7/31/2013
Alton Road Construction Update from FDOT
Posted by Flamingo ! at 5:06 PM 0 comments
7/26/2013
Alton Road Construction Update
Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with daytime lane closure hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Nighttime work may be conducted for specific operations on the flyover and certain drainage activities.
Alton Road between Dade Boulevard and 17 Street
- Installing an
underground fire line and restoring the roadway
- One southbound lane may
be closed during the day between Dade Boulevard and 17 Street. One lane
will remain open at all times.
- One lane may be closed
at night on southbound Alton Road at 16 Street. One lane will remain open
at all times.
Northbound Alton Road will be closed and detoured from north of 17 Street to Michigan Avenue (north of 20 Street). Motorists must follow the established detour route.
- Excavating the roadway,
installing new drainage, sidewalks, driveways, pedestrian ramps, lighting,
signals and rebuilding this section of roadway
- Alton Road will serve
southbound traffic only in this area during this time.
- Northbound Alton Road
traffic will be detoured as follows:
- Turn east on 17 Street
- Turn north on Meridian
Avenue
- Turn west on Dade
Boulevard
- Turn north on Michigan
Avenue
- Continue north on Alton
Road
Additional information is available on the project page of the department's website. You may also contact Construction Public Information Specialist Heather Leslie at 305-905-5876 or email her at Heather@hmlpublicoutreach.com. Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log onto www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 7:11 PM 0 comments
Collins Avenue Construction Update
Work hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sections of on-street parking will be temporarily closed, as needed, to provide space for work. Area parking garages will remain open during the work.
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2
East side of Collins Avenue from 5 Street to 10 Street
- Southbound
left turns on Collins Avenue may be eliminated at the following locations:
- 9
Street
- 7
Street – Access to 7 Street will remain open to northbound traffic and
through Washington Avenue.
On-street parking will be temporarily closed in this area in order to provide space for work. Valet parking stations have been relocated to side streets within the work zone as follows:
In front of 1400 Collins Avenue
- The
developer for the Walgreens will be closing the sidewalk and parking lane
in front of the property to conduct work on the new store.
- A pedestrian walk path will be established within the
parking lane.
- No travel lanes will be closed for this work.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 7:09 PM 0 comments
7/20/2013
The Miami Herald: Miami-Miami Beach rail link to be studied
[There appears to be emerging consensus on the desirability of improved transit linkage between Miami and Miami Beach. The Gr Miami Chamber of Commerce is putting together a forum on the program and in outreach was informed that Mayor Matti Bower and likely all Mayor candidates favor Miami-Dade Mayor Gimenez' planning initiative now approved by the MPO.]
› It is the first time since 2004 — when the Bay Link proposal died — that official interest has been revived in the project.
— Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, in a speech to the Metropolitan Planning Organization
Posted by Flamingo ! at 12:42 PM 0 comments
7/14/2013
Alton Road Construction Update
Alton Road FDOT Project Information
Alton Road -- Register Now for FDOT e-mail updates
Alton Road Reconstruction Coalition
Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with daytime lane closure hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Nighttime work will be performed when underground drainage or water main activities cross a side street or intersection.
Alton Road from 13 Street to Michigan Avenue (north of 20 Street) Daytime and Nighttime Work
- Testing and connecting
the new water main between 16 Street and 13 Street.
- One lane may be closed
at night on southbound Alton Road between 16 Street and 13 Street. One
lane will remain open at all times.
Northbound Alton Road will be closed and detoured from north of 17 Street to Michigan Avenue (north of 20 Street). Motorists must follow the established detour route.
- Excavating the roadway,
installing new drainage, sidewalks, driveways, pedestrian ramps, lighting,
signals and rebuilding this section of roadway
- Alton Road will serve
southbound traffic only in this area during this time.
- Northbound Alton Road
traffic will be detoured as follows:
- Turn east on 17 Street
- Turn north on Meridian
Avenue
- Turn west on Dade
Boulevard
- Turn north on Michigan
Avenue
- Continue north on Alton
Road
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER OR UNEXPECTED CONDITIONS.
Additional information is available on the project page of the department's website. You may also contact Construction Public Information Specialist Heather Leslie at 305-905-5876 or email her at Heather@hmlpublicoutreach.com. Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log onto www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 5:01 PM 0 comments
5/01/2013
FLAMINGO Meeting Schedule
All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.
