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I.
Discuss Future Miami River Greenway Governance –Dr.
Martin stated he met with Mr.
Dana Nottingham
, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), to
pick-up on the discussion held during the MRC’s recent Greenways
Retreat, regarding the
possibility for the DDA’s Downtown Master Plan update to potentially
include a Miami River Greenway governance pilot program within the DDA
boundary (north shore - Biscayne Bay to Lummus Park & south shore -
Biscayne Bay to I-95) which would focus on maintenance, security and
special events. Dr. Martin stated during the meeting Mr. Nottingham
explained their Master Plan update will recommend the creation of
several DDA subcommittee’s, one of which may further explore the means
of providing maintenance, security and special events along the Miami
River Greenway.
Dr. Martin stated the MRC continues to await a complete reply from Mr.
Hector Lima, Director of the City of Miami Building Department, and City
Attorney Mr. Jorge Fernandez, to MRC Chair Irela Bagué’s letters
requesting the planned riverwalk cross sections approved by the
City, and the documents which guarantee public access to the Riverwalk. Mr.
Bibeau stated thus far the City provided a copy of the covenant running
in perpetuity of the land which guarantees public access for the
Riverwalk section at the “One Miami” development. Mr.
Kevin Brown
, City of
Miami
, stated Ms.
Mary Conway
, City of Miami CIP Director, remains updated on this issue, and has
requested that Mr. Brown contact Ms. Alicia Cuervo-Schreiber regarding
ensuring the pledged public access to the Miami River Greenway. The
Greenways subcommittee noted the item will remain on the Greenways
monthly agenda until consensus is reached on means to provide frequent
maintenance, security and special events along the entire planned Miami
River Greenway.
II. Status of
Miami River
Greenway Historical Markers
– Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, noted
the contract with Baron Signs Manufacturing has been executed. Ms.
Chase noted she would follow up with the appropriate City of
Miami
staff to begin the process for Baron Signs to obtain the necessary
approval and/or permits required for the installation of the historical
markers. The GSC reviewed
the draft text and images for the following historical markers:
Alligator Joe’s in Point Park,
Sewell
Park
,
Fort
Dallas
and the Wagner Homestead in
Lummus
Park
, Julia Tuttle and the Flagler Workers House in
Fort
Dallas
Park
, and
Jose
Marti
Park
. Ms. Chase agreed to review
any changes or revisions with Mr.
Jim Broton
. MRC staff agreed that upon
completion of those six markers, to provide the GSC with draft markers
for the following additional historic sites: WW II PT boat construction
site, now known as “Latitude on the River,” Coppinger’s Indian
Village, Merrill-Stevens and East Coast Fisheries.
Ms. Chase added she would contact Mr. Bryan Vasser, Baron Sign
Manufacturing, to inquire about text/image submission deadlines in order
to stay on schedule for installation by the end of 2006.
III.
Discuss Status of Draft
Miami River
Greenway Regulatory Design Standards -
Mr.
Kevin Brown
noted he and Ms. Conway are
continuing to reach out to the City of Miami Planning Department
regarding this matter. To
his knowledge, Mr. Brown stated Mr. Enrique Nuñez, City of Miami
Planning Department, is still reviewing the final components of the
“Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards”. Mr.
Brown noted the City is also currently discussing whether the design
standards will be incorporated into “
Miami
21” Mr.
Brown agreed to provide the GSC with a copy of the revised draft
guidelines.
IV.
Update on
Miami River
Greenway Development –
Mr. Brown provided the status on
the City’s construction of the following sections of the Miami River
Greenway:
- Segment
A (Garcia’s, North of Lummus Landing):
95% completed; pending sign installation and lighting; FP &L
expected to install lighting this month; keys for the public
information kiosk to be provided to Public Works and possibly CIP;
ordered contractor to correct way-finding signage
- Segment
B (
2nd ST
to
Flagler ST
) & Segment C (Flagler to
Miami
Riverside
Center
’s Riverwalk) Construction
documents have been completed; construction expected to commence in
1-2 months; close to resolving funding issue with FDOT.
- Segment
E1 (Neo Lofts -
South River Drive
, between Flagler and
SW 1st ST
): Complete; pending
modification of directional signage.
- Segment
E2 (North of Neo Lofts to Flagler to
NW 1st Street
): 90% completed. Mr.
Bibeau noted he has discussed with BellSouth the MRC’s
recommendation to create a pocket park adjacent to Segment 2 in a
Bellsouth owned riverfront utility easement.
The creation of the recommended riverfront pocket park would
include removal of the fence, installation of grass, landscaping,
and a bench.
- Segment
F (Miami River Inn): 95% completed; pending receipt of mile
marker and porcelain panel for historical marker; FP& L will
install lights later this month. CIP has agreed to pay for new solid
waste receptacle bins, which look the same yet have a different
means of emptying the trash. The
GSC asked if dog waste bag dispensers, similar to those on the FT
Lauderdale Riverwalk, will
be installed to accommodate the numerous dog walkers from Neo Lofts.
Mr. Brown stated he would discuss the concept with the Public
Works Department.
Ms.
