Construction On Brightline Rail Connecting Miami To Orlando Passes Halfway Point

Construction on Brightline’s new rail line connecting Miami to Orlando has passed the halfway point. Construction broke ground in April 2019 and is both on schedule and within budget to date. Brightline anticipates that they will be launching service from Miami to Orlando in Q4 2022. Construction on the line between West Palm Beach and Cocoa is 38% complete and construction between Cocoa and Orlando International Airport is over 57% complete.

Brightline expects to resume service between Miami and West Palm Beach in Q3 2021 along with the addition of an Aventura station. In Q1 2022 Brightline will add additional stations in PortMiami and Boca Raton with the extension to Orlando expected to commence service Q4 2022. Brightline plans to open the Station at Disney Springs in Q4 2023.

Brightline And Disney Announce Plans To Build A Train Station In Walt Disney World Connecting To Orlando International Airport And Miami

Brightline has recently announced a plan to build a new train station at Walt Disney World in Orlando, connecting directly to Orlando International Airport and Miami. Brightline, who currently operates trains between Miami and West Palm Beach, has been seeking expansion to Orlando since launching in 2018. The next stop will be Orlando International Airport, expected to be completed by 2022, with future plans to extend to Walt Disney World. The new Disney station will open in the Disney Springs complex, a popular spot for dining and entertainment such as live music and shows. 

Millions of people visit Disney World every year. Brightline’s new train will make easy access for Disney tourists flying into Orlando International Airport, and also will allow visitors from Miami to travel directly to Disney World without a car for the first time. The train service from Miami to Orlando International Airport is on schedule to begin in 2022, but there is no set timeline for the Disney World station yet. Brightline is also currently working on engineering a future expansion to Tampa. The Brightline was developed by Florida East Coast Industries.

AirBNB Announces Global Party Ban And Occupancy Cap

One of the leading homesharing platforms, AirBNB, has announced a global ban on all parties and events at Airbnb listings, including a cap on occupancy at 16. This party ban applies to all future bookings on Airbnb and it will remain in effect indefinitely until further notice.

Unauthorized parties have always been prohibited at Airbnb listings. 73% percent of AirBNB listings globally already ban parties in their House Rules, and the vast majority of our guests behave in manners that show respect for House Rules and for neighbors. AirBNB has historically allowed hosts to use their best judgment and authorize small parties, such as baby showers or birthday parties, if they’re appropriate for their home and their neighborhood. 

Last year, AirBNB began imposing much stricter limits, starting with a global ban on “party houses,” meaning, listings that create persistent neighborhood nuisance. AirBNB also launched a 24/7 neighborhood support hotline in the U.S. and Canada, with plans for global expansion, to communicate directly with neighbors and help effectively enforce the party house ban.

Since the pandemic was declared, and social distancing became an important element in promoting public health and responsible travel, AirBNB updated their policies including the removal both the “event-friendly” search filter from their website as well as “parties and events allowed” House Rules from any event-friendly listings. AirBNB also introduced a new policy requiring all users to adhere to local COVID-19 public health mandates.

However, in many large jurisdictions, public health mandates on gatherings have changed in response to the changing rates of COVID cases. Some have chosen to take bar and club behavior to homes, sometimes rented through AirBNB’s platform. AirBNB has tagged the conduct is incredibly irresponsible and has chosen that they do not want that type of business, and anyone engaged in or allowing that behavior, on their platform. Based on these developments, AirBNB feels that instituting a global ban on parties and events is in the best interest of public health.

License Agreement Ends Between Brightline And Virgin Trains USA Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The partnership between Brightline and Virgin Trains has been terminated amid the COVID-19 pandemic and South Florida’s new commuter train service will go back to using the Brightline brand. The train service which runs between Downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, has not run since March 25 and has laid off 250 employees. Virgin Trains USA was expected to make a minority investment into the Brightline train system which was set to complete their rebrand to Virgin Trains by mid-2020. Brightline and Virgin Trains had signed a Licensing Agreement in November 2018 although Brightline’s parent company, Fortress Investment Group, reportedly sent a termination notice in July of this year.

Meridiam Becomes Lead Investment Partner in Miami Beach Monorail Consortium’s Beach Corridor Plan

The Miami Beach Monorail Consortium has announced that the global infrastructure investment firm Meridiam has become the lead investment partner for the Consortium’s proposed mass transit monorail that would connect Downtown Miami and Miami Beach. The company, which has over $8 billion in assets under management across the globe, previously took over and completed the Port of Miami Tunnel project. The tunnel’s infrastructure required a workforce of 7,000 people, 83% of which came from the local community.