- Tues, May 7th, 5:30 pm --Flamingo Park Neighborhood Assn Meeting
- Tues, May 7th, 6:00 pm – CMB CIP / Football Field & Track Progress Meeting
- Wed, May 8th, 6:30 pm – Alton Road Coalition Meeting – Alton Road for Everyone
- Thurs, Jun 6th, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm -- Transportation Summit, MDC Wolfson Campus.
[FPNA will NOT meet on Mon, May 6th, as originally scheduled.]
Posted by Flamingo ! at 5:04 PM 0 comments
4/28/2013
Mark it on your Calendar: 2013 Transportation Summit, Thurs, June 6th
Save the Date!
2013 Transportation Summit
Visioning the future of Miami-Dade Public Transportation
Thursday, June 6, 2013, 8:30 am to 6:30 pmMiami Dade College -- Wolfson Campus -- Chapman Center
300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132
Sponsored by Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez,
the Board of County Commissioners, and
the Citizens Independent Transporation Trust
Includes breakout sessions on Innovative Financing, Mode Technology, Public-Private Partnerships, Corridor Development, and culminating with an interactive Community Visioning Forum. Join Miami-Dade County officials and fellow citizens in building momentum toward a comprehensive and coordinated public transit system.
To register for the summit or for additional information call 305-779-7875 or visit www.miamidade.gov/citt/ or email citt@miamidade.gov.
Taking transit to the meeting? Go to: www.miamidade.gov/transit or call 305-770-3131 for route information.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 4:13 PM 0 comments
4/27/2013
Renewed Effort Underway to Address Alton Road For Everyone!
Tammy has energized a renewed effort to address Alton Road. Two meetings have already been held and the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th, 6:00 pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue. Please join us on Wednesday if you want to participate in this advocacy coalition -- Alton Road for Everyone!!
We are blessed with creative and energized neighbors who also include trained Urban Planners, very knowledgable in this work. Matthew Lambert, Jason King, Pam Stacy, Wanda Mouzon have joined in this effort with Tammy Tibbles, Aaron Sugarman, Jeff Donnelly, Mark Needle, Ron Starkman (from SoFNA) and others in re-energizing this effort.
Attached is the flyer describing our position --Alton Road for Everyone
You can also find Meeting Notes for our earlier meetings
Meeting Notes -- Apr 20, 2013
Meeting Notes -- Apr 24, 2013
Alton Road Reconstruction Coalition is on Facebook. To connect with Alton Road Reconstruction Coalition, sign up for Facebook today.
https://www.facebook.com/AltonRoadReconstructionCoalition
Posted by Flamingo ! at 12:22 PM 0 comments
4/02/2013
Flamingo Meeting Adopts Resolution calling for the naming of the Flamingo Park Tennis Center
Based upon action taken at the most recent meeting of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association, the following letter and Resolution was sent to the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Miami Beach:
Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:
At its meeting of April 1, 2013, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association returned to the matter of the naming of the Tennis Center in Flamingo Park. Following substantial review and discussion, by motion properly made and seconded, the attached Resolution was unanimously adopted, calling for the following:
The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association hereby request that the Neighborhoods Committee consider our proposal for naming/renaming the new publicly funded tennis center in Flamingo Park as “The Flamingo Park Tennis Center” at its next available committee meeting, per City Code Section 802-503 (a)2.
We also request, to avoid any public embarrassment over this naming process to the Holtz Family or any other individuals that Staff please refrain from installing any new “name” signage on the tennis center until the City Commission has approved of and ratified a name for the new facility, per the procedures outlined in our City Code.
Attached:
Adopted Resolution
Naming -- Timeline
Additional Background Information:
In early 2012, this matter was brought to our attention by Gayle Durham and then by Aaron Sugarman. It was fully discussed at our January 2012 meeting when we adopted and forwarded the following position to the Mayor and City Commissioners:
Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:Denis Russ -- 305-672-4782 -- Denis@MiamiBeachCDC.org
At its meeting on January 9, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association unanimously voted in support of a proposal, pursuant to City Code section 82-503, to name the new Flamingo Park Tennis Center "The Flamingo Park Tennis Center". We request that the Neighborhood's Committee add this proposal to their agenda at their earliest convenience, pursuant to city code section 82-503 (2).
Background:
It came to the attention of FPNA that a sign was posted outside of the existing tennis center with a rendering of the new tennis center that reads Future Home of Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center. We feel that it is inappropriate to both re-name the tennis center without following a public process, and to move the Holtz name from the demolished stadium to a new tennis center funded wholly with public monies (not Holtz money).
