The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) Working Group convened on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 2:30 PM, in the Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Dean’s Conference Room.  Megan Kelly chaired the meeting.  The sign in sheet is enclosed.

The EDC discussed the impact of the current parking requirements for potential new riverfront restaurants in the “lower river” (Biscayne Bay to the NW 5^th ST Bridge).  Brett Bibeau, MRC, noted 6 new potential riverfront restaurants, which have not come to fruition yet, partially due to unfeasible parking requirements on small lots.  In addition, the City Charter prohibits surface parking within 50 feet of the Miami River.  Mr. Daniel Rodriguez, Pepe Porro, and Henry Hernandez, stated their desire to develop a new restaurant at their La Coloma Marina, yet the parking requirements forced the design to become too expensive because the restaurant would have to be elevated over the surface parking lot to meet the parking requirements.  David Miller, MRC noted some restaurant patrons would arrive in recreational vessels, on downtown transit, and via the Miami River Greenway, rather than by automobile.  Art Noriega, Miami Parking Authority provided an overview of the Coconut Grove Parking Trust, which addressed similar parking issues.  Noriega explained that essentially the restaurant owner pays the Trust in order to obtain parking waivers.  In return, the Parking Trust builds a public parking garage within the designated Parking Trust boundary.  Noriega stated the first step is to conduct a study of the existing parking quantity, rates, and future parking needs in the lower river.  Noriega offered to meet with MRC staff, City of Miami Economic Development Director Keith Karswell, to further discuss the issue, and its possible solutions.

The EDC reviewed the “Draft Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) / Earlington Heights Connector Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)”.  The EDC noted that the Citizen Advisory Committee’s preferred a modified “4B” route alternative, which is not included within the MIC draft EIS 6 analyzed connector route alternatives.  Frank Zeinali and Julio Boude, MIC Management Group, stated public comments would be accepted on the draft MIC EIS until July 14, 2003.   The EDC recommended the MRC comment in writing on the need for the connector to avoid negatively impacting businesses on the Miami River.

The EDC discussed the proposed Marine Industrial Summit.  Dana Fernety, Beacon Council, stated the Director, Frank Nero, is in full support of partnering with the MRC on the summit.  The Beacon Council will provide staff assistance with the summit’s promotion, outreach, summit package preparation and event planning, yet can not make any financial contribution.  Fernety stated the Beacon Council would prefer having the summit in December.  Fernety stated over the next month the Beacon Council will brainstorm & discuss the Marine Industrial Summit concept of promoting the Miami River’s assets for use by the Marine Industry with the Urban Land Institute.  Bibeau provided the EDC with copies of the riverfront Hyatt estimates to host the event, including breakfast and dinner.  In addition, Bibeau stated he was contacting the Maritime Administration regarding potential grants for the summit.

The next regularly scheduled 2^nd Tuesday of the month EDC meeting, will be Tuesday, July 7, 2003, at 2:30 PM, in the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Dean’s Conference Room.  The meeting adjourned.