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WEEK OF THURSDAY,JUNE 7,2009
MIAMI TODAY 15
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On-again,off-again construction preserves a tourist season
BY VICTOR CRUZ F..;"'-. _,-_
Years of dialogue between a
Collins Avenue merchant,city =_> kr-k ,
officials and the Florida Depart- j
ment of Transportation have led '• I to an agreement to improve in- c.frastructureonlyduringMiami �7 3 �...
Beach's off-season,says Stuart -, o. ic
i tir _ -��
Blumberg, hotel association i 1 �` �.
president and chairman of a re- �t. `; „ ...,....:
construction task force. '%-l!.. ..,,,,,..',....-ss * �-e
_,.
Terms of a construction con- e r�^ �
tract with Central Florida Equip- p, �'T — allit. �. .� You can't wor�Z 700
ment Rental include a '-''• ,{
bonuses for on-time work in incentivea , r A -1, '` ” ) --..-77-7,_ straight days. Youll
massive project along Collins ,; destroy the winter
Avenue, said Joseph Johnson, �1' ', 7 season
Miami Beach director of trans- _ -4` ,r'� Stuart Blum6e
portation and concurrency. x - `+ r4
Toappeasehoncurreersalong a„.„-.4`,7,.:..,....-,;:","
Collins,the project—originall ` killed the project.But in 1997,
expected to take700daystocom- v ( v when it became clearthatdevel-
plete, with potential detriment ' _�
c opment of the Loews on Collins
�� -� as a convention hotel was im-
to tourism—was split into two ` Photo byMadneusEan portant,a small portion of the
250-day sections of construction, Central Florida Equipment works against a deadline along Collins Avenue.Work is to halt Dec.14. Collins Avenue design plan was
said David Rosemond of the implemented and 16th Street was
Florida Department ofTranspor- time, the contractors get a "You can't do that here;you'II Following presentation of the extended from Washington Av-
tation. $650,000 incentive payment. destroy the winter season,"said findings in September 2000,the enuetoCollins,Mr.Johnsonsaid.
Work on the first phase of the After that,they must stop all Mr.Blumberg,who is president concept for the project changed They took the part o.fthe origi-
$7millionproject beganinApril. construction in time for the peak of the Greater Miami and the and the incentives were added, nal state transportation depart-
TThis portion runs along the tourism season,Mr.Rosemond Beaches Hotel Association and said Mr.Johnson. ment plan for Collins Avenue
west side of Collins Avenue from said. also heads the Citizens' Task In addition, Mr. Rosemond from Espanola to 16th Street and
Lincoln Road to 23rd Street.It On April 8,2002,they are to Force for the Collins Avenue said,roa¢resurfacing on Collins moved it forward in preparation
will replace the main drainage resume work on the second part Reconstruction Project. Avenue from Fifth to 15th Street for the hotel,"Mr.Johnson said.
line and lay new sidewalks while of the project beginning on the Thecitycommissionedaneco- is to start in 2003. "At the same time,the suc-
making curb and gutter repairs. west side of Collins,from 23rd nomic impact study by Price- The project's roots date to cessful implementation created
Phase one is expected to be Street to 26th Street and moving WaterhouseCoopers.It revealed 1992,when the stateDepartment new interest in the corridor
finished in August,when work to theeast side.This secondphase a$38.6 million loss to the hotel of Transportation made a pre- project;'he said.
is set to continue on the east side runs until October and carries a industry along the corridor,or Iiminary study of the stretch of With developers'investments
of the avenue until Dec. 14.A $350,000 incentive for on-time 20%of expected revenues in road and recommended total re- along the avenue,north of Lin-
city ordinance was changed to completion,said Mr.Johnson. 2001,and$13.3 million,or 5% construction,Mr.Johnson said. coin Road ranging from $500
allow work to occur from 9 a.m. In April 2000,the Department of expected revenues,in 2002,if A 1995 attempt to gain ap- million-$800 million, Mr.
to 9 p.m.,as needed. of Transportation had proposed the state used the continuous proval for work on Collins met Johnson said,the urgency for the
If they finish phase one on the 700-day project. work schedule. strong resident opposition that project increased.
