Transit Miami

on September 16, 2008

in Miami-Dade Transit, Park West and World City

. 9 Comments

Here are some interesting going on lately.

The City of Miami PAB is set to vote on a allowing a special district for the “World City” development on 25 acres in Park West, Downtown Miami. This is a great project that has been in the pipeline for a while now that includes 9 blocks of mixed-use retail, office, residential buildings in an area that desperately needs urban infrastructure. Three transit stops are included within the project, which surrounds the Network Access Point (NAP) Building (the one with large globes on the roof). The project developers have been working with the city for two years in anticipation of Miami21 and have made sure that the project is consistent with its regulations, though it has not yet been approved. Kudos to the Mayor, Planning Department staff, and the Falcone group for taking this big step for our city.
Beach leaders met to discuss traffic congestion and parking (without really addressing the greater transit problem of connecting the beach with the mainland).

In other matters, the commission unanimously approved sending bids for car and bicycle programs that would let residents share vehicles for a fee — hopefully decreasing the need for Beach residents to hold on to their own cars.

Transit fares held steady as Commissioner Gimenez’s re-vote did not pass. Thanks to the people who called or emailed their Commissioners. Now, we can start to get our system back on track.
Seven commissioners voted against the reconsideration: Barbara Jordan, Dennis Moss, Dorrin Rolle, Audrey Edmonson, Natacha Seijas, Sally Heyman and Katy Sorenson.Five commissioners voted to reconsider the fare increase: Gimenez, Javier Souto, Rebeca Sosa, Bruno Barreiro and José ”Pepe” Diaz.

Join Mayor Diaz at the Green Mobility Network Meeting, Tonight!

Published

on September 16, 2008

. 3 Comments

Apologies for the late notice, but TM has just learned that Mayor Manny Diaz plans to attend tonight’s Green Mobility Network meeting. The meeting will be held at the Simpson Park Garden Center, 55 SW 17th Road, at 7:30 p.m. On the agenda is a preview of the City’s Bicycle Action Plan, which both Gabriel and myself have helped put together though the City’s Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC).

So please come out tonight to show Mayor Diaz and the Green Mobility Network, which recently was awarded non-profit 501(c)3 status, how much you appreciate their work in making Miami a more sustainable and livable city. I’ll be there, will you?

The Alligator Alley Funding Sham

Published

on September 15, 2008

in Alligator Alley

. 0 Comments

Despite widespread opposition, our state legislators are moving forward with a plan that would privatize alligator alley for the next 75 years. The state would “reap” the short term benefits of privatization, gaining about a billion dollars in these “tough economic times” with which to infuse money into our fledgling roadway/transit infrastructure (with a heavy emphasis on roadways…) The Transportation budgetary shortfalls, a national problem as well, is the result of an antiquated, unsustainable gas tax, which has taken a serious hit with the recent hikes in gas prices (combined with the highly subsidized nature all roadways demand.)

The potential lease of Alligator Alley is part of a larger trend toward privatizing major infrastructure assets in the United States.

The federal highway trust fund, which pays for roads, bridge repairs and mass transit, is running multi-billion dollar deficits and on the verge of bankruptcy.

The orgy of Congressional earmarking politics has drained billions from needed construction and maintenance jobs toward lesser priority pork.

Gas taxes haven’t kept pace with inflation. Nobody in Washington was willing to raise taxes when gas was $1.50 or $2 a gallon; they certainly won’t do it when prices are closer to $4.

But $4 a gallon gas has actually accelerated the funding issues. People are driving less. Less gas consumption equals less money for highway construction and mass transit.

”Our approach to funding transportation is broken,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said during a recent visit to South Florida. “It is time for a better approach.”

The privatization of a profitable roadway in Florida is worrisome and extremely short sided. Even more troubling perhaps, is the way in which our government has gone about this privatization plan – holding interest group meetings in places as far away as Orlando. As a planner, I too have had professional difficulties establishing the role of public input when it comes to policy issues, but what can be said when our policymakers not only defy the voice of the overwhelming majority but go so far as to complicate the public involvement process? Could this perhaps be the work of a governor who is trying to make a name for himself on a more national stage?