Over the past 30 years, studies have shown that the Interstate 395/MacArthur Causeway Beach Corridor is in need of a robust mass-transit solution that can benefit both visitors and regular commuters. The Miami Beach Monorail Consortium hopes to fulfill this public transit need for commuters and visitors alike with the County’s Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Beach Corridor plan. The Corridor, which runs from the Design District and Downtown Miami to the Miami Beach Convention Center area, has been identified as one of the six SMART Plan Corridors by Miami-Dade County’s Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), which are priority areas that need public mass transit. 

The Consortium presents the monorail as an innovative and modern model that will enhance Miami-Dade County’s standing as a smart city and alleviate traffic congestion on the MacArthur Causeway. The monorail is expected to create more efficient methods of transportation for Miami residents, while also generating thousands of jobs for its construction.

A Parsons study commissioned by Miami-Dade County estimates ridership for the monorail at more than 9,000 passengers per day and suggested elevated rubber tire technology as the best option to use for the Beach Corridor plan. These findings were later approved by Miami-Dade County’s TPO in December 2019.

“We are excited with the possibility of delivering another cutting-edge infrastructure project in Miami that will serve the community for decades to come,” said Jamie Rubin, CEO of Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corp. Meridiam is a founding member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Investment Partnership. “We have submitted a proposal that we hope meets all Miami-Dade County’s requirements to bring a much-needed public transit solution that will connect two of Miami’s most important hubs for residents, tourists and businesses. After the Port of Miami, it will be another sustainable and impactful infrastructure for Miami, dedicated to improving the quality of people’s lives”

“The success of the Port of Miami Tunnel would not have been possible without a strong partnership with hundreds of Miami companies with local knowledge,” said Christopher Hodgkins, Chief Executive Officer for Port of Miami Tunnel. “Meridiam can now utilize the expertise gained through the Tunnel project to once again hire local workers and companies who will help deliver the monorail safely and efficiently.” 

Meridiam joins existing Consortium partners Genting and Aqualand Development, which submitted an unsolicited proposal in 2019 that became the source for a public Request for Proposals (RFP) that is currently being conducted by the County. The Consortium has submitted a proposal with further details on its approach in response to that RFP.

By Isabella Zimmermann

Tracking COVID-19 By The Numbers: Breaking News In South Florida

(Last Updated 6:14 AM 3/27/2020):

BREAKING: 

• City of Miami officials have announced a curfew for its residents that will begin Friday night. According to officials, all residents must be indoors from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. (3/27/2020)

• Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach have ordered all hotels, motels and short-term rentals to begin immediately shutting down and vacate their guests, with full-closure by 11:59 PM on Monday, March 23. (3/21/2020)

• Miami-Dade Mayor Issues Executive Order Closing All Non-Essential Business 9 PM Thursday. (3/20/2020)

• All U.S. Citizens traveling around the world should return home ASAP or be prepared to stay abroad for an indefinite period. (3/19/2020)

Continue to check back for updates to below as we continue to track COVID-19 across South Florida:  

Stats:

• Number of Cases in Florida: 830+ (3/23/2020)

• Fatalities in Florida: 13+ (3/23/2020)

• Number of Global Cases: 351,000+ (3/23/2020)

• Global Fatalities: 15,321+ (3/23/2020)

• Number of U.S. Cases: 35,075+ (3/23/2020)

• Fatalities in the U.S.: 458+ (3/23/2020)

Miami-Dade County:

• Miami-Dade County # Cases: 2900+ (3/27/2020)

• BREAKING: Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach have ordered all hotels, motels and short-term rentals to begin immediately shutting down and vacate their guests, with full-closure by 11:59 PM on Monday, March 23. (3/21/2020)

• BREAKING: Miami-Dade Mayor Issues Executive Order Closing All Non-Essential Business (3/20/2020)

• CONFIRMED CASES IN BRISTOL TOWER BRICKELL & SOHO BEACH HOUSE (3/19/2020)

• Officials have ordered the closure of all restaurants, bars, movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, clubs, gyms, arcades, bowling alleys, etc. which will go into effect 11 PM Tuesday. All grocery stores, pharmacies, take-out and delivery services will remain open at this time (3/17/2020)

  • All bars and nightclubs will be closed for 30 days.

  • Restaurants will only be able to operate at half capacity.

  • Exceptions granted if they have a capacity of 10 people or less.

  • Mayor Carlos Jimenez signed the emergency order, but remains in self-quarantine after being exposed to a Brazilian government official who tested positive following a visit to South Florida.

• Miami-Dade Public Schools are now closed through at least April 15. (3/19/2020)

  • Miami-Dade Public Schools have closed this week and next. (3/16/2020)

• Key Biscayne and North Miami Beach have implemented curfew between 10 PM and 5 AM (3/19/2020)

• Officials have closed the beach from 5th to 15th Street, including Lummus Park.

• All city parking garages are closed to non-residents.