$425 million in hotel development helps spur Beach growth
BY JOHN P.HERNANDEZ are to convert the existing 334- by the end of 2002 include the Miami,"said William Talbert,
room hotel into a 385-room busi- In just a couple o� 200-room Atlantic Hotel,the cost president and CEO of the Greater
By the end of next year,devel- ness and leisure resort. years,the South Beach of which is unknown.The Con- Miami Convention & Visitors
opera will have spent more than The Royal Palm Crown Plaza tinuum,a$320 million,40-story Bureau."The Lincoln Road area
$425 million on Miami Beach to hotel began construction lastyear office market has luxury condo at I South Pointe
give birth to seven new or re- and is scheduled to be finished transformed into one of Drive in South Beach,has corn- has benefited the most from this
done hotels, according to the by August.The$65 million,422- the most sou ht-a en pleted construction to the 12th boom."
Ofth
Greater Miami Convention & room hotel will be at Collins ddall floor and is expected to be corn- Of office 1 space millionsquareBeach,
Visitors Bureau. addresses in ofP ity in t 84 Beach,
Avenue between 15th and 16th pleted by the fall of 2002. the city says about 840,000 is
But Miami Beach's economic streets. Miami' The Carillon Group has sub- near Lincoln Road.The largest
growth has not been restricted to In September, construction William Talbert mitted plans for a 700-room ho- office space corridor on Miami
tourism.According to a study by should be completed on South tel and convention center at 68th Beach,Lincoln Road is home to
the city's economic development Beach's only five-star hotel and "disparity between expectations street and Collins as an expan- some 75 companies such as MTV
department,real estate is hot and condo,the$100million,98-room of growth in visitation with the sion of the 40-year old Carillon Latin America, Columbia Tri-
is getting hotter. Bentley Beach Hotel at 101 number of rooms being added, Hotel. Star,Nickelodeon Latin America
"As more homes,condomini- Ocean Drive. Condos at the the question remains the suffi- "It seems like every day we and Sony Discos.It is also the
urns and apartments are repo- Bentley Beach will range from ciency of overall demand.While have another luxury hotel sprino center of"Silicon Beach"and
vated,property values have in- the$300,000s for a studio, to much of the new supply is des- ing up on the Beach,or another home to Internet companies
creased at an unprecedented more than$1 million for a two- perately needed by current first- hotel getting a major face lift," Yupi.com, SportsYA.com,
pace," the study reports. "The bedroom, two-bath residence. class leisure and commercial said Kevin Crowder,of the eco- Fiera.com and Patagon.com.
estimated value of building ac- The $125 million, 325-room travelers,the probable immedi- nomic development office. To accommodate the area's
tivity has remained steady over Shore Club on Collins and 19th ate effect of the new supply will Butluxuryhioh-risehotelsand office boom,six projects total-
the last five years,between$150 Street is expected to be corn- be a short-term weakening in condos overlooking the Atlantic ing 370,395 square feet are be-
(million)and$200 million an- pleted by the end of the year. occupancy,although a rebound to the east and beautiful city ing built on the beach.The Lin-
nually."
According to Emst&Young's is expected long-term as Greater views to the west are not the only coin,at 17th and Michigan, is
This year Miami Beach will 2000 Greater Miami Lodging Miami matures both as a region developments on the Beach. the largest project with 120,000
see four hotels spring up,includ- Forecast, the hotels are much and a first-class leisure and corn- "In just a couple of years,the square feet of office space while
ing the$100 million Ritz-Carlton needed, as more than 1,000 mercial destination" South Beach office market has Lincoln Palace at 16th and Wash-
at the DiLido Hotel on Lincoln rooms and 803 jobs will be cre- Otherprojects in Miami Beach transformed into one of the most ington will have 110,000 square
Road and Collins Avenue.Plans ated.While the forecast cites a that are expected to be completed sought-after addresses in all of feet of office space.