City Code Section 82-503 states that "public facilities and plazas should not be named, or renamed, for living persons unless such persons are over 100 years of age unless the naming or renaming is in exchange for a monetary donation pursuant to Section 82-505."
Since the existing Flamingo Park Tennis Center was not named for Holtz in prior years, and since the new Tennis Center has not been funded by Holtz, it seems inappropriate if not in violation of the City Code to name our new tennis Center after Holtz. It may be appropriate to post a photo of the former Holtz Stadium within the tennis center on a wall, or affix a plaque to a bench on the site of the former stadium bearing his name, if the Commission wishes to continue to honor the Capital Bank funding of the original Stadium.
Miami Beach Community Development Corporation
Since 1981 -- Building & Sustaining Community -- Unique, Vibrant, Diverse
Posted by Flamingo ! at 2:02 PM 1 comments
3/29/2013
Flamingo Meeting, Monday, April 1st, 5:30 pm -- About the Naming of Flamingo Park Tennis Center
Meeting Notice
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Monday, April 1, 2013, 5:30 pm
At The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Flamingo, the historic, urban residential neighborhood in South Beach from Fifth to Lincoln Road, from Washington Av to Alton Rd. All Residents, Property Owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate.
At 5:30 pm -- Naming of Flamingo Park Tennis Center.
This matter returns for consideration. Following, please note Miami Beach Tennis Players Association request, Background Information on previous FPNA action, and response regarding the naming. Aaron Sugarman has prepared the attached timeline, as well. He is organizing additional material for distribution and will lead the discussion. We hope that this matter can be presented, discussed and resolved within one hour.
Thereafter -- Other Matters
Naming of Flamingo Park Tennis Center -- Background Information:
In early 2012, this matter was brought to our attention by Gayle Durham and then by Aaron Sugarman. It was fully discussed at our January 2012 meeting when we adopted and forwarded the following position to the City:
Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:
At its meeting on January 9, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association unanimously voted in support of a proposal, pursuant to City Code section 82-503, to name the new Flamingo Park Tennis Center "The Flamingo Park Tennis Center". We request that the Neighborhood's Committee add this proposal to their agenda at their earliest convenience, pursuant to city code section 82-503 (2).
Background:
It came to the attention of FPNA that a sign was posted outside of the existing tennis center with a rendering of the new tennis center that reads Future Home of Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center. We feel that it is inappropriate to both re-name the tennis center without following a public process, and to move the Holtz name from the demolished stadium to a new tennis center funded wholly with public monies (not Holtz money).
City Code Section 82-503 states that "public facilities and plazas should not be named, or renamed, for living persons unless such persons are over 100 years of age unless the naming or renaming is in exchange for a monetary donation pursuant to Section 82-505."
Since the existing Flamingo Park Tennis Center was not named for Holtz in prior years, and since the new Tennis Center has not been funded by Holtz, it seems inappropriate if not in violation of the City Code to name our new tennis Center after Holtz. It may be appropriate to post a photo of the former Holtz Stadium within the tennis center on a wall, or affix a plaque to a bench on the site of the former stadium bearing his name, if the Commission wishes to continue to honor the Capital Bank funding of the original Stadium.
Subsequently in March, 2012 we wrote to Kevin Smith –
Kevin –
I want to thank again for joining us at the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Meeting on March 5th. I have been asked to draw your attention to an additional matter that did not come up at the March meeting but was substantially discussed at our January meeting, where the following action was unanimously taken:
Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:
At its meeting on January 9, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association unanimously voted in support of a proposal, pursuant to City Code section 82-503, to name the new Flamingo Park Tennis Center “The Flamingo Park Tennis Center". We request that the Neighborhood's Committee add this proposal to their agenda at their earliest convenience, pursuant to city code section 82-503 (2).
Later in March 2012, we received the following opinion from Raul Aguilar:
In response to Dennis Russ’s e-mail to you (which also copied the Mayor and City Commissioners), below is the opinion that we provided Ms. Gayle Durham, regarding the history behind the naming of the Tennis Center. As you know, this is not a new issue. We have previously opined on this matter to you, as well as members of the public, on several occasions.
To summarize, the current City Naming Ordinance was not in effect in 1983, when the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 83-17343 which, in exchange for a monetary donation from Mr. Holtz, agreed to name the tennis stadium facilities—in perpetuity- the “Abel Holtz Tennis Stadium.” In 2000, at the request of Mayor Gelber, Mr. Holtz voluntarily agreed to change the name to the “Flamingo Park/Holtz Tennis Center.”
