Coastal Construction Takes The Initiative in The Disaster Relief Efforts After Hurricane Irma by Supplying the Florida Keys And The Caribbean With Essentials

Today (9/20/17), Patrick Murphy, the former U.S. Representative for Florida’s 18th congressional district and head of Coastal Cares, the philanthropic arm of Coastal Construction, announced the company’s aid plan to help storm victims in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean devastated by Hurricane Irma. Through the American Red Cross, Coastal has set up a matching fund with its network of subcontractors and employees, committing to matching all financial donations dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, to fund vital building supplies. Coastal has also teamed up with Aria Development Group, who is leading a supply drive for Hurricane Irma survivors in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean, donating an additional $25,000 to the drive and collecting contributions of everyday personal items like toilet paper, toothbrushes, soap, water, canned foods, and blankets, through an established network of drop-off locations (see locations below).

“As a part of the fabric of this community and our family’s deep legacy in the Florida Keys, we felt it was our duty and privilege to pay forward our blessings and lend a helping hand to our neighbors who have been devastated by Hurricane Irma. We are humbled by the tremendous need and are reminded by incidents like this, that we are all citizens of the one global community,” said Murphy.

The story starts long before Hurricane Irma. When Hurricane Andrew buried South Florida in August 1992, Tom Murphy Jr., set out with his mid-size construction company to help rebuild the Florida Keys. The Miami-based general contractor quickly made a name for itself and its disaster recovery efforts, rebuilding Ocean Reef Club and various other structures in south Miami-Dade County. Coastal Construction is now one of the largest privately held general contractors in the Southeast with over $2 billion in current commercial and residential projects underway. The company has built some of Miami’s most notorius projects, including Porsche Design Tower, Paramount Miami Worldcenter, Residences by Armani Casa,  Four Seasons Hotel, St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bal Harbour and Ritz-Carlton, South Beach.

Coastal Cares benefits numerous organizations throughout the year including: Miami Bridge, Rebuilding Together, ACE Mentoring Program, Sheridan House Family Ministries, Camillus House, I have a Dream Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, United Way, Baptist Health Foundation, Education Fund/Teach-A-Thon, Miami Dade County Public Schools and other non-profit organizations. 

“At Coastal, caring extends beyond financial contributions. Our team is grateful for our many blessings and will do whatever it takes to help those less fortunate. It’s an important part of who we are as citizens and our corporate culture,” added Murphy. 

To donate visit: https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/coastalconstruction-emp

Construction Resumes At Many of Miami's Major Projects As Developers Power Through After Hurricane Irma

Miami, a city full of investment, cranes and development, is just about back to business as usual for its biggest developers. CMC Group's 552-unit Brickell Flatiron resumed construction today (9/15/17) which is keeping the project on schedule for completion by June 2019. The development site saw little damage during the storm, which swamped Brickell with flooding throughout the city streets. There were reports that cranes were down, but the reports ended up being false and one of the cranes has already by re-certified in excellent condition. In Edgewater, Melo Group's Aria on The Bay saw no damage to the glass, waterfront tower. They announced that construction is back in full-swing as they race to finish and deliver the tower. 

In the Arts + Entertainment District, Canvas by NR Investments saw little to no damage and the developers expect to restart construction any day. Next door, Melo Group's Square Station is still waiting for power to return so they can resume construction. PARAMOUNT Miami WorldCenter also resumed normal construction today (9/15/17). 

Not all projects escaped unscratched. PMG's 300 Biscayne rental tower in downtown suffered damage to a crane which has put the project on pause for the current time. Another crane collapsed at Related Group's GranParaiso and at Auberge Beach Residences and Spa in Fort Lauderdale. Once the fallen cranes are cleaned up, the developers expect to resume construction and get back on schedule. Moody's Analytics estimates that Florida suffered between $64 billion and $92 billion in property damage, although the specific numbers for South Florida have not been released. 

Hurricane Irma's Effect on The Miami Real Estate Industry

Despite the potential destruction that was anticipated by Hurricane Irma, Miami, along with most of the South Florida metropolitan real estate markets, were mostly spared from any significant or crippling damage. $38.94 billion of CMBS debt was exposed to potential damage in Florida, with $6.41 billion in Miami alone. Fort Lauderdale held an $4.32 billion exposed as reported by The Real Deal. Cranes were reported down at PMG's 300 Biscayne Avenue and Related Group's GranParaiso and Auberge Beach Residences and Spa in Fort Lauderdale. According to Turnberry Associates CEO Jeffrey Soffer in an interview on CNBC, he doesn't believe that the South Florida real estate markets or prices will take a hit in the long term. “It’s just a way of life. It doesn’t happen that often, and the reality is that Florida’s very well prepared," said Soffer. At the same time Stuart Miller of Lennar Corp. announced that Irma has delayed hundreds of home deliveries. The nation's largest home builder said that close to 700 home deliveries in Florida, George and South Carolina have been impacted. The storm came just as the company was reporting new orders rising 8% year over year. Time will tell, but it is apparent that Miami is on the way back to business as usual where the real estate market has been bolstered in recent years due to both domestic and foreign demand alike. 