•
WEEK OF THURSDAY,JUNE 7,2001
16 MIAMI TODAY MIAMI BEACH
Park West nightclubs aren't expected to undercut Beach clubs
By CATHERINE LACKNER bay is going to challenge the Mr.Robins said he has mixed
'As far as club scene,its establishment on South Beach feeling about the Park West
Acrop ofnewlate-night clubsand demand. p, and we need to be ready to an- clubs.
in Miami's Park West neighbor- supply eman � saver the challenge." "It's good for the Beach,but
hood probably won't unduly af- Competition is wonderfuli "As far as club scene,it's sup- not necessariiy good for Miami.
feet the Miami Beach club scene, because it causes businesses "_ ply and demand,'said Bruce Me. The kind of clientele you get are
observers said. , ` Singer,Miami Beach Chamber. typically young kids who don't
to improve themselves
"It'sapartbfthedeal,butonly = of Commerce president&CEO. spend i lot of money,who will
a part,"said Miami Beach attor- -" "Competition is wonderful be- not create a pleasant environ-
ney Steven Polisar,who special- cause it causes businesses to merit downtown. I don't think
izes in entertainment and bever- improve themselves.There's ire- it's a positive."
age law."They came to the dance Bruce Singermendous supply out there and "I think the placement in Park
a little late.Now they're on the city is nowmuch tougher in terms �yestisgreatforeveryone,"said
dance floor." of them were losing 10%to 15% Beach leave and go to Park West. of its regulations,"he acknowl- Neil Fritz,executive director of
• A combination of factors has of their business." That's not to say all clubs are edged. the North Beach Development
shuttered a number of Miami Persons under 21 are allowed affected by it equally,"hel said. With real estate values soar- Corp.and a South Beach resi-
Beachclubs,he said. to be on club premises as long as But club owners say longer. ing,"there are higher and better dent.
"The economy has been down they're not served alcohol. hours would make them,more uses than clubs.The club scene `•It's a wonderful thing in an
and a lot of people were making , "It was supposed to be an ef- competitive. "They're saying, is extremely important and no environment where noise is not
a lot of money in the modeling fort to encourage the spending `Look,we were good.We got one is looking to chase it away, a problem,"because the clubs
industry,which has started to get crowd to come in,but the city behind the city in exchange for but it has to be balanced." exist in warehouse space away
priced out of the area." then walked away from the is- going to a higher level. Naw "Is the club business in dire from homes.
The cost of doing business has sue,taking the attitude that they we've got a challenge and we straights? No, but there is a M concern would be trans-
gone up and forced fashion had done their job,"Mr.Polisar need some help to protect what shakeoput,"said Scott
prop obins,a portal n,"he said."On South
shoots away from the Beach,he said. we still have."'Mr.Polisar said. developer whoseproperties in- Beach,you can walk or grab a
said, taking many club-goers The cityhadinfotmally agreed Longer hours were tried on cludebuildingsonMiami Beach cab,but you have to drive into
with them. to fund an international market- two recent weekends with good and in downtown Miami. and out of the warehouse dis-
into
But ayear-oldmunicipalcam- ing campaign,put more police in results,he said."Even the police "The club business is really trict.That's the one thing that
paign to rid the community of nightclub districts and support were pleased.People were dis- cyclical,"hesaid."Thelifecycle
troublesome club patrons has had other promotional tactics, he persed in a more orderly fashion of a club is usuallyacoupleof bothers me."
a far more dramatic effect,Mr. said,"buttheyjuststopped-They rather than everyone having to years.First,it's hot and every- The Park West clubs could be
Polisar said. were reactive and never got ac- hit the door at 5 a.m.It's a good body goes. Then ae new club an asset to downtown Miami,
"We endeavored to take a di- tive." idea to experiment and see how opens everybodygoesto the new said Mr.Fritz,former director of
rection,but then we didn't fol- Clubownerscoulduseaboost, it works out" club.Many of the clubs are at the the Downtown Miami Main
low up." which might come in the form of The problem,he said,is that end of a successful tenure and St reeetprogram,thoughhewould
Underpressurefrom citylead- longer operating hours,at least elected officials listen more to now they're struggling — and never endorse them on Flagler
ers,club owners agreed to ban on weekends and holidays,Mr. their conservative constituents they're looking for an.excuse to Street.