• In addition, all non-essential retail stores will be required to close at 10 p.m. daily. (3/16/2020)

  • Businesses excluded from this directive include: Pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, private offices, banks, hotels, hospitals, medical service providers, medical supply stores, hardware stores, gasoline service stations and automotive supply and repair centers.

• An entertainment district curfew will go into effect at 11 p.m.

• All restaurants are asked to keep occupancy at 50% or less, and have under 250 people in each establishment at any given time.

• Ultra Music Festival has been cancelled.

• Miami Music Week has been cancelled.

• ArtScape Concert has been cancelled.

• The Miami Open Tennis Tournament has been cancelled. 

• University of Miami & FIU have moved classes online until the end of the spring semester. (3/20/2020)

• University of Miami Spring Commencement postponed until December. (3/20/2020)

• The Hardrock Seminole Hotel & Casino has suspended entertainment operations. 

• Calle Ocho Festival has been cancelled.

• Mayor Francis Suarez has confirmed that he has COVID-19.

Broward County:

• Broward County # Cases: 180+ (3/23/2020)

• Broward County Public Schools are now closed through at least April 15. (3/19/2020)

• Officials have closed the beach from Harbor Beach to Oakland Park Boulevard.

• Restaurants and bars must close by 10 p.m.

• Restaurants and bars are asked to operate at 50% capacity and have no more than 250 people at any time.

• The Tortuga Music Festival, which was set to run from April 17-19, has been postponed.

• The Wharf Fort Lauderdale is closed until further notice.

• The listed measures will remain in effect until April 12.

Palm Beach County:

• Palm Beach County # Cases: 59+ (3/23/2020)

• Town of Palm Beach implements curfew until further notice from 9 P.M. - 6 A.M. (3/18/2020)

• Palm Beach County Public Schools are now closed through at least April 15. (3/19/2020)

• Beaches will be closed on Tuesday 3/17/2020

• Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities are closed to visitors.

• Drive-through testing underway at FoundCare (2330 S. Congress Ave, West Palm Beach - call 561-967-0365 to see if you qualify and for appointments)

National:

• BREAKING: The Federal Government has passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package.

• United States of America # Cases: 35,075+ (3/23/2020)

• United States of America Fatalities: 458+ (3/23/2020)

• Income tax filing deadline moved to July 15 (3/20/2020)

• Foreclosures and HUD evictions have been halted for 60 days.

• CDC recommends ban on gatherings of 10+ people. 

• The Players Championship was cancelled & PGA Tour is suspended.

• NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS have suspended their seasons. 

• All ski resorts have closed.

The Grand Hyatt Selected as Flag for New Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel

The development team behind Miami Beach’s new Convention Center hotel announced today that the 800-room property will be operated by Hyatt under the luxury Grand Hyatt brand, when it opens to guests in 2023. Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will create a new hospitality option for visitors attending events at the adjacent Miami Beach Convention Center, which underwent a $600 million renovation that was completed last year, and will anchor the Convention Center District.

The new hotel will become the second Grand Hyatt property in Florida, joining Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Grand Hyatt hotels are designed to connect guests with iconic experiences, landmarks and cultural touchstones in captivating destinations around the world. Hallmarks of the brand include bold and vibrant design and architecture, elevated amenities and welcoming service that creates moments of more.

The hotel development is being led by David Martin of Terra and Jackie Soffer of Turnberry, whose plans for the hotel were overwhelmingly approved by Miami Beach voters in 2018. The 17-story hotel will be situated at the intersection of 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, within walking distance of the beachfront, Lincoln Road Mall, New World Symphony, The Bass Museum and The Fillmore Miami Beach.

“For years, Miami Beach has served as a global destination for arts, culture, shopping, dining and entertainment, but the City has lacked a true headquarters hotel for top-tier conventions and meetings,” said Martin and Soffer. “South Florida’s first Grand Hyatt hotel will maximize Miami Beach’s investment in its re-imagined Convention Center while bridging the physical gap that exists between the Convention Center District and surrounding neighborhoods.”

 Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will be designed by architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia and his firm, Miami-based Arquitectonica. The development team also includes partner Craig Robins of Dacra, who is the visionary behind the Miami Design District and helped revive Miami Beach’s Art Deco District in the 1990s; Stonehill Taylor, which is designing the hotel’s interior lobby and lounges, ballroom and meeting rooms, hotel rooms and all common areas; EOA, which is designing the pool deck hospitality features of the hotel; and Arquitectonica GEO, which is creating lush pedestrian promenades and landscapes.

Hotel features are expected to include 12 floors of guest rooms offering views of Miami Beach, two floors of meeting spaces and ballrooms that will complement the Convention Center, a resort-style pool deck with panoramic views, and limited retail space that will activate the district at street level. An elevated skybridge will enable event attendees to move freely between the hotel and Convention Center in a climate-controlled, art-filled corridor. 

