Haiti reconstruction: potholes aplenty for South Florida developers

Fri, Jul 16, 2010

: While InnoVida has not yet been able to erect the prefabricated homes designed by architect Andres Duany, they have been able to start this small project in Port-au-Prince. /Images belong to InnoVida L.L.C. and are used with permission.

In March, 150 nations pledged more than $5 billion dollars to rebuild Haiti. Construction firms around the world, and especially in South Florida, began jockeying for those funds. Developers and planners from South Florida bid on contracts to build roads, construct housing, and remove debris. And not just developers and planners. Even Royal Caribbean, based in Miami, bid on housing contracts.

However, there are challenges. Most of the pledged funds have not been doled out. What’s more, complicated land ownership laws tie up some companies’ efforts to build short-term housing for displaced Haitians.

: A small Innovida project in Port-au-Prince, Haiti/ Images belong to InnoVida LLC and are used with permission.

And there is the waiting. Lots of waiting. Marie Bell, a Haitian-American political consultant, advises businesses to court Haiti just as they would a romantic partner.

Under the Sun’s Kenny Malone found out what South Florida’s planners and developers have been able to do– and what they haven’t been able to do– in the months since the earthquake. Click the player above to listen.