anyone under 21 from the clubs Polisar said.The Park Westclubs thanto entertainment industry stay openq until 7 a.m." "Miami Beach can't hold the
"becau eeitwasdecidedthatthese can remain open until 7 a.m., experts. Though individual clubs may tourism burden much longer by
were the people causing trouble while 5 a.m,is closing time on- "If the city wants to continue close,Mr.Robins said,"I own itself,"he said."I believe down-
andkeeping spenders away,'Mr. Miami Beach.Most clubs don't to be on the cutting edge and still three properties that have night- town Miami is going to be the
Polisar said."The club owners open until 11 p.m.or midnight. within the bounds of civility,it clubs,and when one goes,an- most exciting destination of the
made a business decision to go When the clubs close,"People shouldn't be a dinosaur," Mr. other comes in and starts the 2lstcenturyand,whenthathap-
along,even though itmeantsome who would normally stay on the Polisar said,"The city across the cycle all over again." pens,it'll benefit everyone." ,
'' .. ., nus°--,. _ Y.. .:.5 - ,. ., _ . laza.` ' a
Retirement,term limit Exhibit to open Ritz Plaza. Victor. Tides and
�ortell Beach changes at ArtCenter 3 Marlin,among others.
In a game of political dominos A team of graduate students , The plaque Is given under the
triggered by retirements and term from the University of South _ Great Floridian 2000 program,
limits, 15 persons so far have FloridainTampabringrheirtrav- �''' d y ,, sponsored by the Florida League
signed up to seek office in Mi- cling exhibit, "Dick Beckman )11
x of Cities and the Department of
ami Beach's next election Nov. and the Fab Five—Game 2"to .. = 1 '_ "` : State.The ceremony will be at 7
6.saidCityClerkRobertParcher. Miami Beach from June t6-July p.m-
15 at ArtCenter South Florida4 i ., Planning workshops
,„. . 4
While qualifying dates are v
Sept.4-7,candidates are filing 800 Lincoln Road. i " y set on North Beach
form DS-DE 9 allowingfor a - The group show. under the
P u �. •' Two city-sponsored work-
ointment of a campaign trea-
surer
direction of,Richard Beckman
P P _.7.1;:‘,::•,,,,,•,:,, shops on planning future devel-
will invoke two-and three-dl t
surer and opening of campaign � �s- opment in North Beach are to be
bank accounts. mensional works by five artists 1M
I-5,,„....:: ,:i
2— held today(6/7)and Friday in
An opening reception for the r
Former state representative the Radisson Deauville, 6701
nstallation-style show will be
Elaine Bloom and current city „,,, ,� Collins Ave.,Miami Beach.
held from 7-I I m.June 16. ▪ `� Organizers say the goal ofthe
commissioners David Dermer p' x
The exhibit, sayor 16.s
and Nancy Liebman are seeking •evolved from the students'de free workshops is to"brainstorm
the mayor's seat,being vacated with the public on their vision
dis-
byNelsen O.Kasdin,who is not sire to develop a collaborative g # m.
thesis." s for the area's commercial seeking re-election. ▪ tact."
"It's a concept show,' said ,,
Seven persons — Jose publicists Lisa Palley,"that uses 4 "' �� " Details:(305)673-7550.
Asmundsson, Tony Brooks, basketball to symbolize the in-
Fermin Castanedas, Roney terplay of various artistic ap- "Dick Beckman&the Fab Five—Game 2"goes on display at the Mount Sinai sets
Curvela, Spencer Eig, Stanley proaches,therelationshipofstu- ArtCenter/South Florida,800 Lincoln Road,from June 16-July 15. forum for women
K.ShapiroandRichsrdSteinberg dent to teacher and the group The city has hired Zyscovich tertainment, office, civic and A women's health forum is
—are seeking the seat being va- show as a team sport." Inc.to analyze use of the lots and parking uses. being held at 6 p.m.June 12 in
cated by Ms. Liebman. Term Thegallery is open from noon- develop a conceptual plan for the Mt.Sinai Medical Center.
limits prohibit her from runningThe center and the Miami
10 p.m.weekdays and noon 11 the site. Organization set Heart Institute
for the commission again,Mr. p.m.weekends. As part of that process,it will to salute developer organizedh the
Parcher said. event in cooperation with the
Derails:(305)674-8278. hold the 10 a.m.session on Fri- The Miami Beach Commis- Miami Beach Commission on
Fourpeople—Saul Gross,Julio — day in the manager's conference sion on the Status of Women the Status of Women.
