For more information, contact us via email at
miamiriver@bellsouth.net

MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Robert King High
1407 NW 7 St.,  Suite D
Miami , FL 33125

  Phone 305-644-0544
Fax 305-642-1136

 

This site
prepared and designed by
Mark Sell Communications, Inc. Public Relations

The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Greenways Subcommittee (GSC) met as regularly scheduled on the second Wednesday of the month, September 13, 2006, 2:00 PM, 1407 NW 7 ST, New Board Room.  Dr. Ernie Martin chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

I. Update of Proposed Merrill-Stevens Expansion Project - Mr. Bibeau noted Merrill-Stevens representatives had provided the MRC with an informational update on Monday, September 11, 2006 .  Mr. Bibeau distributed the Merrill-Stevens’ conceptual plans for its expansion project, which include, “two scenic River Walk pedestrian Paths providing expanded public access to both sides of the River.”  Mr. Bibeau noted Merrill Stevens is proposing to create the publicly accessible riverwalk on the north and south shores at their cost, therefore the Greenways subcommittee should consider recommending the public sector Greenway funding be used for other areas, which don’t have committed private sector funding sources.

Ms. Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land , asked what Merrill-Stevens projected timeline for the expansion is, and Dr. Martin noted they indicated during the MRC meeting that they would continue to meet with property owners Miami-Dade County and Miami Dade Expressway Authority in an effort to secure lands needed for their expansion project.  Once this has been accomplished, Merrill-Stevens would commence the permitting process.

II. Discussion of Greenway Connectors Needed on County-Owned Property on North Shore Beneath the South Miami Avenue Bridge & Metro-Rail, South Shore Beneath the Metro-Rail & Metro-Mover – Dr. Ernie Martin stated Mr. Marcos Redondo and Mr. Armando Acosta, Miami-Dade Public Works/Bridges attended the July Greenways Subcommittee meeting regarding needed greenway connectors beneath County owned bridges in order to connect existing sections of the publicly accessible pedestrian path.  Dr. Martin noted Redondo and Acosta had informed the GSC that their department was solely responsible for the structural components of bridges.  Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, therefore invited Ms. Priscilla Morales and Mr. Mike Riera, Miami-Dade Public Works, to address the aforementioned item.

Dr. Martin provided a brief overview of the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, which was unanimously adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, and the MRC’s goal to create a continuous pedestrian path.  Mr. Bibeau explained the GSC recommended:

1) connect the existing north-south pedestrian path beneath Metro-Mover into the new riverwalk proceeding east at the “Brickell on the River” mixed-use development, while providing direct scenic pedestrian walkway for new residents to access the NW 5 ST Metro Mover Station; and 2) connect existing riverwalk proceeding east past One Riverview Square, Bijan’s Seafood Restaurant, River Park Hotel, James L. Knight Convention Center and Hyatt, with a riverwalk section currently under construction to the west of the South Miami Ave Bridge, via creating the Greenway beneath the County owned S. Miami Ave Bridge on the north shore.

Mr. Bibeau provided Ms. Morales and Mr. Riera with pictures and maps of the MRC recommended greenway connector areas, located beneath County owned bridges. Dr. Martin noted Mr. Redondo had explained the County’s Public Works Department didn’t currently have any funding specifically allocated for these small greenway segments beneath County owned Bridges.  Mr. Bibeau noted the following potential County funding and State grant sources for the recommended Greenway connectors:

• The Miami River Greenway’s $7.5 million line item in the County’s Building Better Communities Bond Program.  Ms. Lavinia Freeman , mentioned TPL had met with Meredith Nation, City of Miami , Mr. Kevin Brown , Consul Tech, Dr. Martin, Mr. Bibeau, and Roger Hernstadt, Miami-Dade County CIP, regarding expediting the availability of the approved Bond’s Miami River Greenway line item.
• Miami-Dade County is an eligible applicant for up to $1 million greenway grants in the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Transportation Enhancement’s May 2007 grant cycle.

