Miami among top metros for 2018 population gains
Miami was among the list of the 10 largest metro areas to see population gains between 2017 and 2018, according to the latest national population estimates released April 18 by the U.S. Census Bureau. This result was part of a trend toward big population increases throughout the South and West, with Texas alone claiming four of the top 10 counties that had the largest numerical population growth. Meanwhile, the top three most populous metro areas — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — all saw declines in headcount over the same period.
“Though no new metro areas moved into the top 10 largest areas, Phoenix, Seattle, Austin, and Orlando all experienced numeric increases in population since 2010, rivaling growth in areas with much larger populations,” said Census Bureau demographer Sandra Johnson. “This trend is consistent with the overall growth we are seeing in the south and the west.”
Miami-Dade County’s population grew by 0.8 percent between 2017 and 2018, adding 16,700 new residents for an estimated total of 2.76 million as of July 1, 2018. That kept Miami-Dade County in the top spot for most populous county in Florida, and the seventh-most populous metro in the U.S. But it did not rank in the top 10 counties by either numeric growth or percentage growth over that period. In Florida, both Orange County and Hillsborough County earned that distinction, while Walton, Osceola and St. Johns counties were among the top 10 gainers nationwide based on percent change.
Former South Shore Hospital site to become residential tower
Long considered an eyesore and vacant for more than a decade, the South Shore Hospital building at 630 Alton Road between Fifth and Seventh streets was demolished the morning of April 16. Developers Russell Galbut and David Martin plan to replace the building with the latest residential high-rise project in South Beach. The developers and design group Arquitectonica are planning a 44-story, 519-foot tower on the site, as well as a three-acre public park and approximately 15,000 square feet of retail space. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020.
Florida among few states with residential permit growth in Feb.
Florida was one of the few states to record growth in the number of single-family building permits issued year-to-date in February, according to data from the Census Bureau. Single-family permit issues were up 8.9 percent year-to-date in Florida, despite falling 6.2 percent across the U.S. Permits are issued at the start of the homebuilding process and are therefore considered a leading indicator for home construction activity. Nationwide permitting activity fell again in March by 1.7 percent, signalling continued difficulty among homebuilders as they try to ramp up construction to meet market demand.
Compass Florida names new managing director of development
Carolyn Block Ellert is joining Compass Florida as the managing director of its development division, according to an April 15 press release. Block Ellert previously served as the CEO and founder of Premier Sales Group and has some 25 years of experience in the new construction condo market around South Florida as well as New York. Block Ellert will work out of Compass’s Fort Lauderdale office and coordinate the firm’s new development efforts throughout the region.
Transit-oriented development breaks ground
Developers Adler Group and 13th Floor Investments celebrated the groundbreaking of the Link at Douglas, one of the first projects to get underway in a push by Miami-Dade County to spur growth along the Metrorail system. The Link at Douglas will eventually include five residential and commercial towers together just off the Douglas Metrorail station, which the developers are also helping to remodel. Such transit-oriented developments aim to utilize existing public transit connections to maximize the efficient use of land and minimize parking facilities. The Link at Douglas will also grow to include community amenities like grocery stores, restaurants and other services within walking distance for residents.