Lora.Bernie Navarro and Daniel City schedules room, fourth floor, City Hall, will place a plaque at the Tiffany Fea[uredspeakers includeDr.
Pearson--are seeking the corn- sessions on lots 1700 Convention Center Drive. Hotel,801 Collins Ave.,on June
mission seat being vacated by The City of Miami Beach will A planned home for the New 14 to honor a pioneer Beach ho- Dan Cohen, who is to talk theon
Mr. Dermer to run for the "Preparing Your Bones for
gatherpublicideasJune8about World Symphony is one element tel designer. Future,"and Dr.KevenCo who
mayor's job. the potential development op- of the development to be consid- The plaque will honor the late will review the risks associated
Commission incumbent Jose portunities for two city parking ered, according to the city's L.Murray Dixon for his contri- with heart disease and its pre-
Smith also plans to seek re-glee- lots on 17"Street between Wash- media relations offices. butions to the city and state. vention.
tion,Mr.Parcher said,and so far ington and Pennsylvania av- Other options include retail, Mr..Dixon designed the Art Derails:(305)674-2273.
has no opposition. enues. commercial,hotel,cultural,en- Deco hotels Tiffany, Raleigh,
WEEK OF THURSDAY,JUNE 7,2001 MIAMI BEACH _ MIAMI TODAY 17
Cash-short visitor information center to open in September
BY CATHERINE LACKNER `mq'3+"�'" ;' a
:. , r r Mr.Singer says will benefit Mi-
Plans for the Miami Beachor,trers,# ce4a -Dade County and the City
Visitor Information Center are „.„.4,7,,,. -,,F • - of Miami as well as Miami
dol Beach.
going forward, though only ` "The amount of the public
$450,000 of theneeded$600,000 � money that is involved in this
in individual and corporate funds � project is really insignificant,”
have been raised. ' 1. ,,,"J"_ i he said. Havingcutting-edge
"It's a million-dollar project i y ''f1. 1 ^...r/^., technology will et the visitor
and we still have to raise a mea- j
sly 000,"said Bruce M. �� center apart from the competi-
ly$150,president&CEO of the a tion,he said."It's not about size
Miami Beach Chamber of Corn- 4 �' ^ –it's about the delivery of infor-
Singer, er mation and service."
4„.;
merce,whichisbuildingthecen- t-;'s,
ter. There's enough money to The good financial news is
meet cash flow needs,he said,
' � that the chamber has a deal tod
but`we would have preferred to i r .:'a 7.....„'"7/5:Yi;v:lii'l:tiltitiff;
7-,r►''j_ fey , - bring in a tenant for the second
retire the mortgage sooner." }- r .a, floor. Mr-,Singer declined to
Thevisitorcenter,undercon- t `' + t name the potential tenant but
stmctionat 1920 Meridian Ave. l elf. y a. said the chamber hopes to an-
and projected to open in mid- 1,;,„,,,,..,.:
.r a _ ` � '' nouncethesigningofafive-year
September,will occupy the first .' t within weeks-
"This lease will generate nec-
floor ,of a$1.1 million building , essary income to apply to the
:00
that will alsohouse the chamber. g
`:" � - t payback of our mortgage," he
The center is to offer a travel " -�' , ": � said.
bureau with airline ticketing,a Photooynm:Ineuw:o The visitor center fulfills a
video wall for historic and tour- Visitor Information Center will occupy first floor of$1.1 million building rising at 1920 Meridian Ave. mission for the 78-year-old
• ism-related information,a cen- chamber.The land on which it
tral hotel-reservation system, era through the Art Deco period $20,000 per year. Without the nomic slowdown a direct factor sits was purchased in 1974 with
computer terminals for Internet and into the present day. chamber's participation,it's es- in the funding deficit,he said he the goal of eventually being able
access,an automatic teller ma- The cost of capital improve- timated the center would cost wouldn't rule it out entirely.The to provide"first-class personal
chine and concierge services. ments and operating the center $200,000 per year to run. cooling economy might have an service"to legions of visitors,
"We want it to be a`Wow!' seven days a week has been Despite the fund-raising short- impact"on the size of gifts and according to chamber docu-
We're trying to get a flat screen pegged at$125,000 a year.Of fall,the building is coming in on people's willingness at the mo- ments.