Proposed Resolution -- Draft 3/28/2013
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association (FPNA)
Whereas, “the City Commission wishes to insure that citizens of the City of Miami Beach and other concerned members of the public be afforded an opportunity to participate in the process of selecting names for public facilities and streets located in the City of Miami Beach” (Ord. 89-2655); and
Whereas, “the City Commission deems it in the best interests of the general welfare of the City of Miami Beach and its citizens to adopt procedures for the naming of public facilities and streets located in the City of Miami Beach” (Ord. 89-2655); and
Whereas, City Code Section 82-501(a), states that “No public facility located in or owned by the city shall be named except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article.”
Whereas, City Code Section 802-503 (a)1 provides that “any person, organization, association, corporation or other entity… may propose a name for a new public facility, or may propose renaming an existing public facility, at any time by submitting a proposed name in writing to the committee”; and
Whereas, City Code Section 802-503(a)2 provides that “within a reasonable time after receipt of the proposal, the committee shall meet to consider and review same for the naming, or renaming, of the public facility…”; and
Whereas, on March 20th, 2012, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association by unanimous resolution submitted a proposal to the Neighborhoods Committee to name or rename the new 100% publicly funded tennis center - the “Flamingo Park Tennis Center”; and
Whereas, a year later, on April 1st, 2013, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association recognized that “a reasonable time after receipt of the proposal” has already passed; and
Whereas, time is clearly of the essence, and the tennis center is nearing completion; and
Whereas, the present name proposed by Staff for the tennis center, “Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center”, was not ratified or approved of by the City Commission as required by City Code; and
Whereas, the original 1983 naming agreement for the Abel Holtz Stadium and Flamingo Park Capital Bank Tennis Center was between Capital Bank Corp. and the City of Miami Beach, with name changes subject to approval by both Capital Bank and the City of Miami Beach; and
Whereas, in December 1994, City Attorney Feingold stated that any contract limiting the City’s absolute sovereignty over public property, particularly parks, could be void, and that it might be necessary for the City to “disclaim the [1983 naming] contract and reassume its authority inherent in the City’s sovereign power”; and.
Whereas, in March 1995, correspondence from Daniel Holtz, President of Capital Bank, indicated that it was the Capital Bank Board of Directors that voted to approve name changes, not Abel Holtz; and
Whereas, in March 1995, Mayor Seymour Gelber indicated to both Daniel Holtz and City Manager Roger Carlton that any name change proposed by Capital Bank, even at the request of Mayor Gelber, had to be approved and ratified by the City Commission; and
Whereas, in June 1995, by Ord 95-2998, the City Code was amended to prohibit naming or renaming public facilities for living persons unless they were over 100 years old; and
Whereas, in 1997, Capital Bank Corp. was sold to Union Planters Corp. in a stock swap deal, the Capital Bank Board of Directors was dissolved, and the Holtz family could no longer negotiate contracts on behalf of Capital Bank; and
Whereas, on August 8th, 2000, when Abel Holtz and City Manager Jorge Gonzalez (appointed 8/21/2000) signed an agreement naming a new proposed publicly funded “Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center”, such agreement ignored the fact that the 1983 naming contract between Capital Bank and the City could no longer be re-negotiated by Abel Holtz on behalf of Capital Bank, and the City Manager could not approve of naming or renaming the tennis center without Commission approval; and
Whereas, the City Commission never approved the name “The Flamingo Park Holtz Tennis Center”; and
Whereas, Section 82-503 of our City Code, as amended in September 2000, states "public facilities and plazas should not be named, or renamed, for living persons unless such persons are over 100 years of age unless the naming or renaming is in exchange for a monetary donation pursuant to Section 82-505"; and
Whereas, neither Abel Holtz or the Holtz family has donated to the construction of the new publicly funded tennis center in Flamingo Park.
Therefore, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association hereby request that the Neighborhoods Committee consider our proposal for naming/renaming the new publicly funded tennis center in Flamingo Park as “The Flamingo Park Tennis Center” at its next available committee meeting, per City Code Section 802-503 (a)2.
We also request, to avoid any public embarrassment over this naming process to the Holtz Family or any other individuals, that Staff please refrain from installing any new “name” signage on the tennis center until the City Commission has approved of and ratified a name for the new facility, per the procedures outlined in our City Code.
