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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
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Dr. Martin opened the meeting with self-introductions.  Martin asked Brett Bibeau, to provided the subcommittee with an introduction to the first item on the agenda.  Bibeau provided photographs, and aerial images of the bike path beneath Metro-Rail on the River’s south shore.  The existing Greenway beneath Metro-Rail extends from Metro’s southern terminus, the Dadeland South Station, to the Miami River.  The last block of this continuous Greenway, between the Miami River and SW 7^th Ave, is fenced and locked at all times.  Furthermore, the River’s shore at this location is completely overgrown with invasive species, and has a homeless encampment.

Carolyn Read, Miami-Dade Transit Authority (MDTA) stated her office had been contacted numerous times by the Herskowitz’s, who own and lease property immediately east of Metro-Rail, in addition to the property owners immediately west of metro-rail.  Both private property owners are interested in leasing some of the existing Right of Way beneath Metro, for surface parking.  Read stated she sought direction from the Miami River Commission, prior to drafting the Miami –Dade Transit Authority’s Request for Proposal (RFP), to lease a portion of the right of way between the Miami River and 7^th Ave, for surface parking.  Read explained to the Greenway subcommittee that the total right of way beneath the Metro-Rail line, between SW 7^th Ave and the River, is approximately 80 X 400 feet.  The RFP being considered by the MDTA consists of a 30-year lease, for a portion of the right-of-way, set at least 50 ft back from the River, for surface parking.  The awarded bidder would be responsible for all costs of developing the parking lot, and moving the existing Greenway path towards the opposite side of the area.  Read stated there is sufficient area for a small section of parking, and a Greenway, within the right of way in question.  Chuck Flink, Greenways, Inc, noted the Miami River Greenway Action Plan calls for seating in this area, and stated he would provide Read with the electronic plans for closer review.  The Greenways subcommittee passed the following unanimous resolution, “Provided a Greenway be maintained with public access, sufficient room for the proposed seating area be provided, and the draft RFP be presented to the Greenway subcommittee for review prior to release, the MDTA may continue considering leasing a portion of the right-of-way, adjacent to the Miami River’s south shore beneath Metro-Rail.”  In addition, the Greenways subcommittee passed a unanimous resolution requesting MDTA to unlock the gate blocking public access to the existing Greenway, and cut down the overgrown plants on the river’s shore.  The Greenways subcommittee will bring this item before the full MRC.

Chuck Flink, Greenways, Inc., presented the draft governance report to the Greenway subcommittee.  Mr. Flink explained this was a broad scope report, providing case studies of existing governance structures of other Greenways across the country.  Flink stated he recommended the Miami River Greenway follow either the “private-public” or the “public-private” model.  David Miller agreed the “private-public” or “public-private” models seem to be the best suited for the Miami River Greenway.  Flink stated he would provide a separate, and more Miami River Greenway specific Governance report, to include specific recommendations on the model, and who will be responsible for maintenance, liability, security, promotion and marketing the Miami River Greenway.  Jim Murley suggested a matrix identifying the owner of all Riverwalk sections, which directly affects the governance structure.  The “on-road” sections will be within public right of way.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the MRC’s Greenway subcommittee is the second Monday of the month, March 12, 2002, 9 am, Miami River Inn, 118 South River Drive.

The meeting adjourned.

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