Florida Trend articles from January 2009

Florida Trend archives from January 2009

10 commandments in the first 60 days.(FloridaTrend.com: THE WEBSITE OF FLORIDA BUSINESS)
January 1, 2009... Juan Enriquez has some suggestions on what President Barack Obama and the rest of us have to do to fix America's economic mess. Watch his slideshow. Enriquez is chairman and CEO of life sciences research and investment firm Biotechonomy and is...

Courtroom animation.(FloridaTrend.com: THE WEBSITE OF FLORIDA BUSINESS)
January 1, 2009... Watch a demonstration of Legal Art Work's 3-D courtroom animation. A story about the Jacksonville company is on page 88 of this issue.

Conservation calendar.(FloridaTrend.com: THE WEBSITE OF FLORIDA BUSINESS)
January 1, 2009... View a slideshow of the works of 12 Florida environmental photographers, including Carlton Ward Jr., James Valentine and Clyde Butcher, who have collaborated on a 2009 calendar featuring their work and promoting Florida's conservation efforts.

Miami's Art Basel.(FloridaTrend.com: THE WEBSITE OF FLORIDA BUSINESS)
January 1, 2009... Almost half of the art galleries at Art Basel in Miami reported lower sales last month. View a slideshow of international artwork at Miami's Art Basel. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Encouraging excellence.(Corner Office)
January 1, 2009... One of the most rewarding accomplishments during my 17 years as publisher was the launch of our teen magazine, Florida Trend's NEXT. We started NEXT in 2000 as a way to provide teens with the information they need to prepare for life after high...

U.S. sugar and the everglades.(Readers)
January 1, 2009... We must move forward decisively with Florida's proposed acquisition of U.S. Sugar. This development is a sound and critically necessary investment in the Everglades restoration process. Mark Howard's analysis of the landmark U.S. Sugar land...

Affordable housing.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... I was glad to see FLORIDA TREND covering the affordable housing market ["This Housing Market Still Booms," November, FloridaTrend.com]. However, I believe the article could have more accurately reflected the impact that the current real estate...

Correction.(Readers)(Correction notice)
January 1, 2009... Okeechobee County's public school enrollment rose by 9 students from 2007-08, or 0.13%. Bay County's enrollment fell by 951, or -3.62%.

Harris Hopkins Mullen: Florida Trend founder : 1924-2008.(Tribute)(Obituary)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Harris Mullen died on Dec. 10 at age 84, he left a thriving business legacy, one built on a mix of foresight and determination. For decades, he was a leader in Tampa and Ybor City, where his transformation of a...

Modernized menus.(DINING & SPIRITS)(Gasparilla Inn)(Hotel review)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] After almost 100 years, the Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande has not lost its gentility. Its colors are daffodil yellow and crisp white trimmed with forest green, a prim village of summer/winter cottages surrounding a...

A taste of something new.(Florida Life: R&R Florida-Style)(Chalet Suzanne)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To the northeast of Gasparilla Inn, the landmark Chalet Suzanne has added an alternative to its traditional five-course banquet from the romaine soup of astronaut fame to lobster Newburg. New tastes have sparked up...

Wine & spirits.(Florida Life: R&R Florida-Style)
January 1, 2009... RED Pahlmeyer merlot Napa Valley $100 Ye of little faith in merlot better join this cult for the 2005. Pahlmeyer's merlot is the best this side of St. Emilion. Big flavors of berries, chocolate and cinnamon spices, cloaked in...

Mood ring.(TAMPA)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lights On Tampa, a public installation of massive light displays, often projected onto buildings, opens Jan. 10. Participating artists include Casa Magica, Chris Doyle, Marina Zurkow, Will Pappenheimer and Carlton...

Smithsonian masters.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Frost Art Museum at Florida International University opened late last year with six exhibitions in its nine galleries. The exhibitions include "Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum" through...

Body of work.(TALLAHASSEE)(Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Our Body: The Universe Within" featuring nine polymer-preserved human bodies and 75 organs, opens Jan. 17 at Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science in Tallahassee. The exhibit displays the art and complexities of the...

19th-century illustrations.(OCALA)(Appleton Museum of Art)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ocala's Appleton Museum of Art features "Winslow Homer in America" through Jan. 18, with 142 wood engravings by the celebrated 19th-century American artist. Homer's illustrations, created in the heyday of magazine...

