CONTACT US!
For more information, contact us via email at mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-421-4850
Fax: 305-421-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

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

I. Status of Miami River Greenway Historical Markers (Villager’s Inc. Grant)

Dr. Ernie Martin stated Ms. Ellen Ugucionni, Villager’s, Inc., indicated the Villagers have approved the prototype historical marker submitted by the Greenways subcommittee, consisting of a metal free standing pedestal and historical marker with porcelain panels in English on one side and Spanish on the other, including pictures and text.  Dr. Martin stated Miami River historians Don Gaby, author of Miami River and its Tributaries, and Jim Brotan, have volunteered to author the text.  The final markers are subject to unanimous approval by the Villagers, TPL, and MRC, and logos from funding sources will be included.

Dr. Martin stated the Villagers have requested a specific final proposal to include a line item budget for the fabrication and installation of Phase I Miami River Greenway historical markers.  Ms. Lavinia Freeman, Trust for Public Land , asked Chris Rogers, Yazi, about the estimated costs, and Rogers replied $2,500-3,000 per sign (including shop drawing, fabrication, permits and installation).  The Greenways subcommittee noted the Villager’s $25,000 grant would therefore be sufficient for approximately 10 bi-lingual markers.  Ms. Freeman requested Rogers to create a line item budget for submittal to the Villager’s.  Roger’s indicated the markers would take 8-12 weeks to produce.  Sites for the first signs, unprioritized, are:

• Lummus Park – City Park , 1^st in City of Miami

• Wagner Homestead - 1896

• Fort Dallas / William English Slave Quarters – 1844

• Sewell Park

• Jose Marti Park

• Flagler Workhouse Site

• Miami River Inn

• East Coast Fisheries

• Scottish Rite Temple

• Seybold Canal House

• Alligator Joe's - Point Park

Precise sign location will be handled by TPL and City of Miami , with MRC consultation, to maximize their exposure to the public using the Miami River Greenway and Heritage Trail.

Mr. Rogers provided the Greenways subcommittee with copies of the draft icons that would be used on top of the signage. The subcommittee agreed the draft icons were appropriate, but suggested considering additional options for the “Family/Community” and the “Archaeological” icons.  The six draft icons include:

• arrowhead - representing archeological / historical

• family of three - representing communities and family

• smiling fish - representing natural marine environment

• large vessel - representing shipping industry

• city skyline- representing downtown urban scene

• tree - representing greenway

The subcommittee also agreed to thoughtful random selection of the icons on the signage throughout the Greenway, matching the most appropriate icon for the individual location.

Mr. Brett Bibeau , MRC Managing Director, indicated that the June 28, 2004 minutes of the Greenways Subcommittee reflects that each of the ten sites, Lummus Park, Jose Marti Park, East Coast Fisheries, Flagler Workers House, Sewell Park, Scottish Rite Temple, Miami River Inn, Point Park, Wagner Homestead, and Fort Dallas, are located within the areas where construction documents are nearing completion.  Mr. Kevin Brown, City of Miami , invited everyone for a walk through of Greenway segments “B, C, and E” on July 14, 2004 at 2:30 PM , meeting at the City of Miami Administration Building.  Mr. Horn indicated the engineering construction document consultants, Kimley-Horn, would join the site visit.  Ms. Freeman stated Greenway sections “A, F, G, & E-1 / Neo” are scheduled for construction completion in May 2005 and sections “B, C, & E-2” in January 2006.

II. Discussion regarding FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails Land Acquisition Opportunity - Mr. Bibeau provided the Greenways subcommittee with information regarding the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Office of Greenways and Trails Land Acquisition program for consideration.  The Greenways subcommittee discussed alternatives and potential sites, and agreed to revisit the opportunity in the 2005 grant cycle.

III. Discussion of Miami Herald Riverfront Distribution Center Proposal - Mr. Bibeau stated Miami-Dade Transit had requested the MRC’s advisory recommendation, regarding issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to lease the riverfront pedestrian path located beneath metro-rail on the river’s south shore.  The Miami Herald was considering bidding the potential RFP, yet opted out of leasing the former DHL site adjacent to the County right-of-way, which was being considered for a distribution center.  Bibeau stated he was expecting representatives from Miami-Dade Transit to attend the Greenways meeting to discuss their proposed RFP, and asked for the item to be deferred to a future Greenways subcommittee meeting.  Bibeau indicated the potential developers of the vacant land on the north shore of the Miami River , immediately east of Metro-Rail, are interested in providing dry dockage for small recreational vessels in the County owned public right-of-way located beneath metro-rail.  Mr. Bibeau noted the Greenway subcommittee’s standard policy of recommending compliance with the City Charter required 50-foot setback from the river, east of the 5 ST Bridge and recommended the proposal be presented in detail during the next greenways subcommittee meeting.

IV. Status of Miami River Greenway Construction Doc uments - Mr. Kevin Horn stated construction documents for Greenway sections “E, F, and G” was scheduled for July 26, 2004 ; however, some utilities may be in interference.  Soft digs will be completed for these utilities and if found, the designs will require modification. Construction documents are complete for Section E-1, also known as the Neo Segment. Horn stated the documents for the cul-de-sac at the entrance of Jose Marti Park are currently being redesigned, because the Parks Department indicated a desire to reduce the amount of right-of-way taken at the entrance of the park’s parking lot.  Surveys for sections “B, C, & E-2” will be submitted in July.  Horn indicated Ms. Mary Conway is reviewing the on-street parking component of the engineering documents.

V. Status of Miami River Greenway Line Item in the Miami-Dade County Proposed General Obligation Bond Issue - Mr. Bibeau stated the Miami River Commission ’s recommended $7.5 million line item in the proposed Miami-Dade County General Obligation Bond Issue is in bond question #3.  Bibeau reported that on July 27, 2004 the Board of County Commissioners would consider sending the bond questions to referendum.

VI. New Business- Ms. Charlene Jacks-Palomino, City of Miami , stated the Florida Department of Transportation approved time extensions for Miami River Greenway grants awarded to the City of Miami .

The meeting adjourned.

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