DRAFT 3/28/13
Posted by Flamingo ! at 4:14 PM 0 comments
3/17/2013
FDOT will convene Alton Road Project Meetings
South Beach Meeting, Thurs, Mar 21, 6pm, PAL Building in Flamingo Park at Jefferson Ave
Middle Beach Meeting, Tues, Mar 19, 6pm, at the Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road
The Florida Department of Transportation will host these two identical Public Information Meetings about the Alton Road Construction Project, from 5th Street, through Dade Boulevard, and up to Michigan Avenue; Project Schedule: April 1, 2013 to Summer of 2015; at an estimated Project Cost of $32 Million. These meetings are intended to describe both the work to be undertaken and the necessary Lane Closure and Detour Information.
We expect this meeting to be highly structured by the Florida Department of Transportation, without providing opportunity for significant input into the project. It does not appear that this is a forum for discussion about the project.
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association has expressed significant opposed to the FDOT plan for the reconstruction of Alton Road and sought support and assistance from our public officials to require the Florida Department of Transportation to more adequately address concerns of surrounding neighborhoods with the project. Of course, Alton Road reconstruction is a once in 50 year event to properly address the multiple needs of all user groups – multi modal mobility options for pedestrians, bikers, autos, and transit users, contribute to a functional environment for business and with trees, landscaping and street furniture foster an attractive and safe neighborhood for our residents and visitors.
We can do better!
Attached is a copy of the FDOT Fact Sheet describing the Project.
We also attached a copy of our Statement in Opposition to the plan for your information. We urge your attendance at one of these meetings to become fully informed about FDOT’s adopted plans. We regret we were not able to achieve fuller discussions with FDOT and a better plan for Alton Road.
The next meeting of the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association will be Monday, April 1, 2013, 5:30pm, at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue, Miami Beach.
All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate. Flamingo – our historic, urban residential Neighborhood in South Beach – from Fifth Street to Lincoln Road, from Washington Avenue to Alton Road.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 5:35 PM 0 comments
3/15/2013
The Mayor and City Commission confirmed the move of the Property Management Facilities and Parking out of Flamingo Park
At its meeting on Wednesday, the City Commission overwhelmingly confirmed the balanced plan adopted five years ago that has already limited towing operations in the Sunset Harbour Neighborhood, that has already funded the acquisition of property and construction of a garage with retail space in the Sunset Harbour Neighborhood, with a continued commitment to redevelop City property in the Neighborhood and permit the removal of Property Maintenance Facilities from Flamingo Park.
Denis Russ expressed the following remarks on behalf of The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association:
At its meeting on March 4, 2013 the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to oppose any change in plans adopted by the City Commission some five years ago that would delay removal of the Property Management Facility from Flamingo Park. We understand that this matter will be considered by the Commission at its meeting this Wednesday, as Item R7K, Commission Memorandum Attached
The matter was heard and we thought recommended for discussion by the Commission Neighborhood’s Committee, Committee Memorandum Attached
Substantial discussions and analysis were undertaken in 2007 and 2008, involving both how to remove Property Management from Flamingo Park and also how to improve traffic, parking, congestion and the impact of towing operations in the Sunset Harbor Neighborhood. A carefully balanced solution was adopted with near unanimous agreement by both neighborhoods and by the City Commission in July 2008, as reflected in the Report from the Special City-wide Projects and Finance Committee, attached
Now, after almost five years of program implementation, after the City allocated and spent considerable funds in developing all required plans and having accomplished probably seventy-five percent of the adopted program, with the Tremont property purchased and towing operations reduced, with the parking and retail building number one having already been built, and with us on the threshold of the removal of Property Management Facilities from Flamingo Park……now, it is suggested that these facilities be relocated elsewhere, perhaps behind the Dade Boulevard Fire Station, perhaps in the Forty-First Street Neighborhood.
Clearly, this proposed re-re-location will entail substantial delay in the removal of Property Management facilities from Flamingo Park. Accordingly, we oppose this proposed change and urge the Mayor and Commissioners to oppose it as well.
March 12, 2013 -- Dear Mayor Bower and Commissioners:
This will reiterate our request that no change be made in plans adopted by the City Commission some five years ago that would delay removal of the Property Management Facility from Flamingo Park.
As noted in the 2008 Commission memo, three important benefits were cited in the Administration’s recommendation as adopted by the Commission:
To facilitate relocation of the property Management Facility and
redeveloping of a city-owned property; To encourage neighborhood
revitalization by increasing public parking and providing an opportunity to better serve neighborhood retail demand; and To remove and relocate a non-conforming use from the Tremont Towing site.
