Shovels and hardhatswere donned andphotos were snapped.

Bulldozers started to movethe earth. Ground has beenbroken officially and inreality for the new neigh-borhood park at 1814Brickell Avenue, envisionedby City of Miami Commis-sioner Marc Sarnoff as “thepremiere park of Miami.”

“BHA and the BrickellArea group have been the backbone behindthis project,” Commissioner Sarnoff said at theJune 2nd ceremonial start of the construction.

Enea Garden Design created the land-scape plan which features a reading area, pic-

nic area and playground. It will have openlawn space as well as hardscapes for easy tra-versing. Commissioner Sarnoff assures us thatwomen in high heels can come to this park andnavigate it with

VOL. XXI NO. 2 NEWSLETTER OF THE BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Summer 2011

Construction begins on Brickell Avenue park;more play and greenspaces in the works

Candidates Forum slated for Sept. 14

Continued on page 5

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERSASSOCIATION is comprised ofcondominium associationmembers and associatemembers representing some25,000 residential unitsalong the Brickell corridor andon Brickell Key from the MiamiRiver to the RickenbackerCauseway and from BiscayneBay to I-95. Founded in 1990,the purpose of BHA is to com-municate common interestsmore effectively and mobilizesupport on important issuesrelating to the quality of life inour neighborhood.

www.brickellhomeowners.com

Safeguarding quality of life for the Brickell community

Mark your calendar for BHA’s Candi-dates Forum, Wednesday, September14, 7:00 p.m. at Miami Science Muse-

um. This forum provides an opportunity to hearfrom the candidates and ask questions ofimportance to you and the Brickell community.All those with residential and business interestsin the Brickell area and surrounding neighbor-hoods are urged to attend.

We are pleased to welcome KW PropertyManagement as sponsor and underwriter of theevening. Refreshments will be served and therewill be plenty of free parking at the Museum,3280 S. Miami Avenue, across from Vizcaya.

The November races of particular impor-tance to BHA are all in the City of Miami: Com-

mission Districts 1, 2 and 4. BHAfalls into District 2, which is repre-sented by Commissioner MarcSarnoff, however, the candidates and incum-bents for all three races have been invited tothe Forum as their opposition or support is crit-ical to items of importance to Brickell. District 1is represented by Commissioner Willy Gort andDistrict 4 by Commissioner Francis Suarez.

The format will be brief, timed presenta-tions from each candidate and then questionsfrom the audience.

Candidates Forum hosting partners are theSouth Miami Avenue Homeowners Association,Miami-Roads Neighborhood Civic Associationand Brickell Area Association.•

contents

4BHA Legislative Agenda

6BHA founder, long-time president dies

10Brickell CitiCentrewows BHA members

12Sleepy summersthing of the past

16Simpson Park eyedas educational venue

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Commissioner Frank Carollo, along with BHA’s GailFeldman and Natalie Brown (3rd and 2nd from right), City of Miami staffers and the land-scape designers break ground at 1814 Brickell Avenue.

�60th Edition

BHA News�

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HAPPINESS IS SERIOUS BUSINESSTM

In so many aspects of life, we are oftenreminded that communication is keyto successful outcomes. In business, conveying one’s advan-

tages over that of others generates cus-tomers and builds brands.

In interpersonal relationships, theability to express oneself honestly yettactfully promotes healthy, lasting bondswith others.

In politics, communication is similar-ly key. We want to hear where electedofficials stand on issues, that they hearour concerns and that they have not justideas, but the necessary skills to makethings better. We want to hear from can-didates for office about how they wouldaddress our concerns and solve ourproblems.

We are able to respond to electedofficials and those aspiring to officethrough the election process.

Lately in Miami we’ve had moreoccasions than usual to make our voic-es heard in the political arena. Surpris-ingly, although many are unhappy withlocal government, few take advantageof these opportunities. In the CountyMayoral recall in March and the Mayelection and June runoff to fill the emp-ty post, we saw abysmal voter turnout;about 200,000 people out of 1.2 mil-lion registered voters, or 16 to 17%.

Why don’t residents turn out at thepolls? Some don’t think their vote willmatter. Some think that politics is so rot-ten that even the “good guys” and galscan’t effect change. Whatever the excuse,the reality is that the polls are our onlychance of making ourselves heard…inthe language that politicians hear.

The BHA Board has made votereducation and engagement a priority forour community.

In this issue you’ll read about ourCandidates Forum, an annual eventBHA has held with its partner organiza-tions for elections for 20 years. TheCandidates Forum is your chance attwo-way communication. The candi-dates are there to answer your ques-tions. Then, at the polls in November (orearlier by absentee ballot) we get achance to be heard again.

BHA will be holding voter registra-

BHA Board of Directors

SUMMER 2011 3

From the President Ernesto CuestaCommunications and the political arena

Continued on next page

Ernesto Cuesta, from The Metropolitan

i

BHA OFFICERSPRESIDENT Ernesto CuestaTHE METROPOLITAN

VP/TREASURER Eduardo del RioBRICKELL TOWNHOUSE

VP/GENERAL COUNSEL SantiagoEchemendiaTWO TEQUESTA POINT

SECRETARY Gail FeldmanBRISTOL TOWER

MEMBER AT LARGE Larry ImberTHE PALACE

MEMBER AT LARGE David LucterhandTHE ATLANTIS ON BRICKELL

DIRECTORSGuillermo Undiano Aguilar BRICKELL PARK

Astrid Annexy BRICKELL BAY CLUB

Blanche P. Back BRICKELL BISCAYNE

Herbert Bailey BRICKELL FOREST

Gabriel BarrosSOLARIS AT BRICKELL BAY

Michael Basanta THE EMERALD AT BRICKELL

Marguerite Beaty THE PALACE

Enrique CordobaBRICKELL SHORES

Jose Maria Carneiro da Cunha SANTA MARIA

Timothy Czerniec TWO TEQUESTA POINT

Fred Drasner FOUR SEASONS RESIDENCES

Katherin Fernandez THE CLUB AT BRICKELL BAY PLAZA

Lourdes Figueroa THE IMPERIAL AT BRICKELL

William Fitch BRICKELL ON THE RIVER

Louis GonzalezST. LOUIS

Sergio Garcia Granada BRICKELL EAST

Steve Greenberg BRICKELL HARBOUR

Bruce Higley 2000 BRICKELL

Carl Hochheiser25 BAY TOWER

Reed Khan500 BRICKELL (EAST BLDG.)

