Comments on: The Week in Review…

By: Johnny Remigio

Johnny Remigio — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:06:51 +0000

Well thanks to websites like this, we can start informing people of the changes that need to be made. When I move back to Miami we can all get together and form our own county commission! lol

By: Gabriel Lopez-Bernal

Gabriel Lopez-Bernal — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:44:50 +0000

Johnny - I think Its more of a lack of political will that is killing the CSX corridor Plan down to metro zoo. Nobody in our county government (departments included) has the guts to do what is actually in the long term benefit of the community. There is a huge lack of forethought and planning countywide, instead we mainly adjust to future private development, instead of regulating it through Land Use and Zoning…

By: Johnny Remigio

Johnny Remigio — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:59:16 +0000

Wild- I could not agree with you more. I currently live in New York right now and this city is extremely involved. Maybe more New Yorkers should move to Miami and teach us the meaning of speaking up against the corruption that plagues Miami.

Steven- Tri-Rail expansion into the Metro-Zoo area is a great idea. Unfortunately, we do not have county commissioners that are open minded enough to see the long term benefits of expanding rail into the far reaches of South Dade.

By: Tony Garcia

Tony Garcia — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:38:53 +0000

Unfortunately, a combination of NIMBY’s and anti-growth activists have put the brakes on the CSX expansion, for now. I think since the right-of-way is there it is always on the table, and as demand increases in the western suburbs, hopefully that will change. The Commission can also revisit this after the elections as no one really wanted to touch a hot button issue like this so close to the election.

By: kevin

kevin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:47:21 +0000

What are Tri-Rail’s plan for expansion along the CSX line? Are they still working on that? Tri-Rail needs to expand further into Miami’s suburb.

By: Tony Garcia

Tony Garcia — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:22:17 +0000

Can’t argue with that!

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:10:59 +0000

The problem with the re-establishment elsewhere is, as you said, the eco system is a very fragile one that is hard to re-intstitute. I really don’t feel that the surrounding eco system would be adversely effected much because much of the area has already adjusted to the shock of being paved over back when the blimp base was constructed. As long as there are adequate buffer zones between where the construction is taking place and the treelines, then I really don’t see this construction being much of a problem.

Quite frankly, I would like to see Tri-Rail extended down the CSX corridor and stop within the property. I think it would be a great boon to the area and make the zoo more accessable to visitors from not only the airport and other areas of the county, but the counties to the north as well. A modern Tri-Rail station right next to the train museum there as well as the zoo, a water park, hotel, and all the other commercial development they are planning would be a great destination. While I would like to see Tri-Rail find its way all the way down to Homestead, I could definately settle for it ending on this property.

By: Tony Garcia

Tony Garcia — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:36:17 +0000

You’re right Steven, the area to be developed is at the front of the park, where there are currently large parking lots and cleared areas, although the zoo does use pineland for its expansion. My real concern is about how the surrounding pineland will survive with a large amusement park complex right next door. If you have lived in South Florida long enough, you will remember how sensitive this ecosystem is to development. This was the predominant landscape of much of pre-1980 Dade county, and what makes this location special is that it has been preserved. I think with all of the land the zoo and park will use, they should probably help mitigate the impact by helping reestablish the forest somewhere else on the property.

By: Wild Style

Wild Style — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:12:25 +0000

I don’t understand why Miamians are not politically astute enough to force change. NYC, where I am from, if people have a problem with how things are going down, you see community meetings, marches, protest, or whatever.

The only time I saw a serious protest (besides the mayors convention)down here, that I can remember, was the Elian Gonzalez thing. I live in Broward now but, I have been contemplating a move down to Miami. Reason being is because I see more potential socially and economically down there. However, it seems a population of do nothings and corrupt government officials are hold back a city that could easily be world class.

One thing I haven’t seen is, any blogs take on the lack of a TRUE urban core in miami. I mean why have a downtown full of damn condos while all your corporate headquarters are out in sprawlsville. Just puzzling if you ask me. Especially since Miami seems to be moving toward a more urban core centered population.

At least we have blogs like this that get the word out, now hopefully that word will be enough to mobilize enough people into action.

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:54:03 +0000

If I remember correctly, the area they are putting in the commercial development (and water park) around the Zoo is in the area that is currently parking lot. The lot is massive and huge because the area is a former blimp base during World War II and has been paved over to accomodate that function. The current zoo parking lot is massive and only covers a fraction of the paved area that is availible. I would be suprised to hear of any naturally occurring trees being removed during the construction projects.

I agree with your stance on giving private land to developers, but I don’t really think that it will effect the pine rockland so much in this case since it was already destroyed when it was made the blimp base.