Lotus House Woman's Shelter Reveals Children's Village In Miami's Overtown Neighborhood

Sixteen years after its founding, the nation’s largest women’s shelter is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan that will extend its reach deeper into the Miami community to better serve children and youth. Lotus House, a nonprofit shelter in Miami’s historic Overtown district, is growing its suite of supportive services with the creation of a “Children’s Village” that will feature deeper educational supports and programming for children and youth of all ages, community support facilities, therapeutic and social services, and a long awaited playground. The Children’s Village will also serve as home to other community-based nonprofits, offering an array of resources and programming for children and youth and their families in Overtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Children’s Village will be located directly across the street from Lotus Village, the organization’s state of the art shelter which opened its doors in 2017. Lotus Village currently serves up to 500 women and children nightly through an evidence-based model that has set a national standard for the delivery of wrap-around services to women and children experiencing homelessness, many of whom are victims of domestic violence. The new building will comprise five floors housing classrooms, supportive services and resources for children and youth of all ages from within Lotus Village and the surrounding community.

The nonprofit’s expansion is made possible through Lotus Village II, LLC’s recently completed $3.5 million acquisition of five parcels of land located at NW 14th Terrace and NW 2nd Avenue. The total project cost is estimated to be $20 million, which will be funded through a combination of philanthropic gifts and financing arranged by Lotus Endowment Fund, Inc. Lotus Endowment has launched a capital campaign to raise the private funds needed to build, operate, and maintain The Children’s Village at Lotus Village.

Development of The Children’s Village represents a natural next phase for Lotus House, filling critical gaps and expanding essential therapeutic and educational supports for both the children and youth they shelter and those who live nearby. Currently, children aged newborn to three access the United Way Center for Early Education and Childcare housed within the shelter. The Children’s Village will continue that educational continuum and provide enriched supports through the pre-school years and beyond, including high school.

“When it comes to ending homelessness among our youth, ensuring access to education and the socialization that comes with it is just as essential as providing food, healthcare, and shelter. I am often reminded that play is children’s work. Play is how children learn, express themselves creatively, develop strong social and emotional skills, explore and discover the world around them. The Children’s Village will offer therapeutic services, educational support, diverse programming, and a creative environment for the children and youth of Overtown, including those sheltered at Lotus House, equipping them to succeed in school and life,” says Constance Collins, Executive Director of Lotus House.

“By co-locating with other non-profits within The Children’s Village, we are establishing a new model for unprecedented collaboration, community engagement, cooperation, and holistic support for children and families. The pandemic has exacerbated so many inequities, gaps, and needs in our community, particularly for the children and youth we shelter. With our community’s generous support, The Children’s Village will make many more dreams come true here in the heart of Overtown,” she added.

Since launching in 2006, Lotus House has sheltered more than 9,000 women, youth and children experiencing homelessness, with more than 80 percent of the shelter’s guests successfully exiting the shelter system and achieving greater financial self-sufficiency. More than providing a sanctuary, Lotus House offers holistic support services including restorative therapies for children and adults, job readiness training, employment assistance, life skills training, early childhood education, medical and mental health services, and more. Together, these tools empower women and children to heal, transform, and achieve greater self-sufficiency.

Undeterred by the pandemic, Lotus House served a record-breaking number of people last year, sheltering 1,526 women, youth, and children through December of 2021. Lotus Village has invested heavily in operational protocols aimed at ensuring the health and well-being of shelter guests – from deep cleaning protocols to investments in UV light technology that eliminates airborne bacteria. The shelter also introduced programs and therapies to assist children and adults in adapting to the realities of the pandemic. Shelter guests have had access to weekly COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration onsite.

Creation of The Children’s Village will be made possible by the support of Lotus Endowment Fund, Inc, a non-profit foundation that supports Lotus House and its initiatives. The development will benefit from the continued in-kind support of general contractor Civic Construction; Behar-Font & Partners architects; engineers M2E Consulting, Inc.; law firm Bilzin Sumberg, where a team of attorneys including Sara Barli Herald, Brittany Chung, Enza Boderone, Brianna Sainte and Howard Nelson is spearheading all facets of acquisition, financing, zoning and permitting; and construction attorneys at Cole Scott Kissane, among others.

