closure at Southeast Sixth Street looks disastrous. No one has been successful at influencing this FDOT decision — and no one has authority over FDOT locally — despite citizens’ objections and support from our local officials. “Our position continues to be that FDOT has to listen to residents on closing Sixth Street,” Commissioner Marc Sarnoff said. FDOT representatives reported in June, however, that after studying poten- R SUMMER 2011 tial alternatives and conferring with their Central office, the recommendation for the median remains unchanged. Those outside of FDOT had not seen the traffic studies leading to that decision; FDOT agreed to make the studies public. Ever since the Brickell Avenue construction project began, Downtown Development Authority has been facilitating regular meetings with Florida Department of Transportation, MiamiDade County and City officials and other interested parties to discuss construction issues. The goal of the meetings is to bring the different government entities around the table regularly since the roads have overlapping authorities. Each agency has their own construction and rehab projects going on in the area, but there was no coordinating body. Stakeholders asked FDOT about the potential impact to Fifth Street as a result of the median closure. FDOT said it was not in their jurisdiction or part of the project scope to consider or study that, however, they said they would “consider” the request. The only concession by FDOT was that their plan to lengthen the Brickell median cut in for left turns at Fifth Street was scrapped. The plan had created a public uproar as they were planning to remove a mahogany tree, considered a Brickell landmark. For now, commencement of these Phase II changes is on hold, targeted for December 2012. “Clearly differences of opinion remain, such as the closure of the median onto Sixth Street, that may have to be resolved by other means,” said Javier Betancourt, deputy director of the DDA. “We did get FDOT to agree to provide their traffic studies to all interested parties, and to continue to work with our agency in resolving obstacles to the DDA-funded decorative crosswalks all along Brickell Avenue.” BHA will continue to follow the progress of these projects and report on the latest developments. • 7 Welcome New Members BHA is pleased to welcome two condominiums as new full members of the Brickell Homeowners Association: 500 Brickell and Brickell Shores. The newly built East and West buildings of 500 Brickell have 320 and 313 units respectively. They are located at 55 SE 5th Street in a modern, joined 42-story building with rooftop pool and a deck that provides incredible city and bay views. Juan Carlos Pulido, president of the West building and Reed Khan, president of the East building, will serve as BHA board representatives. Brickell Shores, located at 1440 Brickell Bay Drive has 80 units and is situated directly across from the open Biscayne Bay along the historic winding road. Board President Enrique Cordoba is serving as BHA board representative. BHA welcomes the following new Associate Members: Brown & Brown, the largest insurance agency in Florida and one of the largest in the United States, specialize in solving the insurance and risk management needs of businesses, professionals, non-profit organizations and individuals. Scott Buser, the firm’s Senior Vice President, is serving as BHA board representative. City National Bank recently relocated their Brickell branch from 1428 Brickell Avenue to the 28th floor at 1450 Brickell Avenue. One of the largest community banks in the nation, their history in the Brickell area dates back 20 years to 1990 when they first opened in the One Brickell Square building. Greg Mangram, vice president, is serving as BHA Board representative. The Continental Group has been a leader in Florida’s property management industry for more than 20 years. Their services include community association management, rental and leasing management, REO asset management, resort management, developer and accounting services. In addition, they provide a thorough operations review through the Continental Value Engineering program, the fully integrated infor- mation web-based customized data hub Continental Connect, Five-Star Concierge Services and Continental Luxe programs for luxury properties and the Continental Silver program for active adults 55 and older. Javier Sardinas, business development manager for the Miami-Dade region, is serving as BHA board representative. Engel & Voelkers is a full service residential real estate firm based on Brickell Bay Drive. Their comprehensive services take the client from the search, to the buy, and straight through to the closing. Philip Yaffa, the firm’s marketing director, is serving as BHA board representative. KW Property Management provides a variety of services to high-rises, condominiums and homeowners associations. They specialize in all aspects of conversion and property management, renovation management, consulting and real estate services. Their proficiency with financials, quick troubleshooting and receptive staff enables them to maintain an asset’s fullest value. Regan Marock, executive director of business development, is serving as BHA Board representative. Miami Management, a full service property management and maintenance company established in 1988, features a residential management team with