Will Lebron James & Co. fill condos?

[massp88]

Originally Posted by TonyAnderson

There's an indirect positive economic impact as well though, and that's the increased exposure for Miami. The city has gained a lot of momentum lately in the lime light (CSI: Miami, Dash, etc.) and this just takes it to another level. It's basically telling the rest of America, and the world, that Miami is the place to be. This was the greatest free agent class in NBA history, and the top three prospects all chose Miami.

DASH, are you kidding me? A lame store owned by 3 idiots who have a blatantly scripted "reality" show brings only bad things to Miami. It's the reality crowd. Do you feel having the Jersey Shore come to Miami is going to be a positive too? CSI: Miami has been around since 2002, so that is not a recent thing. Miami is a higher class city and does not need reality crap. Miami is not Las Vegas, we are much better.

Like I have said, if the Heat do not win championships, not the s, then this has to be deemed a failure.

[Hia-leah JDM]

Originally Posted by massp88

Like I have said, if the Heat do not win championships, not the s, then this has to be deemed a failure.

No way!

[xerxesjc28]

LeBron means big bucks flow to Miami
A day after his big announcement, the `LeBron Effect' was already being felt in South Florida hotels and restaurants.

Miami Heat Welcome Party
Miami welcomes the three kings of the Miami Heat as Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh join the NBA team in a spectacular show at AmericanAirlines Arena on Friday night.

BY DAVID J. NEAL, MIKE VASQUEZ, ELAINE WALKER AND JANE WOOLDRIDGE
jwooldridge@MiamiHerald.com

Like a shot of espresso to a recessionary hangover, news that the NBA's most sought-after free agent is ``bringing my talents to South Beach'' created instant excitement Friday for tourism promoters, hotels and others who stand to win when stars swarm into Miami.

Call it the aura of LeBron James, one that brings with it the cachet of celebrities in and out of the game, and the prospect of fresh dollars flowing in. ``LeBron isn't just a basketball player, he's a brand, and that brand is sold worldwide,'' said accountant Tony Argiz, a partner with Morrison, Brown, Argiz and Farra.

MULTIMILLION IMPACT

Argiz threw out an economic impact estimate of $500 to $600 million, factoring in the increased value of the Miami Heat franchise, the multimillion-dollar homes Bosh and James are expected to buy, and the potential bonus of multiple Miami playoff series over the next five years.

Neisen Kasdin, lawyer and former Miami Beach mayor, said he thinks the Heat triple play could be more significant to the city than the Marlins stadium now being built in Little Havana.

``This will have some of the Art Basel effect on Miami,'' said Kasdin, referring to the cultural and business development spurred by the highly successful fair. ``You have a happening event that draws the world's attention to the community in a way that makes people want to invest.''

That kind of real economic impact takes years. But already Friday, the LeBron Effect was showing up downtown as well as in Miami Beach, where ailing boutique hotels like the Gansevoort South, Shore Club and Sagamore could use a boost.

James was ensconced overnight in one of the 25 rooms he'd rented at the W Hotel in South Beach. The reservations team at the Fontainebleau Resort was busily fielding inquiries for package prices with Heat tickets and had received ``numerous requests'' from sports agents about throwing events at the resort's cabanas and restaurants and nightclubs, said president and general manager John Rolfs.

``You couldn't have scripted it better,'' said William Talbert III, CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The signings brought an immediate shift in press coverage. ``Look at what has happened in the last 24 hours,'' PR specialist Tadd Schwartz, who promotes downtown, said. ``We've spent the last year talking about the condo crash, foreclosures and the oil spill. For the past 48 hours, all of that has changed. Now we're talking about LeBron and what that brings.''

South Beach restaurant magnate Myles Chefetz of Prime 112 reported a jam-up of text messages from pro athletes, sportscasters and regular diners wanting to make sure they'll still be able to get a table at Prime 112, the sports celebrity haunt where D-Wade watched James' nationally televised lovefest on ESPN Thursday night.

It's at places like Prime 112 where the NBA-celebrity connection thrives, and hospitality types are salivating that heat over the Heat could help pull the Beach and a developing downtown scene out of the stubborn economic slowdown.

Former Miami Dolphins safety Louis Oliver, who now promotes social events that attract professional athletes, likened the buzz to the Beach of the 1990s, when it shot into the stratosphere as an international party center.

``You may have to make reservations months in advance to go to . . . top places,'' Oliver said. ``It'll pick up everything from hotels to taxis.''

``It will be the same thing that happened in the Madonna days,'' predicted Terry Zarikian, director of product development for China Grill Management.

``Players are attracted to things attached to Miami Beach, South Beach,'' said Miami Beach-based Drew Rosenhaus, the No. 1 National Football League player agent. ``I've been inundated with phone calls from clients. They want to not only to go to the games, but the hangouts, shopping and the restaurants.''

