Alberto Vargas

Experience Highlights

• Over 12 years of community design experience in public and private sectors

Education

• Master of Architecture, Florida A&M University
• Bachelor of Architecture, Florida A&M University

Professional Certifications

• Certified Charrette Planner

Professional affiliations

• National Charrette Institute (NCI)
• Congress of New Urbanism
• National Council of Architectural Reg­istration Board

Vargas has over 12 years of experience in design, including master planning, rede­velopment, streetscapes, building design, architectural design guidelines, project management, construction cost estimating and public participation. He has suc­cessfully completed a number of design projects; some project highlights include the following:

• Apopka Highland Avenue Block Master Plan
• Lake Wales Florida Downtown Assessment and Master Plan
• Winter Haven Future City Hall Master Plan
• Winter Haven South Park Plan
• Groveland Florida Master Plan and Streetscape
• Winter Park City Hall Design Studies
• Winter Park Park Avenue Design Guidelines
• Winter Park Train Station Alternatives
• Streetscape, Gateway and Town Square Designs, San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Prior to joining Iler Planning, Vargas worked as the town architect for the City of Winter Park. As the town architect, Vargas contributed to the creation and devel­opment of a number of form based codes and guidelines for residential areas, of­fice corridors and mixed use areas of the City within the CBD, Morse Boulevard, New England Avenue and the Canton Park Neighborhood.

From 2000 to 2006, Vargas served as Assistant Planning Director and Commu­nity Agency Director for the City of Winter Park. As the CRA Director, his duties included implementing the CRA Master Plan, managing areas of economic devel­opment, sustainability, social development and housing needs, as well as project and budget management needs and responsibilities.

Vargas has won numerous awards for his innovative works in community design. These awards include the following:

• City of Winter Park for the Revitalization of Hannibal Square, APA: Innova­tions in Neighborhood Planning Award in Honor of Jane Jacobs (2007)
• Crealde School of Art, Community Vision Award (2005)
• City of Winter Park Rail Road Residences and Water Treatment Plant, Florida League of Cities: City Spirit Award (2005)
• City of Winter Park for Park Avenue Enhancements, Florida Redevelopment Association: Roy Kenzie Award (1999)

In addition to his community design work, Vargas is proficient with a number of computer programs necessary for graphically representing design concepts from master plans to building façade integration and street furniture design. These programs include: AutoCAD, Sketch-Up. Corel Draw, Adobe Photo Shop and Au­todesk Impression.