Image via Behar Font

Miami, Palm Beach County and Fort Lauderdale recover about 28,000 jobs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

Almost 28,000 jobs have been recovered since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Miami, Palm Beach County and Fort Lauderdale.  Majority of these jobs fall into the government, hospitality and retail sectors.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing the Miami market has gained  over 16,000 jobs in August, Palm Beach has gained about 7,000 and Fort Lauderdale has gained over 5,000.  The largest growth in the job market over the last few months is coming from the government sector.  The majority of these jobs are temporary positions tied to the 2020 Census, but has helped the unemployment rate fall to single digits for the first time since COVID-19 hit.  

Hospitality and retail are industries that have suffered considerably from the COVID-19 pandemic across the Country.  Miami has lost about 70,000 jobs in hospitality and about 22,000 jobs in retail since March and April.  As stores and restaurants continue to open up operating at limited capacity, both industries combined have recovered an average of 55% of the jobs lost.  This has significantly boosted Miami’s total COVID-19 job recovery rate to about 45%. 

Palm Beach County’s hospitality and retail industries are slowly making a comeback but not at the same rapid pace as Miami.   At the beginning of the pandemic hospitality in Palm Beach County lost about 48,000 jobs and retail lost almost 10,000.  Since April, hospitality has recovered about 30% of jobs lost and retail has recovered about 45%.  Palm Beach County has regained about 35% of the 100,000 total jobs lost from the pandemic. 

Fort Lauderdale’s hospitality industry lost over 3,000 jobs and retail lost about 14,000 since March and April.  Hospitality has recovered about 44% of the jobs lost and retail has recovered about 60%.  Fort Lauderdale has a total recovery rate of about 36% of the 130,000 jobs lost from the pandemic.  Overall even though job loss from COVID-19 remains down, it is hopeful to see industries slowly coming back as customers begin to leave their houses and support local communities.   

TimeEquities Launches Leasing For Resort-Style Development CasaMara In West Palm Beach

Global real estate firm Time Equities, Inc. (TEI) has officially launched leasing at CasaMara, a mixed-use, resort-style development located in the heart of the El Cid neighborhood and the Antique Row District in West Palm Beach, Florida. The project features a total of six low-rise buildings made up of 300 class-A apartments, a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse, as well as an additional 16,000 square feet of retail shops called The Plaza at CasaMara, all of which will spread out over 10 acres of land.

Construction is well underway at 3111 South Dixie Highway and is slated to deliver completed homes in three phases. The first 100 units along with the clubhouse, which houses many of the amenities offered at CasaMara, will be completed by early fall 2020. The following two phases will be completed in winter 2020 and spring 2021, respectively.

MSA Architects are responsible for both the site planning and the distinct Spanish-Eclectic style architecture of the development. ID and Design International designed clean, stylish home interiors with modern finishes such as bright kitchens, large balconies, smart home features, and full-size washers and dryers. Kitchens have been furnished to have white quartz countertops, white subway tiles backsplashes, and stainless-steel Samsung appliances. Other home features include oversized showers and windows, elevators in buildings, access-controlled building systems, and best-in-class acoustics designed with noise reduction.

Units range from studios to three-bedrooms, with pricing starting at $1,726. Lincoln Property Company, the second-largest multifamily management company, is handling CasaMara’s leasing and marketing.

“We currently have over 700 prospective renters on our VIP list thus far, and we are very excited about the incredible interest we’re seeing in the project,” said Stefane Spano of Lincoln. “This development offers an unmatched amenities package for the marketplace and is located in an exceptional, convenient area that is minutes away from Downtown West Palm Beach.”

CasaMara’s amenities, also designed by ID and Design International, were created to give tenants a luxury lifestyle experience. These include a resort-style pool with private cabanas, a pool pavilion building with grilling stations and a 60-foot water wall, a Jacuzzi with therapeutic jets, a co-working lounge with private offices and complimentary WiFi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a bark park, a game room with billiards and Wii Stations, a club room with art lounge and fireplace, dining facilities for private parties. There is also a full suite of children’s amenities including a kids pool, an air-conditioned playroom, and an outdoor playground.

“CasaMara presents an opportunity for residents to have everything at their fingertips – resort-style amenities, shops, and restaurants, all steps from their front door,” said Robert Singer, Director of Development at Time Equities. “We are offering an all-inclusive, unparalleled living experience in an area that continues to evolve with exciting cultural additions and modern retail and office complexes.”

The Plaza will provide an inviting environment for the community and shoppers alike with its on-street parking, wide sidewalks with shade trees, lush landscaping, outdoor seating, and a corner park with fountains. Avison Young will be handling the retail leasing and marketing for The Plaza, which is set to open in spring 2021.