Fun & games.(FLORIDA GETAWAYS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * The biggest names in food and wine, Romanee-Conti, Peter Michael, Screaming Eagle, Emeril Lagasse, John Besh and Michael Mina are heading for the Naples Winter Wine Festival Feb. 6-8. It's $7,500 per couple and has...

New Year's resolutions.(LIFESTYLES)
January 1, 2009... FLORIDA TREND asked three of Florida's top business leaders about their New Year's resolutions, past and present. Pounding the Pavement [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steve Odland Chairman/CEO, Office Depot Delray Beach ...

Doug Williams.(Icon)
January 1, 2009... [Retired NFL quarterback, Super Bowl XXII most valuable player, former head coach at Brambling State University, personnel executive for the Tampa Bag Buccaneers; age 53] * We didn't have running water at our house until I was 14 years...

Tampa & Hillsborough County.(Community Portrait)(County overview)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] During 2009, FLORIDA TREND will publish a series of profiles of Florida communities that we're calling Community Portraits. More than just gathering data, we're trying to capture the elements that make each community...

The freshman class: the Florida House gets 35 new members. All seven new senators served in the House.(Around the State: Statewide News
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thanks to term limits, there are plenty of fresh faces in Tallahassee this year. The seven new state senators are all veterans of the Florida House of Representatives, but Florida voters elected 35 new lawmakers to...

Grand design.(DESIGN DISTRICT)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 18-square-block area just north of downtown Miami known as the Miami Design District long ago secured its reputation as a place to shop for high-style furnishings, view art collections and enjoy design. Now the...

Miami-based Ocean Bank will have a receiver take over the 438-unit Terzetto at Aventura.(AVENTURA)
January 1, 2009... Miami-based Ocean Bank will have a receiver take over the 438-unit Terzetto at Aventura after Merco Group indicated it could not finish the development.

Real estate developer Turnberry is partnering with Miami-based Group 24.(AVENTURA)
January 1, 2009... Real estate developer Turnberry is partnering with Miami-based Group 24 to develop a $300-million, 40-story condominium in San Francisco called Turnberry Tower.

Embassy Suites.(CORAL GABLES)
January 1, 2009... Chiman Patel plans to build a 250-room Embassy Suites across the street from downtown Miami's Brickell Metrorail Station.

MBF Healthcare Acquisition.(CORAL GABLES)
January 1, 2009... MBF Healthcare Acquisition terminated its agreement to purchase Pennsylvania-based Critical Homecare Solutions Holdings.

Adrienne Arsht pledged $5 million to the University of Miami.(CORAL GABLES)
January 1, 2009... Adrienne Arsht pledged $5 million to the University of Miami, including $2 million for the university's ethics program and $1 million to create a retinal degeneration research laboratory at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the UM Miller...

Hialeah Hospital.(HIALEAH)
January 1, 2009... Hialeah Hospital opened its new operating facility After a $12-million renovation.

Miami Center office building.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... A New York subsidiary of Japan's Sumitomo Corp. paid $260 million for downtown's 34-story Miami Center office building, which adjoins the InterContinental Hotel.

Brickell Key developer Swire Properties, based in Hong Kong, paid $41.3 million for 5.65 acres near Brickell Avenue.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Brickell Key developer Swire Properties, based in Hong Kong, paid $41.3 million for 5.65 acres near Brickell Avenue. The seller, New York-based iStar Financial, had taken the land back from developer J. Kevin Reilly.

An investment fund led by Jorge Hernandez paid $22 million for a parcel of land.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... An investment fund led by Jorge Hernandez paid $22 million for a parcel of land on Brickell Avenue next to the Four Seasons Tower.

Marina Blue condominium tower.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... A Miami investment group purchased the commercial component of the Marina Blue condominium tower, paying $14.7 million for 23 condos. The commercial portion is unfinished, although the residential part of the tower is complete.

$10 million to the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Herrera Petroleum Chairman Rafael Herrera and his family donated $10 million to the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation. Herrera's son is the hospital's chief research officer.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... The publicly owned Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts doubled attendance and balanced its budget, ending fiscal 2008 $1.5 million under budget--versus a deficit of $2.5 million in 2007.

