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

  Phone 305 644 0544
Fax 305 642 1136
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) convened the public workshop on the draft “3^rd Annual Update” of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, on Wednesday, January 18, 2006, 6:00 PM, Robert King High, 1407 NW 7 Street. Mr. Jim Murley chaired the meeting.  The sign in sheet is enclosed.

Mr. Jim Murley, Chair of the MRC Urban Infill Working Group Subcommittee, welcomed meeting attendees and initiated self-introductions. Mr. Murley explained the MRC is going through the public process to create the “3^rd Annual Update” of the MRC’s adopted, award-winning strategic plan, the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. Mr. Murley noted the Update tracks progress on implementing the plan, and provides the opportunity for the MRC, as well as the public, to consider any potential amendments.

Mr. Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, provided copies of the draft “3^rd Annual Update,” noting more than three-fourths 60 of the plan’s 71 “implementation steps” (including MRC adopted amendments from the 1^st and 2^nd Annual Updates) have been “completed” or are classified as “ongoing with significant progress,” including but not limited to commencing dredging of the Miami River, developing the Miami River Greenway, retrofitting the antiquated storm water and sanitary sewer systems, creation of 6 new waterfront parks, increasing tree canopy, supporting Mayor Diaz’s “Clean-Up Miami” campaign via coordinating several volunteer clean-ups, de-pollution vessel services, expansion of the Enterprise Zone business incentives, extending metro-mover operational hours, new market rate and affordable housing developments, and more.  Mr. Bibeau stated the “Introduction” of the draft “3^rd Annual Update” features 25 “implementation steps” that had been brought to fruition during 2005, including but not limited to: creating the “Energy and Water Conservation Report”, requesting the local government and the Marine Industry to explore the creation of a state-of-the-art Customs Inspections Station, requesting that the MRC assist the private sector with permit facilitation and recommend proper development practices by providing staff assistance and the creation of an “Urban Design Center,” and requesting the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County and the FDOT to pursue multi-modal transportation funding for the Miami River Corridor.  In addition, Mr. Bibeau noted that approximately 76% (29 of 38) of the Infill Plan’s identified “Opportunity Sites” have either broken ground or are in permitting stages. 

Mr. Lee Edgecombe, The Edgecombe Group, Inc., noted he had recently attended a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce panel breakfast on the Miami River ’s ongoing Renaissance and had taken a boat tour on the river following the discussion.  Mr. Edgecombe stated he was greatly moved by the Miami River ’s history and was impressed by the Miami River Commission’s dedication to preserving and balancing the needs of the corridor’s multi-cultural neighborhoods, new development, parks and open space, commercial businesses and marine industries. Mr. Edgecombe added he looked forward to learning more about the Miami River , and recommended that the MRC explore “Google Earth,” an online site allowing visitors to virtually navigate and zoom into specific areas across the globe - free of charge. Mr. Edgecombe, a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, noted he had recently used “Google Earth” to tour the Miami River ’s historical neighborhoods.

Mr. Murley asked for an additional paragraph to be inserted into the drafts introduction, regarding folding the Plan’s goals and policies into the ongoing creation of the “ Miami 21” master plan and zoning code rewrite.

Per the previous direction of the UIWG, Mr. Bibeau distributed and presented the MRC - produced “ Miami ’s 21^st Century Park: An Integrated System of Parks and Greenways along the Miami River .” The report, noted Mr. Bibeau, outlines several potential opportunity sites to create additional green space, increase tree canopy, and beautify beneath bridges.  Mr. Bibeau distributed and presented a report outlining existing and potential marine-industrial sites along the Miami River .

The meeting adjourned.

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