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

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The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Greenways Subcommittee (GSC) met as regularly scheduled on the second Wednesday of the month, July 12, 2006, 2:00 PM, 1407 NW 7 ST, New Board Room.  Dr. Ernie Martin chaired the meeting.  The attendance sheet is enclosed.

I. 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 - Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, welcomed Mr. Marcos Redondo and Mr. Armando Acosta, Miami-Dade Public Works/Bridges to discuss needed greenway connectors beneath County owned bridges in order to connect existing sections of the publicly accessible pedestrian path.  Mr. Bibeau explained it was the desire of the GSC  to 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, Clarion Suites, James L. Knight Convention Center and Hyatt, with a riverwalk section currently under construction to the west of the South Miami Ave Bridge’s, via creating the Greenway beneath the County Owned S. Miami Ave Bridge on the north shore. Mr. Redondo explained that his department deals solely with the structural components of bridges, and suggested that the MRC reach out to Mr. Gaspar Miranda to address this matter.  Mr. Redondo agreed to forward Mr. Miranda’s contact information to MRC staff.  Mr. Bibeau agreed to invite Mr. Miranda to the next GSC meeting and provide him with all necessary greenway plans specs for his review.

Mr. Redondo explained the difficulty in securing County funding to construct small greenway segments beneath Bridges.  Mr. Bibeau noted that the MRC had drafted a letter to Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess, recommending the Miami River Greenway’s $7.5 million line item in their Building Better Communities Bond Program be made available before the planned 2010 bond series.  Mr. Adam Lukin , Downtown Development Authority, suggested that the MRC explore the idea of requesting developers/private sector to extend their respective portions of the riverwalk/greenway in an effort to promote continuity.  The GSC agreed to explore this option, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land , City of Miami , and Miami-Dade County , as well as examine alternate funding sources.  Mr. Bibeau asked for the status on the funded replacement of the removal of the steel grates of the South Miami Avenue Bridge , and Mr. Redondo noted a consultant had recently submitted a proposal.

Mr. Bibeau noted that EAC Consulting, conducting the Tamiami Swing Bridge Replacement PD&E, contacted MRC staff seeking the recommended width of the proposed unobstructed on-road greenway and its location. Mr. Kevin Brown , ConsulTech, noted that 8 feet is the desired on-road greenway width on both sides.  Dr. Martin recommended bringing the issue of the on-road greenway’s location before the MRC board.

Mr. Bibeau added the MRC had previously recommended the construction of a greenway in Fern Isle Park along the south fork’s south shore, which would include a pedestrian bridge, potentially the current Tamiami Swing Bridge , to connect into the potential park expansion area on the north side of the south fork.  Mr. Redondo noted he would inquire about the possibility of using the Tamiami Swing Bridge as a pedestrian bridge over the South Fork in that vicinity.

The GSC thanked Mr. Redondo and Mr. Acosta for their attendance and assistance.

II. Discuss Future Miami River Greenway Governance – Mr. Adam Lukin , DDA, noted that the “Downtown Master Plan” policy and implementation team is considering recommending the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID), which may in part address greenway maintenance/governance.  Mr. Lukin noted the City may consider entering into an agreement, in which they would agree to maintain a certain level of service above the services provided through the creation of the potential BID.  Mr. Lukin noted the DDA was working in partnership with Coastal Services Consulting, who is studying the increase of maritime activities in downtown.  Mr. Bibeau noted MRC staff had scheduled a meeting on Thursday, July 20, 3 pm with Mr. Nottingham, Mr. Lukin, and DDA Capital Improvement representatives to review the status of Greenway implementation and programming/service delivery models in relation to the draft “Downtown Master Plan.”

MRC staff distributed a CD version of the City of Tampa ’s “Riverwalk Design Standards” as well as a summary of the City of Tampa ’s “Central Business District Development Design Regulations” (Article XVIII). The GSC agreed to review the aforementioned documents before discussing them at its next meeting on September 13, 2006 .  

III. Status of Miami River Greenway Historical Markers – Ms. Ashley Chase, MRC Assistant Managing Director, noted on June 22, 2006 the City Commission unanimously accepted the six historical markers donated for the Miami River Greenway, and agreed to provide their required maintenance.  Ms. Chase added the City’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board Issued a Certificate of Appropriateness on July 5, 2006 .  Ms. Chase reported the revisions to the draft markers suggested by the Greenways subcommittee were incorporated into the revised drafts, which will be provided to Baron Signs Manufacturing for permitting, fabrication and installation.

IV. Discuss Status of Draft Miami River Greenway Regulatory Design Standards – Mr. Bibeau read into the record an e-mailed response from Mr. Enrique Nuñez, City of Miami Planning Department, in regards to the status of codifying the “Miami River Greenways Design Guidelines”:

“It is my understanding as discussed in the past, that the Miami 21 new zoning will affect the individual properties within the greenway boundaries on either side of the river. One of the components remaining to be included in the guidelines is the mapping and clear delineation of the individual properties that fall within the greenway boundaries.  In addition, the Miami 21 project will also help to address the questions concerning the existing industrial areas and how the greenways will work in those areas.  Unless otherwise directed by the City, in order to codify the Greenways Regulatory Guidelines, the Miami 21 new zoning has to be completed and adopted first.  In the meantime, the City will still require private waterfront projects to implement their portions of the riverwalk or baywalk according to Riverwalk/Baywalk Design Guides and Standards in place.  Please feel free to contact me to discuss further.”

