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- A Miami-Dade Transit project alongside Metrorail at the Douglas Rd. Station fell apart recently due to a failed agreement between the agency and the developer. Instead, the transportation agency is now looking to sell the off land, rather than open up the 5 acre parcel for new transit oriented development bids from other developers. The plan to sell the land is a shortsighted and a terrible decision by the transportation agency. The agency is clearly failing to see the big picture here, even admitting that a sale would allow a developer to construct on the land without including easements for buses or parking for Metrorail riders. The long-term benefits of retaining the parcel and leasing it out for development (much like the dadeland complexes) would maximize the potential earnings of the MDT owned land and usage of public transit facilities. Re-zoning the land which is considered a special transit zone, would likely significantly decrease the potential for a mixed use, high density development which would contain affordable housing and office space. Once again, we all lose when our local agencies lack a clear vision…
- Cirque Du Soleil has officially rescinded their bid to transform the Jackie-Gleason Theater into their latest human acrobatic circus. I always had mixed feelings about the plan, fearing that the circus was wrongfully seeking too much public money for their private venture. The contact breakout clauses they were also seeking were quite worrisome. However, I did see the potential ability for the venue to become a tourist attraction, something our area is in desperate need of to keep our tourism industry churning…MVB has an intersting idea…
- Broward County Officials have unveiled a spending plan for the possible transit tax money which could soon be flowing into the county’s transit agency. Aside from bus enhancements, though, the plan lacks a clear outline of any possible rail lines. It appears that BCT officials do not have a clear sense of what they wish to accomplish with their county’s tax either…
- Rebecca Carter of Greener Miami recently attended the Re-Energize America event; an event designed to increase awareness and educate citizens on the benefits of green policy and green technology in the United States. Mayor Diaz stressed the importance of conserving our natural resources in the city and talked about a possible adaptation of Miami 21 to include ecologically friendly regulations. And, as Alesh pointed out, not a single building in Miami can be considered green. Absolutely pathetic…
- Richard of Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space has an interesting article on the general failure of the pedestrian mall in the United States. Why have they failed? Because we don’t know how to build our cities properly; a successful pedestrian mall shouldn’t be a commercial enterprise, rather, a phenomenon which occurs on its own due to regular pedestrian traffic. You can relate it to the strip shopping center in today’s world which caters so well to vehicular traffic…
- You may notice a slight change in the format starting tomorrow…yes, on a Saturday…as I begin an attempt to post on weekends (I was encouraged by Rick to do so quite some time ago.) However, I plan on avoiding transit/planning issues over the weekend, choosing to go offbeat with other stories which often catch my interest…Suggestions are welcomed…
- As always, if you have comment, question, or idea feel free to send me a digital telegram (MoveMiami@gmail.com) Keep up the excellent discussions…
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