FDOT will be hosting focus groups on the privatization plan on September 16th and 17th at the Hyatt Bonaventure, 250 Racquet Club Rd., Weston.

Miami’s Newest Urban Square, Part 2

Published

on September 10, 2008

. 7 Comments

Miami lacks a center. We have no urban square in which to assemble, no central oasis within our concrete jungle. Our coastal parks lack focus, continuity, or the social elements which make them function. By looking into the success of Urban Squares across the country, we’ll gain a better understanding of the attributes which make these squares function as centers for civic pride. The features which make these urban parks succeed is what we as a community pour into them. By contrast, our closest example of an Urban Square, Bayfront Park, is a disjointed, uncohesive mess, littered with commercial enterprises. As we’ve discussed before, our closest community assembly point may just be a parking lot…

As you glance through these select few parks, notice the emphasis on community events. You will find successful squares exist centered among the crossroads of business, theater, retail, and artistic centers while serving as the focal points for our densest urban communities. Don’t neglect the transit infrastructure.

Without reiterating many of the points made by my colleagues, I’ll turn our attention to the most successful urban squares across the United States, addressing why they work.

Union Square (San Francisco)

The 2.6 acre Union Square is located in the heart of San Francisco’s shopping, entertainment, and theater district. A plethora of boutiques, department stores (6 to be exact), hotels, and theaters surround the square, making it one of the largest tourist attractions and shopping districts in the Bay Area. The square is serviced by 2 cable car lines (Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason), the F Market Heritage Streetcar line, Muni Metro, and BART Subway systems (3rd busiest station along the system.) Click here to go on a 3D Tour of Union Square.

Madison Square (New York)

The 6.8 acre Madison Square Park first opened in 1847, almost immediately served as a catalyst for the surrounding area, attracting hotels and theaters to the district (yes, this is where Madison Square Garden gets its name from.) The park experienced a renewal in 1870 which bought a new design and sculptures to the park, among other items. In 1912, America’s first public Christmas tree was erected in the park. Today, the park plays host to abundant community and civic events (like the meatscursion.) A new park favorite, the Shake Shack, garners hundreds of hungry patrons daily with lines snaking throughout the park. Six lines of the MTA Subway service the region.

Union Square (New York)

Speaking more from personal experience, New York’s Union Square is a hub for local activity surrounded by an abundant mix of retail, residences, and commercial property. The square is surrounded and influenced by the surrounding flatiron, Chelsea, Greenwich, and NYU neighborhoods. Originally founded in 1815 as a public commons, the square began to take its more modern shape later into the mid 1800’s. One of the square’s most prominent local features, the GreenMarket, began in 1976, providing regional small family farmers with opportunities to sell their fruits, vegetables and other farm products in the city. The Union Square Hub is serviced by eight MTA subway lines.

The Unions Square Pillow Fight 2008:

Copley Square (Boston)

Boston’s Copley Square was founded in 1858. Up until the early 1900’s, the square served as a cultural and educational center for Boston, bordered by the original Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Public Library, and original MIT Campus. In 1983 with the formation of the Copley Square Committee, the park was revitalized improving green space, water features, and sightlines. The Square is serviced by the four routes of the Green Line Light Rail system.

Miami’s Newest Urban Square?

Published

on September 9, 2008

. 9 Comments

If you are like some of us here at TM, then you have probably had your eye on a couple of very strategic vacant parcels in downtown Miami. Located between Southwest 8th Street and Southwest 7th Street, and bisected by South Miami Avenue, the two sites have sat fallow while high-rise condominiums sprouted like mushrooms. According to a recent Miami Today article the land was previously owned by Brickell CitiCentre, LLC (cute spelling, huh?), a developer with plans to build $2.2 billion worth of high-rise buildings, including the tallest building in downtown Miami. The sharp market downtown nixed those plans quickly, causing the BCC to sell the land to an undisclosed party, who paid an undisclosed price and who has undisclosed plans. So what will they think of next?!

The two parcels, comprising 5.65 acres, are outlined in orange.