EATING OUT

The benefits may be significant for the burgeoning restaurant scenes in Midtown Miami and the Design District. Heat fans already flock to Sra Martinez, the casual-hip Design District space owned by super-chef Michelle Bernstein.

``We've got people who come before and after the Heat games, and we know for sure that's going to add more people,'' said manager Jorge Anaya-Lopez. ``If they really start to win a lot, we'll see more T-shirts and jerseys in here on game night.''

The LeBron Effect showed up Friday in ways big and small -- even pumping a little energy into the real-estate market. Edgardo Defortuna of Fortune International Realty said he had phone calls from fans in Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina -- including one Argentinian who told him he'd buy an apartment at the Icon in downtown Miami if de Fortuna could score him Heat tickets.

Agent Penni Chasens of Cervera Realty said LeBron's move convinced a buyer to cough up an extra $100,000 to sign a near-$1 million deal at a condo at the Marquis near the American Airlines Arena.

South Florida Wal-Mart stores announced they would stock LeBron James Heat jerseys beginning Saturday at select stores, starting at $14.

At the Shake Shack in Miami Beach, the ``Le-Brat James'' -- a griddle bratwurst with ``Heat'' from Tabasco-simmer onions -- was already on the menu. At $5.75, its price was far more affordable to regular tourists than those at Prime 112, where Garrettsville, Ohio, car salesman John Grondin and his teacher wife Tina were chuckling in disbelief over the $30 Kobe hamburger and $88 Porterhouse for two.

The couple enjoyed a swim Friday in South Beach, and its ``clean, smooth, crystal-clear'' beaches had left the Grondins impressed.

Even if they would have preferred that LeBron stick to being a tourist himself.

Miami Herald staff writers David J. Neal, Michael Vasquez, Stephanie Genardi, Laura Stampler and Sara Frederick contributed to this report.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/1...#ixzz0tJTJicnj

[1772]

Well there we have it!

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by 1772

Well there we have it!

Now if we could just get them to buy into Met3.

[clean_polo]

Seriously, if LeBron, Bosh, and Wade coming back does help out the City of Miami with all of the ticket sales because I'm assuming the Heat will have nothing but sellouts for years to come. The main thing I'd like to see improved on if the money does start flowing in, is expansions to the Metrorail, but I already read in another thread that thats not going to be happening .

[theEmbarcadero]

i agree...just dont understand why the money cant be found to add an east west line...and a 27th ave line....i just dont get it..!

perhaps a private investor should do it...

i know...i am dreaming...but nevertheless....i was lied to in the 70s when we were told that the first line was just 1 of three phases...

sorry guys...i just cant let this one go...hurts too much...more than losing csonka in 1975!

Originally Posted by clean_polo

Seriously, if LeBron, Bosh, and Wade coming back does help out the City of Miami with all of the ticket sales because I'm assuming the Heat will have nothing but sellouts for years to come. The main thing I'd like to see improved on if the money does start flowing in, is expansions to the Metrorail, but I already read in another thread that thats not going to be happening .

[spellbound]

Originally Posted by clean_polo

Seriously, if LeBron, Bosh, and Wade coming back does help out the City of Miami with all of the ticket sales because I'm assuming the Heat will have nothing but sellouts for years to come. The main thing I'd like to see improved on if the money does start flowing in, is expansions to the Metrorail, but I already read in another thread that thats not going to be happening .

I hear your frustration on that but there's really no connection between those things. LeBron and Bosh are great additions to the Heat but it's not as if the franchise has never experienced sellouts every game or a championship team. It was only four years ago when that was the case.

The Heat stuff is wonderful, but it doesn't mean billions of dollars of federal transit funding is coming for a heavy-rail system that is no longer in the pipeline for development. I mean, what is MDTA supposed to do? Make a new appeal to Washington based on LeBron James playing 40-50 nights a year? And how many of those folks in a 19,000 seat arena actually take the train? Maybe 3500? I think maybe some of us are getting a little carried away with this stuff, as exciting as it is.

Hey, we've got to start being realistic about Metrorail. There isn't going to be any expansion after the MIC link, and the realistic prospects of that happening died more than a couple of years ago. None of us have to like that, but it is reality. To me, it's better to forget about it and start looking towards other alternatives to make our transit situation better rather than just continuing to beat our heads against a wall over something that isn't going to change. One door closes, another opens, y'know?

[theEmbarcadero]

Originally Posted by spellbound

I hear your frustration on that but there's really no connection between those things. LeBron and Bosh are great additions to the Heat but it's not as if the franchise has never experienced sellouts every game or a championship team. It was only four years ago when that was the case.

The Heat stuff is wonderful, but it doesn't mean billions of dollars of federal transit funding is coming for a heavy-rail system that is no longer in the pipeline for development. I mean, what is MDTA supposed to do? Make a new appeal to Washington based on LeBron James playing 40-50 nights a year? And how many of those folks in a 19,000 seat arena actually take the train? Maybe 3500? I think maybe some of us are getting a little carried away with this stuff, as exciting as it is.