knowledge about the changing laws, procedures and requirements of Homeowners Associations, Property Owners Associations and Community Associations. In addition, their specialized division for high-rise condominium associations focuses solely on the interaction, time management and phase knowledge required to work with these buildings’ on-site crews. Company President Guillermo Cancio-Bello is serving as BHA Board representative. Wells Fargo, is an established mortgage company with additional services including banking, insurance and business banking for all clients’ financial needs. They also provide Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and Business Liability Insurance, taking a meticulous approach to ensure customers are covered on any issues they face. Juan Cordoba, commercial executive, is serving as BHA Board representative. • FGDGroup FORTUNE INTERNATIONAL REALTY 1390 BRICKELL AVE. SUITE 104 Condominiums • Homes • Commercial Real Estate Since 1988 Sales • Leasing • Investments • Management • Exchange (305) 935-8050 www.fabianhomes.com • [email protected] Fabian Garcia-Diaz, GRI, P.A. Jaime Montalvan • Maggie Morton • Ada Kaplans 8 BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Taste of Brickell First event draws thousands; next year in the works he First Annual Taste of Brickell was a success. Held on March 26 on the edge of Biscayne Bay at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive, the event drew in local restaurants and approximately 6,000 attendees. Event organizer Cindy Bettner said participating restaurants were thrilled with the results and have already committed for 2012. Neighbors from the surrounding high rises walked from their buildings to the event that lasted from noon to 10 p.m. Tourists in town, some of who were attending the Ericsson Open tennis tournament, were there as well. “There was a great energy at the event and it provided a great opportunity to come together and socialize,” Charles Tavares, a resident of Emerald on Brickell, said. “We need events like this in Brickell. People were truly enjoying themselves and were happy to be together.” T Expanded event eyed for 2012 Cindy is planning for a two-day event next year. “After this year’s event, the participating restaurants asked if it could be expanded to two days and there were plenty that approached me who couldn’t participate this year, but who will sign up for next year,” Cindy said. Cindy got her experience in organizing “taste of” festivals when she was President of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce and put on the popular Taste of the Grove. She received appeals for a Brickell tasting event when she began work on a Brickell Dining guide last year. Restaurants said it was time Brickell had its own food and wine event. “Once I got enough restaurants to commit, especially the really well known ones including those in the luxury hotels, I knew we had an event on our hands,” she said. Participating restaurants SUMMER 2011 included Truluck’s, The Boiler House, Oceanaire, Gordon Biersch, Atrio in the Conrad Miami, Sushi Maki, Dolores but you can call me Lolita, Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant, Morton’s the Steakhouse, Chophouse Miami, The Trapiche Room in the JW Marriott, Citadeli Restobar, Planet Sushi, Bistro Urbano, El Gran Inka and Crazy About You. Restaurants give event a “thumbs up” for business “It was very well organized, especially for a first-time event. It was perfect for our neighbors to know about our restaurant in the hotel,” said Alison Colberg, director of social events for the JW Marriott commenting on the Trapiche Room. “We sold so much food we had to replenish. We were very happy with the turnout and it gave us great exposure.” With such positive reactions, Cindy is looking at March 24 and 25 as next year’s dates, and is scouting a location. A waterfront location would be ideal like this year’s, which is owned by Florida East Coast Realty. Cindy says the location was ideal but that the site might be developed, so its availability for the festival is uncertain. She says the event will again be held in the heart of Brickell and she expects some of the restaurants Downtown to also join in. “Next year we will have a beer crafters tent with tasting, a health and fitness tent featuring nutritional items and fitness experts discussing yoga and pilates...even a green market with natural and organic foods,” she said. “We’re also talking to Miami Dade College’s new Culinary Institute about perhaps having the students there doing cooking demonstrations.” Taste of Brickell is now accepting Exhibitor, Sponsor and Restaurant applications. Those interested in participating should contact Cindy Bettner at 786355-4800 or [email protected]. www.tasteofbrickell.com • 9 Brickell neighbors wowed by Brickell CitiCentre project he Brickell on the River North meeting room overlooking the Miami River was filled to capacity one evening in late June when BHA Board members and officials came to hear about Brickell CitiCentre. Several news articles had recently come out about the huge, mixed-use project planned for the Brickell community. Everyone was ready to catch a first-hand glimpse of what all the fuss was about. Folks were anxious to hear how the nine-acre, multi-level project would be a positive for the community, and how such a massive undertaking could be designed to succeed in our