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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTory Jacobs 9-24-091234cvb +Tory Jacobs Biography RE.10 T. Sinclair Jacobs, known to all as "Tory" and to many as "Mr. Brickell," founded and served as president of the Brickell Homeowners Association for 19 years, from 1990 until 2009. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Tory is unmistakably southern, not having lost his southern drawl or his southern charm. College began at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed with a degree from the Emory University School of Business, and soon after graduation, a Naval commission serving aboard ships in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and South Pacific. Tory served in active duty in WWII from 1943 to 1946. After the war ended, back in Atlanta and then New York City, Tory's career was focused on sales and advertising, eventually handling large national accounts at advertising giant BBDO. In 1976, Tory migrated to Miami, lured by an attractive job offer. He found he loved the warm climate and all readily available to do just outside one's doorstep. In 1985, he formed Bankers Financial Corporation, dedicated to managing investments for institutional clients. He has always lived in the Brickell Avenue neighborhood, first at Brickell Place at 1865 Brickell Avenue and now at Brickell 25, 145 SE 25th Road overlooking Biscayne Bay. Tory met fellow resident Attorney Henry Taylor, who convinced him that residents needed to be proactive rather than reactive in helping to shape, maintain and improve their neighborhood. A collective voice was needed among the Brickell neighbors. Brickell Homeowners Association was formally incorporated in 1990, and Tory was the natural choice as its first president. It was a job that stuck. He has represented the neighborhood on many issues over the years, and has seen the neighborhood and BHA grow dramatically in nearly two decades. BHA has remained dedicated to quality of life and safety for its neighbors. Tory loves Miami and believes the city can overcome her challenges, achieve her potential to be one of the world's great cities. Activities and Accomplishments of the Brickell Homeowners Association during Tory's Presidency Brickell Avenue Streetscape Plan, as originally conceived and launched by BHA, officially broke ground on September 6, 2006 and is nearly completion. Successfully held 17 Candidates Forums to give all Brickell residents an opportunity to hear from and address candidates for offices that impact our neighborhood. ToryJacobs • Purchased and continues to coordinate with help of member associations the installation of radar speed reader display to remind motorists to slow down • Thwarted a plan without public input by Metro-Dade Transportation to relocate the Greyhound Bus Terminal to the Brickell area. • Canine Courtesy enforcement and education program launched and funded by BHA in 2007-2008, reinstituted in 2009. • Re-landscaping and planting of SE 25th Road, in cooperation with the developers of The Metropolitan which included benches in mini-park by the bay, underground irrigation, new trees and sod. • Advocated for relief from odors from Virginia Key Sewage Treatment Plant, for several years; following the proposed development of Virginia Key. • Successfully advocated for exempting condominium associations from commercial garbage supplemental fee, which condos were mistakenly charged as commercial owners. • BHA leaders have been active participants in the Airplane Noise Abatement Task Force for years, working to eliminate the noise pollution that has become a major concern for Brickell residents as well as for many homeowners countywide by advocating for flight pattern and pilot procedures changes. • Sponsor security seminars with City of Miami Police, condominium security forces, property managers and residents. • Successfully advocated for the relocation of UTD Union meetings at the residential tower, which clogged streets, destroyed median plantings and disrupted the neighborhood ambiance. • Advocated for the re-landscaping of 15th Road, Broadway, in cooperation with The Rilea Group, and to have a traffic circle installed to improve this unsafe intersection with challenging site lines. • Patrolling, signage and enforcement of liter-causing fishermen along Brickell Bay Drive. • Graffiti removal in cooperation with City of Miami whereby BHA reps alert upon first site. • Persuaded the County to pass an ordinance outlawing noisy jet ski launches on the north side of Rickenbacker Causeway (1990) • Successful in winning prohibition of advertising lightpole banners on Brickell Avenue from 15th to 25th Roads. (2001) • Arranged for polling site to be moved from north of the Miami River to the Sheraton Brickell Point when it first opened, and subsequently, when it was razed, to Fire Station 4 instead of Jose Marti Park as first decided by the County Elections Dept. • Advocated and got Emergency Rescue at Fire Station #4. • Supported the redevelopment of the blighted surrounding area to create Mary Brickell Village. • Helped City of Miami garner significant revenue with the Construction Sprawl Ordinance passed on emergency basic led by Commissioner Sarnoff (2007). Tory Jacobs CODESIGNATION APPLICATION CITY OF MIAMI PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 444 S.W. 2ND AVENUE, 8TH FLOOR MIAMI, FLORIDA 33130 Applicant Brickell Homeowners Association Address P.O. Box 45-2403, Miami, FL 33245-2403 Type of designation requested: (X) Marker (Place) 2. Plaza Street Codesignation _x_ Telephone 786-280-7888 Claudia Bruce Location (Street): SE 25`x' Road From Biscayne Bay (100 SE block) To: Miami Avenue Brief reason for codesignation request: Tory Jacobs, through 20 years of volunteer work, has become a symbol for residential Brickell Avenue, safeguarding quality of life for all neighbors as president of Brickell Homeowners Association. He has led this organization through a tremendous growth and change and helped to maintain Brickell Avenue's preeminence as an enclave for luxury, urban living. •µ---See biogfapliicaT sketch attaclied; —wliich•"higlilights acconiplishnients of (Attach additional background information if necessary) NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE* A. STREET CODESIGNATION ...............................................$300.00 B. MARKER DESIGNATION .................................................$300.00 C. PLAZA DESIGNATION ....................................................$300.00 NON-REFUNDABLE CODESIGNATION EXPENSES D. CODESIGNATION EXPENSES...........................................$400.00 I understand, as stated in the City Code, Section 54-138, all expenses on the part of the Cijy or any other Rovernmental agency plazas shall be paid by the applicant in addition to any fees. This application carries a non-refundable fee as stated in Section 54-139 of the City Code. Signature of Applicant Date *If the application is approved by the City Commission, additional fees will be required.