MIAMI, March 1 (Reuters) - Miami on Monday bid beautiful vistas, winterless weather and a new $16 million glass and titanium waterfront building in its formal proposal to host the headquarters of a hemispheric free trade area.
Officials lobbying to win the home base for what would be a 34-nation Free Trade Area of the Americas called Miami the "logical" option among 10 competitors.
"If you took out the politics, took out emotions, and looked from the perspective of convenience, you would see Miami is the logical choice," said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at a press conference, citing the ease of getting to Miami from most FTAA nations and the transportation and communications infrastructure already in place.
The proposal, sent to presidents and trade ministers of member nations, included a charged-up mini DVD player and a disc with video messages from officials and business leaders on the issues identified by the FTAA as important in choosing its headquarters. Between those messages, the recorded bid proposal offered scenes of Latin culture and beach beauties.
To meet real estate requirements, Miami offered two prime, waterfront property options -- one on an island between South Beach and downtown and a second in trendy Coconut Grove, which sits on Biscayne Bay. The city would donate the land to the FTAA and pay for half the cost of construction.
Florida and private businesses would cover the other half of construction expenses. The building will cost a total of $12 million to $16 million, officials said.
Jorge Arrizurieta, executive director of the Florida FTAA group, could not place a value on the property, which the city owns. He said the group has won commitments for funding from the private sector, but would not offer details.
Miami's formal bid also included a rendering of the proposed building, which officials said would be a landmark like the United Nations in New York City. It would be made of glass and titanium, highlighted by five soaring arches over a transparent center building.
Still, Miami faces tough competition from other U.S. cities and rivals in the Caribbean and Latin America. Bush said Trinidad and Tobago's Port of Spain and Panama City, Panama, are the toughest competitors.
The headquarters city will be decided by consensus, meaning all member nations must come to agreement. Lobbyists for Miami's bid have been banking on winning the second-choice support of the majority of nations, and thereby grabbing the secretariat on the theory that no candidate city will be the first choice of all members.
Despite the location, multilingual work force and infrastructure, Miami has problems, its rivals argue. Atlanta officials have said their city is "neutral," noting disputes in Miami over trade with Cuba. Cuba is not a member of the FTAA.
Panama and Trinidad say any U.S. location would be difficult for many member nations due to heightened visa restrictions for entering and working in the United States.
The decision will likely be made next year, given the FTAA is finalized.
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