Mr. Bibeau stated there are several inconsistencies between the existing “Riverwalk / Baywalk Design Guides and Standards” and the recently developed sections of the Riverwalk, for example although the adopted Standards require signage noting the public’s access to the riverwalk areas, none of the new sections indicate the public’s right to access them.  In addition, Mr. Bibeau noted:

• The Neo Vertika riverwalk has several fire hose boxes placed directly on the Greenway pedestrian path, creating obstructions to what is designed as the “unobstructed path”, therefore violating the greenway design standards.
• Neo Vertika’s riverwalk connection to the adjacent Latitude on the River riverwalk section has an estimated 4-foot incline where the riverwalks section should connect.

V. Update on Miami River Greenway Development – No new updates were discussed/addressed:  

• Segment A (Garcia’s, North of Lummus Landing): 95% completed; The City of Miami Solid Waste Department determined the originally installed new trash receptacles were difficult to empty.  Therefore a new prototype trash receptacle was approved last week, and is expected to be installed soon.  Pending sign installation and lighting; FP &L expected to install decorative 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, i.e. Greenway arrows pointing in both directions rather than one
• Segment B ( NW 2^nd 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; recently met with FDOT to discuss funding contractual issue.
• 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 1^st Street ): 95 % completed. Mr. Bibeau stated he contacted Bill Massey, BellSouth, regarding 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.  Mr. Massey stated a protected utility panel was recently installed in the site, and he was inquiring about any potential additional needs for the site prior to further considering the concept.
• Segment F (Miami River Inn): 95% completed; FP& L will install decorative lights later this month, pending receipt of mile marker and porcelain panel for historical marker.  CIP agreed to pay for new solid waste receptacle bins, which look the same yet have a different means of emptying the trash.  Mr. Bibeau asked if dog waste bag dispensers, similar to those on the recently completed riverwalk at “Brickell on the River” and the FT Lauderdale Riverwalk, will be installed to accommodate the numerous dog walkers from the adjacent “Neo Lofts”.  Mr. Brown stated he would discuss the concept with the Public Works Department.
• Segment G (Jose Marti Park Riverwalk east beneath I-95, south along SW 3 Ave, east along SW 6 ST connecting to the existing Riverwalk proceeding beneath the 2^nd Ave Bridge): waiting on LAP agreement with FDOT
• Spring Garden : expecting initial submittal of 60% completed plans by July. Per the request of the GSC, Mr. Brown agreed to present the initial submitted 60% completed plans to the July GSC meeting, in addition to the plans for sections B, C, and G. The GSC agreed to include the presentation of the aforementioned yet to be constructed plans as a self-standing agenda item during the September GSC meeting.

Ms. Chase noted she had contacted Public Works and the Department of Capital Improvements for a presentation on the status of Lummus Landing, but to no avail.  Ms. Chase agreed to follow-up before the next GSC meeting.

VI. Presentation of Miami River Greenway Completed Construction Documents- Mr. Brown provided the GSC with a set of the completed construction documents for greenway segments B, C, and E2.  The GSC thanked Mr. Brown, TPL and the City of Miami for their continued successes in creating the Miami River Greenway.

VII.  Discuss Status of Miami-Dade County , City of Miami and Federal Bond Funding for the Miami River Greenway – Mr. Bibeau noted a meeting with the City, County, TPL and MRC regarding Greenway GOB funding had been scheduled for Thursday, July 13, 2006 , 3 pm , Stephen P. Clark Building .  Mr. Bibeau noted the MRC doesn’t have a position as to which entity should manage the Greenways line item in the County’s bond, yet would like the funding’s availability to be expedited.

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

• Scheduling a meeting with the City of Miami Planning Department, Mr. Brown, and the Miami Parking Authority to discuss the potential solutions to the issue of fencing being closed and locked on weekends and evenings, which would block riverwalk connectivity in Section B, which is yet to break ground.
• Wagner Creek (TMDL) Total Maximum Daily Load Workshop: Mr. Bibeau noted MRC staff had attended a workshop regarding water quality and possible sources of pollution earlier that day.  Mr. Bibeau noted that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) reported there are extremely high counts of e-coli found in dog waste, which may enter the Miami River from stromwater run-off, negatively impacting water quality.  Therefore Mr. Bibeau suggested further exploring the option of installing animal waste dispensers along the greenway to address this issue, which is environmental as well as aesthetic.
• The GSC noted the Florida Riverwalk Exchange Conference will be held in Jacksonville on August 3.

The Greenways subcommittee confirmed their next regularly scheduled second Wednesday of the month 2 pm meeting for September 13, 2006 , 1407 NW 7 Street, New Board Room.

The meeting adjourned.

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