The Miami River Commission Economic Development and Commerce Subcommittee met at noon, Thursday, September 28, 2000, in 200 South Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1818. 

Ms. Bohnsack discussed the draft Miami River Economic Study. She pointed out that Brett Bibeau had collected new Economic Surveys from the River Hotels and Recreational Ship Yards, which need to be recalculated into the system prior to revising the draft. Ms. Bohnsack believes the figures don't represent the Miami River moving from the fifth to the fourth largest port in the state.

A draft of the Miami River Economic Study will be revised at the next Miami River Commission Economic Development and Commerce subcommittee meeting scheduled at noon, Wednesday, November 1, 2000 at 200 South Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1818.

Brett Bibeau stated that the Estefan Garcia, owner of Garcia's Restaurant on River Drive, has been interested in a zoning variance for two years. Currently one parking space is required per 150 sq. feet. Garcia's is unable to open the second floor of the restaurant for business because there aren't sufficient parking spaces on the property. Estefan Garcia spoke with Jose Casanova, from the City of Miami, who stated the City has been researching parking variances in that area for a proposed development of City owned property in front of Lummus Park. Since the long planned development hasn't begun, Mr. McDonald stated that while the Economic Development and Commerce encourages economic development along the Miami River, Garcia's should consider hiring counsel , consultant, or a lobbyist to look into the zoning variance. Frank Lopez, DDA, stated that Adam Lukin, DDA, is working on a downtown shuttle bus service, and perhaps the Economic Development and Commerce Working Group should invite him to the next meeting. Bibeau stated it would be advantageous to connect the Riverside to the DDA shuttle route as increased public transportation may result in less necessity for more parking spaces. Fran Bohnsack proposed asking the Scottish Rite Temple about their parking availability and Capt. Miller stated he has an upcoming meeting with their owners, and will discuss the item with them at that time. Bibeau mentioned the Dade County Water and Sewer location to the immediate left of Garcia's, which has a large and generally empty parking lot. McDonald suggested the MRC explain the lack of parking in this entertainment and public park area of the Miami River Corridor and ask the County for a portion of their parking lot for public use.

Bibeau then discussed the Bassas Cargo dock as a case study of DERM permitting timelines. Bassas applied for a DERM permit last year, to repair a damaged dock. Currently the dock is an environmental problem (as wood falls off into the river), hazard to Bassas Cargo employees and determent to their cargo business. Furthermore Mr. Bassas told Bibeau at a previous meeting that he is being sued by someone who jumped his barbwire fence, cutting himself, and claimed he fell on the broken dock. Bibeau is working on a timeline of this case study. Dick Bunnell was contracted by Mr. Bassas to repair the dock, which was damaged in a hurricane. Bunnell applied for an emergency permit, which was denied and the permit is yet to be granted.

Bibeau reported the only two Metro Mover stations located on the Miami River, Riverwalk and 5th Street, close earlier than other stops. The 5th Street station is the closest to Brickell Park, Big Fish Restaurant, First Presbyterian Church, Kinko's, etc. and will be directly across the street from the new Terremark Development mixed use complex, currently under construction. Brett contacted several members of Miami-Dade Transit, including Miami-Dade Director of Transportation, Danny Alvarez, who stated the stations will extend their hours of operation until at least 10:30 pm when the Terremark shops open.

Fran Bohnsack mentioned an Daily Business Review article, "Requirement too daunting for developer", which reported the Related Group of Florida's Miami One project at the mouth of the Miami River may not be leaving the required set back for the upcoming riverwalk. Miller and Bibeau said they would research it.