CasaMara is conveniently located approximately 1.5 miles south of Downtown West Palm Beach and offers easy access to I-95, Palm Beach International Airport, and all the other splendors Palm Beach and Palm Beach County has to offer.

By Isabella Zimmermann

Crescent Heights Reveals New Renderings of Park Coming To 500 Alton In South Beach

Crescent Heights and Terra has revealed new renderings of the public park coming to 500 and 600 Alton Road, known as the Park on Fifth, as part of their deal to build a 44-story, 553’ tower at the gateway to South Beach. Russell Galbut and David Martin’s proposal was approved with an agreement to transform the former South Shore Hospital site with the tower, which is being designed by Arquitectonica, and the 3-acre park. The JV between Crescent Heights and Terra Group applied for a construction permit in late November 2019 and completion of the new park is expected for 2021. The park will also feature a bridge which will connect the South Pointe Park baywalk with the new Park on Fifth. When complete the tower will be among the tallest in Miami Beach and will feature 410 luxury units which the developer will be allowed to rent as short term rentals with a minimum term of 30 days per rental. Bridge construction will be funded by a $10 million General Obligation Bond which voters approved in November 2018.

New Renderings Revealed Of The Proposed Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce In Wynwood

New renderings have been revealed of the Berenblum Busch Architects-designed proposal for the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, to be located in Wynwood. Located at 2900 NW 5th Ave., the project is being developed by Moishe Mana and will feature 43,466 SF of total development. It is expected to cost around $8.4 million for the build-out and will be part of a land swap between Mana and Miami-Dade. The Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce will be used as a county district office and Puerto Rican Community Center; additionally, the development will offer artist studios, a cafe, community spaces, offices and parking.

Win An Exclusive Tour Of CMC Group's Brickell Flatiron With Ugo Colombo Which Is Being Auctioned Off For Charity

Do you want to spend a day with Ugo Colombo while helping empower young girls through the magic of futbol? Don’t miss your chance to talk shop with Ugo Colombo and receive an exclusive tour of CMC’s Group Brickell Flatiron in support of Goleadoras, a world-wide movement aimed at empowering young girls through the magic of “futbol”. Widely-recognized for creating some of Miami’s most sought-after addresses, including EPIC, Santa Maria, Bristol Towers, this is a rare opportunity to spend a day with one of South Florida’s most respected and successful residential and commercial developers.

“I’ve seen firsthand how being part of a team translates to professional success, which is why I’m proud to support Goleadoras and their work to empower girls in Latin America and beyond through soccer,” said Ugo Colombo, founder of CMC Group. “Soccer teaches patience, perseverance, creativity and discipline, all of which are critical to developing the world’s next generation of young leaders.”

CharityBuzz auction featuring UGO COLOMBO is now live! Visit http://bit.ly/2TPBAui now through December 5, 2018 at 9:34PM EST to place your bid.

Miami-Dade Commissioners Vote To Award $14.3 Million Construction Contract For Underline's Brickell Backyard

Miami-Dade commissioners have voted to award a $14.3 million construction contract to build the Brickell Backyard portion of the Underline. The 1/2 mile project will start at the Miami River and will continue through SW 13th Street under the Metrorail and Metromover, helping to bring green vegetation and park space to the dense, urban Brickell neighborhood. Brickell Backyard will feature dedicated pedestrian and bicycle trails, lush landscaping, a gym area with basketball courts and gym equipment, space for group fitness classes and recreational activities, a staging area for concerts and movies, dining areas and a game area with fixed tables and chairs. The project will also include the reconfiguration of the existing bus stations and intersections along the path. Brickell Backyard will be the first portion of the planned 10-mile Underline. Completion is expected in 2020.

Arbor in Coconut Grove Announces Partnership With Miami-Dade's Million Trees Miami Campaign

The 52-residence Arbor, Coconut Grove’s latest boutique condo offering, jointly developed by Urban Atlantic Group and Oak Ventures, announced a partnership with Miami-Dade County’s Million Trees Miami Campaign. Million Trees Miami is a community effort to plant one million trees by 2020 and achieve a 30% tree canopy, which is the national standard for a healthy, urban environment. The program was created by Neat Streets Miami to bring awareness to the social, economic, and environmental benefits that sustainable urban landscapes provide, including enhanced quality of communities and their sustained livability. Arbor is the first residential development to take part in Miami-Dade County’s initiative to plant one million trees by 2020.  

