Sperry Van Ness Sponsors Miami 21 Event!
April 3, 2011 Leave a comment
Miami 21 is perhaps the most elemental change to affect the City of Miami for the past 25 years. The introduction of a new zoning code based on New Urbanism Principles will add important characteristics to the liveablity of our city. As CCIM President Elect I had the responsibility of chairing and coordinating a recent event on Miami 21 at University of Miami’s Glasgow Hall. We had the pleasure of listening to Charles Bohl – Moderator, Elizabeth Plyter Zyberk – Creator, Nitin Motwani — Developer, Spencer Crowley – Land Use Attorney at Akerman Senterfit , Cesar Garcia Pons – Miami DDA, Francisco Garcia – Planning Director, and Luis Revuelta – Architect.
As a fourth-generation Miami native in a family that has sold over 2500 acres of Dade County Pine land since 1928, I can tell you from a historical perspective how Miami has developed from small pioneer roots into the world-class, 24-hour city that it is today. I have seen Miami grow since I was born, and what is perhaps most noticeable over that period of time is that the vacant land is almost all gone, the second most noticeable thing is that on the skyline I can barely see the Centrust Building anymore, I mean the Nations Bank building, I mean the Bank of America Tower, I mean whatever they’ll name it next. And I really knew that something was up when I heard someone in Kendall call themselves a central location the other day.
But the truth is Miami can now rub shoulders with the best cities in the world. We Miamians can boast a great airport, a great seaport, top-flight education, championship professional sports teams, and with our weather and beaches and multi-cultural people—a vibrant lifestyle that is bar none. Yet, among the hustle and bustle of annual festivals, business conferences, international trade and banking, construction and of course, everybody’s favorite, rush-hour traffic, we hold a special place in our hearts for certain neighborhoods that have provided and continue to provide the great activity, appeal, enjoyment, and wonderful memories that make life grand. Interestingly enough, it is these neighborhoods that are also the oldest neighborhoods in Miami Dade County. Yet in spite of their age, they share many characteristics with the “new” urbanism principles upon which Miami 21 is based. So maybe “New” Urbanism is really “Old” Urbanism. If you look at Lincoln Road, Miracle Mile, Coconut Grove, and more recently Brickell and South Miami—they all share characteristics that inspire livability, interaction and play with pedestrian friendly pathways and architectural appeal. This is what Miami 21 is truly about, creating a more liveable and synergistic environment, and it is on the whole, a change for the better.
Please call our office for more information on Miami 21 and request powerpoint slides and a DVD copy of the event.
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