unique metropolitan neighborhood. Some neighbors were wary of the project, having heard analogies to the humongous Sawgrass Mills, and fearing out-of-control traffic and inadequate parking for all the amenities planned. The BHA Board had invited its creators to share their plan with Directors. Steve Owens of Swire Properties and Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica— both big, highly-respected names in the Brickell community and well beyond — presented their plans for a state-of-the-art, modern development, truly unlike anything ever seen in South Florida. It’s slated for four blocks around Miami Avenue and 7th and 8th Streets. T saw open air levels, and connectivity across the streets. They saw “towers floating over a garden,” as described by Mr. Fort-Brescia, and inviting, streetfront stores. Attendees heard about two levels of underground parking, a daunting and expensive feat of engineering rarely attempted so near the water, but what sounded like the perfect solution for the project. An investment in the future of Brickell Swire is taking the long view with this project, making an investment that won’t pay off for a decade, but one, Mr. Owens said, the major international company believes is a wise investment. “We think the attraction of Miami as an international city is continuing,” Mr. Owens said. “We are believers in the urbanization of Miami. We believe more people will live in the inner core.” “We have seen how much energy has come around since we announced this project. This is what we can collectively do in the Brickell area,” he said. Brickell CitiCentre is a mixed-use development in the true definition. The major elements are a hotel, retail, service department, cinema, office building, wellness center and medical center. It will also have a lap pool with glass bottom open to levels below, a bowling alley and facilities for musical performances. Plan for vehicles and traffic Mr. Fort-Brescia said they engaged top traffic consultants to be sure that traffic doesn’t reach Brickell Avenue, Steve Owens of Swire Properties, Shelly Tygielski of The Continental Group and Ernesto Cuesta, BHA president, at the June presentation of the Brickell CitiCentre project. The audience was wowed by the images presented and the approach being taken for the project. They saw amazing architectural shapes rising out of the four blocks of the project. They 10 The 4.6 million-square-foot Brickell CitiCentre project will span over South Miami Avenue on the block between S.W. 7th and S.W. 8th Streets on the west and from S.E. 6 Street to S.E. 8th Street on the east side. BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION which is a troubled artery with its limited east-west access. When drivers depart from the underground garage, there will be multiple points of access and exits to efficiently direct cars to their destinations above. The development will be state-of-theart green, and will have rain collectors to supply the landscaped areas. Bike and pedestrian paths will connect to 8th Street and the Miami Riverwalk. Mr. Owens said key project components critical to retail success are the connectivity and activating the street level. The project will embrace public transportation. Swire is committed to redoing the Brickell Metromover station and making it into an inviting public plaza. Swire Properties began amassing the land in 2008 after the collapse and nearcollapse of major Wall Street firms and the continuing real estate meltdown. The project has been two years in the planning. Mr. Owens said they hope to break ground and have “meaningful activity on the site” by the beginning of 2012. Phase 1 construction is expected to take four years. Phase 2, which encompasses office space, will follow. BHA takes a position BHA passed a resolution in support of the project with the provision to the City of Miami that its legal department do its part to ensure that the impact fees generated as a result of the project are properly allocated to support infrastructure improvements in the surrounding area. • SUMMER 2011 11 BHA Summer Highlights Lobbyist Travis Moore of Florida Capitol Advocates provides BHA members with a 2011 Legislative Update. Whitney Liftig and Ernesto Cuesta Sean Esteves and Santiago Echemendia BankAtlantic, sponsors of the BHA Property Managers Morning Forum: Marta Armas, Maritza Lazarus and Karina Castrillo 12 The Continental Group provides hurricane preparedness program (L to R): Edwin Lugo, Julie Magaldi, Bill Worrall and Moderator Nathalie Rodriguez from WIOD. William Plasencia from Commissioner Sarnoff’s office, Frank Balzebre from Miami-Dade Mayor Gimenez’s office, Alyce Robertson of the DDA and Jeve Clayton from Mayor Gimenez’s office at Fado.. Tamy Oman, private party coordinator for Truluck’s, Cesar Garcia-Pons of the DDA, and Tom Vito of Brickell Catering by Vito. Richard Gendler and Eric M. Glazer at BHA’s Property Managers Morning Forum in July at Hotel Urbano and sponsored by BankAtlantic. BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Sleepy summers thing of the past for Brickell HA has had a full calendar of events this summer with many Board members, property managers and neighbors turning out to learn, network and get involved. B Condos Hurricane Prep HA braced for the beginning of summer—and hurricane season—at its May Board meeting with a panel from The Continental Group. They presented “Hurricane Preparedness for Condos,” especially geared for property managers and board members who have major responsibilities for their high-rises. Edwin Lugo, Julie Magaldi, and Bill Worrall discussed building preparation, collection considerations, staff readiness, and what to expect if a hurricane strikes the Brickell community. They explained how board members and managers could best protect their residents, properties and associations. WIOD radio’s Nathalie Rodriguez moderated the discussion. The Continental Group manages the most properties in Florida, including many in Brickell and Downtown, and has extensive experience with luxury high rises. They have provided hurricane preparation tips geared for high-rise residents on page 15 in this issue. B On the Web: Latest news, advisories and calendar news: www.brickellhomeowners.com SUMMER 2011 Florida Condo Legislation in 2011 t the BHA June Board meeting, lobbyist Travis Moore of Florida Capitol Advocates gave Board members an update on Florida legislative developments impacting condominium associations and owners. The 2011 session’s Community Associations bill had just been signed by the governor, and included provisions involving fire alarm systems, hurricane glass, electronic notices, board meetings and board members’ eligibility, terms and certification. BHA extends its gratitude to the Continental Group for arranging this timely informative session, and to Mr. Moore for lending his time. A Fado hosts BHA n July Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant hosted BHA board members, property managers and residents for a casual evening of libations and appetizers. Neighbors enjoyed the informal event in the tony and comfortable Mary Brickell Village venue. Fado was new to many, and liked by all. “We love to do these kinds of events because Fado is all about getting to know our local neighbors,” Event Sales & Marketing Manager Whitney Liftig, said. “Brickell Property managers who missed the BHA gathering are welcome to contact me to arrange a similar ‘Meet Your Neighbors’ event for their individual associations.” BHA extends its thanks to Whitney and Fado for their outstanding hospitality. Whitney can be reached at [email protected] or 786-924-1029. I Real estate attorneys share expertise ater in July, BHA held its second quarterly Property Management Morning Forum sponsored by BankAtlantic. Organized by Marta Armas and BHA’s Eddy del Rio, the session featured two attorneys representing both sides of the condo association/owner coin, both of whom are highly regarded experts in their niches. Richard Gendler, of Richard S. Gendler & Associates, P.A., specializes in real estate, foreclosure and bankruptcy law, representing individuals. Eric M. Glazer, of Glazer & Associates, specializes in Florida Condominium and Homeowner Association law, real estate and litigation, and typically represents the association side. He hosts a weekly radio show, Condo Craze & HOAs, on WFTL. The two attorneys advised managers on best practices for handling foreclosures and delinquencies among their condo owners, given what the law says, how judges tend to rule and what recent Florida legislation now allows. Foreclosures can take an inordinate amount of time and resources, so both attorneys recommended flexibility and reasonableness whenever possible on both sides. The attorneys said they have seen foreclosures drag on for as many as six years before resolution. BHA extends sincere thanks to Mr. Gendler and Mr. Glazer, who provided excellent, helpful information. The next Property Management Forum will be held in the fall. Let us hear topics of particular interest to condo association managment. Write to BHA at [email protected] L • 13 14 BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Top 10 Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Condo Residents From The Continental Group any of us have weathered the storms as residents of South Florida, but it has been several years since we have been hit by a serious hurricane. And here we find ourselves in hurricane season again. Throughout our over 20-year history, The Continental Group has helped communities through storms of various strengths and sizes. The most important piece of advice we give to our managers and residents alike is: be prepared. Your building manager and board should have a Hurricane Preparedness Plan. This plan should be communicated to every resident in your building before, during, and after a storm. It is important to stay informed and to heed all warnings and recommendations made by the Board of Directors and management, who are always taking your safety into consideration. While your manager and team will take care of the preparations associated with securing the building and common areas, it is important for you to prepare your unit and personal provisions. Most of the things you will need are usually on hand but should be stocked up and made easily accessible. If the area is deemed to be in imminent danger of a hurricane, announcements will be made, and should be taken seriously. Here are some points to consider before a storm: M 1. First, get important papers and special photos in order and secured in plastic. Identification is difficult and time-consuming to replace so be sure to include social security cards, birth certificates, titles or deeds to property, as well as your content insurance or personal hurricane insurance policy. Photos of special occasions or loved ones cannot be replaced, so it is important to include these as well. 2. Remove all items from your balcony. No matter what category SUMMER 2011 storm is approaching, loose items in the balcony pose a hazard for your own unit and for others. 