Susan KingBRICKELL WOODS

Joaquin Mayoral-Parracia THE METROPOLITAN

Stephen OwensTHREE TEQUESTA POINT

Juan Carlos Pulido500 BRICKELL (WEST BLDG.)

Juan Carlos Sagreda BRICKELL PLACE PHASE I

Mac SeligmanBRICKELL TOWNHOUSE

Xavier SuarezBRICKELL 25

Scott Wizner VILLA REGINA

Yvonne Yeomanson HOUSES OF BRICKELL

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSMarta ArmasBANKATLANTIC

Scott BuserBROWN & BROWN OF FLORIDA

Donna CandrevaHOTEL URBANO ON BRICKELL

Joseph L. CombsIMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Cesar Garcia-PonsDOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTAUTHORITY

Robert B. Green1550 BRICKELL APARTMENTS

Tibor HolloFLORIDA EAST COAST REALTY

Jeffrey HooperFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Rabbi Chaim LipskarTHE SHUL OF DOWNTOWN/THE SHUL OF BRICKELL

Greg MangramCITY NATIONAL BANK

Regan MarockKW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Eugene MichelleST. JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Arthur MurphyCMC MANAGEMENT

Alan OjedaRILEA GROUPRandy OlenBRICKELL AREA ASSOCIATION

Fernando PerezBRICKELL MAIN STREET, LLLP(MARY BRICKELL VILLAGE)

Millie RaphaelBETH DAVID CONGREGATION

Jeff SamasWELLS FARGO INSURANCE SERV-ICES OF FLORIDA

Javier SardinasTHE CONTINENTAL GROUP, INC.

Maria TabladaMIAMI MANAGEMENT, INC.

Phillip YaffaENGEL & VOELKERS__________________

Ron SmithBHA DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL

Natalie BrownCOMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORJosie GulliksenASST. COMMUNICATIONS DIR.Cindy BettnerADVERTISING & MEMBERSHIPSALES MANAGER

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION4

1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 800 • Miami, Florida 33131Phone: (305) 789-7900www.kanecpas.com

tion activities in the fall to be sure ourneighbors who are eligible to vote areregistered and their residence data is upto date for their Brickell precinct.

BHA will continue to do its best toensure that polling locations are con-venient and accessible for its residents.

And finally, we will work to keepchannels open and dialog ongoing withall our elected representatives, thosedirectly representing us in our district aswell as the other commissioners whoimpact our quality of life with their sup-port or opposition to matters importantto Brickell.

Our Legislative Agenda (opposite)contains the highlights of our currentadvocacy issues and quality of life con-cerns. It’s a dynamic list as new issuescome to our attention regularly. I wel-come your ideas on how to make ourviews heard and advance our goals forthe neighborhood. Please send me email:president@brickellhomeowners.com.

See you at the Candidates Forum,and at the polls! •

“President’s Column” continued from previous page

BHA Legislative AgendaFDOT and Brickell Avenue • Planned closure at SE 6th Street of

major concern• Ineffective, dangerous flashing beacon

at 1800 block• Keeping the speed limit at 30 mph on

all of Brickell Avenue after constructioncompleted and not going up to 35 mph

• Sidewalk improvements, non-obstructionand safety

Parks and Green Space • Development of 1814 Brickell Avenue

Park• Brickell Park • Other green space

Median Landscaping & Beautification • Poor craftsmanship and inconsistent

design features leave the BrickellAvenue medians—the gateway thor-oughfare to the City of Miami—sorelylacking and unbefitting the community

School for Brickell Community• Needed for our growing community of

families

Garbage & Waste Hauling • Condominium owners have long subsi-

dized City of Miami garbage fees intheir property tax assessments despitepaying private commercial haulers:refunds or service is sought

Police Coverage of the Brickell area • A dedicated force is sought• Enforcement of dog curbing, littering

and related “nuisance” ordinances

Issues we’re monitoring:• Mega billboards• Use of Impact fees from Brickell devel-

opment• Code and Zoning Enforcement – includ-

ing 1900 Brickell Avenue• FPL’s proposed new high voltage trans-

mission lines, their location and impact

SUMMER 2011 5

ease. The space was planned to accom-modate those looking for a place torelax as well as those looking to social-ize, people with and without children,and executives just taking a break after aday at the office.

Designers gathered input from resi-dents and incorporated a variety of keyelements to satisfy the diverse community.

The design incorporates and relo-cates a few existing palms, Live Oak andPink Tabebuia trees and adds Rain Trees,Horseflesh Mahogany, Magnolia andLive Oak trees. Areas will be framed byDwarf Firebush, Spanish Stopper andGreen Island Ficus shrubbery.

The project will convert the 35,000-square-foot parcel (just under one acre)into public greenspace for the surround-ing community. At the June ground-breaking Commissioner Sarnoff thankedSheila and Tibor Hollo, who providedinitial funding toward acquiring the land.He also thanked Commissioners FrankCarollo and Francis Suarez for their sup-port of the project.

Acquisition and construction costsare being covered by improvementfunds still available in District 2. Con-struction is being carried out by theCity’s Capital Improvements depart-ment. A fall completion is planned.

Wanted: Monumental SculptureOne feature of the design plan is still

an open item: a sculpture. Acquisition ofa monumental work of art was part ofthe design but ultimately outside thescope of the budget. A donor or bene-factor is sought to complete the vision.

The ideal sculpture has even been iden-tified: La Familia by Manuel Carbonell.

Carbonell is the creator of sculp-tures familiar to Brickell, including two ofMiami's largest monuments: the 53-footTequesta Family on the Brickell AvenueBridge and the 21-foot El Centinela DelRio at Tequesta Point on Brickell Key. TwoCarbonell monumental sculptures alsosit in front of Brickell Townhouse onBrickell Avenue.

“Enea Garden Design incorporatedart into the park design because arthelps define a feeling of community,”said Ricardo J. Gonzalez, director ofBeaux Arts Gallery in Brickell and agentfor the works of Carbonell. “In contrastwith European cities where art is anessential part of their cities’ landscape,art in Miami has not played an impor-tant part of our city’s budget up to now.”

The Cuban-born, modern mastersculptor has pledged to donate morethan half the cost of the La Familia, how-ever its pricetag is still a not-insignificant$250,000. A patron is needed.