In supporting the project at the time, the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association noted
It is our understanding that, with the City’s approval and partnership, this project would perfectly serve the needs of Flamingo Park and Sunset Harbor neighborhoods, and would increase the usefulness of property already owned by the City, located across the street from the proposed site. The planned structure would bring much-needed parking to Sunset Harbor businesses, and would house the City’s fleet of Property Management and employee vehicles.
The Townhomes at Sunset Harbour Condominium Association also noted at the time:
Our Board feels that this project will be a catalyst to the future redevelopment of the Sunset Harbour Neighborhood and will provide much-needed additional parking for the existing businesses and restaurants in this area. The parking structure will enable potential development of future projects in that it may provide the necessary parking to meet their requirements, thus avoiding massive parking pedestals for these projects. Another great advantage to this project is the ability of the City to relocate Property Management out of Flamingo Park which will provide much needed additional grant space for all residents and visitors to enjoy.
We urge that there be no delay in the removal of Property Management facilities from Flamingo Park.
The Final Result:
Posted by Flamingo ! at 7:28 PM 1 comments
3/09/2013
Relocation of Property Management Facilities in Peril
March 9, 2013
Mayor Matti Bower and Members of the
City of Miami Beach Commission
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Item R7K – Relocation of Property Management Facility
Dear Mayor Bower and Commissioners:
At its meeting on March 4, 2013 the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to oppose any change in plans adopted by the City Commission some five years ago that would delay removal of the Property Management Facility from Flamingo Park. We understand that this matter will be considered by the Commission at its meeting this Wednesday, as Item R7K, Commission Memorandum Attached .
The matter was heard and we thought recommended for discussion by the Commission Neighborhood’s Committee, Committee Memorandum Attached. Removal of these facilities from the Park has been a very high priority of our Association for many years. It makes no sense for these facilities to be located in our city’s central park.
Substantial discussions and analysis were undertaken in 2007 and 2008, involving both how to remove Property Management from Flamingo Park and also how to improve traffic, parking, congestion and the impact of towing operations in the Sunset Harbor Neighborhood. A carefully balanced solution was adopted with near unanimous agreement by both neighborhoods and by the City Commission in July 2008, as reflected in the Report from the Special City-wide Projects and Finance Committee, attached, of June 18, 2007. Proposed resolution involved purchase of Tremont Towing property, construction of a building for parking and retail and construction of an additional building for operation of the Property Maintenance Department, which would meet the needs of department operations, employee and department vehicle parking, reduced adverse towing operation impact, and importantly for Flaming removal of the Property Maintenance facilities from Flamingo Park.
Now, after almost five years of program implementation, after the City allocated and spent considerable funds in developing all required plans and having accomplished probably seventy-five percent of the adopted program, with the Tremont property purchased and towing operations reduced, with the parking and retail building number one having already been built, and with us on the threshold of the removal of Property Management Facilities from Flamingo Park……now, it is suggested that these facilities be relocated elsewhere, perhaps behind the Dade Boulevard Fire Station, perhaps in the Forty-First Street Neighborhood.
Clearly, this proposed re-re-location will entail substantial delay in the removal of Property Management facilities from Flamingo Park. Accordingly, we oppose this proposed change and urge the Mayor and Commissioners to oppose it as well.
Sincerely,
s/ Denis A. Russ
Denis A. Russ
For the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
Denis Russ -- 305-672-4782 -- Denis@MiamiBeachCDC.org
Miami Beach Community Development Corporation
Since 1981 -- Building & Sustaining Community -- Unique, Vibrant, Diverse
Posted by Flamingo ! at 6:03 PM 0 comments
3/03/2013
Flamingo Neighborhood Meeting -- Monday, March 4, 2013, 5:30pm
-- MEETING NOTICE --
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association
All residents, property-owners, and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate
AGENDA
- Short Term Rental – Status Report -- active, fair, and effective enforcement of the City's ordinance passed in June 2010 prohibiting rentals of less than six months in the Flamingo neighborhood.
- Flamingo Park – Removal of Property Management Facilities -- Possible delay in removal of Property Management from Flamingo Park. Sunset Islands and Sunset Harbor Neighborhoods are pushing back on relocation of facilities into their neighborhood. Proposed relocations: Dade Blvd Fire Station Property; 41st Street Garage. To be considered at City Commission Meeting – March13, 2013.
