Hometown News and Views

By Michael d’Oliveira

 Wilton Manors – What was once this city’s last trailer park may soon become its newest residential development.

An empty property located on Northeast 24 Street between Dixie Highway and Northeast 15 Avenue,  locally known as the Yawt property, has been spotted by the Miami-based Pinnacle Housing Group. Plans are now in the works to turn the six-acre-lot into a 155-unit apartment complex.

“It’s going to be a very high end and beautiful, fully amenitized apartment complex,” said

Michael Wohl, partner at Pinnacle. He added that the development would consist of studios and one and two-bedroom apartments. It would also include a dog park, clubhouse and pool.

 “We’re still in the planning stages [but] it will be consistent with the high-end rental market in Wilton Manors and the surrounding area,” Wohl said.

He expects to complete negotiations for the property early next year.

The $32 million project is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

“We love Wilton Manors. We just think it’s a wonderful community and a great place to live,” said Wohl.

This is the second time in three years a developer has shown interest in the property, which is considered blighted by residents and city officials.

“It’s the biggest piece of [undeveloped] land left in Wilton Manors,” said Commissioner Ted Galatis, referring to the importance of the site.

According to Bob Mays, city finance director, there is a $30,000 lien on the property. Mays said the lien is collecting interest but he won’t know how much the city is owed until the property is sold and the final amount is calculated.

In 2009, the same site had been approved for a gay-themed hotel, G-Resorts. But the hotel’s developers said they grew tired of negotiating for the property.

Resident Virginia Flaherty, who opposed building G Resorts on the Yawt property, hopes that Pinnacle will incorporate the existing vegetation into their development. “I think that it would be an awesome place to put cabins, but apartments would definitely be better than a hotel.”