“Having La Familia as part of thepark will not only make it a destinationpark where people will come to enjoythe art, but it will help to familiarize thechildren with art at their early stage inlife,” Gonzalez said.

Other “pocket parks” in the worksIn more green news, Commissioner

Sarnoff is spearheading creation ofanother public park, at least as tempo-rary greenspace. This one is on that tri-angular slice of land sandwichedbetween South Miami Avenue and SE1st Avenue, and between 9th and 11th

Streets. Dubbed the “Flatiron”parcel after the famous Man-hattan skyscraper on FifthAvenue, the park wouldoccupy part of the three-acreproperty until the ownerdecides to build.

In more green news,Commissioner Sarnoff lis-tened to requests from arearesidents and new playgroundequipment is being installed atBrickell Park, the public parkbetween the Icon condo andFirst Presbyterian Church.

Parks eyedfor years

BHA hasbeen advo-cating formore parksfor much ofits two-decade exis-tence. Soonafter Com-missionerSarnoff tookoffice in 2007,he became a chief advocate for thecause, vowing to BHA and moms withstrollers that he would find greenspace.He said the Brickell community—uniquein Miami and beyond—has “beautifulhigh rises, extraordinary buildings, but ascarcity of greenspace.”

BHA contends that parks and otherimprovements should have come to thearea through impact fees paid by devel-opers who built huge new projects here.

”Impact fees were stolen from theresidents of Brickell,” BHA PresidentErnesto Cuesta explains, “and used bythe City for purposes and in places oth-er than where they were supposed to go;that is, infrastructure support for theneighborhood impacted by the addition-al people and increased demand forresources.”

BHA is on guard to not let impactfees be diverted in the future, such aswith the planned Brickell CitiCentre proj-ect. The nine-acre, mixed-used develop-ment will bring a lot of business, peopleand amenities to the neighborhood, butalso necessitate corresponding infra-structure improvements on the part oflocal government. BHA passed a resolu-tion supporting the project, providedthat the City ensures that impact fees willbe properly spent.

BHA has long known and Commis-sioner Sarnoff has confirmed that impactfees were not properly used during theBrickell boom years in the early 2000swhen so many new condominiums werebuilt. The commissioner has been tryingto rectify the situation ever since to getthe resources due to the residents.Green can come in many forms. •To provide an idea of scale, the above image shows La Familia

superimposed in a park setting. It is 6 feet x 8 feet x 4 feet.

“Parks” continued from front page

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff

BHA’s long-time leader and founder,Tory Jacobs, died in late Marchafter a battle with cancer at age

87. Tory served as president of BHA for19 years after having founded theorganization with attorney Henry TaylorJr. in 1990.

“Tory was a mentor to me and aclose friend,” BHA President ErnestoCuesta said. “He had a visionary spec-trum of makes a metropolitan city. Hewas savvy in terms of dealing with elect-ed officials and a great advocate andcitizen of the City of Miami.”

Tory devoted himself to the Brickellcommunity, and was affectionatelycalled “Mr. Brickell” by many. He firstcame to Miami from New York in the1970s, lured by an attractive job offer.He found he loved the warm climateand the great activities outdoors.

Tory worked for General Develop-ment Corp (a.k.a. GDC), which was thelargest community development compa-ny in Florida for a time. In 1985, hebecame his own boss, forming Bankers

Financial Corporation, dedicated tomanaging investments for institutionalclients.

Tory's first home was at 1865 Brick-ell Avenue, in Brickell Place I. In 1981he moved to Brickell 25, a 37-unitbuilding on 25th Road overlooking Bis-cayne Bay. It was here that Tory metAttorney Henry Taylor, who convincedhim that residents needed to be proac-tive rather than reactive, and that ahomeowners group of all the neighbor-hood condo owners could get further atCity Hall than just the few of them.

Together they formed BHA, whichwas formally incorporated in 1990.Tory was the natural choice as its firstpresident, a job that stuck. He workedtirelessly on Brickell area initiativesgeared toward improving quality of life.

“We all stand on the shoulders ofTory,” Commissioner Sarnoff told theBHA Board in April. “He was the foun-dation of all we are doing here. Wewill continue to improve upon hiswork.”

Among the early battles were pre-venting a Greyhound bus station frommoving to Brickell, reducing jet skinoise and guarding against advertis-ing and commercial encroachment.In 2009, the City of Miami Commis-

sion bestowed Tory with one of its high-est honors: naming S.E. 25th Road “ToryJacobs Boulevard.” CommissionerSarnoff said it was one of his proudestmoments as a city commissioner.

“It was a privilege to work side byside with Tory in his role as president ofthe Brickell Homeowners Associa-tion…where we tackled quality of lifeand related issues in Miami,” Commis-sioner Sarnoff said in a release.

“Together with Tory we successfullyfought for increased beautification,noise and traffic abatement, as well asthe launching of the Brickell AvenueStreetscape Plan and backing projectssuch as Mary Brickell Village.

“A great man has passed on but heleaves behind a great legacy for the res-idents and businesses of Brickell Avenueand the City of Miami to enjoy fordecades to come, the Commissionersaid.”

Editor’s Note: I had the privilege of work-ing with Tory on BHA for many years. He wasincredibly devoted, always eager to learnnew things, tackle new problems and meetnew people. He made a tremendous impacton the Brickell community. •

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION6

T. Sinclair “Tory” JacobsBHA founder leaves lasting legacy

Tory Jacobs at Miami City Hall October 8, 2009, accepting thehonor of S.E. 25th Road—where he lived for many years—being named in his honor.

Tory Jacobs outside his condo at Brickell 25

In the 2007 photo above, Tory Jacobs is at the podium at aCity 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 com-munity informed of the activities and concerns of its residents. Advertising is accepted on a space-available basis, and BHAreserves the right to accept or reject all advertising. For advertising information or other details, reserve your space at theBHA website (www.brickellhomeowners.com) or send an email message to Communications Director Natalie Brown atnbrown@brickellhomeowners.com. 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

SUMMER 2011 7

Residents and business owners whohave heard of plans to close theleft turn from Brickell Avenue to

Southeast Sixth Street are not pleasedwith the notion.

FDOT is steadfast in their intent to closethe median, despite the objections raisedby many who live and work in the area.