Nick Hamann, Arbor’s lead developer, is a Coconut Grove resident himself and principal with Urban Atlantic Group. He is the first residential developer to participate in the initiative by registering the trees planted at Arbor with the Million Trees Miami campaign. Hamann says, "It’s important that we set a good policy and lead by example. If we all work together, we can find creative solutions to create and maintain a sustainable urban environment for future generations. We hope our partnership will raise awareness and encourage others to join the cause.” 

Dennis C. Moss, Neat Streets Miami Chairman and Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner, notes how important tree canopy is “[d]ue to Miami-Dade County’s rapid development and recent devastating storms.” As storms and rising sea levels become more unpredictable due to climate change, trees and other vegetation will be key in helping mitigate the effects of flooding, pollution, and erosion. 

Miami joins other metropolitan cities such as Washington D.C., Charlotte, Los Angeles, and New York City, who have recognized the benefits of similar city-wide tree campaigns. Arbor and Million Trees Miami will also team-up throughout the year to host educational and hands-on tree planting events, with the first slated for May 18, 2018 at Coconut Grove Elementary School. 

Sales for Arbor launched in mid-March 2017 and completion is slated for 2019. Residences start at $799,000. Douglas Elliman is exclusively handling sales for the project. For more information or to get involved, visit http://milliontrees.miamidade.gov/home.asp. 

Article by Katya Demina

Read our PROFILE Exclusive with Nick Hamann of Urban Atlantic Group and Jeremy Waks of Oak Ventures, LLC. discussing Arbor and bringing eco-friendly living to Coconut Grove.

Oleta Partners Announces Free Construction Training Program with CBT College

Despite the high demand for commercial construction in recent years, contractors are coming up short on skilled labor due to an ongoing shortage. The low cost of capital and re-emergence of the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market have made lending easier and enabled liquidity, which has fueled the demand for sustainable developments.  

The lack of vocational training in high schools has led to a skills gap and a smaller number of younger students pursuing careers in construction. Project costs and availability of labor are the two most prominent concerns for builders according to members of the National Association of Home Builders. In anticipating an industry need, Oleta Partners announced its partnership with CBT College to offer free construction training to North Miami Senior High School seniors. Oleta Partners is currently developing the largest project in North Miami’s history, SoL Mia, a premier, master-planned community set on 183 acres of the last undeveloped land in South Florida east of Biscayne Boulevard. 

The program, which will be managed by SoL Mia’s Local Preference Office, officially kicked off on March 5th at an orientation with 20 participating students and their parents, CBT College faculty and staff members, Oleta Partners representatives and City officials. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S, added 210,000 new construction jobs in 2017. This program allows Oleta to support the local community and keep up with industry growth by providing a steady supply of labor and fostering the next generation of qualified construction workers. 

“The creation of workforce development programs allows us to positively impact this community long term,” said LeFrak’s Managing Director of Development & Acquisition, Michael Tillman. “This tailored program will equip students with the right skill sets to prepare them for a future career in construction.” "As an additional resource for students, Oleta Partners will also provide free transportation to and from CBT College."

The training will span seven months, beginning in March, during which time students will complete courses in Building Construction Technology and be introduced to different trades such as carpentry, masonry and plumbing. At least 50 percent of the learning will be hand-ons training geared towards providing real-world experience, taught by experienced faculty in the school’s laboratories. Throughout its five locations in Miami-Dade County, CBT College provides access to career training with a focus on technology and sciences. “We’re thrilled to be working with SoL Mia and supporting these students by giving them a leg up in the early stages of their careers,” said Luis Llerena, CBT College’s Miami Gardens Campus Director.

To reconcile the lack of vocational training and an unskilled workforce in the South Florida market, the private sector has taken the initiative upon itself to tackle this public issue. In order to address the gap on a macroeconomic scale, there would need to be a more balanced technical school curriculum, broader career guidance in schools, and a greater availability of training through apprenticeships. Introducing vocational training into the broader school curriculum and creating partnerships for apprenticeships would improve accessibility to training needed for certification, which is usually at least 2,000 hours. Albeit with good intention, parents and guidance counselors are pushing for academic prowess and college education, instead of adapting to rapidly changing technological changes. This leaves students with only two tiers of career options, while neglecting middle-class skilled jobs. College graduate employment rates are at an all time low, so a degree doesn’t guarantee a job anymore either. 

After successful completion of the construction training program, students would earn 21 college credits and would receive a diploma in Building Construction Technology. With their training and diploma, students will be better prepared for a potential future career in an industry that has potential for high wages, demand, and self-employment.

Article by Katya Demina