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
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

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

Ms. Dianne Johnson, City of Miami, presented the NEO Lofts Greenway agreement, to be considered by the City Commission as an “Emergency Ordinance” on July 24, 2003.  Johnson stated the City of Miami has offered $250,000 from the “Homeland Security and Neighborhood Improvements Greenway line item” to build an on-road section of the Miami River Greenway on city owned South River Drive, adjacent to the new NEO Lofts development, between SW 1^st and Flagler Streets.  Bill Borges, City of Miami Code Enforcement, asked if the project would include the ongoing stormwater flooding problem on S. River Drive beneath the SW 1^st ST Bridge.  Johnson replied that minimal drainage improvements would be part of this project and more would be done later using the awarded Jose Marti Park Riverwalk extension grant.  Brett Bibeau, MRC, noted the Greenways Committee had a meeting with the Urban Infill Working Group on July 22, 2003 and found the proposed Greenway cross sections consistent with the adopted Miami River Greenway Action Plan, therefore the MRC would be recommending approval of the item to the City Commission.

Bibeau, MRC, and Wendy Raphaely, Hands on Miami, presented the creation of the following three new Riverfront pocket parks for “Hands on Miami Day” on November 1, 2003:

• SW 5 ST – The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department has stated in writing they will remove their disconnected manhole structure from this City of Miami owned Right of Way, when the city is ready to repair the shoreline.  Bibeau stated he had been working with the City of Miami Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Department, and Chairman Winton’s Office, on the need to repair the 20 feet of shoreline, estimated at $6,000.  Dianne Johnson stated Juan Ordonez, City CIP, is working on the project.  If the shoreline is repaired prior to November 1, 50 volunteers will clean the site, plant landscaping, install a bench and possibly paint a mural to create a riverfront pocket park.
• S River Drive, beneath SW 1^st ST Bridge – Bibeau stated he is submitting a permit to create a pocket park in this Florida Department of Transportation owned right of way.  If the FDOT approves the permit, and removes the chain link fences prior to November 1, 2003, volunteers would plant landscaping, paint a mural and install benches to create a riverfront pocket park.
• NW 2^nd ST – If Miami-Dade County removes the existing barbwire fence at this Water and Sewer Department Easement prior to November 1, 2003, volunteers will plant landscaping and install a bench to create a riverfront pocket park across the street from affordable housing.  Bibeau stated he has written the County regarding this request. 

The Greenways subcommittee reviewed and revised the new draft matrix, tracking the development of the Miami River Greenway.  The subcommittee prioritized future Greenway grant applications to proceed from east to west, with a focus on the areas planned for new developments.  Johnson stated she will convene a meeting with City of Miami Planning Department, the Homeland Security Bond Oversight Board Greenway representative Walter Harvey, MRC and Trust for Public Land to discuss the City’s creation of new Miami River Greenway design standards and guidelines.  Johnson stated the Lummus Landing project has been given the notice to proceed, and should break ground in August 2003.  Martin reminded TPL that the Greenway logo is needed to spend the nearly 2 year-old awarded $25,000 historical signage grant from the Villagers, Inc.

The meeting adjourned. 

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