Residents of 500 Brickell alreadyhave problems with motorists cuttingthrough their valet area under theirbuilding to make a quick exit from Brick-ell and head west. For those at 600Brickell, the proposed median closure atSoutheast Sixth Street looks disastrous.No one has been successful at influenc-ing this FDOT decision — and no onehas authority over FDOT locally —despite citizens’ objections and supportfrom our local officials.

“Our position continues to be thatFDOT has to listen to residents on clos-ing Sixth Street,” Commissioner MarcSarnoff said.

FDOT representatives reported inJune, however, that after studying poten-

tial alternatives and conferring with theirCentral office, the recommendation forthe median remains unchanged. Thoseoutside of FDOT had not seen the trafficstudies leading to that decision; FDOTagreed to make the studies public.

Ever since the Brickell Avenue con-struction project began, DowntownDevelopment Authority has been facili-tating regular meetings with FloridaDepartment of Transportation, Miami-Dade County and City officials and oth-er interested parties to discussconstruction issues. The goal of themeetings is to bring the different govern-ment entities around the table regularlysince the roads have overlappingauthorities. Each agency has their ownconstruction and rehab projects goingon in the area, but there was no coordi-nating body.

Stakeholders asked FDOT about thepotential impact to Fifth Street as a resultof the median closure. FDOT said it wasnot in their jurisdiction or part of theproject scope to consider or study that,

however, they said they would “consid-er” the request.

The only concession by FDOT wasthat their plan to lengthen the Brickellmedian cut in for left turns at Fifth Streetwas scrapped. The plan had created apublic uproar as they were planning toremove a mahogany tree, considered aBrickell landmark.

For now, commencement of thesePhase II changes is on hold, targeted forDecember 2012.

“Clearly differences of opinionremain, such as the closure of the medi-an onto Sixth Street, that may have to beresolved by other means,” said JavierBetancourt, deputy director of the DDA.“We did get FDOT to agree to providetheir traffic studies to all interested par-ties, and to continue to work with ouragency in resolving obstacles to theDDA-funded decorative crosswalks allalong Brickell Avenue.”

BHA will continue to follow theprogress of these projects and report onthe latest developments. •

Meetings with FDOT: necessary, frustrating, ongoing

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION8

Welcome New MembersBHA is pleased to welcome two condominiumsas new full members of the Brickell Homeown-ers Association: 500 Brickell and BrickellShores.

The newly built East and West buildings of 500 Brickellhave 320 and 313 units respectively. They are located at 55SE 5th Street in a modern, joined 42-story building withrooftop pool and a deck that provides incredible city and bayviews. Juan Carlos Pulido, president of the West buildingand Reed Khan, president of the East building, will serve asBHA board representatives.

Brickell Shores, located at 1440 Brickell Bay Drive has80 units and is situated directly across from the open BiscayneBay along the historic winding road. Board President EnriqueCordoba is serving as BHA board representative.

BHA welcomes the following new AssociateMembers:

Brown & Brown, the largest insurance agency in Flori-da and one of the largest in the United States, specialize insolving the insurance and risk management needs of business-es, professionals, non-profit organizations and individuals.Scott Buser, the firm’s Senior Vice President, is serving as BHAboard representative.

City National Bank recently relocated their Brickellbranch from 1428 Brickell Avenue to the 28th floor at 1450Brickell Avenue. One of the largest community banks in thenation, their history in the Brickell area dates back 20 years to1990 when they first opened in the One Brickell Square build-ing. Greg Mangram, vice president, is serving as BHA Boardrepresentative.

The Continental Group has been a leader in Florida’sproperty management industry for more than 20 years. Theirservices include community association management, rentaland leasing management, REO asset management, resortmanagement, developer and accounting services. In addition,they provide a thorough operations review through the Conti-nental Value Engineering program, the fully integrated infor-

mation web-based customized data hub Continental Connect,Five-Star Concierge Services and Continental Luxe programsfor luxury properties and the Continental Silver program foractive adults 55 and older. Javier Sardinas, business devel-opment manager for the Miami-Dade region, is serving asBHA board representative.

Engel & Voelkers is a full service residential real estatefirm based on Brickell Bay Drive. Their comprehensive servic-es take the client from the search, to the buy, and straightthrough to the closing. Philip Yaffa, the firm’s marketingdirector, is serving as BHA board representative.

KW Property Management provides a variety of serv-ices to high-rises, condominiums and homeowners associa-tions. They specialize in all aspects of conversion and propertymanagement, renovation management, consulting and realestate services. Their proficiency with financials, quick trouble-shooting and receptive staff enables them to maintain anasset’s fullest value. Regan Marock, executive director ofbusiness development, is serving as BHA Board representa-tive.

Miami Management, a full service property manage-ment and maintenance company established in 1988, fea-tures a residential management team with knowledge aboutthe changing laws, procedures and requirements of Home-owners Associations, Property Owners Associations and Com-munity Associations. In addition, their specialized division forhigh-rise condominium associations focuses solely on theinteraction, time management and phase knowledge requiredto work with these buildings’ on-site crews. Company Presi-dent Guillermo Cancio-Bello is serving as BHA Board rep-resentative.

Wells Fargo, is an established mortgage company withadditional services including banking, insurance and busi-ness banking for all clients’ financial needs. They also pro-vide Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and BusinessLiability Insurance, taking a meticulous approach to ensurecustomers are covered on any issues they face. Juan Cordo-ba, commercial executive, is serving as BHA Board represen-tative. •

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Jaime Montalvan • Maggie Morton • Ada Kaplans

SUMMER 2011 9

The First Annual Taste of Brickell wasa success. Held on March 26 onthe edge of Biscayne Bay at 1201

Brickell Bay Drive, the event drew inlocal restaurants and approximately6,000 attendees. Event organizer CindyBettner said participating restaurantswere thrilled with the results and havealready committed for 2012.

Neighbors from the surroundinghigh rises walked from their buildings tothe event that lasted from noon to 10p.m. Tourists in town, some of who wereattending the Ericsson Open tennis tour-nament, were there as well.

“There was a great energy at theevent and it provided a great opportuni-ty to come together and socialize,”Charles Tavares, a resident of Emeraldon Brickell, said. “We need events likethis in Brickell. People were truly enjoy-ing themselves and were happy to betogether.”

Expanded event eyed for 2012Cindy is planning for a two-day

event next year.“After this year’s event, the partici-

pating restaurants asked if it could beexpanded to two days and there wereplenty that approached me who couldn’tparticipate this year, but who will sign upfor next year,” Cindy said.