Merrill-Stevens.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Yacht services firm Merrill-Stevens will discontinue its yacht sales and charter divisions and focus on yacht repair, refit and maintenance.

Commercial real estate firm Adler Group formed a $100-million fund to buy commercial properties with seed money from a European investor.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Commercial real estate firm Adler Group formed a $100-million fund to buy commercial properties with seed money from a European investor. The fund, Helios AR Real Estate Fund t, acquired Breckenridge Park in Tampa for $28.4 million.

Developer Sergio Pino has started Century Opportunity Fund to buy land in the county.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Developer Sergio Pino has started Century Opportunity Fund to buy land in the county. Current investors include Sedano's Supermarkets Vice President Armando Guerra, Hispanic USA principal Jose Cancela and prominent attorney Ramon Rasco. The...

Developer Jorge Perez of the Related Group and Philadelphia private equity firm Lubert-Adler launched a $1-billion fund to make bulk condo purchases.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Developer Jorge Perez of the Related Group and Philadelphia private equity firm Lubert-Adler launched a $1-billion fund to make bulk condo purchases and have already begun buying units in south Florida.

Met 2 Financial Center office tower.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Developers of the Met 2 Financial Center office tower, which will include 750,000 square feet of office space in downtown Miami, secured a $250-million construction loan.

Alonzo Mourning Charities.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Alonzo Mourning Charities has asked the county to lease it five acres in Overtown to develop a 190-unit affordable rental housing project.

Mercy Hospital and a partnership led by Miami-based Related Group called off a controversial deal.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Mercy Hospital and a partnership led by Miami-based Related Group called off a controversial deal to build condos on a 6.7-acre parcel of hospital-owned land next to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

Royal Caribbean.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Cruise line Royal Caribbean will begin sailing from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2010, when it deploys Brilliance of the Seas.

Burger King signed a deal with Broad Street Licensing Group that will bring out a line of apparel.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Burger King signed a deal with Broad Street Licensing Group that will bring out a line of apparel, including T-shirts and men's loungewear featuring the Burger King brand and its King character.

Private equity firm H.I.G. Capital acquired two specialty chemicals companies: Petroferm and Uniqema Americas1, whose combined sales exceed $300 million.(MIAMI)
January 1, 2009... Private equity firm H.I.G. Capital acquired two specialty chemicals companies: Petroferm and Uniqema Americas1, whose combined sales exceed $300 million. H.I.G. also acquired Tampa-based workers' compensation services firm PMSI. H.I.G....

Fontainebleau.(MIAMI BEACH)
January 1, 2009... The Fontainebleau hotel reopened with a party and Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after being closed nearly three years for a $500-million renovation. The hotel is now the county's largest, with 1,504 rooms.

961-acre residential development.(MIAMI-DADE COUNTY)
January 1, 2009... A group of developers including home builder Lennar, Century Homebuilders President Sergio Pino, commercial builder Edward Easton, lobbyist and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto, Sedano's Supermarket...

Major League Soccer expansion team.(MIAMI-DADE COUNTY)
January 1, 2009... Brightstar Chairman and CEO Marcelo Claure and Spanish soccer team Futbol Club Barcelona are bidding for a Major League Soccer expansion team, which would play at Florida International University's new football/soccer stadium.

Miami International Airport's south terminal.(MIAMI-DADE COUNTY)
January 1, 2009... Five subcontractors who worked on Miami International Airport's south terminal (finished a year ago) are suing either the project's contractor, Parsons-Odebrecht Joint Venture, or various bond insurers for some $90 million that they claim they...

Bacardi U.S.A.(Miami-Dade: Players)
January 1, 2009... Michael Misiorski was named CFO and senior vice president of Miami-based Bacardi U.S.A. He had been vice president of finance and CFO of Absolut Spirits Co. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Jackson Health System.(Miami-Dade: Players)
January 1, 2009... Jackson Health System COO Gene Bassett will become interim CEO starting this month, replacing the departing Marvin O'Quinn. Eneida O. Roldan will become interim president and COO.

