Frank Del Toro

Frank Del Toro (born March 3, 1970) is an American architect and urban planner.

Del Toro was born in Chicago, IL and grew up in Miami, FL. He received his undergraduate degree in architecture and a master's of urban planning in real estate development from the University of Michigan. He immediately thereafter was involved in conversion of former Soviet military bases to civilian reuse in the Czech Republic, funded in part with grants from the Fulbright and Rackham Foundations.

In 1994, Del Toro became a city planner for the City of Miami Beach, Florida redevelopment agency. After a failed run for office in 1997 [herald.com] , Del Toro joined the Related Companies, developing urban mixed use and waterfront high rise projects. It was here he first received national recognition for the sustainable redevelopment of the Ft. Worth Pier in Palm Beach, FL, designed by New Urbanism movement founders Duany Plater Zyberk & Company. Del Toro has gone on to redevelop over 100 multi-family, commercial, utility facilities and brownfield sites, many achieving LEED and other sustainability certifications. In 2003, Del Toro joined RWE American Water as Real Estate Development Director, Americas, spearheading the redevelopment of company real estate holdings, water assets and led community revitalization projects throughout the United States and Latin America. [phillyburbs.com]

Del Toro has also gained notoriety in fundraising for both the Democratic and Republican Parties. Since 1997, he has raised over $10M to push legislation supporting urban development initiatives. The son of Cuban exiles, Del Toro has also raised over $2M for politicians supporting legislation to bring democratic reforms to the island nation. He is involved in the restoration of the Centro Hebreo in Havana, Cuba, once the center of the Cuban Jewish Community prior to arrival of Fidel Castro in 1959.

References

[http://www.herald.com] ] [http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=838954792&page_url=%2f%2fwww.phillyburbs.com%2fpb-dyn%2fnews%2f112-09262004-372161.html&page_last_updated=9%2f26%2f2004+10%3a02%3a31+AM&firstName=Frank&lastName=Del+Toro]