Miami announces new Convention Center (gives thanks to AAF)

[spuwho]

The Miami Herald is reporting that MDM development is pushing forward with the new Miami Convention Center and a 1800 room Marriott hotel.



Highly noted is the impetus MDM got when they saw that FECI was developing their Miami train station for All Aboard Florida, which is across the street from the MDM 4 block parcel. Also noted is that this development will have direct pedestrian access to the new AAF station.

The convention center and hotel would be linked directly to the train station and the Overtown Metrorail station through sky bridges

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/16/3401657/massive-new-convention-center.html

The YouTube video of the development prominently shows the planned Miami AAF station and tower.

http://youtu.be/Aui9oP-IE9o

How related the two developments are could be debated, but it does show how investment in a urban transit center can trigger investment in nearby properties.

[thelakelander]

Nice!

[mbwright]

So it really is true, trains bring development.  What a novelty!!   
Maybe Jax could get on board, and restore our station, and then get a hotel and legit convention center.

[tufsu1]

this is somewhat being driven by "fear of" competition.....Miami Beach is getting ready to revamp and enlarge their convention center

[thelakelander]

Is there enough business down there for two major convention centers so close to one another?  Also, is this a 100% privately funded convention center?

[tufsu1]

from what I can tell, this one wouldn't be that big...and best guess is it would put the existing downtown Miami Convention Center (attached to a Hyatt hotel) out of business

[Ocklawaha]

Is there enough business down there for two major convention centers so close to one another?  Also, is this a 100% privately funded convention center?

According to the local jokes in various countries in South America, 'Miami is the capital of Latin America.'  When flying south of the border the volumes of visitors is staggering.

[fsujax]

the article says it is 100% private, but there has to be some public dollars in there somewhere.

[simms3]

Contrast that very low budget good for the late 90s video to a YouTube video presentation for the Portman-CMC partnership's bid to do the Miami Beach CC redevelopment.

http://www.youtube.com/v/mDPDuVsM_7o?hl=en_US&version=3&amp

Plus I like the Miami Beach proposals so much more than that attrociously large hulking behemoth in one of the most questionable areas of DT Miami.  (just so you know how I feel)

[I-10east]

^^^I have to agree, I'm not felling that twisty bookpage ribbon Marriott. Then again, it seems to me that the most uniquely horrific and expensive monstrosities are the most adorned and sought after, kinda like Paris runway fashion.