NCL Corp.(Miami-Dade: Players)
January 1, 2009... NCL Corp.'s Kevin Sheehan added CEO to his titles as president and CFO. He replaces Colin Veitch, who becomes an adviser to the board.

Glades Pharmaceuticals.(Miami-Dade: Players)
January 1, 2009... Glades Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Coral Gables-based Stiefei Laboratories, promoted Bob Cunard to president from COO.

Novis Pharmaceuticals.(Miami-Dade: Players)
January 1, 2009... Novis Pharmaceuticals appointed John J. Arlotta chairman. He was most recently chairman, president and CEO of Coram.

Miami Downtown Development Authority.(Miami-Dade: Players)
January 1, 2009... Alyce M. Robertson was appointed executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority. She had served as interim CEO since early 2008.

Mercy Hospital.(Miami-Dade: Players)
January 1, 2009... Mercy Hospital promoted Manuel P. Anton III to COO. He had been the hospital's senior vice president and medical director.

Rents (2nd quarter 2008).(COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE)(Statistical table)
January 1, 2009... COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Rents (2nd quarter 2008) 2-Year Rent Compound Market (sq. ft.) Growth Lincoln Road $130 (Miami Beach) ...

One-stop VC shop.(BIOTECH)(Interview)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gary Keller, 44, started in October as executive director of the Florida Institute for Commercialization of Public Research, a new attempt by the state --funded with $900,000--to recoup its investment in Florida...

Room to grow.(LAND)
January 1, 2009... Room to Grow Supply of vacant developed lots based on annual starts pace (as of the end of the third quarter): Supply of Vacant County Lots (months) Martin 194.4 Indian River...

Unsold new homes.(REAL ESTATE)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REAL ESTATE Unsold New Homes Finished vacant south Florida homes in active subdivisions: County County 2nd quarter 3rd quarter Supply Broward 1,216 1,098 7.2...

Day Jet.(BOCA RATON)
January 1, 2009... Day Jet filed for Chapter 7 liquidation.

Bluegreen.(BOCA RATON)
January 1, 2009... Timeshare developer Bluegreen (NYSE-BXG) will lay off 122 from its headquarters later this month.

Embraer.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
January 1, 2009... Brazilian airplane manufacturer Embraer plans to add 60 employees in the next five years to the 280 it already has at its executive jet service center at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to service its Phenom and Legacy jets.

AutoNation.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
January 1, 2009... Auto dealership owner AutoNation (NYSE-AN), falling to its first quarterly toss since 1999, says that it will turn a profit and comply with its debt covenants even if national new-vehicle sales fall to the 12-million level predicted in the most...

Concord Camera.(HOLLYWOOD)
January 1, 2009... Unable to prosper in the age of digital cameras, disposable camera maker Concord Camera (Nasdaq-LENS), something of a small-cap darling when it made Forbes' list of the best small companies as recently as 2000, says it will liquidate.

Scripps Florida.(JUPITER)
January 1, 2009... Biomed researcher Scripps Florida won a $1.5-million grant, part of a much larger grant to a consortium of research institutions, to develop treatments for two major water- and food-borne parasitic illnesses.

Sara Wilcox, 64, Martin County schools' elected superintendent for 14 years, retired in November.(MARTIN COUNTY)
January 1, 2009... Sara Wilcox, 64, Martin County schools' elected superintendent for 14 years, retired in November. School board member Nancy Kline took her place. You can reach Mike Vogel at mvogel@floridatrend.com

Fashion Mall.(PLANTATION)
January 1, 2009... The City Council approved a master plan for Plantation-based private equity investor US Capital Holdings Group to redevelop the old Fashion Mall into an $800-million mix of retail, office and 590 residential units called 321 North. US Capital...

DHL.(PLANTATION)
January 1, 2009... DHL will trim 150 jobs from its 700-employee headquarters in Plantation as part of the 9,500 jobs nationally being cut as of Jan. 30, when the carrier eliminates U.S. domestic-only air and ground service to focus solely on serving international...

Tri-Rail.(POMPANO BEACH)
January 1, 2009... Southeast Florida regional commuter train Tri-Rail switched its conventional trains to a 99% blend of biodiesel made from palm or soy oil. Trains whose warranties would be voided with biodiesel will continue to run on petroleum-based diesel....

