Comments on: The Biscayne Wall Blunder http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/ Moving Together, Faster Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:18:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6119 Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:36:00 +0000 http://www.evolvemiami.org/transitmiami/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6119 I cut the Music off...I figured my point was made after a couple of days... I cut the Music off…I figured my point was made after a couple of days…

]]> By: Tony Garcia http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6113 Tony Garcia Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:05:00 +0000 http://www.evolvemiami.org/transitmiami/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6113 The condition of NE 2nd Ave is a case of three conditions working together to make truly horrible public spaces:<br/>1. A bad code. A form based code (ala Miami 21) would NEVER allow this condition to occur. Our current zoning is made up of patches to bad use-based zoning that allow this sort of thing to happen. Which leads to #2...<br/>2. A broken system of approvals and hearings. It is under the purvue of the Planning department and numerous public hearings (5 in all) to regulate this sort of development. To get a MUSP permit for a building of this size you need to talk to everyone from the Planning Director on down. They have the responsibility to require certain changes to the design before the development can move forward. Unfortunately, architects and land use attorneys are notorious for ignoring their requests, or fighting them on the grounds of profitability or property rights arguments. Which leads us to problem #3...<br/>3. Bad architects. Too many architects are more concerned with their own ego than providing any public good. Notice how these buildings meet Biscayne. They are not all that successful on that side either. Generally, architects are relegated to be technicians, or celebrity architects, and in either case not responsible for what happens in the public realm. That responsibility lies with others. While good design can't solve social problems, bad design certainly adds to them.<br/><br/>Regarding development across NE 2nd Ave, in the area known as Park West, about 20 blocks of this property is under common ownership and is in the planning stages right now. Regardless of what is happening on the east side of 2nd Street, the west will surely have a big impact and hopefully save this street.<br/><br/>http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stori...ry/295182.html The condition of NE 2nd Ave is a case of three conditions working together to make truly horrible public spaces:
1. A bad code. A form based code (ala Miami 21) would NEVER allow this condition to occur. Our current zoning is made up of patches to bad use-based zoning that allow this sort of thing to happen. Which leads to #2…
2. A broken system of approvals and hearings. It is under the purvue of the Planning department and numerous public hearings (5 in all) to regulate this sort of development. To get a MUSP permit for a building of this size you need to talk to everyone from the Planning Director on down. They have the responsibility to require certain changes to the design before the development can move forward. Unfortunately, architects and land use attorneys are notorious for ignoring their requests, or fighting them on the grounds of profitability or property rights arguments. Which leads us to problem #3…
3. Bad architects. Too many architects are more concerned with their own ego than providing any public good. Notice how these buildings meet Biscayne. They are not all that successful on that side either. Generally, architects are relegated to be technicians, or celebrity architects, and in either case not responsible for what happens in the public realm. That responsibility lies with others. While good design can’t solve social problems, bad design certainly adds to them.

Regarding development across NE 2nd Ave, in the area known as Park West, about 20 blocks of this property is under common ownership and is in the planning stages right now. Regardless of what is happening on the east side of 2nd Street, the west will surely have a big impact and hopefully save this street.

http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stori…ry/295182.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6111 Anonymous Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:58:00 +0000 http://www.evolvemiami.org/transitmiami/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6111 Did the design occur in this way because the proximity on the west side with homeless shelters? Is this a means to keep people from noticing the excessive homelessness directly next to the buildings. Did the design occur in this way because the proximity on the west side with homeless shelters? Is this a means to keep people from noticing the excessive homelessness directly next to the buildings.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6109 Anonymous Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:23:00 +0000 http://www.evolvemiami.org/transitmiami/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6109 I'm an immigration lawyer as opposed to a specialist in property law, but one has to wonder how many people have been able to get out of their sales contracts because they were never told that their brand new towers would be adorned with cheesy starbucks or mitsubishi advertisements. I bet the sophisticated new clientele who bought into these buildings are none too pleased they have to face eye pod or burger king advertisements each time they enter the parking garage. It's really pretty humorous driving by these buildings each day going to work. I'm glad I live in a house in the grove. I’m an immigration lawyer as opposed to a specialist in property law, but one has to wonder how many people have been able to get out of their sales contracts because they were never told that their brand new towers would be adorned with cheesy starbucks or mitsubishi advertisements. I bet the sophisticated new clientele who bought into these buildings are none too pleased they have to face eye pod or burger king advertisements each time they enter the parking garage. It’s really pretty humorous driving by these buildings each day going to work. I’m glad I live in a house in the grove.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6108 Anonymous Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:46:00 +0000 http://www.evolvemiami.org/transitmiami/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6108 The pictures not showing the big 4 show that nice white building, and another building that looked newer with doors and windows and just better, what buildign are those, are they a sign of hope?<br/>And about NE 2nd Ave, if you think about the future and what could be built on all those empty lots and abandonded old building it has a shot. The pictures not showing the big 4 show that nice white building, and another building that looked newer with doors and windows and just better, what buildign are those, are they a sign of hope?
And about NE 2nd Ave, if you think about the future and what could be built on all those empty lots and abandonded old building it has a shot.

]]> By: Ryan Sharp http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6107 Ryan Sharp Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:19:00 +0000 http://www.evolvemiami.org/transitmiami/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6107 ...pretty much, transitdave. By and large, if you are living in one of Miami's downtown high-rise residential buildings, you've successfully removed yourself from the city. …pretty much, transitdave. By and large, if you are living in one of Miami’s downtown high-rise residential buildings, you’ve successfully removed yourself from the city.

]]> By: TransitDave http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6105 TransitDave Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:29:00 +0000 http://www.evolvemiami.org/transitmiami/2008/03/18/the-biscayne-wall-blunder/#comment-6105 A perfect example of what's wrong with Miami's "new" downtown.....<br/><br/>Verticle subdivisions........ A perfect example of what’s wrong with Miami’s “new” downtown…..

Verticle subdivisions……..

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