Cindy got her experience in organiz-ing “taste of” festivals when she wasPresident of the Coconut Grove Cham-ber of Commerce and put on the popu-lar Taste of the Grove. She receivedappeals for a Brickell tasting event whenshe began work on a Brickell Diningguide last year. Restaurants said it wastime Brickell had its own food and wineevent.

“Once I got enough restaurants tocommit, especially the really well knownones including those in the luxury hotels,I knew we had an event on our hands,”she said. Participating restaurants

included Truluck’s, The Boiler House,Oceanaire, Gordon Biersch, Atrio in theConrad Miami, Sushi Maki, Dolores butyou can call me Lolita, Fado Irish Pub &Restaurant, Morton’s the Steakhouse,Chophouse Miami, The Trapiche Roomin the JW Marriott, Citadeli Restobar,Planet Sushi, Bistro Urbano, El GranInka and Crazy About You.

Restaurants give event a “thumbsup” for business

“It was very well organized, especial-ly for a first-time event. It was perfect forour neighbors to know about our restau-rant in the hotel,” said Alison Colberg,director of social events for the JW Mar-riott commenting on the Trapiche Room.“We sold so much food we had toreplenish. We were very happy with theturnout and it gave us great exposure.”

With such positive reactions, Cindyis looking at March 24 and 25 as nextyear’s dates, and is scouting a location.A waterfront location would be ideal likethis year’s, which is owned by Florida

East Coast Realty. Cindy says the loca-tion was ideal but that the site might bedeveloped, so its availability for the fes-tival is uncertain. She says the event willagain be held in the heart of Brickell andshe expects some of the restaurantsDowntown to also join in.

“Next year we will have a beercrafters tent with tasting, a health and fit-ness tent featuring nutritional items andfitness experts discussing yoga andpilates...even a green market with natu-ral and organic foods,” she said. “We’realso talking to Miami Dade College’snew Culinary Institute about perhapshaving the students there doing cookingdemonstrations.”

Taste of Brickell is now acceptingExhibitor, Sponsor and Restaurant appli-cations. Those interested in participatingshould contact Cindy Bettner at 786-355-4800 or c_bettner@yahoo.com.www.tasteofbrickell.com •

Taste of Brickell First event draws thousands;next year in the works

The Brickell on the River North meet-ing room overlooking the MiamiRiver was filled to capacity one

evening in late June when BHA Boardmembers and officials came to hearabout Brickell CitiCentre. Several newsarticles had recently come out about thehuge, mixed-use project planned for theBrickell community. Everyone was readyto catch a first-hand glimpse of what allthe fuss was about.

Folks were anxious to hear how thenine-acre, multi-level project would be apositive for the community, and howsuch a massive undertaking could bedesigned to succeed in our unique met-ropolitan neighborhood. Some neigh-bors were wary of the project, havingheard analogies to the humongous Saw-grass Mills, and fearing out-of-controltraffic and inadequate parking for all theamenities planned.

The BHA Board had invited its cre-ators to share their plan with Directors.

Steve Owens of Swire Properties andBernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectoni-ca— both big, highly-respected namesin the Brickell community and wellbeyond — presented their plans for astate-of-the-art, modern development,truly unlike anything ever seen in SouthFlorida. It’s slated for four blocks aroundMiami Avenue and 7th and 8th Streets.

The audience was wowed by theimages presented and the approachbeing taken for the project. They sawamazing architectural shapes rising outof the four blocks of the project. They

saw open airlevels, andconnectivi tyacross thestreets. Theysaw “towersfloating overa garden,” asdescribed byMr. Fort-Bres-cia, and invit-ing, street-front stores.

Attendeesheard abouttwo levels ofundergroundparking, adaunting and expensive feat of engi-neering rarely attempted so near thewater, but what sounded like the perfectsolution for the project.

An investment in the future of BrickellSwire is taking the long view with this

project, making an investment that won’tpay off for a decade, but one, Mr.Owens said, the major internationalcompany believes is a wise investment.

“We think the attraction of Miami asan international city is continuing,” Mr.Owens said. “We are believers in theurbanization of Miami. We believe morepeople will live in the inner core.”

“We have seen how much energy

has come around since we announcedthis project. This is what we can collec-tively do in the Brickell area,” he said.

Brickell CitiCentre is a mixed-usedevelopment in the true definition. Themajor elements are a hotel, retail, serv-ice department, cinema, office building,wellness center and medical center. Itwill also have a lap pool with glass bot-tom open to levels below, a bowlingalley and facilities for musical perform-ances.

Plan for vehicles and trafficMr. Fort-Brescia said they engaged

top traffic consultants to be sure thattraffic doesn’t reach Brickell Avenue,

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION10

Brickell neighbors wowed by Brickell CitiCentre project

Steve Owens of Swire Properties, Shelly Tygielski of TheContinental Group and Ernesto Cuesta, BHA president, atthe June presentation of the Brickell CitiCentre project.

The 4.6 million-square-foot Brickell CitiCentre project will span over South Miami Avenue on the block between S.W. 7thand S.W. 8th Streets on the west and from S.E. 6 Street to S.E. 8th Street on the east side.

SUMMER 2011 11

which is a troubled artery with its limitedeast-west access. When drivers departfrom the underground garage, there willbe multiple points of access and exits toefficiently direct cars to their destinationsabove.

The development will be state-of-the-art green, and will have rain collectors tosupply the landscaped areas. Bike andpedestrian paths will connect to 8th Streetand the Miami Riverwalk.

Mr. Owens said key project compo-nents critical to retail success are the con-nectivity and activating the street level.The project will embrace public trans-portation. Swire is committed to redoingthe Brickell Metromover station and mak-ing it into an inviting public plaza.

Swire Properties began amassing theland in 2008 after the collapse and near-collapse of major Wall Street firms andthe continuing real estate meltdown. Theproject has been two years in the plan-ning. Mr. Owens said they hope to breakground and have “meaningful activity onthe site” by the beginning of 2012. Phase1 construction is expected to take fouryears. Phase 2, which encompasses officespace, will follow.

BHA takes a positionBHA passed a resolution in support of

the project with the provision to the City ofMiami that its legal department do its partto ensure that the impact fees generatedas a result of the project are properly allo-cated to support infrastructure improve-ments in the surrounding area. •

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION12

The Continental Group provides hurricane preparedness program (L to R): Edwin Lugo, Julie Magaldi, Bill Wor-rall and Moderator Nathalie Rodriguez from WIOD.

