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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
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I) Discuss Status of Future Miami River Greenway Maintenance - Dr. Ernie Martin introduced Mr. Denis Russ, community development consultant, and provided him with a brief history of the Miami River Greenway.  Dr. Martin stated the Miami River Commission had recently reviewed and approved the City of Miami’s revised draft, “Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards,” a series of greenway guidelines consistent with the existing Miami River Greenway Action Plan, and the previously adopted “The City of Miami Baywalk / Riverwalk Design Guides and Standards.” The draft “Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards,” noted Dr. Martin, was designed to further codify former greenway principles and set stricter guidelines for future developers.

Dr. Martin noted that Mr. Russ had been invited to offer the Greenways subcommittee suggestions regarding the ongoing maintenance and promotion of the Miami River Greenway. Mr. Russ, former president of the State of Florida Redevelopment Association , congratulated the Miami River Commission for its hard work and dedication and provided the Greenways subcommittee with a variety of alternatives concerning future funding, revitalization programs, business incentives and infrastructure.

Mr. Russ proceeded to describe a series of possible funding sources to ensure the future maintenance and success of the Miami River Greenway, including: Tax Increment Financing (TIF); Centralized Retail Management-also known as the “Main Street Principle,” in which a core organization manages properties owned by disparate property owners within small to medium-sized communities; and the creation of Business Improvement Districts, Community Development Districts and Marketing and Management Districts.

Mr. Russ noted the importance of examining different business / structural models as outlined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, there are currently four main points used to define each model: design/physical attributes, marketing/promotion, economic restructuring/vitality, organization/structure. Each model, noted Mr. Russ, is governed by eight different principles: comprehensiveness, incremental steps to business, citizen engagement/involvement, public/private partnerships, maximizing existing assets, high quality, change of attitudes/perceptions, action-oriented.

Mr. Russ also described the “Safer, Cleaner Greener” program, a security element used in most Business Improvement Districts in which unarmed, private /off-duty police officers are hired to patrol an area. According to Russ, the program creates a great level of engagement/involvement within the community while increasing a sense of security. Dr. Martin stated that the Miami River Greenway would benefit from such a program.

Dr. Martin suggested looking at the Bayfront Park Management Trust and the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust as different models of organization/governance. The Greenways subcommittee thanked Mr. Russ for his informative insight.

II) Miami River Greenway Historical Markers- Dr. Ernie Martin noted he would follow-up with the Villagers, Inc., regarding the Memorandum of Understanding drafted by Miami River Commission staff concerning the Miami River Greenway Historical Markers. He stated he hoped to have an update before the May Greenway Subcommittee meeting.

III) Discuss Status of Draft Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards- The item was deferred to the next Greenway Subcommittee meeting.

IV) Discuss Status of Miami River Greenway Development- The item was deferred to the next Greenway Subcommittee meeting.

V) Discuss Status of Miami-Dade County and City of Miami Bond Funding for the Miami River Greenway- Dr. Martin stated he would appear before the City of Miami Bond Oversight Committee on April 26, 2005 in support of using $300,000 from the Historic Preservation line item of the Homeland Defense and Neighborhood Improvement bond issue for the restoration of the historic Seybold Canal , as recommended by the MRC.

VI) New Business- Dr. Martin stated the Miami River Commission Greenways subcommittee recommends the City of Miami apply for the Florida Department of Transportation’s “Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP)” $1,000,000 in grant funding for the construction of an on-road greenway on the south shore of the Miami River, from Brickell Avenue to the Metro-Mover Station. Mr. David Henderson, MPO, agreed with the recommendation.

Dr. Ernie Martin mentioned the City of Miami ’s launch of “ Miami 21,” Saturday, April 16, 8:00-12:30 pm , Miami -Dade College Wolfson Campus, Chapman Conference Center , 300 NE 2^nd Avenue , Building 3. The highly publicized “ Miami 21,” noted Dr. Martin, is intended to rewrite and revitalize the City’s former zoning code.

The meeting adjourned.

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