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Wave Streetcar Project Awarded $18 Million Grant

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The Wave Streetcar Project was awarded an $18 million transportation TIGER grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

This project has been the work of a regional team of partners that includes the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) project sponsor, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (Broward MPO), Broward County, Broward County Transit (BCT), the City of Fort Lauderdale, and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The Wave is viewed as an important next step in creating a regional transit framework that will greatly enhance the economic development, livability, and environment of South Florida.

The first phase of the project will eventually have streetcars running along a 2.7-mile corridor in Downtown Fort Lauderdale and is anticipated to open in late 2015.

Kristin Jacobs, Chair of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority and Vice Mayor of Broward County said, “I am very excited about the future of Broward County with the Wave Streetcar. Creating a sustainable community through transit options and being environmentally responsible have long been among my priorities. This project exemplifies what can result when federal, state, and local governments and agencies partner together for the good of the community. Without the generous support of the Federal Transit Administration and the collaboration of the Florida Department of Transportation, Broward County, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Downtown Development Authority, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Transit, this project would not have come to fruition. We look forward to not only this first phase but to the successful expansion of this system to the west to bring in our sister cities with more choices for mass transit in the future.”

The Broward MPO’s Executive Director, Gregory Stuart commented, “The Wave streetcar will enhance existing transportation choices, radiating out from the Broward MPOs first (funded) mobility hub; the Gateway hub itself is a multi-block location that offers private developers the opportunity to build in a location where multiple boarding’s and alighting’s will occur. The Wave streetcar is a critical starting point for implementing the MPO Board’s vision, to transform transportation options in and around Broward County.”

“The Wave Streetcar is a key investment in the future of the City of Fort Lauderdale,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler. “It will provide enhanced mobility and connectivity throughout our downtown, stimulate economic development, and promote long-term sustainability by offering a quick, convenient and environmentally-friendly public transportation alternative.”

“I believe this is taking our downtown to the next level. This type of infrastructure investment will increase private development by six-fold in and around our downtown. It will lead to improvements such as new housing, fun and exciting shops, boutiques, and galleries. This investment will further eliminate our blighted empty lots, improve drainage, and create a vast system of pedestrian improvements with sidewalks, shade trees, street lighting, and crosswalks,” said DDA Executive Director, Chris Wren.

Steve Einhorn Locked Up

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Yep, Steve Einhorn’s in the slammer.

For the last 14 years or so in June, Steve goes to “Jail” to raise money for the American Cancer Society so that they may continue the fight against this horrible disease that affects almost everyone.  The last couple of years have been tough on a lot of people and that is why it’s even more important to reach deep and do all you can to help.

So many of you come through for Steve each year, for which he is very grateful.  This year, he’s asking if you would serve as a “Jailbird” along with him.  It is fun and a great networking opportunity.  It will take about an hour to an hour and a half any day up to and including Friday, June 29th.

A continental breakfast is served to the Jailbirds in the morning and a sandwich lunch for those there later.

Date:              Tuesday, June 26 through Friday, June 29

Time:             9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (every day)

Place:            Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruiseport Hotel
1825 Griffin Road
Dania Beach, FL 33004

 

If you are out of town, a nice check made out to The American Cancer Society and mailed to Steve c/o Epic Properties, 6521 Orange Drive, Davie, FL 33314 will suffice.

Stiles Realty Appoints New President

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Stiles Realty, the brokerage and leasing division of Stiles, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Paul Marko as president.

In this role, Mr. Marko will assume leadership of the division, directing its market expansion throughout Florida as well as its strategic effort to grow third-party business. Mr. Marko will take over for Stiles’ current president of Realty, Tom Kates, who is retiring after 27 years with the Company.