Lobbyist Travis Moore of Florida Capitol Advocates providesBHA members with a 2011 Legislative Update.

William Plasencia from Commissioner Sarnoff’s office, Frank Balzebre from Miami-Dade MayorGimenez’s office, Alyce Robertson of the DDA and Jeve Clayton from Mayor Gimenez’s office at Fado..

Sean Esteves and Santiago Echemendia

Whitney Liftig and Ernesto Cuesta

BankAtlantic, sponsors of the BHA Property Managers MorningForum: Marta Armas, Maritza Lazarus and Karina Castrillo

Tamy Oman, private party coordinator for Truluck’s, Cesar Garcia-Pons of the DDA, and Tom Vito ofBrickell Catering by Vito.

BHA Summer Highlights

Richard Gendler and Eric M. Glazer at BHA’s Property Managers Morning Forum in July at HotelUrbano and sponsored by BankAtlantic.

BHA has had a full calendar ofevents this summer with manyBoard members, property man-

agers and neighbors turning out tolearn, network and get involved.

Condos HurricanePrep

BHA bracedfor thebeginning of summer—and hurricaneseason—at its May Board meeting witha panel from The Continental Group.They presented “Hurricane Preparednessfor Condos,” especially geared for prop-erty managers and board members whohave major responsibilities for theirhigh-rises. Edwin Lugo, Julie Magaldi,and Bill Worrall discussed buildingpreparation, collection considerations,staff readiness, and what to expect if ahurricane strikes the Brickell community.They explained how board membersand managers could best protect theirresidents, properties and associations.WIOD radio’s Nathalie Rodriguez mod-erated the discussion.

The Continental Group managesthe most properties in Florida, includingmany in Brickell and Downtown, andhas extensive experience with luxury highrises. They have provided hurricanepreparation tips geared for high-rise res-idents on page 15 in this issue.

FloridaCondoLegislationin 2011

At the BHAJune Board meeting, lobbyist TravisMoore of Florida Capitol Advocatesgave Board members an update onFlorida legislative developments impact-ing condominium associations and own-ers. The 2011 session’s CommunityAssociations bill had just been signed bythe governor, and included provisionsinvolving fire alarm systems, hurricaneglass, electronic notices, board meetingsand board members’ eligibility, termsand certification. BHA extends its grati-tude to the Continental Group forarranging this timely informative session,and to Mr. Moore for lending his time.

FadohostsBHA

In July Fado Irish Pub and Restauranthosted BHA board members, propertymanagers and residents for a casualevening of libations and appetizers.Neighbors enjoyed the informal event inthe tony and comfortable Mary BrickellVillage venue. Fado was new to many,and liked by all.

“We love to do these kinds of eventsbecause Fado is all about getting toknow our local neighbors,” Event Sales& Marketing Manager Whitney Liftig,said. “Brickell Property managers whomissed the BHA gathering are welcometo contact me to arrange a similar ‘MeetYour Neighbors’ event for their individ-ual associations.”

BHA extends its thanks toWhitney and Fado for theiroutstanding hospitality. Whit-ney can be reached atwliftig@fadoirishpub.com or786-924-1029.

Realestateattorneysshareexpertise

Later in July, BHA held its second quar-terly Property Management MorningForum sponsored by BankAtlantic.Organized by Marta Armas and BHA’sEddy del Rio, the session featured twoattorneys representing both sides of thecondo association/owner coin, both ofwhom are highly regarded experts intheir niches.

Richard Gendler, of Richard S.Gendler & Associates, P.A., specializes inreal estate, foreclosure and bankruptcylaw, representing individuals.

Eric M. Glazer, of Glazer & Associ-ates, specializes in Florida Condomini-um and Homeowner Association law,real estate and litigation, and typicallyrepresents the association side. He hostsa weekly radio show, Condo Craze &HOAs, on WFTL.

The two attorneys advised managerson best practices for handling foreclo-sures and delinquencies among theircondo owners, given what the law says,how judges tend to rule and what recentFlorida legislation now allows. Foreclo-sures can take an inordinate amount oftime and resources, so both attorneysrecommended flexibility and reason-ableness whenever possible on bothsides. The attorneys said they have seenforeclosures drag on for as many as sixyears before resolution.

BHA extends sincere thanks to Mr.Gendler and Mr. Glazer, who providedexcellent, helpful information.

The next Property ManagementForum will be held in the fall. Let us heartopics of particular interest to condoassociation managment. Write to BHAat nbrown@brickellhomeowners.com•

SUMMER 2011 13

Sleepy summers thing of the past for Brickell

On the Web:Latest news, advisories and calendar news:

www.brickellhomeowners.com

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION14

SUMMER 2011 15

Top 10 Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Condo ResidentsFrom The Continental Group

Many of us have weathered thestorms as residents of SouthFlorida, but it has been several

years since we have been hit by a seri-ous hurricane. And here we find our-selves in hurricane season again.Throughout our over 20-year history, TheContinental Group has helped commu-nities through storms of various strengthsand sizes. The most important piece ofadvice we give to our managers and res-idents alike is: be prepared.

Your building manager and boardshould have a Hurricane PreparednessPlan. This plan should be communicatedto every resident in your building before,during, and after a storm. It is importantto stay informed and to heed all warn-ings and recommendations made by theBoard of Directors and management,who are always taking your safety intoconsideration.

While your manager and team willtake care of the preparations associatedwith securing the building and commonareas, it is important for you to prepareyour unit and personal provisions. Mostof the things you will need are usually onhand but should be stocked up andmade easily accessible. If the area isdeemed to be in imminent danger of ahurricane, announcements will be made,and should be taken seriously.

Here are some points to considerbefore a storm:

1. First, get important papers andspecial photos in order andsecured in plastic. Identification isdifficult and time-consuming toreplace so be sure to include socialsecurity cards, birth certificates,titles or deeds to property, as wellas your content insurance or per-sonal hurricane insurance policy.Photos of special occasions orloved ones cannot be replaced, soit is important to include these aswell.

2. Remove all items from your bal-cony. No matter what category

storm is approaching, looseitems in the balcony pose a haz-ard for your own unit and forothers.