Plans also include landscaped pedestrian promenades on surrounding streets, bike sharing stations, connectivity with public transit routes, dedicated ridesharing pick-up and drop-off zones, and direct access between the Convention Center and Lincoln Road. The project’s resiliency and sustainability measures include storm water management and reuse, flood risk mitigation, and the use of solar power – all of which are designed to ensure operational continuity during weather events.

“The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) joins Terra, Turnberry and The City of Miami Beach in welcoming the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach as the newly named brand for the 800-room headquarter hotel connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center,” said William D. Talbert, III, CDME, President of the GMCVB.  “Grand Hyatt Miami Beach makes it possible to better compete for citywide conventions which fuel jobs in our community and generates business for all of Greater Miami’s hotels and merchants. We look forward to the hotel ground-breaking which once completed will finalize the Miami Beach Convention Center District.” 

By Katya Demina

Virgin Trains Announces Aventura, PortMiami & Boca Raton Stations Will Open In October 2020

Virgin Trains has announced that both the Aventura, PortMiami and Boca Raton stations are expected to come online in October 2020. Formerly known as Brightline, the train line is now in negotiations with Orlando entertainment parks and venues for a 2nd Orlando station while the Orlando International Airport station remains on schedule. Aventura will get a $77 million train station with on-site parking and a pedestrian bridge to Aventura Mall, which is the 2nd most visited mall in the United States with over 28 million visitors annually. Construction is expected to start late December 2019 to early 2020. The Boca raton station expects to break ground before the end of 2019 as well. Other stations in the works include PortMiami which is expected to open in late 2020 with construction set to begin in Q1 2020. The PortMiami, Aventura and Boca Raton stations are expected to bring an additional 2 million riders to the train system with Virgin Trains now looking at a railway expansion west of the Orlando International Airport. Virgin continues its expansion into South Florida with Virgin Voyages, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Trains.

13th Floor Investments & Adler Group Break Ground On The Transit Oriented Link at Douglas

13th Floor Investments and Adler Group have broken ground on one of Miami’s most anticipated transit oriented development, Link at Douglas. The development team is beginning site work this month and vertical construction of the development’s first phase is expected to begin this summer (2019). The 7- acre development will redevelop Miami’s Douglas Road Metrorail station and will be comprised of rental units (including workforce housing), retail and office space, and a public plaza. The project will deliver privately-funded infrastructure upgrades at a critical connection point within the County’s transit system and is expected to generate $500 million in new revenue for Miami-Dade County. The development team has also pledged over $17 million in public infrastructure improvements including $1 million for The Underline linear park.

Link at Douglas is set to be built in phases over the next five years and will include 1,500 residential units including a workforce housing component, 25,000 SF of retail space, a 250,000 SF office building, and a public plaza that connects with The Underline, a 10-mile-long linear park running from Downtown Miami through neighborhoods to the south. The development’s first tower, designed by Corwil Architects and comprising 312 apartment units and 6,000 SF of retail in 22-stories, will break ground in July. The development of tower two, a 36-story building designed by Arquitectonica including 421 apartment units and 17,000 SF of retail, will begin in October. Approximately 100 of the 733 units will be designated as workforce housing units.

“As Miami-Dade’s population experiences rapid growth, we need to come up with forward thinking ways to reduce road congestion and that begins with connecting people with alternative forms of transit,” said Arnaud Karsenti, Managing Principal of 13th Floor Investments. “Link at Douglas will set a new standard for urban living in this part of Miami-Dade County, improving access to jobs, attainable housing opportunities, everyday amenities, retail and office space for our residents and neighbors.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Miami Dade County in further enhancing the community through this pedestrian and transit-oriented development,” said Michael M. Adler, CEO of Adler Group. “By focusing on design, public spaces and the connection to transit we feel that this project will enrich all of Miami Dade County.”

Link at Douglas marks the second transit-oriented development spearheaded by 13th Floor Investments and Adler Group. Motion at Dadeland, a 294-unit rental community adjacent to the Dadeland North Metrorail station, opened to residents in April 2019.

MSC Cruises Reveals Supersized Arquitectonica-Designed Cruise Terminal In PortMiami

MSC Cruises has revealed a new supersized Arquitectonica-designed cruise ship terminal coming to PortMiami. The terminal will be the largest in PortMiami at 350,000 SF, nearly double Royal Caribbean’s 170,000 SF Crown of Miami Terminal. The MSC Cruises terminal will be able to host 2 ships at a time and will be able to process 28,000 passengers per day. The terminal will also house its own parking with 2,000 parking spaces within the structure. Arquitectonica designed the terminal by drawing inspiration from Italian yachts, paying homage to MSC’s Italian heritage. Construction is expected to start in early 2020 with completion estimated for late 2022.