Dana Nottingham

Executive director, Miami Downtown Development Authority

• His stake: The DDA is responsible for helping improve quality of life in downtown Miami and bridging government, developers and business owners.

• What DDA is doing: ``Throughout the history of the DDA, the focus has been on marketing, planning advocacy and facilitating development. Now there is an expanded focus on providing supplemental services and capital projects. . . . We're talking about services like cleaning streets and picking up trash, as well as smaller capital projects, like pocket parks and enhancing a street corner with more plants. . . . We have been reserving money, so we can leverage funds and make a tangible difference downtown. Now is the year we want to utilize that money.''

• Answering critics of DDA: ``Downtown revitalization is not just the responsibility of the DDA. We all recognize the challenges and problems. We all have to work together more effectively. It requires resources and the prioritization of available resources to make the biggest difference. There needs to be a clear vision and action plan. A lot of what we do is supporting the private sector's lead.''

• How to create change: ``There is no silver bullet. We're talking about increased residential development and creating more population. New business recruitment. Getting retailers and restaurateurs to understand there is money to be made downtown. All of these things feed off each other and create economic synergy.''

President, Morays Jewelers

• Her stake: Morays Jewelers, 50 NE 2nd Ave., has been in downtown Miami since 1944; Sandy Hequin is the sixth generation to run the high-end jewelry store. In 1999, she decided to expand downtown rather than follow the advice of the masses and relocate to Aventura or Coral Gables. It's paid off: Business has more than tripled.

• Why she expanded: ``I had faith that if I built it, I'm going to set an example and others will start to upgrade. I'm still waiting.''

• What needs to change: ``A big part of the problem is the city. We shouldn't have such a homeless problem. Other major cities have street cleaners. We need a real infrastructure. We need ordinances to be complied with. Take a look at the storefronts downtown, they're disgusting. People just build what they want, and the city does nothing. It's about basic services. We have to get the city to clean things up and make people feel comfortable about making an investment downtown.''

President, Robins Companies

• His stake: Purchased Old Post Office building at 100 NE First Ave. in downtown; looking to buy more property in the central business district. Also is a Downtown Development Authority board member.

• What needs to happen: ``The city must show a commitment. There must be capital improvements by the city, specifically sidewalks, streets, lighting, landscaping. On top of that, they need to make stores remove the gates and take off all these ridiculous signs and advertising for discount electronics. I think that if you saw the city take the lead and upgrade the aesthetics and upgrade the infrastructure, the private sector will jump on the bandwagon. But without clean, safe, well-lit, landscaped -- and maintained -- streets, you will not get top-flight retailers.''

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