3. Read and understand all of yourcommunity’s pre-storm, mid-storm, and post-storm proce-dures. Your manager willcommunicate the community’sHurricane Plan to you. The com-munication will include informa-tion about shelter locations andhours, evacuation routes and pro-cedures, emergency response infor-mation, and municipal VulnerablePersons Registry for owners withspecial needs.

4. Have a plan for your pets. It maybe difficult to find a place for yourpet to stay. Keep this in mind, andtry to find alternate housing, suchas pet-friendly hotels and motels ordog boarding kennels in areas out-side the storm’s path until it is safeto return home.

5. Leave behind your contact infor-mation. If you plan on evacuat-ing, make sure that themanagement office has your con-tact information and that it is accu-rate. After the storm has passed,you may need to be reached con-cerning your unit or be advisedwhen it is safe to return to thebuilding.

6. Prepare a Hurricane Kit. Alongwith overnight clothes, considerstocking your Hurricane Kit withextra cash, generator, batteries,flashlights, battery operatedradio/TV, bottled water, toilet paper,non-perishable foods such as cere-al or crackers, canned goods, acan opener, a small cooler, can-dles, prescription medicines andany over-the-counter remedies youuse regularly; and if you have smallchildren: diapers, baby wipes, for-mula, baby food.

7. Count on the power being out forat least a day or two. Even if thepower remains on in your buildingor your community has a generator,remember that ATMs may not beoperating, so have at least somehard cash in your Hurricane Kit tosee you through the storm.

8. Fill your bathtub with water. In theevent the building’s domestic watersystem is not operational, having aresource to fill toilet water tankscan be very beneficial.

9. Fill up your gas tank. Gas sta-tions may run out of gas due topost-storm demand, so fill upbefore a storm hits.

10. When in doubt, ask. Your man-agement team members and yourBoard of Directors are alwaysaccessible and will ensure that youare informed before, during andafter a storm. If you have any ques-tions, just ask! •

The Continental Group managesthe most properties in Florida, includingmany condominiums in the Brickell com-munity and Downtown Miami. They han-dle an array of services includingcommunity association management,rental and leasing management, REOasset management, resort management,developer and accounting services.

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION16

All too often Brickell residents walk,jog, bike or drive by Simpson Parkand wonder “what’s in there?” but

are hesitant or don’t take the time toinvestigate. Brickell resident Adriana Tioand Park Manager Juan Fernandez areworking to change that.

Tio, who moved to Brickell Harbourthree years ago from Coral Gables saysSimpson Park is a beautiful, naturalsanctuary that should be enjoyed moreby the neighborhood.

“I’ve always been a big lover of theEverglades, but it’s tough to get outthere. When I rode my bike and walkedthrough the neighborhood, I discoveredSimpson Park,” Tio said. “But going inthere and seeing it empty and underap-preciated, I knew I had to try to makesomething happen to change it.”

Home to rare and endangered plantspecies, the park’s eight-and-a-halfacres contains a remaining piece ofwhat was once the Brickell Hammock,that ran from the Miami River all the wayto the Grove. Tio sees the leafy sanctu-ary and its community building as theideal venue for educational forums andsocial events.

“I thought, here we have this amaz-ing jewel of a spot…this should be acommunity gathering place,” she said.

Tio met with Juan Fernandez, ParksNaturalist Senior with the City of MiamiParks Department who manages Simp-son Park. It turns out he likes her ideas alot, but lacks the budget to make it real-ity.

“All my life I’ve wanted to do a largeproject here to show the park’s valueboth historically and botanically, but myprojects were on a much smaller scalebecause of our small, three-personstaff,” Fernandez said. “We had beendoing an environmental summer pro-gram up until two years ago, but had toend that because of too few staff.”

Tio and Fernandez are launching aneducational initiative which will providean opportunity for residents “to learn

through educational classes, cap-ture through paint and photogra-phy, and interact throughhands-on workshops with the nat-ural resources of Miami’s oldesturban forest,” they said. “Fans ofbiology, ecology, local history andart will have a destination formerging environmental, educa-tional and community interests.”

Not one to be quashed by alack of financial resources, Tio isenthusiastic about their program-ming ideas and thinks that others

will be as well. A reception was held atthe Park in May to announce the con-cept and begin to gather support. May-or Regalado applauded the concept andsaluted Tio and Fernandez in theirefforts.

Tio is currently recruiting art andbotanical experts from outside the parkfor a November planning charrette todiscuss concepts for potential classes,educational programs and artevents geared toward thelocal community. It is hopedthat specialists, local artistsand photographers willdonate time to the project tohelp get it up and running.

Tio is hoping to haveinstructors in place for pro-grams that could begin inFebruary 2012. Some prelimi-nary ideas include botanicalwalking tours, painting, draw-ing, photography, watercolor,even yoga and other exerciseclasses, perhaps twice a

month on Saturdays. Feedback and sug-gestions from residents are also encour-aged. “We want to hear from residentsin the community about what they wouldlike to see offered at the park,” Tio said.“Community involvement is key, we wantto make this a joint effort where the res-idents are involved.”

Several community leaders arealready committed, including attorneySpencer Crowley, a Brickell resident whois donating his time and services to helpdevelop the program. Ernest Burkeen,director of City of Miami Parks Depart-ment, is supportive of the project, Tiosaid.

A majority of the programs will takeplace in the coral house that anchors thepark, a donation from The Florida Fed-eration of Garden Clubs. The interiorwas redone in 2003 and provides awarm meeting and programming space.

For Tio and Hernandez, they hope tosee the beginning of many activities andprojects in the future where residentsand their children can learn about histo-ry, nature and art while learning aboutthe botanical gardens of Simpson Park.

“Everyday I run into residents wholive as close as four blocks away anddon’t realize we’re here. This is an effortto create awareness of the gem they’vegot in their backyard,” Tio said.

BHA is supporting this project; any-one interested in helping should contactnbrown@brickellhomeowners.com •

Brickell resident-activist draws attention, activity to neighborhood jewel

Mayor Tomas Regalado with Adriana Tio and Juan Fernandez at thegathering in May when the new plan was announced.

Mayor Tomas Regalado strolls through the lush park with Juan Fernandez.

SUMMER 2011 17

Although David Lucterhand justmoved to the Brickell area inMarch 2009 he has been a fan of

the neighborhood and Miami in generalsince the 1970s when he started vaca-tioning here. Born in Australia, David’sfather was in the Air Force so he grew upall over the world.