3. Read and understand all of your community’s pre-storm, midstorm, and post-storm procedures. Your manager will communicate the community’s Hurricane Plan to you. The communication will include information about shelter locations and hours, evacuation routes and procedures, emergency response information, and municipal Vulnerable Persons Registry for owners with special needs. 4. Have a plan for your pets. It may be difficult to find a place for your pet to stay. Keep this in mind, and try to find alternate housing, such as pet-friendly hotels and motels or dog boarding kennels in areas outside the storm’s path until it is safe to return home. 5. Leave behind your contact information. If you plan on evacuating, make sure that the management office has your contact information and that it is accurate. After the storm has passed, you may need to be reached concerning your unit or be advised when it is safe to return to the building. 6. Prepare a Hurricane Kit. Along with overnight clothes, consider stocking your Hurricane Kit with extra cash, generator, batteries, flashlights, battery operated radio/TV, bottled water, toilet paper, non-perishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, a can opener, a small cooler, candles, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly; and if you have small children: diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food. 7. Count on the power being out for at least a day or two. Even if the power remains on in your building or your community has a generator, remember that ATMs may not be operating, so have at least some hard cash in your Hurricane Kit to see you through the storm. 8. Fill your bathtub with water. In the event the building’s domestic water system is not operational, having a resource to fill toilet water tanks can be very beneficial. 9. Fill up your gas tank. Gas stations may run out of gas due to post-storm demand, so fill up before a storm hits. 10. When in doubt, ask. Your management team members and your Board of Directors are always accessible and will ensure that you are informed before, during and after a storm. If you have any questions, just ask! • The Continental Group manages the most properties in Florida, including many condominiums in the Brickell community and Downtown Miami. They handle an array of services including community association management, rental and leasing management, REO asset management, resort management, developer and accounting services. 15 Brickell resident-activist draws attention, activity to neighborhood jewel ll too often Brickell residents walk, jog, bike or drive by Simpson Park and wonder “what’s in there?” but are hesitant or don’t take the time to investigate. Brickell resident Adriana Tio and Park Manager Juan Fernandez are working to change that. Tio, who moved to Brickell Harbour three years ago from Coral Gables says Simpson Park is a beautiful, natural sanctuary that should be enjoyed more by the neighborhood. “All my life I’ve wanted to do a large month on Saturdays. Feedback and sugproject here to show the park’s value gestions from residents are also encourboth historically and botanically, but my aged. “We want to hear from residents projects were on a much smaller scale in the community about what they would because of our small, three-person like to see offered at the park,” Tio said. staff,” Fernandez said. “We had been “Community involvement is key, we want doing an environmental summer pro- to make this a joint effort where the resgram up until two years ago, but had to idents are involved.” end that because of too few staff.” Several community leaders are Tio and Fernandez are launching an already committed, including attorney educational initiative which will provide Spencer Crowley, a Brickell resident who an opportunity for residents “to learn is donating his time and services to help through educational classes, cap- develop the program. Ernest Burkeen, ture through paint and photogra- director of City of Miami Parks Departphy, and interact through ment, is supportive of the project, Tio hands-on workshops with the nat- said. ural resources of Miami’s oldest A majority of the programs will take urban forest,” they said. “Fans of place in the coral house that anchors the biology, ecology, local history and park, a donation from The Florida Fedart will have a destination for eration of Garden Clubs. The interior merging environmental, educa- was redone in 2003 and provides a tional and community interests.” warm meeting and programming space. Not one to be quashed by a For Tio and Hernandez, they hope to lack of financial resources, Tio is see the beginning of many activities and Mayor Tomas Regalado with Adriana Tio and Juan Fernandez at the enthusiastic about their program- projects in the future where residents gathering in May when the new plan was announced. ming ideas and thinks that others and their children can learn about histo“I’ve always been a big lover of the will be as well. A reception was held at ry, nature and art while learning about Everglades, but it’s tough to get out the Park in May