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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

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The Miami River Commission Executive Committee was called to order at 8:00 AM at Greenstreets Café located at 3468 Main Highway, Coconut Grove.

David Miller opened the meeting with discussion of MRC participation at the GMCC Goals Conference.  The GMCC Goals Conference will be held at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach on May 31, June 1 & 2nd.  The MRC has participated in the conference for the last three years; however, prior years attendance has been at a minimal cost.  This year the MRC’s cost will be much higher due to the Palm Beach location and the need to rent hotel accommodations.  The executive committee discussed the issue and a motion was made by Phil Everingham and seconded by Jerry Fernandez to fund David and Brett’s attendance at the GMCC Goals Conference and stay at the hotel in two rooms.  The motion passed unanimously.  MRC issues to be promoted at GMCC include: dredging, transportation, river development, environmental issues, etc.  Bob Parks stated that the MRC issues for the GMCC Conference are to be placed on the MRC agenda for the May 6, 2002 meeting.

David asked about the status of the “Fund Raising Committee” as the MRC still owes Doug Bruce payment for his services.  Discussion ensued.  David advised the committee that the MRC staff is planning on submitting an application for Innovations in American Government award competition sponsored by the Institute for Government Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  The winners receive a monetary award from the Ford Foundation of up to $100,000.  This application is due by May 3, 2002 for paper application or May 17, 2002 for an online application..  Phil Everingham volunteered to chair the “MRC Fund Raising Committee”.  Bob Parks and Phil will collaborate and determine other members of this committee.  Discussion ensued. 

The next item for discussion was the agenda for the MRC meeting for May 6, 2002.  The City of Miami has forwarded several issues that impact the Miami River and are soliciting our recommendations.  These items include:

1. Building horse stables, canine training facility and marine patrol station in Sewell Park;

2. Construction of a new Community Center in Jose Marti Park; 

3. Planning & Zoning Amendment to change a riverfront property at approximately 2415 NW 16 Street from waterfront industrial and medium density residential to entirely medium density residential for lower income housing;

4. Review of new proposal for One Miami development

Discussion ensued with the end result that Bob recommended and the executive committee agreed that the EDC with assistance from the Greenways committee members review items 1, 2 and 3 and come to the MRC meeting with a recommendation for each item.  Item 4 has already been before the MRC and, therefore, the One Miami representative can make their presentation directly to the MRC.

The next item on the agenda was a discussion of the proposed half penny or one penny transportation tax and how this proposed tax could help the River.  David reported that at the recent Urban Land Institute Forum, many participants noted that the water transportation and highway transportation issues will always conflict and be incompatible due to the number of bridges crossing the River.  This conflict will continue until tunnels are used to cross the River.  David reported that he has discussed this issue with several FDOT officials and their party line is that tunnels are too expensive compared to bridges.  Tunnels are more expensive to construct; however, the FDOT economic review does not take into account the negative impact to the public and businesses that occurs while everyone waits for bridges to open and close.  When lost time, amount of fuel burned by vehicles and ships, expected increased population, etc. are included for the 75-year life span of a bridge, all concur that a tunnel is more economical and practical for an expanding urban community.  David has contacted Parsons Transportation Group in Washington D.C. and received an estimate of $24 million to construct a six lane tunnel, 3 lanes each way.  This estimate is based on a total tunnel length of 375 yards and includes construction of portals and approaches.  This estimate does not include land acquisition.  Tunnel construction costs today are much lower than in years past due to new and improved technology.  As a comparison, the new Second Avenue Bridge will cost approximately $44 million.  Furthermore, David stated he has received a proposal from Richard Weisskoff, PhD with the University of Miami for an economic feasibility study comparing the economics of a new 12^th Avenue Bridge with a new 12^th Avenue Tunnel.  Dr. Weisskoff’s proposed feasibility study will cost $15,000 and can be completed in about 4 months.  Discussion ensued.  The committee concurred that the MRC should advocate this idea and change the FDOT paradigm with reference to always building bridges and never building tunnels.  The Executive Committee suggested this issue be raised in the EDC and for that committee to provide a recommendation to the MRC.  Also it was noted that DDA is planning on hiring an economist to study the Brickell Avenue Bridge economic issue.  It was decided that the MRC staff would check with DDA on this issue and it would be discussed at the next MRC meeting.

David advised the committee about an FDOT meeting concerning the Fifth Street Bridge.  The major issue that arose in the meeting was that the Coast Guard wants the bridge removed due to the multitude of navigational problems caused by the bridge.  Additionally, construction of a new Fifth Street Bridge would have to meet all current requirements of the Army Corps and Coast Guard; specifically, the bridge would have to span the entire River with no structures in the 150-foot wide navigable channel.  This would cause the taking of adjacent properties to accommodate a new bridge and roadway system.  Also, Coast Guard policy requires the bridge to be at least 24 feet above the River, which would create a much higher bridge than currently in place.  Discussion ensued.

David and Brett reported on the status of obtaining the necessary permits to have a floating pedestrian walkway at Riverday.  Much thanks goes to Dick Bunnell for his company”s help in obtaining the required permits.  Without his help, it is readily apparent that there would be no marine exposition or Riverboat tours occurring at Riverday.  Brett briefed the committee on the events of Riverday and the need for volunteers.

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