His career took him to Chicagowhere he eventually worked as a mem-ber of the Chicago Board of Trade.David then set out for a 15-year stay inRussia where he met his wife Alsou andmarried in 2003. But Miami’s allure lin-gered, and he jumped at the chance tomove here for business in 2009. He is aFund Manager with Market GreaterCapital where his job is to build up thecompany’s Barron Index Fund over thenext 10 years.

David always loved South Beach,even in the 1980s before the Art DecoDistrict transformation, but Brickellseemed more his style when it came timeto settle down. He always went throughMiami when traveling to the Caribbeanand it was those times that he spentlooking at neighborhoods that would bea good fit for him and his lifestyle.

He began looking at Miami proper-ties late in 2008 when the market wastaking a turn. Eight days later he foundjust what he was looking for.

“Because I’m a collector of modernart, The Atlantis building was perfect forme. The building reminded me of aMondrian but I never dreamed I wouldever own anything here,” he said. “But Ifell in love with my unit which had beencompletely renovated and has unob-structed views.”

[The Atlantis at 2025 BrickellAvenue is the post-modernist buildingwith the unusual hole in the middle.Designed by Arquitectonica, many knowthe building from the opening sequenceof Miami Vice.]

David immediately demonstrated a

commitment to his com-munity, serving first assecretary and currentlyentering his second termas president of his build-ing’s homeowners asso-ciation. As president ofAtlantis’ board he beganattending BHA meetingsand was recently nameda BHA Member at Large.

Giving back to thecommunity and ensuring the Brick-ell area stays litter-free are two ofhis main goals. He hopes to begin ananti-littering campaign for the city andencourage officers to begin ticketing lit-terbugs.

An avid biker, David and his wifewere appalled at what they saw duringone of their long rides to Key Biscayne.“We saw trash every-where in Virginia Keywhen on a bike rideand I spoke to therangers out there. I’vealso asked the main-tenance folks atAtlantis to monitor themedian as well astheir on-site premises.We’ve already estab-lished an adopt-a-curb program which Ifeel is vital to keepingthe area clean and Ifeel should be institut-ed at all other Brickellcondos.”

Not surprisingly,David followed theWright Brothers’ inter-est in bicycles straightinto the air. He fliessingle-engine planesout of Tamiami Air-port, enjoying theview over Naples and

Miami’s nighttime skyline. He’s also theproud father of two successful sons.Douglas, an agent with the WilliamMorris Agency in West Hollywood, Cali-fornia, and Charles, an executive withGroupon in Chicago.•

BHA Officer ProfileDavid Lucterhand makes neighborhood a priority

WWW.CROSSBRIDGEMIAMI.COM

WORSHIP | Sundays 6PM1770 Brickell Avenue

*CHILDCARE PROVIDED

GRACECHANGES·EVERYTHING

David Lucterhand in front of his condo building The Atlantis.

BRICKELL HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION18

Important Community ContactsThe City of Miami NET office is gener-ally residents’ first line of contact in

resolving neighborhood concerns. TheNET office will contact the appropriateCity department on your behalf, if it is aCity of Miami matter, or direct you tothe right resource to resolve your issue.

Coral Way NET & Downtown NETAdministrator Haydee Wheeler

(305) 416-2074hwheeler@miamigov.com

City of Miami PoliceResource Officer Jeff Giordano

(305) 710-5222Jeffrey.Giordano@miami-police.org

Resource Officer Ariel Saud(305) 491-2645

ariel.saud@miami-police.orgCommander Ethyl Jones

ethyl.jones@miami-police.org

City of Miami Commissioner District 2: Marc Sarnoff(305) 250-5333

msarnoff@miamigov.com

Miami-Dade County CommissionerDistrict 7: Xavier Suarez(305) 375-5680

District7@miamidade.gov

Miami-Dade County CommissionerDistrict 5: Bruno Barreiro

(305) 643-8525District5@miamidade.gov

Miami-Dade Public SchoolsBoard-Dist. 3: Dr. Martin Karp

(305) 995-1334martinkarp@dadeschools.net

Florida SenateDist. 39: Sen. Larcenia J. BullardTallahassee (850) 487-5127Miami (305) 668-7344

bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov

Dist. 35: Senator Gwen MargolisTallahassee (850) 487-5121Miami (305) 571-5777

margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov

Florida House of Representatives Dist. 107: Rep. Luis Garcia, Jr.Tallahassee (850) 488-9930Miami (305) 325-2501

luis.garcia@myfloridahouse.gov

U.S. House of Representatives Dist. 18: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-LehtinenD.C. (202) 225-3931Miami (305) 688-2285

U.S. SenateSenator Bill NelsonD.C. (202) 224-5274

Coral Gables (305) 536-5999

Senator Marco RubioD.C. (202) 224-3041Miami: (305) 418-8553

How BHA WorksFounded in 1990, Brickell Homeowners Association Member-ship is open to condominium associations and businesses inthe Brickell community. A representative from each of the mem-ber condominium associations sits on the BHA Board of Direc-tors which meets monthly.

BHA organizes its Board meetings with speakers of immedi-ate interest to the Brickell community. These forums help toinform and direct the work of BHA, which is accomplishedthrough a committee structure and through BHA representationon important governmental and community groups.

The advocacy work of BHA is carried out by volunteers,therefore participation of residents is important and desired inBHA activities and programs. Residents interested in attending ameeting or becoming involved in other ways are urged to be incontact with their condominium representative.

To directly communicate with residents, timely topics are cov-ered in this quarterly newsletter, which is distributed to eachhousehold in BHA. This issue is the 60th edition of BHA News.Information of importance to Brickell neighbors is also coveredon the BHA website, www.brickellhomeowners.com, which con-tains a comprehensive tracking of topics over time. This serves tohelp hold public officials accountable for timetables and prom-ises, and serves an important watchdog function.

If you are interested in learning more about BHA, you areinvited to contact Communications Director Natalie Brown atnbrown@brickellhomeowners.com. •

SUMMER 2011 19

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Our professional team manages approximately 35,000 units throughout the state. These peoplerange from Certified Public Accountants (CPA), licensed Community Association Managers(CAM), Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®), Association management Spe-cialist (AMS®), Professional Community Association Managers (PCAM®), Real Property Admin-istrator (RPA®) and certified maintenance personnel. Our corporate office is located in Miami.

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