Ms. Morales stated once funding was made available for the Greenway connectors, the County’s Public Works Department may facilitate the design and construction of the MRC recommended Greenway connectors beneath County owned bridges.  Ms. Morales noted the county currently has a non bond-related $500,000 for seawall reconstruction, adding that she would discuss the possibility of using that funding with Roger Hernstadt, Miami-Dade CIP.  Ms. Morales also offered to look into additional potential funding sources with Mr. Henderson, Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.  The GSC thanked Ms. Morales and Mr. Riera for their attendance and assistance.

III. Discuss Future Miami River Greenway Governance – Dr. Martin stated he had scheduled a meeting (publicly noticed) on September 22, 2 PM, at the Downtown Development (DDA) offices, 200 S. Biscayne Blvd, with Mr. Dana Nottingham , Director of the DDA, Ms. Freeman and Mr. Bibeau, to discuss incorporating Greenway Governance into the draft DDA Downtown Master Plan.  Mr. Bibeau noted during their recent meeting, Mr. Nottingham requested MRC staff provide an assessment of the riverwalk section within the DDA boundary.  Mr. Bibeau distributed copies of the draft “Virtual Miami River Greenway Tour Sections within DDA District”.  Mr. Bibeau noted he expected to revise and finalize the draft for use during the September 22^nd meeting.  The GSC reviewed the document, and Dr. Martin suggested highlighting Greenway needs in the assessment.  

The GSC discussed the continued need for greenway maintenance and iron clad guarantees of public access in perpetuity.  Mr. Bibeau presented a copy of the “Agreement Between the City of Miami and One Miami for Construction and Maintenance of a Riverwalk”, which is the only known formal Agreement of this sort, required because the City of Miami provided $4.1 million for construction of the Riverwalk adjacent to One Miami.  Mr. Bibeau provided copies of the “MRC Coordinated and Co-Funded Volunteer Projects”, approved by the MRC Executive Committee on August 22, 2006 .  The MRC has made over $10,000 available for 12 locations, 5 events with 350 volunteers, including bagging litter and weeds while spreading mulch along the recently development sections of on-road greenway, and creating another MRC recommended riverfront pocket park adjacent to the Greenway.   

IV. Status of Miami River Greenway Historical Markers – Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, noted the MRC passed a resolution on September 11, 2006, authorizing execution of an agreement prepared by the City of Miami Law Department, regarding the MRC’s donation of 6 historical markers along the Miami River Greenway, which the City will maintain.  Ms. Chase noted she anticipated to receive an executed copy from the City of Miami by Friday, September 15.  Ms. Freeman requested a copy of the agreement, which Ms. Chase agreed to provide.  Ms. Freeman noted TPL was working on a similar agreement regarding the donation and maintenance of artwork along the Miami River Greenway.  Mr. Bibeau noted including artwork in the continued development of the Miami River Greenway, in addition to its maintenance, security and special events, is a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce adopted “goal”.

Ms. Chase stated a timeline has been created with the MRC’s contracted sign manufacturers, Baron Signs Manufacturing, and the City of Miami , to have the 6 historic markers manufactured and installed prior to the December 31, 2006 termination of the Villagers $25,000 grant agreement, and Baron Sign’s contract.  The next milestone in the timeline is Baron Signs securing permitting in September 2006.  Ms. Chase stated the GSC approved marker’s text, layout and historic pictures were submitted to the sign manufacturers, whom will provide MRC staff with a final designed proof prior to submitting the permit application.  Review of the final proof will only address consistency with the final text and specs provided by the GSC, to what appears on the proof.      

V. Discuss Status of Draft Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards – Dr. Martin and the GSC noted the importance of adopting Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards.  The drafted standards remain awaiting consideration to be adopted by the City of Miami .   