Lavinia Freeman
, Trust for Public Land (TPL),
provided a brief overview of the locations where artwork will be
installed along the greenway, including: 1 in Segment A on the grassy
area near the edge of “Lummus Landing”, between NW 3rd
Street and NW North River Drive; 1 bench structure in Segment B (Flagler
Extension) on N. River Drive between SW 2 ST and Flagler ST; 2 bench
structures in Segment G (Jose Marti Park) to SW 3 Ave, near the
“Finnegan’s River” restaurant, currently under construction and 1
in Jose Marti Park. Ms.
Freeman noted all the artwork was created by local artists Carlos
Alvarez and Vicky Pierre.
Mr. Brown noted
he is currently in discussion with FDOT regarding greenway segments
extending from the end of Segment E2 to the south of the
NW 5th Street
Bridge. Mr. Bibeau noted
Congress appropriated $2.6 million to the City of
Miami
for the purpose of creating the Riverwalk as a component of the upcoming
NW 5 ST Bridge replacement project.
Mr. Bibeau stated the FDOT’s NW 5 ST Bridge replacement project
manager stated the FDOT would be willing to consider entering into an
agreement if the City of
Miami
would like to use their bridge replacement contractors to use the
federal funding to construct the riverwalk while working on the bridge
replacement project. Mr.
Brown stated the City would like to enter into such an agreement, and
stated they will contact the FDOT to make the arrangements.
Dr.
Ernie Martin requested an update for the
Spring
Garden
greenway segment, and Mr. Brown
replied that designs for the area will be completed in December 2006.
Mr. Brown clarified from previous GSC meetings that the “East
Allapattah Greenway” grant application (authored by Mr. Bibeau)
resulted in the FDOT awarding the City of Miami $1 million, and will be
utilized towards constructing this section of “on-road Greenway”
along NW North River Drive from NW 7 Ave to NW 12 Ave.
In addition, Mr. Brown informed the GSC that the “East Little
Havana Greenway” grant application (authored by Mr. Bibeau) resulted
in the FDOT awarding the City of Miami $1 million, and the City is
moving forward with the construction documents which this funding will
be utilized towards constructing a section of “on-road Greenway”
along South River Drive from NW 1 ST to the NW 5 ST Bridge. Mr.
Brown indicated the City will wait to commence construction documents
for the $1 million in FDOT awarded grant funding for the City to
construct the Miami River Greenway on the south shore between
2nd Ave
and
S. Miami Ave.
Mr. Bibeau noted a dead-end street and the road-way configuration
generates ample public right-of-way for an excellent “on-road
greenway” between S. Miami Ave and 1st AVE, where it would
proceed briefly north on the existing “M-Path”, then turn west
connecting with the riverwalk currently under construction at
“Neo-Vertika” and “Latitude on the River”.
Mr. Bibeau noted the area is adjacent to two new restaurants and
a night club which are currently under construction, in addition to the
existing Big Fish restaurant.
Mr.
Bibeau offered to schedule a meeting between the City of Miami and FDOT
in the near future to discuss the MRC’s recommendation to create
pocket parks on FDOT owned public right-of-way adjacent to sections of
the Miami River Greenway, which the City of Miami is preparing to
construct, beneath and adjacent to the SW 1st Street and
Flagler Bridges. Mr. Brown
thanked Mr. Bibeau for offering to schedule the meeting.
The
GSC noted the Riverwalk construction at “Lummus Landing” has been
suspended for a couple years. Mr.
Brown stated the project was being administered by the City of
Miami
’s Public Works Department.
The GSC agreed to place an update on the completion of the Lummus
Landing Riverwalk on their next agenda, and invite a representative from
the Public Works Department to provide the current status.
V.
Discuss
Status of
Miami-Dade
County
, City of
Miami
and Federal Bond Funding for the
Miami River Greenway
– Mr. Bibeau stated
the City of Miami Homeland Defense and Neighborhood Improvement Bond
Oversight Board requested an update on May 23, 6 pm, City Hall,
regarding the City Commission approved $25,000 cost-share to create the
riverwalk at the Miami Circle site. Mr.
Bibeau noted the Department of State owns the site, and controls its
future improvements, therefore we would seek their update on the planned
sea-wall repair, followed by providing public access to the site via
creation of the riverwalk.
Ms. Freeman
distributed a letter addressed to County Manager George Burgess,
regarding TPL’s “interest in administering implementation of the
Miami River Greenway (Greenway) project funded ($7.5 million) through
the (County’s) Building Better Communities Bond Program.”
In addition, the letter recommended making the funding available
before the planned 2010 bond series.
Dr. Martin stated he had reported to the MRC about the County’s
Greenway Bond funding, and the MRC agreed to write County Manager
Burgess, recommending the County expedite the schedule to implement the
Miami River Greenway line item.
VI.
New Business –Mr.
Bibeau passed around a list of “Riverwalk Exchange” members, and
asked if the GSC attendees had heard of the organization.
The GSC attendees were unaware of the organization, which
includes the President of the FT Lauderdale Riverwalk Trust.
Mr. Bibeau agreed to look into obtaining additional information
about the organization.
The
Greenways subcommittee confirmed their next public meeting for the
second Wednesday of the month, June 14, 2006, 10 am, 1407 NW 7 Street,
New Board Room.
The meeting
adjourned.
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