Point Blank Solutions.(POMPANO BEACH)
January 1, 2009... Body armor maker Point Blank Solutions (OTCPBSO) received a $31-million Army order, expected to be filled by March, for vests and components. You can reach Mike Vogel at mvogel@floridatrend.com

Florida Atlantic University's expanded Port St. Lucie campus.(PORT ST. LUCIE)
January 1, 2009... Classes begin this month on Florida Atlantic University's expanded Port St. Lucie campus. A $10-million, two-story facility has doubled the campus classroom space and was accompanied by $2.2 million to fund academic program growth. You can...

National City Bank.(PORT ST. LUCIE)
January 1, 2009... Cleveland-based National City Bank, being acquired by Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial, sued Jupiter developer George de Guardiola, developer of the Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter, his Atlanta-based brother, Eduard, and de Guardiola Properties to...

Dodgertown Sports and Conference Center.(VERO BEACH)
January 1, 2009... Facilities manager Aramark Parks and Destinations plans to lay off 98 at Dodgertown Sports and Conference Center following the decision of the Los Angeles Dodgers to relocate their spring training site to Arizona. You can reach Mike Vogel...

Flagler Systems, the privately held owner of the Breakers Palm Beach resort, opened the Phillips Point Club by the Breakers in the space formerly occupied by the Governors Club, a downtown private club atop the east tower of office complex Phillips Point.(WEST PALM BEACH)
January 1, 2009... Flagler Systems, the privately held owner of the Breakers Palm Beach resort, opened the Phillips Point Club by the Breakers in the space formerly occupied by the Governors Club, a downtown private club atop the east tower of office complex...

Toyota importer JM Family Enterprises made Brent Burns, 49, executive vice president and CFO.(Southeast: Players)
January 1, 2009... Toyota importer JM Family Enterprises made Brent Burns, 49, executive vice president and CFO. He had been president of its World Omni Financial subsidiary. Frank Armstrong, 50, senior vice president at World Omni, was named president of finance...

PRC.(Southeast: Players)
January 1, 2009... Fort Lauderdalebased call center operator PRC named Thomas L. Garrett Jr. its CFO. Garrett was CFO of PCA International retail portrait studios. You can reach Mike Vogel at mvogel@floridatrend.com

Broward Alliance.(Southeast: Players)
January 1, 2009... Nova Southeastern University President Ray Fertero Jr. took over as 2009 chairman of the Broward Alliance economic development organization. You can reach Mike Vogel at mvogel@floridatrend.com

Autism Society of North Carolina.(Southeast: Players)
January 1, 2009... Scott B. Badesch, for 13 years the president and CEO of the United Way of Palm Beach County, resigned to become president and CEO of the Autism Society of North Carolina in Raleigh. You can reach Mike Vogel at mvogel@floridatrend.com

Evolution.(LOWRY PARK ZOO)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lex Salisburg, the longtime leader of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, gets a lot of the credit for helping the zoo evolve from one of the worst in the nation 20 years ago to one of the best. But Salisbury, embroiled in...

Alico.(Southwest: Players)
January 1, 2009... Steven M. Smith is Alico's new president and principal executive officer. He replaces Dan L. Gunter, who resigned. You can reach Art Levy at alevy@floridatrent.com

WCI Communities.(Southwest: Players)
January 1, 2009... Russell Devendorf has been named senior vice president and CFO of Bonita Springs-based WCI Communities. You can reach Art Levy at alevy@floridatrent.com

Tom James.(Southwest: Players)
January 1, 2009... Tom James, CEO of Raymond James Financial, is Ernst & Young's 2008 entrepreneur of the year in the financial services category. You can reach Art Levy at alevy@floridatrent.com

Patsy Nathe.(DADE CITY)
January 1, 2009... Pasco County native Patsy Nathe, co-owner of R.J. Nathe and Sons Logging and Tall Timber Cattle and Grove, has won the state's 2008 "woman of the year in agriculture" award. You can reach Art Levy at alevy@floridatrent.com

"Florida city of excellence".(DUNEDIN)
January 1, 2009... The Florida League of Cities gave Dunedin its top award for 2008, naming it a "Florida city of excellence." You can reach Art Levy at alevy@floridatrent.com