Portman-CMC Team Enters Final Stages of Master Plan for Miami Beach Convention Center

MIAMI, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow, Portman-CMC will present its final master plan design for the Miami Beach Convention Center District, which will include plans for the convention center, hotel, open spaces, retail, cultural and entertainment uses. The plan will demonstrate unique benefits to residents, businesses and visitors. A key design element of Portman-CMC's plan is to bring the concept of the town square to life and to make it uniquely Miami Beach.

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"Our final plan brings a very different approach to convention center planning and creates a space that is wholly unique to Miami Beach," said Ambrish Baisiwala, CEO of Portman Holdings. "For the last several months, we've worked closely with the City and listened intently to the community to finalize our proposal for a world-class convention center district. The plan we will present is a culmination of this collaborative process."

The team recently submitted its Letter of Intent (LOI) to the City of Miami Beach, a document that lays out the business and management terms of its proposed plan. The LOI reflects ongoing dialogue with the City staff and officials, and outlines how each team proposes to work with the City to determine financing, management and land leases – among other business factors. The LOI is also significant because it will be the basis for the next phase of negotiation between the City and the selected developer to create the financial and business relationship. 

"One of the key areas we focused on was making public financing for the project responsible and sustainable, minimizing cost and risk to the City's pocketbook. For example, no new taxes and less bonding in order to finance the convention center improvements and expansion, as well as associated parking and infrastructure improvements," said Baisiwala. "Additionally, our plan fast-tracks construction and phasing, shaving at least a year off of what many would consider the duration of this project, in an attempt to generate a faster return on revenues for the City."

Tomorrow's community meeting will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Flamingo Ballroom of Hall C at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Following the presentation, the City will open the floor to the community for comments. 

About Portman-CMC
The Portman-CMC team is one of two development groups currently bidding to develop the 52-acre Miami Beach Convention Center District. The team is comprised of top talent from Miami and many of the world's most qualified expert professionals, representing pioneers in their respective fields, including Portman Holdings, CMC Group, Bal Harbour Shops, Cirque du Soleil, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, John Portman & Associates, Fentress Architects, West 8 and Revuelta Architecture International. For more information, please visit www.PortmanCMCMiamiBeach.com. 

As requested by the City, the development project calls for a renovation and expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center; the addition of a multi-purpose space/ballroom; the addition of meeting space; a new convention center headquarters hotel; outdoor public spaces; parking; restaurants; entertainment.

SOURCE Portman-CMC