Hey, we've got to start being realistic about Metrorail. There isn't going to be any expansion after the MIC link, and the realistic prospects of that happening died more than a couple of years ago. None of us have to like that, but it is reality. To me, it's better to forget about it and start looking towards other alternatives to make our transit situation better rather than just continuing to beat our heads against a wall over something that isn't going to change. One door closes, another opens, y'know?

I agree with everything u say spell....but I am not gonna like it..lol!

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by spellbound

One door closes, another opens, y'know?

Shaq was no help in getting Met3 out of the ground despite all the publicity, but three are better than one.

[theEmbarcadero]

Yeah...but these three will get Verticus built!!!!!!

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by theEmbarcadero

Yeah...but these three will get Verticus built!!!!!!

I'll take whatever new tallest we can't get out of this. I still have my Met3 Miami Herald centerfold from years ago. I'm thinking of making a placard out of it and standing in front of the AAA.

[spellbound]

Originally Posted by theEmbarcadero

Yeah...but these three will get Verticus built!!!!!!

I can envision thousands of Heat fans holding up VERTICUS! placards at home games.

Of course, this would be completely mystifying to the players, viewers, and frankly the fans themselves---but still COOL.

[Roark]

Originally Posted by theEmbarcadero

i agree...just dont understand why the money cant be found to add an east west line...and a 27th ave line....i just dont get it..!

perhaps a private investor should do it...

That would be a great business plan to present to a private investor.

"You see ladies and gentleman, you simply invest $500 million, and we take the money and build for the next 3 years.
In those 3 years, you will have a negative return, but after that, we will charge riders $1.25 per ride.
If we can get every single man women and child in Miami-Dade (2.5 Million population ) to ride this line at that price (no senior or student discounts) at least once a day, that means we will make $3.125 million per year!
Of course, take out money for operating expenses, and we should clear about $2 million per year.

Ladies and gentleman, we should break even in about 253 years, but after that it is ALL PROFIT!!!! The bidding starts now!

[clean_polo]

Originally Posted by spellbound

I hear your frustration on that but there's really no connection between those things. LeBron and Bosh are great additions to the Heat but it's not as if the franchise has never experienced sellouts every game or a championship team. It was only four years ago when that was the case.

The Heat stuff is wonderful, but it doesn't mean billions of dollars of federal transit funding is coming for a heavy-rail system that is no longer in the pipeline for development. I mean, what is MDTA supposed to do? Make a new appeal to Washington based on LeBron James playing 40-50 nights a year? And how many of those folks in a 19,000 seat arena actually take the train? Maybe 3500? I think maybe some of us are getting a little carried away with this stuff, as exciting as it is.

Hey, we've got to start being realistic about Metrorail. There isn't going to be any expansion after the MIC link, and the realistic prospects of that happening died more than a couple of years ago. None of us have to like that, but it is reality. To me, it's better to forget about it and start looking towards other alternatives to make our transit situation better rather than just continuing to beat our heads against a wall over something that isn't going to change. One door closes, another opens, y'know?

I know what you mean, I just have one question though, is the MIC link going to be called the Orange Line?

[spellbound]

Originally Posted by clean_polo

I know what you mean, I just have one question though, is the MIC link going to be called the Orange Line?

I think that is the plan, although in practice I wouldn't be surprised if it's eventually tagged with an airport specific name like 'MIA express' or something of that nature since it's the one and only stop on that 'line.'

[clean_polo]

Originally Posted by spellbound

I think that is the plan, although in practice I wouldn't be surprised if it's eventually tagged with an airport specific name like 'MIA express' or something of that nature since it's the one and only stop on that 'line.'

Oh ok, so the Metrorail will technically have 2 lines now though right?

[spellbound]

As of now, I think that's how it would be categorized.

[Södermalm]

Originally Posted by Roark

That would be a great business plan to present to a private investor.

"You see ladies and gentleman, you simply invest $500 million, and we take the money and build for the next 3 years.
In those 3 years, you will have a negative return, but after that, we will charge riders $1.25 per ride.
If we can get every single man women and child in Miami-Dade (2.5 Million population ) to ride this line at that price (no senior or student discounts) at least once a day, that means we will make $3.125 million per year!
Of course, take out money for operating expenses, and we should clear about $2 million per year.

Ladies and gentleman, we should break even in about 253 years, but after that it is ALL PROFIT!!!! The bidding starts now!

Thanks for the excellent analysis. The math is a little bit off though, there are about 365 days in a year, at least in Miami.

[Södermalm]

Originally Posted by spellbound

I think that is the plan, although in practice I wouldn't be surprised if it's eventually tagged with an airport specific name like 'MIA express' or something of that nature since it's the one and only stop on that 'line.'

It has already officially been renamed 'airport link' as of a few weeks ago.