to announce the con- the botanical gardens of Simpson Park. there. When I rode my bike and walked cept and begin to gather support. May“Everyday I run into residents who through the neighborhood, I discovered or Regalado applauded the concept and live as close as four blocks away and Simpson Park,” Tio said. “But going in saluted Tio and Fernandez in their don’t realize we’re here. This is an effort there and seeing it empty and underap- efforts. to create awareness of the gem they’ve preciated, I knew I had to try to make Tio is currently recruiting art and got in their backyard,” Tio said. something happen to change it.” botanical experts from outside the park BHA is supporting this project; anyHome to rare and endangered plant for a November planning charrette to one interested in helping should contact species, the park’s eight-and-a-half discuss concepts for potential classes, [email protected] acres contains a remaining piece of educational programs and art what was once the Brickell Hammock, events geared toward the that ran from the Miami River all the way local community. It is hoped to the Grove. Tio sees the leafy sanctu- that specialists, local artists ary and its community building as the and photographers will ideal venue for educational forums and donate time to the project to social events. help get it up and running. “I thought, here we have this amazTio is hoping to have ing jewel of a spot…this should be a instructors in place for procommunity gathering place,” she said. grams that could begin in Tio met with Juan Fernandez, Parks February 2012. Some prelimiNaturalist Senior with the City of Miami nary ideas include botanical Parks Department who manages Simp- walking tours, painting, drawson Park. It turns out he likes her ideas a ing, photography, watercolor, lot, but lacks the budget to make it real- even yoga and other exercise ity. classes, perhaps twice a Mayor Tomas Regalado strolls through the lush park with Juan Fernandez. A • 16 BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION BHA Officer Profile David Lucterhand makes neighborhood a priority lthough David Lucterhand just moved to the Brickell area in March 2009 he has been a fan of the neighborhood and Miami in general since the 1970s when he started vacationing here. Born in Australia, David’s father was in the Air Force so he grew up all over the world. His career took him to Chicago where he eventually worked as a member of the Chicago Board of Trade. David then set out for a 15-year stay in Russia where he met his wife Alsou and married in 2003. But Miami’s allure lingered, and he jumped at the chance to move here for business in 2009. He is a Fund Manager with Market Greater Capital where his job is to build up the company’s Barron Index Fund over the next 10 years. David always loved South Beach, even in the 1980s before the Art Deco District transformation, but Brickell seemed more his style when it came time to settle down. He always went through Miami when traveling to the Caribbean and it was those times that he spent looking at neighborhoods that would be a good fit for him and his lifestyle. He began looking at Miami properties late in 2008 when the market was taking a turn. Eight days later he found just what he was looking for. “Because I’m a collector of modern art, The Atlantis building was perfect for me. The building reminded me of a Mondrian but I never dreamed I would ever own anything here,” he said. “But I fell in love with my unit which had been completely renovated and has unobstructed views.” [The Atlantis at 2025 Brickell Avenue is the post-modernist building with the unusual hole in the middle. Designed by Arquitectonica, many know the building from the opening sequence of Miami Vice.] David immediately demonstrated a A SUMMER 2011 commitment to his community, serving first as secretary and currently entering his second term as president of his building’s homeowners association. As president of Atlantis’ board he began attending BHA meetings and was recently named a BHA Member at Large. Giving back to the David Lucterhand in front of his condo building The Atlantis. community and ensuring the Brickell area stays litter-free are two of his main goals. He hopes to begin an Miami’s nighttime skyline. He’s also the anti-littering campaign for the city and proud father of two successful sons. encourage officers to begin ticketing lit- Douglas, an agent with the William Morris Agency in West Hollywood, Caliterbugs. An avid biker, David and his wife fornia, and Charles, an executive with were appalled at what they saw during Groupon in Chicago. one of their long rides to Key Biscayne. “We saw trash everywhere in Virginia Key when on a bike ride and I spoke to the rangers out there. I’ve also asked the maintenance folks at Atlantis to monitor the median as well as their on-site premises. We’ve already established an adopt-acurb program which I feel is vital to keeping the area clean and I feel should be instituted at all other Brickell condos.” WORSHIP Not surprisingly, *CHILDCARE PROVIDED David followed the 1770 Brickell Avenue Wright Brothers’ interest in bicycles straight into the air. He flies single-engine planes out of Tamiami AirWWW.CROSSBRIDGEMIAMI.COM port, enjoying the view over Naples and • GRACE CHANGES·EVERYTHING | Sundays 6PM 17 Important Community Contacts The City of Miami NET office is generally residents’ first