Medical projects underway in Miami Beach Miami Beach’s planning board has ap- proved a 122,000 sq. ft. building in- cluding a Baptist Health South Florida outpatient facility. The project proposed by Alton Road Development LLC, an affiliate of local developer Crescent Heights, ex- pects to lease 36,999 sq. ft. for med- ical uses, along with a community center for free wellness classes. Its ground floor would have 3,800 sq. ft. for restaurants and retail. Baptist Health chief strategy officer Ana Lopez-Blzaquez told the South Florida Business Journal it will take about two years to complete the building Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach’s only hospital, initially opposed the project at 709 Alton Rd. However, Mount Sinai CEO Steve Sonenreich has been quoted as say- ing he respects the decision of the planning board and believes that the review process made the new facility more compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. “Mount Sinai has been a trusted source of quality healthcare in Miami Beach for 65 years, and that commit- ment will continue to grow as we in- vest in a new state-of-the-art surgical tower and emergency department on our campus,” Sonenreich told the business publication. This is in context of Mount Sinai’s own construction activities -- it has started a $200 million expansion of its Miami Beach complex, with a planned new eight-story tower. 709 Alton Road, photo Google Maps $1.5 billion vision plan revealed for Port Tampa Bay’s Channel District Port Tampa Bay has revealed its vision plan to develop acres of land in the Channel District which will feature landmark structures, residential tow- ers, a marina and more - a total of 9 million sq. ft. and $1.5 billion in devel- opment costs. The vision plan unveiled on Aug 13, shows the ideas for the anticipated re- development of 45 acres of port- owned land along Channelside Dr. and the Ybor Channel, the Tampa Bay Busi- ness Journal reports. The expanse of pavement that lines Channelside Dr. could some day be home to a glitzy mix of residential tow- ers and retail and commercial space Miami-based Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc. were the project’s con- sultants. Port Tampa Bay’s Channel District Florida Construction News — SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 – 25