VI. Update on Miami River Greenway Development –  Mr. Bibeau provided the GSC with pictures of the One Miami riverwalk, which per the GSC’s recommendation removed the large planters which were blocking the unobstructed pedestrian path, and the Neo-Vertika riverwalk, which per the GSC’s recommendation relocated its fire hose boxes which were obstructing the pedestrian path.

Mr. Bibeau added the storm drain system on the Neo Vertika riverwalk were cleared out.

VII. Discuss Status of Miami-Dade County , City of Miami and Federal Bond Funding for the Miami River Greenway – Ms. Freeman reported the County has tentatively agreed to allow TPL to administer the design, and the City of Miami administer the construction of sections of the Riverwalk using the County’s $7.5 million Miami River Greenway line item.  The funding is currently scheduled to begin becoming available in 2010, and TPL offered to advance the funding in order to commence the design phase and be reimbursed when the County’s bond funding becomes available.  To date, the exact Riverwalk section locations to be designed and constructed using the County’s bond funding hasn’t been determined.   

VIII. Review of Miami River Greenway Riverwalk Cross Sections - Ms Chase provided the draft “Miami River Development Riverwalk Dimensions.”  The report, she noted, compares the riverwalk dimensions pledged by developers to the MRC, with the dimension in the copies of the approved plans obtained thus far from the City of Miami’s Planning Department and Building Department, in addition to as built dimensions.  Ms. Chase added that MRC staff continues to attempt meeting with Mr. Kevin Walford, City of Miami Planning Department, every Tuesday at 10 am to obtain the remaining, previously requested Planning and Building Department construction plans.  Ms. Chase added the Planning Department also has in their possession a “working file” illustrating landscaping and precise riverwalk/greenway dimensions. Ms. Chase noted she continues to reach out to Mr. Walford in order to obtain the aforementioned “working file,” as well.  The GSC directed MRC staff to continue their efforts in working with the City representatives towards obtaining the approved riverwalk cross sections requested by MRC Chair Bagué’s January 2006 written request.  The GSC agreed to review the provided Greenway cross section comparison summary, and discuss it further during their October meeting.

 IX. New Business –The GSC addressed the following items:

• Mr. Bibeau stated EAC Consulting, which is conducting the Tamiami Swing Bridge PD&E, requested the GSC’s recommendation regarding which side of S. River Drive the on-road Greenway should be located on, as it proceeds north west from the Bridge.  The GSC reviewed the area on the map, and noted the waterfront side of S. River Drive, NW of the Tamiami Bridge , has several USCG certified international shipping terminals, featuring trucks turning in and out of the shipping terminals.  Therefore the GSC recommended the on-road Greenway be constructed on the upland side of S. River Drive , from the Tamiami Bridge to NW 25 ST, where it turns west to connect with the Miami Intermodal Center .  
• MRC staff agreed to continue reaching out to MRC board member Manuel Prieguez regarding Clear Channel Communications potential riverwalk connector opportunity
• Dr. Martin and Ms. Freeman stated they would attend the September 14, 2006 meeting of the “Miami Partnership” with the Health District (former Civic Center ) stakeholders for the “Streetscape, Gateway, and Signage Improvement Implementation Workshop”
• Mr. Bibeau presented the GSC with a copy of the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), which includes rolling over the Miami River Greenway grants previously awarded by the FDOT to the City of Miami , to the next fiscal year
• Mr. Bibeau asked Ms. Freeman to forward him a copy of the East Little Havana Green Print Plan, for which he served on the planning committee.

The Greenways subcommittee confirmed their next regularly scheduled second Wednesday of the month 2 pm meeting for October 11, 2006 , 1407 NW 7 Street, New Board Room.

The meeting adjourned.

   HOME   |    CALENDARS    |   ABOUT THE RIVER      |    ABOUT THE COMMISSION     |    DREDGING   |   GREENWAYS    
URBAN INFILL PLANS      |    STORMWATER RETROFITTING     |     MINUTES OF MEETINGS   |    LINKS