line of contact in resolving neighborhood concerns. The NET office will contact the appropriate City department on your behalf, if it is a City of Miami matter, or direct you to the right resource to resolve your issue. Coral Way NET & Downtown NET Administrator Haydee Wheeler (305) 416-2074 [email protected] City of Miami Commissioner District 2: Marc Sarnoff (305) 250-5333 [email protected] Dist. 35: Senator Gwen Margolis Tallahassee (850) 487-5121 Miami (305) 571-5777 [email protected] Miami-Dade County Commissioner Florida House of Representatives District 7: Xavier Suarez (305) 375-5680 [email protected] Miami-Dade County Commissioner District 5: Bruno Barreiro (305) 643-8525 [email protected] Miami-Dade Public Schools City of Miami Police Resource Officer Jeff Giordano (305) 710-5222 [email protected] Resource Officer Ariel Saud (305) 491-2645 [email protected] Commander Ethyl Jones [email protected] Board-Dist. 3: Dr. Martin Karp (305) 995-1334 [email protected] Dist. 107: Rep. Luis Garcia, Jr. Tallahassee (850) 488-9930 Miami (305) 325-2501 [email protected] U.S. House of Representatives Dist. 18: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen D.C. (202) 225-3931 Miami (305) 688-2285 U.S. Senate Florida Senate Senator Bill Nelson D.C. (202) 224-5274 Coral Gables (305) 536-5999 Dist. 39: Sen. Larcenia J. Bullard Tallahassee (850) 487-5127 Miami (305) 668-7344 [email protected] Senator Marco Rubio D.C. (202) 224-3041 Miami: (305) 418-8553 How BHA Works ounded in 1990, Brickell Homeowners Association Membership is open to condominium associations and businesses in the Brickell community. A representative from each of the member condominium associations sits on the BHA Board of Directors which meets monthly. BHA organizes its Board meetings with speakers of immediate interest to the Brickell community. These forums help to inform and direct the work of BHA, which is accomplished through a committee structure and through BHA representation on important governmental and community groups. The advocacy work of BHA is carried out by volunteers, therefore participation of residents is important and desired in BHA activities and programs. Residents interested in attending a meeting or becoming involved in other ways are urged to be in contact with their condominium representative. To directly communicate with residents, timely topics are covered in this quarterly newsletter, which is distributed to each household in BHA. This issue is the 60th edition of BHA News. Information of importance to Brickell neighbors is also covered on the BHA website, www.brickellhomeowners.com, which contains a comprehensive tracking of topics over time. This serves to help hold public officials accountable for timetables and promises, and serves an important watchdog function. If you are interested in learning more about BHA, you are invited to contact Communications Director Natalie Brown at [email protected]. F • 18 BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2011 19 A professional and independent approach to management KW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING specializes in high rise association management. We take pride in maintaining great looking communities and producing on time and error free financial statements; of which all are reviewed by one of our seven in-house CPA’s. Our licensed Community Association Managers are seasoned professionals with years of experience, which enables them to efficiently manage the most difficult and complex communities. Our professional team manages approximately 35,000 units throughout the state. These people range from Certified Public Accountants (CPA), licensed Community Association Managers (CAM), Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®), Association management Specialist (AMS®), Professional Community Association Managers (PCAM®), Real Property Administrator (RPA®) and certified maintenance personnel. Our corporate office is located in Miami. We believe a successful customer service experience begins long before that first phone call is received. We have implemented an unrivaled customer service program that allows us to utilize two of our strongest tools – our people and technology. This combination provides our clients with feedback as well as access to information 24 hours a day seven days a week. KW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING is a management company and it stops there. Unlike some of our competitors, we do not have a financial interest or affiliation in any of the vendors in our network. This is a growing problem in the market place today as many management companies find themselves not independent when making a decision that financially impacts the association, rather making a decision that is in the best financial interest of their company. KW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING does not want to be the biggest management company, only the best. We want to provide you with the quality service you expect and pay for. When we are hired, our management team develops a short term transition and long term operational plan, specifically designed to meet your association needs. Please feel free to contact Regan Marock, LCAM at 305-495-7409 in order to set up a time that we can meet with you at your community. After meeting, we will be able to send you a comprehensive proposal on how we can best serve your association.