- Garage Parking for residents at low / reduced costs -- At the Neighborhood / City Affairs Committee meeting on Feb 19th, they indicated an interest in making no cost / reduced cost garage parking available to City residents – which would be useful in the Flamingo Neighborhood, perhaps West Avenue and other Neighborhoods as well.
- Other Matters:
Report from Miami Beach United – Mark Needle
CIP Projects – Sixth Street; Sixteenth Street
Florida DOT: Alton Road Reconstruction Project
Posted by Flamingo ! at 12:50 PM 0 comments
Earth Day / Arbor Day in the City of Miami Beach -- Saturday, April 27, 2013
Fly Your Flags at Earth & Arbor Day Miami Beach
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Lummus Park, 10 - 9 Street Beach, Noon - 4PM
The City of Miami Beach invites individuals and organizations to participate in the Native Flag Eco-Art Project in celebration of Earth Day.
This project, designed by Xavier Cortado (FIU Artist-in-Residence), gives participants an opportunity to create a flag that depicts an eco-action they pledge to engage in to support the environment. The participant will then plant their flag in a parade line on the shoreline and proclaim, "I hereby reclaim myself for nature."
If you are interested in participating and/or sponsoring, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 305.673.7730. Event Facebook page.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 12:09 PM 0 comments
2/17/2013
Flamingo Calls for Corrective Action on FDOT Alton Road Plan
Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association is opposed to the FDOT plan for the reconstruction of Alton Road and seeks your support and assistance to require the Florida Department of Transportation to adequately address concerns of surrounding neighborhoods with the project. Alton Road reconstruction is a once in 50 year event to properly address the multiple needs of all user groups – multi modal mobility options for pedestrians, bikers, autos, and transit users, contribute to a functional environment for business and with trees, landscaping and street furniture foster an attractive and safe neighborhood for our residents and visitors.
Concerns with FDOT Plan
The Process of adoption failed to provide community input, discussion and participation in the final decision-making;
The South Beach neighborhoods adjoining Alton Road are characterized by a pedestrian oriented urban design fabric that serves an outstanding amenity for local residents and a major attraction for visitors. The maintenance of such character is a high priority in one of Florida's most highly dense and highly neighborhoods. The proposed Alton Road plan does irreparable damage to the character of our adjoining neighborhoods.
Creation of 13’ wide outside traffic lane, fosters an unacceptable high rate of speed along the Road; This condition would also require that pedestrians cross an unacceptably wide roadway; The crossing width must be shortened to limit the amount of time pedestrians take to cross the “kill zone”;
Additional safety measures must be incorporated into the program: The speed limits on Alton must be reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph; No-turn-on-red restrictions should be incorporated at intersections with heavy foot traffic;
The current plan provides inadequate pedestrian amenities and lack of support for local businesses; All intersections should provide crosswalks and traffic controls to meet pedestrian needs; Meager sized sidewalk and planting area: Narrowing the sidewalks and swales limit the landscaping and makes the street less friendly to pedestrians, shoppers, neighborhood businesses and sidewalk cafes;
The highly pedestrian environment requires automatic pedestrian Walk signalization as the lights change rather than requiring push buttons. Many people either don't know to press the button or arrive at the crosswalk at or near the time the signal changes. It is unacceptable to force those pedestrians to wait another vehicle cycle.
The current “solution” for Alton Road is worse and more auto-oriented than it is today; In fighting to remove the bike lane, nothing was gained that the removal of the bike lane was supposed to create;
Our proposal for a shared-use pedestrian/bike path would satisfy the need and statutory requirement for biking facilities, and in our high-density urban corridor this is far safer for both bikes and pedestrian safety than a sharrow on a widened street with faster-moving traffic.
Complete Statement with Images and Community Reflections
Posted by Flamingo ! at 12:16 PM 0 comments
2/10/2013
Knight Foundation hosts economic development initiative -- Start-Up City: Miami,
Start-Up City: MiamiWednesday, February 13, 2013, 9am to 4pm
at The New World Center, Miami Beach
Information and Reservations:
http://startupcitymiami-eorg.eventbrite.com/#
A Collaborative Economic Development Initiative among
The Atlantic, The Atlantic Cities, the Creative Class Group, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for discussions about different aspects of the city’s innovation ecosystem, emerging models of “urban tech” and a focus upon how to attract tech, talent, and innovation to the Miami community.