or a big screen"for interactive that,the chamber will contribute budget,Mr.Singer said."This is ment.It's created a challenge." "It's quite amazing for a not-
video displays about local at- $55,000;the Miami Beach Visi- not about cost overruns. The Though "we're still concen- for-profitorganizationtoattempt
tractions,Mr.Singer said. tor and Convention Authority community,the vendors,the con- trating on doing the best we can this,"Mr.Singer said."We're so
At the heart of the center,a and the City of Miami Beach tractors,the phone company– from the private sector,"mem- excited about the center. The
multimedia presentation is to have pledged$25,0each;and everybody has looked at this as a bers of the chamber's board of demand is tremendous and the
describe Miami Beach's history, the Miami-Dade T00ourism De- community project." directors are seeking more pub- role it will play in local tourism
from the Carl Fisher boom-time velopment Council will donate While he didn't call the eco- lic funds for the project,which cannot be overestimated."
4
Beach's big job: managing massive
improvements, says outgoing mayor l 4 ,..„1/4,
v
BY SHERRI C.RANTA MI.Kasdin will retum to the possible to residents and visi- j.
full-time practice of law with the tors. 0 /
Managing improvements Miami firm ofGunster,Yoakley "It'sabigchallenge,"hesaid
projects worth millions of dol- &Stewart,PA.,where he will Transportation and trafficcon-
]ars represents a major challenge lead an Urban Development gestion represent another major
for the City of Miami Beach in Group that will specialize in is- challenge to the city,Mr.Kasdin 1. ��
the coming years,according to sues related to infill develop- said.
=
outgoing Mayor Nelsen O. mens and urban revitalization• Miami Beach must identify ,1 ,;
Kasdin. projects. alternative transportation sys =s 'Y� `
"If it's done well,it will make "I loved almost every minute terns,he said,that will get peopl1.e
this city even more spectacular," of being in public office," he out of their cars and put them on s ,
he said."Handledpoorly,it could said,"but it's time to focus on the street as pedestrians,or move
turn into a major catastrophe." careeropportunities and my fam- them on light rail or trolleys.
Mr.Kasdin said the city's most ily" The mayor and his wife "People should disabuse them ai s '"
important job in the next few Ana Kasdin have two teen-aged selves of the notion that you can :
years will be managing $400 sons. solve parking and traffic prob- t -
Usdon
million to$500 million worth of City officials are well-aware lems in a city with a large his- '"" � ;
park, street, neighborhood, of the importance and magni- tonic district, where you can'[ snow eyu tie re."
stormwater and traffic improve- tude of the vast number of teardown any buildings and a lot Nelsen O.Kasdin looks forward to"magnificent infrastructure."
mens projects–funded by gen- projects before them.City Man- of activities are going on,"he Mr.Singer said the idea of a center of cultural activity. He
eral obligation bonds and match- ager Jorge Gonzalez recently said- Miami-Miami Beach mass trans- cited the success of Miami City
ing state and federal money, created a Capital Improvement At Mr.Kasdin's request,the portation link Ballet,New World Symphony
"At the end of the day,if it's Program office,charged with the Metropolitan Planning Organi- goes back to the mid-1980s to and the Wolfsonian Museum.
done well,the city will have a oversight and coordination of all zation,the region's transports- City Manager Rob Parkins's ad- "We have to be careful that
magnificent infrastructure,"he capital projects.
tion planning group,is consider- ministration. He had light rail people will not exploit our city,"
said. "There's so much going on in ing a request to fund a study for model cars on his desk,said Mr. he said."The commission has to
Mr.Kasdin,who leaves office all departments,it makes sense a light rail system linking Miami Singer,a former city commis- be vigilant to protect that."
in November,is known for his to bring them together," Mr. Beach to the mainland via the stoner. While city laws regulate lob-
work on the city's 20-year nevi- Gonzalez said. Venetian Causeway, possibly "The community was not byists,he said,their influence is
talization efforts.He served five Anassistantclity manager,Bob using the Convention Develop- ready at that time.The timing is greater today than 10 years ago.