Miami Is Back In Business As Miami International Airport & Miami Beach Reopen

Miami International Airport and Miami Beach are once again open. Cars could be seen backed-up waiting to get onto Miami Beach as early as last night. Miami International Airport has resumed flights, although it is a limited schedule and some flights have been cancelled. Flights from London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, New York and Los Angeles have now arrived into Miami International Airport since reopening this morning. Miami International Airport received some wind damage but not as bad as what could have been. Fort Lauderdale airport is also expecting to resume flights today.

If you are looking for supplies, the following PUBLIX are open and running:

• 15750 SW 72nd St., Miami
• 9755 NW 41st St., Doral
• 2270 SW 27th Ave., Miami
• 9050 Biscayne Blvd, Miami Shores Village
• 1700 Miami Gardens Dr., North Miami Beach
• 8250 Mills Dr., Kendall
• 9041 SW 107th Ave., Kendall
• 11750 SW 104th Ave., Kendall

Tour the Carnage That Hurricane Irma Dumped On Miami Including Submerging Brickell

Although Hurricane Irma was not a direct hit to Miami, the storm's massive composition wreaked havoc throughout the world-class metropolitan city's streets. In Brickell and Miami Beach, streets became flooded and turned into rivers including Brickell Avenue, one of Miami's most iconic streets which is lined with luxurious skyscrapers of banks, offices, hotels and residences.Gale force winds could be shown whipping through the city streets, blowing over Palm Trees, signs, trucks and anything in their path. In addition to the storm surge, rain water flooded inland areas and high winds damaged Miami International Airport, which officials have not yet deemed when they will be ready to open. Venetian Causeway was almost completely under water and a sailboat was seen slammed up against the bridges between San Marco Island and Biscayne Island. City officials still cannot confirm how high water levels rose. While some areas have seen water levels pull back, others are still flooded. 

Areas to note, Purdy Avenue in Sunset Harbour, one of Miami Beach's most notorius flood zones, survived with little to no flooding. This shows that Miami's commitment to fending off sea level rise can prove to be successful as the city has raised the sidewalks over the years by 2' 5" and Miami Beach has committed over $500 million to raise streets and install pumps to drain floodwaters.

The damage assessment will take quite a few days as officials will make sure structures are safe for residents to return, remove debris and begin a clean-up process that at this time appear that it could have been much, much worse. Despite that, until the official reports begin to roll-in, there is just no way to know how much damage was done to the city and region of South Florida. So far, 5.8 million Florida homes and business' lost power and FPL claims that returning to normal operation could take weeks as they expect damage to core company systems. Many resources will need to be dedicated to rescue crews and clean-up so staying away from the city will allow officials budget the necessary resources to the people and areas that need them. Business are not open and returning to the city without essential supplies can hinder the efforts of those working to get the city back up and working on its feet. 

Stay tuned to PROFILEmiami for more updates on Hurricane Irma and the clean-up effort. 

Waves break over the Brickell Seawall as storm surge shakes up the Miami River. Photo via Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Brickell Avenue. Photo via Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Photo via Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Looking South Down SW 1st Avenue in Brickell. Photo via Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A collapsed crane at 3rd & Biscayne Blvd. Photo via Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Looking down Biscayne Boulevard from 19th Street. Photo via CNN

Looking North Towards Edgewater Up Biscayne at 19th Street. Photo via CNN

Waves break over the Seawall between Icon Brickell and Brickell Key. The Mandarian Oriental is shown in the background. Photo via CNN

A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Photo via CNN

Hurricane Irma Shifts West as Governor Rick Scott Warns "The Storm Is Here"

Outer bands bringing strong wind and rain from Hurricane Irma began to pound the southernmost reaches of Florida this morning (Saturday 9/9/17). The storm is now a Category 4 with sustained winds of 130 mph which will bring storm surge, rain, flooding and devastating gale force winds. Hurricane conditions are expected to begin Saturday night int he Florida Keys and across the southern and central Florida coasts.

"The storm is here. This is a deadly storm, and our state has never seen anything like it," said Florida Governor Rick Scott.  

The eye of Hurricane Irma is expected to hit the Florida Keys Sunday morning before moving up the west coast of Florida including Naples, Fort Myers and Tampa Bay. Officials warn that just because the storm's path has shifted west does not mean that the east coast is safe and is at risk of severe danger of storm surge, flooding and devastating winds which threaten many of the construction cranes in Miami's burgeoning metropolitan areas. 

We reported yesterday (Friday 9/8/17) that the largest mandatory evacuation order in the history of the United States are in effect for all of Miami Beach, Brickell and Downtown, amongst others counties. Over 650,000 people in the Miami area are effected by the storm and evacuation orders. Other evacuation orders include Broward County east of US 1, Palm Beach County, parts of Brevard County, coastal Jacksonville and Duval County, and Monroe County, which was among the first as it features the Florida Keys.