As president, Mr. Marko will play an integral role in helping Stiles to execute on its strategy to increase Stiles’ footprint across the state while further penetrating its core South Florida markets. In addition to increasing third-party leasing business, he will be responsible for enhancing operations, broker retention, recruiting and professional development. Mr. Marko will also focus on driving growth by leveraging client relationships across the Stiles’ various service divisions, including Property Management, Construction, Architecture, Tenant Improvement and Development.

“Paul’s tremendous expertise combined with the unique structure of Stiles will enable Stiles Realty to achieve the growth we expect in the short-and long-term,” said Stiles Chief Executive Officer, Terry Stiles.  “Paul has a deep knowledge of the local market, proven ability to build long-term relationships with clients and track record of success in the leasing and brokerage arena. With him on the team we will be better positioned to take advantage of new market opportunities while also maintaining our reputation as the leading provider of commercial real estate spaces throughout Florida.”

Prior to joining Stiles, Mr. Marko served for 12 years as First Vice President at CBRE (NYSE: CBG), the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm, according to the company. He also served for six years with Codina Group/Codina Realty Services in a similar capacity.

Mr. Marko will be based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He is active in the community, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Broward Alliance, the local chapter of CoreNet Global, and Junior Achievement of South Florida. He is a native of Fort Lauderdale and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL.

About Stiles

Stiles is a full-service commercial real estate firm with a clear mission: Invest. Build. Manage. Stiles services include leasing and brokerage, property management, development, construction, architecture, acquisitions and financing.  Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Stiles also has regional offices in Miami, Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando, Florida. Stiles is responsible for more than 37 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use residential projects throughout the southeastern United States. For more information, please visit http://www.stiles.com or call 954-627-9300.

Reese Stigliano Joins Brenner

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Reese Stigliano, SIOR has joined Brenner Real Estate Group as Senior Vice President.

Reese brings over 30 years in the commercial real estate industry, most recently serving as principal and partner at Berger Commercial Realty Corp. since late 2006.

Reese’s primary focus is in disposition of Banked Owned Real Estate, investment sales, land sales and office leasing.  Prior to Berger, Reese was the Managing Partner and the founder of CPRA, a full service Real Estate Brokerage Company. During Reese’s last year at CPRA, he was involved 26 transactions including five major investment property sales exceeding $35 million, nine land sales in excess of 250 acres and thirteen separate lease transactions.

At Brenner, Reese will continue to work on complicated commercial transactions with a strong focus on distressed assets and land sales.

You can learn more about Reese Stigliano by visiting his blog at ReeseOnRealEstate.com.

NAI/Merin Hunter Codman Names New CFO

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NAI/Merin Hunter Codman, Inc., announced that Dung T. Lam has joined the firm as Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Lam is a seasoned real estate veteran who has extensive experience leading the financial operations of major real estate development, management and investment firms. He previously served as CFO for several prominent South Florida real estate firms including J.I. Kislak, Inc., where he had fiscal and operational oversight over corporate investments and a national commercial real estate portfolio, Royal Palm Communities where he was involved in the acquisition and development of over $500 million in residential assets and the Swerdlow Group, where he had fiscal oversight of the $5 billion Biscayne Landing mixed-use development in North Miami.

Mr. Lam brings to NAI/Merin Hunter Codman a strong background in numerous areas including capital raising, investment analysis, acquisitions and property management.  He further provides broad-based strategic planning and corporate finance experience honed while working in financial leadership positions at the Washington Redskins and at the Walt Disney Corporation.

“Dung Lam brings an extraordinarily strong background to NAI/Merin Hunter Codman” said Jordan C. Paul, CEO of NAI/Merin Hunter Codman. “He has a diverse set of skills and an outstanding history of accomplishment in a variety of challenging environments.  We are excited about bringing someone with his strong background and skill set to our firm and look forward to him helping us  build on NAI/Merin Hunter Codman’s three decades of excellence.  We foresee significant opportunities to invest with and help create value for our clients as Florida’s commercial real estate markets strengthen over the coming years, and Dung’s talents and experience will bolster our existing service platforms and help us expand into new areas of opportunity. “

At NAI/Merin Hunter Codman, Mr. Lam will oversee the accounting and financial management functions for the firm and its 5 million square foot management and leasing portfolio which includes office, industrial and retail properties throughout Florida. Mr. Lam is also expected to broaden the firm’s reach into other sectors including multifamily, where he has extensive experience having previously served as a Board of Director member of the National Multi Housing Council.  Mr. Lam will also be involved in capital-raising as the firm looks to raise funds that will allow it to invest side by side on a select basis with key clients on properties that it manages.

