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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

The Urban Infill Working group opened with a review and discussion of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department proposal to place a sewage pump station and heavy equipment maintenance and storage facility at a vacant block bordered on the west by NW 7^th Ave, on the East by NW 6^th Ave, on the south by NW 5^th Street and on the north by NW 6^th Street.  The UIWG felt the proposal was not in concurrence with the approved Miami River Greenway Action Plan, nor the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.    Javier Fernandez stated Mayor Diaz was opposed to the current proposal which would result in a reduction to adjacent property values, yet supported having the interested public housing developers create new housing fronting the Greenway and Miami River, with an aesthetically pleasing design and well landscaped pump station to the rear of the site.  The UIWG’s recommendation is that proposed heavy equipment storage should be relocated to another site, however a well designed, heavily landscaped could be behind the Affordable Housing project on the block in question.  The UIWG recommended the City, County, FDOT, WASD, interested housing developers, MRC and the general public participate in a design workshop for the proposed property.

The UIWG reviewed and discussed the attached “Comparative Economic Analysis and Market Study of the Marine Industry in the Miami River Corridor” draft scope of services.  The UIWG agreed that the scope needs additional definition and focus.  This study is the highest priority of the UIWG.  The draft scope will be provided to all MRC members to provide comments within two weeks.

Jim Murley stated possible FDOT funding to implement the Infill Plan is becoming available under a new “Waterways” category, and the River is competing with larger ports.  Murley and representatives from the City and County will be attending a meeting regarding this available funding.  The Atlantic Corridor Coalition and Representative Carlos Valdez are working on modifying Federal Law to provide higher level of funding for waterways, and Murley would like it to include the Miami River as it is an international shipping port.  In addition the Metropolitan Planning Organizations “Waterways” study is being conducted by Susan Frasier, Gannet Fleming, who will meet with the MRC in the near future.

The Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan is scheduled for the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board on November 4, followed by the City Commission either the second meeting in November or December.  The City Representatives of the UIWG stated the Planning Department’s, “Analysis of Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan” will be re-written in order to provide a more positive recommendation of approval.

Helen Brown, Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning, stated the Plan would be presented to the County’s Planning Advisory Board on November 4 and the Board of County Commissioners in December.

The next UIWG meeting was scheduled for October 21, 2002, 9 am, Miami Riverside Center, 444 SW 2^nd Ave.  The MRC staff will bring a draft Infill Plan Implementation Step Timeline for the UIWG’s review during the upcoming meeting.

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