years with the Miami Beach Middaugh,will be in charge of ment Tax as a funding source. better now on a number of The city commission is ex-
Community Development Corp. the capital improvement office Planning organization Secre- {rants,"Mr.Singer said.`"There's pected to consider on June 6 a
followed by nine years on the and those of public works,parks tariat Jose-Luis Mesa said the much more congestion. It's a proposal to further regulate lob-
city's planning board,six years and neighborhood seryices,also selection committee chose acon- younger community that's more byista.
as a city commissioner and the a new office. suiting team under Parsons, responsive to the concepts of "In my opinion,the influence
past four years as mayor. Miami Beach Chamber of Brinkerhoff,Quade&Douglas public transportation." of lobbyists and private interest
He lectures nationally and in- Commerce President and CEO Inc.to conduct the Miami-Mi- Mr.Kasdin said the city must is greater today than it has been
ternationally for the Urban Land Bruce Singer saidthecity'schal- ami Beach Transit Corridor protect its hefty investments in inanumberofyeazs,"Mr.Kasdin
Institute,sharing the success of lenge,in addition to managing Study.The full hoard is expected the arts and culture,keys to the said. "The reality is different
Miami Beach with other city of- the project,will be to complete to meet June 21 to make the final city's revitalization success and from what people would like the
ficials looking to duplicate it. them with as little disruption as selection. its reputation as an international public to perceive it to be."
to MIAMI TODAY TODAY'S NEWS WEEK OF THURSDAY,JUNE 7,2001
A,
Festival to bring two weeks of dance -
to Colon Avanti New World School }
Organizers promise two and audiences will find nowhere 3 til lit, lam'-
dance-filled weeks June 12-30 else" )
when the 23rd annual Florida Among scheduled guests are "t
Dance Festival is held at the the Compania Susana Reyes
Colony Theater,Teatro Avanti he''; a, t i " from Quito and Miami,which
and the New World School. ,1 performs Jacinta — Todas las
The festival,produced by the , :,. Plegarias,billed as a cry against
Florida Dance Association, is )- violence,intolerance and war.It
both the leading summer dance will be presented at 8 p.m.June s -,
training program in Florida,said . 12 in Teatro Avante,235 Alcazar
publicist Lisa Palley,and a show- Ave.,Coral Gables. _4 '-
case for public performances by Its appearance in the festival
national. international and is co-sponsored byTeatroAvante _ `° _
Florida guest artists. Stephen Petronio Company and the American Airlines XVI
With a focus on international appears June 29,30 at Colony. International Hispanic Theatre Dance Alive!dancers appear June 20 at Beach's Colony Theatre.
variety and world-renowned tal- Festival.
ent.she said.the dance festival tional University's Intercultural Meanwhile. Bogota's Dance Alive!fromGainesville ists,including Michael Foley and
will include a wide array of Dance & Music Institute, Fundacion L'Explose performs performs an evening of mixed Olive Bieringa.
. classes.workshops,lectures and Tigertail Productions and the Si que volverds (I Know You ballet repertory, including Grupo Cultural Uk-Ux Pop
performances involving eight New World School of the Arts, Will Return), billed as a pro- Incertezza, Carmen, Tsunami Wuj from Guatemala is to per-
special guest companies from which will play host for both vocative and alluring theatrical and Tango Rose at 8 p.m.June form The Creation of Man, a
Central and South America and festival classes and workshops. dance production exploring re- 20 in the Colony.Festival orga- work representing the traditions,
the US. "As a primary crossroads for lationships,romance and sexu- nizers say the program will rein- ritual,music and dance of the
Festival educational program- North; Central and South ality. The production — to be troduce festival audiences to the Mayan people,at 7 p.m.in the
ming. say organizers. includes America and the Caribbean.and performed at 7 p.m.June 14 in 25-year-old contemporary bal- North Shore Community Band
classes and workshops in cul- with so many different cultures the Colony Theater, 1040 Lin- let company.The troupe has not Shell.If it rains,the troupe will
tural dance forms from around represented here.South Florida coin Road,Miami Beach—fea- performed at the festival since perform on June 24.
