The Business Case for Transit-Oriented Development
With Affordable and Workforce Housing

A Vision For Transit Oriented Communities in South Florida:
A pathway to a more robust regional economy, improved mobility, enhanced access to opportunity, and increased housing affordability.

Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom
201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

SPONSORSHIP FORM

Join the South Florida Regional Planning Council and partners for a regional conference focused on building resilient, economically vibrant, and equitable communities through transit-oriented development (TOD) with affordable housing.  

This event brings together local leaders, planning professionals, developers, transportation experts, and business executives to explore how strategic TOD initiatives can enhance mobility, drive job creation, and improve housing access across South Florida.

Sessions will address how transit-oriented development can support economic resilience, job creation, affordable housing, and more inclusive and accessible communities across South Florida.

Registration is required. Lunch and networking opportunities provided.

Parking is available at the A&E District Garage across from the venue (101 SW 5th Ave) with Pay-by-Meter on the 1st and 2nd floors. Valet parking is available for $30–$45. Rideshare drop-off is at Esplanade Circle (SW 2nd St & SW 4th Ave). Additional garages nearby.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. For details on how to support the event or for any inquiries, please contact: Eralda Agolli Program Manager – Community and Economic Development eagolli@sfrpc.com.

Approved for 4.0 hrs of AICP Credits.

Conference Materials

The Business Case for Transit-Oriented Development with Affordable and Workforce Housing
Agenda
Speaker Biographies
Press Release
Recording
Master Presentation
Factsheet

Conference Hosts

The Honorable Michelle Lincoln

Chair, South Florida Regional Planning Council; Mayor Pro Tem and Monroe County Commissioner, District 2; President, Florida Association of Counties; Member, 2055 Florida Transportation Plan Steering Committee

The Honorable Steve Geller

Broward County Commissioner, District 5; Former State Senator; Immediate Past Chair, SFRPC; Chair, SFRPC CEDS Strategy Committee

Welcome - Opening Remarks

The Honorable Michelle Lincoln

Chair, South Florida Regional Planning Council; Mayor Pro Tem and Monroe County Commissioner, District 2; President, Florida Association of Counties; Member, 2055 Florida Transportation Plan Steering Committee

The Honorable Steve Geller

Broward County Commissioner, District 5; Former State Senator; Immediate Past Chair, SFRPC; Chair, SFRPC CEDS Strategy Committee
Regional Overview: Report Overview - Regional Economic Development
DESCRIPTION
  • Overview of findings from the SFRPC analysis of TOD with Affordable and Workforce Housing.

Randy Deshazo, MA, MUP

Deputy Director & Director of Economic Development, South Florida Regional Planning Council
Session 1:
Building the Regional Economy: Development Around Transit
DESCRIPTION
  • This panel will invite speakers to evaluate how the market responds to the vision of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and communities. Where is the demand and how can it best be met? How have TODs successfully created economic growth in the region, and what challenges have developers faced? Why is TOD valuable to developers?

Moderator: Sandra Veszi Einhorn

Chair, Florida Housing Finance Corporation; Executive Director, The Coordinating Council of Broward

Teddy Lhoutellier

Director of Sustainability
University of Miami

Juan Carlos Liscano

Vice President, Miami, American Airlines

Rodrick T. Miller

President and CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council

Bob Swindell

CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
Session 2:
Is the Market Compatible with Vision?
DESCRIPTION
  • This panel will invite speakers to evaluate how the market responds to the vision of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and communities. Where is the demand and how can it best be met? How have TODs successfully created economic growth in the region, and what challenges have developers faced? Why is TOD valuable to developers?

Moderator: Chad Maxey

Vice President, Diversified Companies

Kim Briesemeister

Principal, RMA

Lindsay Lecour

Executive Vice President, Development, Atlantic|Pacific Companies

Albert Milo

President, Related Urban

Tim Wheat

Partner, Pinnacle Communities

Lunch Panel:
Creating TOCs and TODs: Executive Updates from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties
DESCRIPTION:
  • Why are Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) important to the long-range planning of the regional transportation system?

Moderator: The Honorable Michelle Lincoln

Chair, South Florida Regional Planning Council

Aileen Bouclé

Executive Director, Miami-Dade TPO

Javier Bustamante

Assistant Director, Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works

Coree Cuff Lonergan

General Manager/Director, Broward County Transportation Department

Greg Stuart

Executive Director, Broward MPO
Session 3:
Bricks, Mortar, and Design: The Public Return on Investment
DESCRIPTION:
  • This session will focus on how zoning and land use can support Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in the region, and on successful public policy initiatives. Topics will include addressing integration of higher densities in low density neighborhoods with context sensitive design. How has the Live Local Act affected how local governments regulate? Panelists will be invited to address the public return on investments in TOD and transit-oriented communities. How successful have policy reforms been at streamlining approvals and incentives for TOD and affordable and workforce housing near transit corridors?

Moderator: Michael Marshall

Partner, Nelson Mullins

Darby Delsalle

Urban Planning Division Director, Broward County

Anthony Fajardo

Director, Development Services, City of Fort Lauderdale

Nathan Kogon

Director, Housing and Community Development, Miami-Dade County

Brandon Schaad

Director of Planning, City of Boca Raton
Session 4:
Innovative Partnerships and Financing Strategies
DESCRIPTION:
  • This session will delve into specific innovative partnerships and financing mechanisms for TOD projects, such as public-private partnerships, and joint development agreements. Innovative partnerships and financing for local projects will be described that are being applied in the real world from practitioners with a depth of experience and leadership in the public and private sector.

Aaron Stolear

President of Development,
13th Floor Investments

Moderator: Joseph M. Yesbeck, PE

Advisory + Planning Practice Leader, TYLin

David Dech

Executive Director, SFRTA

Nathan Perlmutter

Market Leader, South Florida
TD Bank

Ralph Stone

Director Housing Finance Division, Executive Director Housing Finance Authority
Session 5:
Leadership Roundtable: Aligning Vision, Policy, and Action
DESCRIPTION:
  • This session will feature a candid "Leadership Roundtable" where distinguished public leaders will reflect on the day’s proceedings and share their individual perspectives on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The discussion will focus on how TOD can most effectively serve the South Florida region and unique needs of their constituents, specifically addressing critical issues related to transit infrastructure, accessibility, and funding.

Moderator: The Honorable Steve Geller

Broward County Commissioner, District 5; Former State Senator; Immediate Past Chair, SFRPC; Chair, SFRPC CEDS Strategy Committee

The Honorable Lamar Fisher

Broward County Commissioner, District 4; Member, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority

The Honorable Oliver G. Gilbert, II

Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 1; Council Member, South Florida Regional Planning Council

The Honorable Marci Woodward

Palm Beach County Commissioner, District 4, Chair, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority; Council Member, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Closing Remarks

The Honorable Michelle Lincoln

Chair, South Florida Regional Planning Council; Mayor Pro Tem and Monroe County Commissioner, District 2; President, Florida Association of Counties; Member, 2055 Florida Transportation Plan Steering Committee

Moderator: The Honorable Steve Geller

Broward County Commissioner, District 5; Former State Senator; Immediate Past Chair, SFRPC; Chair, SFRPC CEDS Strategy Committee

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