Program Highlights
Opening Remarks – Matthew Haggman, Knight Foundation
Framing: Miami: Entrepreneurial Mecca of the Future – Mayor Manny Diaz
Framing: Urban Tech Revolution – Richard Florida
Keynote: The City as Start-Up – Tony Hsieh, CEO Zappos
Other Contributors: Neisen Kasdin, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Susan Amat
Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, New Start-Up Geography, Urban Tech Shift – Lessons from New York and London, Transcontinental Hub, Sparking Success
On February 13, The Atlantic and The Atlantic Cities will launch Start-Up City: Miami, gathering leading entrepreneurs and tech experts from London, New York, California, Kansas City, and more at the New World Center in Miami for a day of discussions about different aspects of the city’s innovation ecosystem. In partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and in association with the Creative Class Group, the inaugural program will explore the emerging models of "urban tech" taking root in cities around the world.
In recent years, Miami has seen a surge in entrepreneurship and creative ventures. After a decade of rapid growth and urbanization, much work remains to be done if Miami is to become a hub for the global creative class. What short-term and long-term strategies will do the most to attract entrepreneurs and start-ups to the city? Featuring roundtables, panels, and interviews on tech, design, start-up incubators, audience Q&A, a networking lunch and more, this daylong program will give participants a 360-degree view of how to attract tech, talent, and innovation to the Miami community.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 2:18 PM 0 comments
Land Use Committee to address Side Walk Cafes
CMB Land Use and Development Committee Wed, Feb 13th, 3pm, City Manager's Conference Room The sidewalk cafĂ© ordinance will be discussed at the CMB Land Use and Development Committee Meeting, Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 3:00 pm, in the City Manager’s Large Conference Room, City Hall. An engaged coalition of residents, concerned business leaders, and city administration has emerged with the mission to correct the prevalent abuse of good practices for sidewalk cafes. Miami Beach United, SoFi leadership, Ocean Drive Association, and the Planning Director urge community attendance and support for corrective action.
Posted by Flamingo ! at 9:54 AM 0 comments
2/01/2013
Flamingo – the historic, urban residential neighborhood in South Beach. from Washington Avenue to Alton Road, from 5th Street to Lincoln Road All residents, property owners and other stakeholders are invited to attend and participate. Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association Monday, February 4, 2013, 5:30 pm at The Seymour, 945 Pennsylvania Avenue AGENDA 1. Update on Flamingo Park improvement projects, Matilde Reyes / Kevin Smith 2. Status Report on 6th St + 16th St Design/Build, Rick Saltrick BODR Amendment for No / So Street Narrowing 3. Redevelopment of Alton Road Street Corridor, Jose Gonzalez /Josiel Ferrer-Diaz 4. Alton Road Historic District Buffer Zoning / Parking Ordinances, Mark Needle Other Matters 5.1 Miami Beach United – Neighborhood Intrusions, Mark Needle 5.2 Short Term Rental, Enforcement of Prohibition, Jeff Donnelly 5.3 Discussion of Neighborhood Challenges with Andres Duany, Denis Russ Andres is willing to meet with us; Next Steps
Posted by Flamingo ! at 7:08 AM 0 comments
1/23/2013
City of Miami Beach to host Community Input Meetins for Convention Center Redevelopment
CONVENTION CENTER REDEVELOPMENT MEETINGS
We want to hear from you! Miami Beach is in the process of developing the 52-acre Miami Beach Convention Center District and we need your help.
Phase I of the project was the selection of qualified development teams. Two top qualified teams have been short-listed to continue on to phase II, which will entail the development of proposed plans for the convention center by each of the two teams.
Community input is essential and will be collected at several public meetings and workshops. Mark your calendars and we look forward to seeing you there.
- January 29, 6PM: Public Community Meeting, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall A101/105
- February 27, 6PM: Public Community Meeting, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C, Flamingo Ballroom
- February 28, 6PM: City Commission Workshop, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C, Flamingo Ballroom
- March 27, 6PM: Commission Workshop & Public Community Meeting, Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall C, Flamingo Ballroom
- May 13, 6PM: Public Community Meeting
- May 15, 6PM: City Commission Workshop
- June 5, TBA: City Commission Meeting, Commission Chambers
For updates on meeting locations and more information, visit www.miamibeachfl.gov or call 305.673.7010.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofmiamibeach/events#!/events/521008751252938/
Posted by Flamingo ! at 5:53 PM 0 comments