Parcel 2, looking northeast

While high-rise, mixed-use development is surely warranted in downtown Miami, TM would like to disclose an alternate plan recommendation. Keep in mind we do not know what the new developer has planned, but we doubt it is a well-designed, well-programmed, well-framed usable urban square on at least one of the sites. Such a square could be simple in its layout, but flexible in its use–a farmer’s market, civic events, concerts, play structures, dog park and a nice water feature to help us all cool off. Such a program would be a nice place to start and invite people of all types to linger with family, eat lunch with colleagues, make-out with a loved one, skateboard with angsty friends, beg rich people for money and the myriad of other things people do in an almost messy, but truly successful public space.

Such a square would be well-connected to the existing bus lines and MetroMover, providing easy access to those living outside of downtown. It would also provide a much needed open space destination in the heart of our downtown, an area that has become increasingly privatized by individual condominium developers who provide all amenities internally. Such vertical cul-de-sacs surely allow great luxury for residents, but impoverish the public realm. A real shame, if you ask me. Miami deserves better. All great cities have a great park and a great civic square.

Whatever the next developer proposes, the City should consider the possibility of a public/private partnership. Such a deal could allow increased development capacity on the buildable site, a tax-break or other public incentives in exchange for one of the sites being turned over to the City for the development of civic space, like a square.

This would not only add tremendous value to those already existing nearby condos, but directly enrich the adjacent development parcel. If you have seen real estate prices next to other such sites in cities like Chicago, San Francisco or New York City, then you know the captured value is well-worth the land concession.

Unfortunately, with so much money exchanging hands, this is very unlikely to happen. I imagine the City of Miami could have at one point bought this land, reserving some for development and some for civic space. But they didn’t. And we understand we may be Johnny-come lately here, but later this week Gabriel will show us some good examples from other cities.

If you know of other great sites in the Miami for a square of similar type of public space, let’s hear about them!

Small victories…

Published

on September 8, 2008

in Everglades, Everglades National Park, UDB and Uncategorized

. 1 Comment

Amid all the talk about the County Commission’s massive transit failure, comes a little bit of happy news. Last week the Commission approved the purchase of approximately 100 acres of land beyond the UDB to be placed under the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. While 100 acres is not a lot, every little bit contributes to a green belt around the County that will perpetually hold development and buffer the Everglades from existing developed areas.

To date, the County in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District, the State of Florida, & other funding partners have aquired approximately 18,190 Acres of land throughout Dade County since the inception of the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program.

Is this preservation?

Published

on September 8, 2008

in Historic Preservation and Uncategorized

. 5 Comments

The City of Miami City Commission is considering allowing the demolition of the East Coast Fisheries Building at Thursday’s meeting. The Historic and Environmental Preservation Review Board denied the application to demolish the derelict structure, but the Planning Department supports the appeal. The structure was designated historic in 2003, but now is at risk of demolishion. What good are our preservation laws if they don’t save structures from being demolished. This is embarrassing for our city, and even more for the Planning Department. Shame on you guys.

Here is a little more about the building from the Miami Histo-Presto website:

This Mediterranean Revival style building is one of the few remaining landmarks from the prosperous commercial fishing industry that was once centered along the Miami River. Advertisements described the building as the “South’s Most Beautiful Fish Market” when it opened as Miller’s Fish Market in 1926. East Coast Fisheries moved into the building in 1933 and continued its wholesale seafood operations and eatery until 2000.

Miracle Mile Streetscape Meeting

Published

on September 8, 2008

. 17 Comments

For all of you Coral Gables residents, there is going to be a meeting this evening to discuss proposed streetscape improvements to Miracle Mile. A group of urban planners, architects and city leaders will be on hand to listen to suggestions from the public, and discuss the possibilities for this great boulevard. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested to submit suggestions. (Hint, hint: Bike lanes are a possibility for this stretch, so please come out and show your support.)

Where: Omni Colonnade, Coral Gables

When: 6:30 pm

Miami’s Bicycle Surge

Published

on September 7, 2008

. 0 Comments

We missed this one when it came out, but in case you haven’t heard Leah Fleming’s WRLN-FM piece on “the Miami bicycle surge,” listen here.

