Local Neighborhood Associations Organize in Downtown Miami

MIAMI, FL--(Marketwired - Aug 22, 2014) -  The dozens of new residential condominium towers coming online in downtown Miami are helping to revitalize the city in many ways. One of the most promising developments is the organization of new neighborhood associations that are seeking a voice in setting the direction for the future growth of Miami's urban core.

Two new neighborhood associations have been organized with the support of attorneys in the Community Association Law Practice group of Becker & Poliakoff. 

Attorneys Michael Gongora, Rosa de la Camara, Andres San Jorge and Carlos Martin are providing legal counsel and guidance to the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association and Downtown Neighbors Alliance.

The Biscayne Neighborhoods Association (BNA) comprised of directors of condominium associations within the geographic boundary from 15th Street north to 36th Street in Miami and from Biscayne Bay west to Miami Avenue, recently held its first organizational meeting and named former Miami Beach City Commissioner and attorney Gongora as its General Counsel. The BNA is planning its next meeting September 18th with Commissioner Marc Sarnoff regarding the vision for and future of the Downtown, Omni, Edgewater and Midtown Neighborhoods.

Rosa de la Camara, Andres San Jorge and Carlos Martin are serving as counsel for the recently incorporated Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA). The group was organized to promote and improve the quality of life, common good and general welfare of condominium residents in the area along Biscayne Boulevard, bordered on the South by the Miami River and extending North to Interstate 395, including all residential buildings located east of Interstate 95.

The DNA is interested in staying abreast of development, zoning and land use, beautification, traffic and parking, crime prevention, noise and other issues of common interest or concern and will join forces with the BNA to co-sponsor the September 18^th meeting with Commissioner Sarnoff. 

"DNA is already representing the interests of approximately 9,000 residents," said Ms. de la Camara. "We are pleased to have helped launch this long overdue platform for a community that contributes a disproportionate share of the tax base and deserves to be heard."

In its short time in existence, DNA sponsored a successful voter registration drive and helped defeat a proposal to turn one of the few green areas left downtown into a soccer stadium. Its meetings boast the participation of downtown residents, condominium board members, elected official and community leaders.

Both the DNA and the BNA recently joined with the long established Brickell Homeowners Association to sponsor a Town Hall Meeting at Mercy Hospital organized by Becker & Poliakoff with state legislators taking questions on new state laws that impact shared ownership housing.

Commented Mr. Gongora, "By working closely with the police force and existing civic and business organizations, both of these associations give residents greater influence with local governments, and contribute to the betterment of the entire community."

Downtown area residents interested in learning more about the local groups can contact DNA President Dalia Lagoa at dalia.lagoa@gmail.com, or BNA President Thomas Bailey at tbailey152@aol.com.

About Becker & Poliakoff
Becker & Poliakoff is a diverse commercial law firm with more than 170 attorneys, lobbyists and other professionals in 20 domestic and international offices. The firm has eight primary areas of practice: Real Estate, Construction Law & Litigation, Community Association, Customs & International Trade, Business Litigation, Corporate & Securities, Government Law & Lobbying, and the Intellectual Property & Emerging Technologies practice. For more about the firm, visit: www.bplegal.com or www.bplegal.com/blogs.aspx to access forums on the latest ideas and opinions on legal matters hosted by Becker & Poliakoff attorneys.