the globe,including traditional is the best place for a dance fes- tures the music and rhythms of 1990. The company,festival publi-
African dance, drumming and tival of this kind," said Tom the tango and bolero. Florida Dance Association and cists said,was formed to"rescue
street dance: Afro-Cuban. Thielen,producer of the event Rio's CompanhiaLuminiisto Tigertail Productions are pre- and foster" indigenous Mayan
Andean. Mayan and Bolivian and executive director of the perform Materia.at 8 p.m.June senting Axis Dance Company traditions andculture.Itsappear-
folklore dances:Brazilian,Car- Florida Dance Association. 17 in the Colony.Organizers say fromOakland,CA,amixed-abil- ance is being co-presented with
ibbean. Haitian, hip hop,jazz. "Dance is a universal language the production is a mesmerizing ity dance company. in 8 p.m. Florida International
modern:ballet and tap. and the festival has long been a dance and theater workwithspe- performapces June 21 &22 in University's Intercultural Dance
As in past years.the Florida venue for presenting and show- -cial effects: the New World Dance Theater. &Music Institute.
Dance Association has formed casing cultural dance forms.In Florida Dances—a series of 25 NE Second St. Costs vary by performance.
partnerships with other local or- fact,the layering of so many three programs showcasing The Minneapolis-based hus- Tickets are available through the
ganizations and institutions in different cultures each year has works from more than 20 Florida band-wife team of Chris Aiken Florida Dance Association, at
scheduling programs. Collabo- distinguished us from other dance companies;ichools.cho- and Cathy Young will headline a the Colony Theater box office or
rative partners include Teatro dance festivals across the coun- reographers and performing program,Together and Alone.at Ticketmaster.
Avante and the American Air- try and has often resulted in groups—is being offered at 8 8p.m.June23intheColony.It's
lines International Hispanic The- unique combinations of dance p.m.June 19,26 r77 in the New billed as an evening of solo and Details:(305)674-3350 or
atre Festival. Florida Interns- forms that festival participants World Dance Theater. duetivorks featuring guest art- (305)358-5885 or fldance.org.
Pens and watches to bring world of exhibitors to Biltmore
More than 100 exhibitors from dealers from the US, Europe, Victorian dip-into-ink pens: sports and power styles as well $500 limited edition Conway
around the world are expected in Latin America and Pacific Rim 1905-15 Art Nouveau pens fill- as limited edition pens and chro- Stewart Churchill pen com-
Miami June 14 and 15 when the will"show,sell.buy,repair,trade greed with flowers,vines, spi- nograph watches. memorating Great Britain's re-
Miami International Pen & and talk about a magnificent ders,and snakes:Indian heads in Keepsake pens can be evalu- nowned World War II prime
Watch Show,now in its eighth multitude of vintage and new sterling or gold;mother-of-pearl; ated,old pens and watches can minister,statesman,soldier and
year.is held at the Biltmore Ho- pens and wristwatches." gems and Art Nouveau tonneau be restored or repairs and an ar- two-time Nobel Prize-winning
tel. 1200 Anastasia Ave.,Coral "The show packs the barrel-shaped watches with jewel ray of pens with fine to extra- author Winston Churchill.
Gables. Biltmore's ballroom with liter- movements. Also due for dis- bold and italic points can be Theoversizedfountainpenhas
Organizers say the pen market ally hundreds of thousands of play and sale,Mr.Bozorth said. sampled. an 18-karat gold trim&nib.The
alone is bullish.Americans spent pens.'show host Craig Bozorth are'20s Art Deco watches with Writing and watch accesso- edition is limited to 500 each of
a whopping 552 million in 1997 said."People get to seethe entire graphic dials, oversize pens in ries,advertising curiosities,col- five colors.
for new fountain pens while, line-up produced by big mann- Crayola colors and streamlined lectors' books, magazines and Show hours will be 10 a.m.-5
worldwide.pen sales topped S5 facturers and small." 1930s Art Moderne shapes. unique gift items are also to be p.m.both days.
billion. He said the seemingly endless Trendsetter items, publicists offered. $Details:(305)445-1926.
For the Miami event.they say selection includes ornate'1880s say, are to include a range of Those who attend can win a --
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