Thanks to Miami Bike Scene for hosting the link.

Boondoggle

Published

on September 5, 2008

. 1 Comment

A few weeks ago we posted an article that ranked the some of the “Worlds Biggest Boondogles” in publicly funded civic projects. The list bothered me initially because it reminded me of the colossal failure of the PTP, but there was something more that bothered me. In looking over the list I realized that most of the projects, with the notable exception of the PTP, were actually successful, or could not be evaluated thru a simple cost-benefit analysis. The Chunnel, the Sydney Opera House, Sound Transit, these are all important projects whose benefit is not only manifested in the amount of money each produces, but through a variety of other means. What would Sydney be without the iconic Sydney Opera House? How many people have visited Sydney as tourists, and spent tourist dollars, because of that image? That’s hard to say, but one thing that can be said is that we would not be better off without these projects.

The same needs to be said of our PTP, and the transit system in general. Mass transit is not a money making operation. It will never be cost effective, but then again building highways is never cost effective either. We don’t have a problem funding that though. A recent Herald editorial shared our collective disgust with the commission and the shoddy job they are doing. The editorial snipes that the commission should, “pitch for repeal of the half-cent of sales tax for transit,” in some misguided effort to reform its image. This would be even more of a failure than the original tax, as now the tax is vital to supporting our system. How much more do people have to suffer this backward mentality.

On Tuesday, the Commission narrowly voted in favor of increasing fares and tying future increases to the Consumer Price Index, both much needed measures in getting our transit house in order. Unfortunately, yesterday Carlos Gimenez decided that he would ask fellow commissioners to reconsider the measure on the September 16th meeting, and postpone it until the County holds a transit summit. He claims to have questions on how the Mayor’s office came up with its numbers, and whether an increase will make any substantial change to the budget problem.

It might not solve the problem Commissioner, but it is a good first step. I urge everyone who is interested to contact their commissioner and let them know what you think. In the meanwhile I will eagerly await the Transit Summit, and hope that it leads to some positive changes around here.

North Bayshore Drive Bicycle Lanes

Published

on September 5, 2008

in Bicycles, bike lanes and bikeway

. 3 Comments

Evidenced by the articles below - our work with various groups (like the BAC) has already led to minor additions and improvements for Miami’s Bicycling Community. Now, with the Coral Way Bike Lanes underway, we turn our attention to another city project that could benefit from some public input. The city of Miami is working to redesign N Bayshor Drive north of the Venetian Causeway and initial plans omitted bicycle lanes. This project is critical. The addition of Bicycle lanes would provide a much needed outlet for cyclists crossing the Venetian Causeway’s bicycle lanes. It would provide a northern safe route to the Edgwater district (hopefully extending later into the design district) and Margaret Pace Park.

Send us letters in support of the addition of Bicycle lanes to this project and we’ll forward them along to the City’s planning and public works departments.

Bike Lane Success

Published

on September 4, 2008

. 2 Comments

The Herald featured an article today in the Neighbors section about the recent addition of bike lanes to the resurfacing of Coral Way.

Mike Lydon of Transitmiami.com posted the news about the bike lanes last month after leading a June drive to contact city planning officials and requesting the lanes as part of the FDOT project.

Congrats to Mike, the BAC and everyone who contacted the city. This is a test of what we can accomplish when we work together. Keep on writing your commissioners about the need for different forms of transit.

Time Lapse Images: Miami Dawn

Published

on September 3, 2008

in Photography and Pictures

. 2 Comments

Miami Downtown at Dawn from Corey Weiner on Vimeo.

Bicyclists Side-Swiped in a Hit and Run

Published

on September 1, 2008

. 3 Comments

When it rains, it pours. Diana Moskovitz of the Miami Herald reports that two bicyclists were struck yesterday on State Road 84 in Davie. The negligent driver side-swiped the bicyclists and continued driving. Both were sent to the hospital and fortunately were not killed. Interestingly, some reports have said the bicyclists were off-duty Miami police officers. More to come if and when more information is available.

Transit Service Threat Continues

Published