Added Dung T. Lam of his new role as CFO of NAI/Merin Hunter Codman, “I am very excited about joining NAI Merin Hunter Codman and was drawn to the firm’s successful 30-year track record and leadership. I plan to build on the firm’s strong existing platform with an eye toward enhancing and adding new customized concepts to better serve clients and broaden the firm’s comprehensive real estate services.”

Mr. Lam’s prior work at Walt Disney Corporation in the Strategic Planning group  included spearheading the planning and pricing for the Disneyland Resort including Disney’s California Adventure theme park and responsibility for financial oversight related to the five-star Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Prior to joining Disney, Mr. Lam was the Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis for the Washington Redskins where he  helped drive the franchise into the 2nd most valuable in the NFL, increasing its value from approximately $800 million to $1.5 billion in just two years.

Mr. Lam began his career on the financial side of the defense industry working for Northrop Grumman in a division focused on homeland security post 9/11, and before that, at Lockheed Martin where he initially received his formal professional training in corporate finance and accounting. Mr. Lam holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. from the University of Maryland.

Mental Focus Is Critical In Negotiations

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By Marty Latz

Let’s say you’re driving to work, your cell rings, and it’s your negotiation counterpart. You answer the phone. Before you say a word, who has the advantage? Your counterpart.

Why? No matter how bright you are or how good you are on your feet, you’re probably not strategically thinking about that negotiation at that exact moment. And your counterpart has almost certainly spent a little bit of time thinking about that negotiation.

So what should you do? Call them back or let it go to voice mail.

Here’s the problem. In today’s multitasking world in which we all seem to have cells and other communication devices with us 24/7, our ability to focus on important communications often seems to take a back seat to just getting more done.

Many years ago while practicing law a time-management guru told me I should only work on one thing at a time. Multitasking, he said, is not only inefficient but reduces effectiveness too.

The ability to intensely focus, listen, reflect, analyze and carefully and strategically choose your words is especially critical in significant negotiations. So how can you increase your ability to focus?

Reduce multitasking

The obvious first step is to reduce multitasking. When you’re on an important call, don’t monitor incoming emails on your computer. When you’re driving in traffic, don’t initiate an important call.

Look, I know almost all of you will continue to multitask. But make a conscious effort to reduce it during important negotiations.

Eliminate distractions

I usually clear my desk of unrelated paper and minimize open computer programs in advance of important conversations so I can better focus. I also try not to take important calls except when I’m at my desk or where it’s relatively quiet. Sometimes in my car I will also pull off and park so I can concentrate. These little things can make a big difference.

Initiate the call or set telephone appointments

Initiating the call or setting a telephone appointment will guarantee you the time beforehand to focus on your goals for that conversation. This is critical.

Telephone appointments also minimize the possibility of inefficient phone tag.

Also set your appointments for times you can mentally focus. For me, this means not too late at night or too early in the morning.

Spend time before the call reviewing your goals

Of course, just because you have the time to prepare doesn’t mean you will. At the least, spend a few minutes reviewing your goals for the call and playing out how the conversation could go.

I know next time you’re in your car and your cell rings with your counterpart, you’ll probably still answer it and engage. And many of these suggestions may seem like just common sense.

Yet it’s easy to get caught up in everything around you and not take these steps. Don’t. So, when that conversation is significant enough for you to take a little bit of extra time preparing, you initiate the call.

Source:  Latz Negotiation Institute