Transit Miami

on October 23, 2008

in Congress and complete streets

. 1 Comment

Last week, Transportation for America officially launched their plan to improve our nation’s infrastructure, reshape our economy, and wean Americans off foreign oil. T4America is a grassroots network composed housing, environmental, public health, urban planning, transportation and other organizations. Transit Miami will be actively working with T4America over the coming months to bring you the latest news from the congressional front lines. Together with T4America, we can make a substantial change on national (and Local) transportation infrastructure policy. We are committed to enacting sweeping changes in the upcoming 2009 Transportation Equity Act (TEA), a long-held bastion for highway lobbyists and insiders.

T4America’s 5 Step Plan:

BUILD TO COMPETE – We must catch and pass competitors in China and Europe, by modernizing and expanding our rail and transit networks to reduce oil dependence and connecting the metro regions that are the engines of the modern economy.

INVEST FOR A CLEAN, GREEN RECOVERY – Our nation’s clean-energy future will require cleaner vehicles and new fuels, but it also must include support for the cleanest forms of transportation – modern public transit, walking and biking – and for energy-efficient, sustainable development.

FIX WHAT’S BROKEN – Before building new roads, that will themselves have to be maintained, we must restore our crumbling highways, bridges and transit systems.

STOP WASTEFUL SPENDING – Re-evaluate projects currently in the pipeline to eliminate those with little economic return, that could deepen, rather than relieve, our oil dependence.

SAVE AMERICANS MONEY – Provide more travel and housing options that are affordable and efficient, while helping people to avoid high gas costs and traffic congestion. Save taxpayer dollars by asking the private developers who reap real estate rewards from new rail stations and transit lines to contribute toward that service.

Mid-Week News

Published

on October 22, 2008

in News

. 0 Comments

(Image Source: Fate the Magnificent’s Flickr)

Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower is calling to move forward with a plan to build a new convention center rather than the 50,000 SF addition proposed back in 2004. (Miami Today)
After three years and $7 Million worth of renovations, Miami Beach’s historic City Hall (pictured above) is finally set to reopen. The refurbished building will house Miami Beach Police offices, the Miami design preservation league’s offices, and the MB Branch Court. (Miami Herald)
Despite the huge economic downturn, MDM partners have secured a $250 million loan for the construction of MET 2 - a 750,000 SF office building rising in the heart of the CBD. (Globe Street)
Contractual delays in the port of Miami tunnel could likely set back that project’s opening date to 2013. (Miami Today)

Elsewhere:

NIMBYs try (and Fail) to keep a bus route from passing by their suburban Toronto home. Their arguments, typical of the NIMBY mindset, included: noise, pollution, added traffic, and a threat to children playing in the streets… (The Star)
Surprise, surprise, apparently Sprawl may be the reason for a lack of civic involvement in Central New Jersey. (Princeton Packet)
Voters in Minnesota will be deciding whether to spend $10 million to purchase a golf course in Eagan in order to prevent a developer from building more suburban homes. (Minesota Public Radio)

Heard On The Street

Published

on October 21, 2008

. 3 Comments

“I used to only ride this street on the weekends, you know it can be sketchy. But now I feel there are more bicyclists everywhere and its safer because the cars are starting to expect it.”

–Fellow bicycle commuter on SW 7th Street, heading west from downtown to his job near the airport.

Coming soon to a Health District Near You!

Published

on October 21, 2008

in Health District and LEED

. 4 Comments

View Larger Map

Question - What’s 11 stories tall, 129,000 SF, located within 0.3 miles of a transit station in a dense transit-oriented quadrant of the city (see map above), and dedicates 54% of its available volume to parking? If you guessed Miami’s newest rising LEED Silver office structure just south of the Health District, then you guessed right.

Via Globestreet:

The space is designed to LEED Silver standards and will cater to the needs of healthcare professionals, according to Gutierrez Group…The 11-story building, located at 1001 Sunnybrook Road, will include four stories of office space and six floors of parking, says Jeb Bush Jr., commercial sales and leasing agent for Coral Gables-based Fairchild Partners, which will handle leasing for Highland Park.

Welcome to Miami. Only Miamians can figure out how to rig the LEED certification standards so that this lousy excuse of a building can become Silver Certified. Honestly, this building should be imploded upon completion. The building, pictured below, is reminiscent of a few other less than notable properties we’ve discussed before (See: Miami Green, Bay of Pigs Museum, Marina Blue, etc.) and littered with the same atrocious parking standards Miami has become renown for. Some might even say we have “world-class” parking standards. I traveled the great cities of the United States and part of the world and have never seen another city that takes such pride in its autocentric designs. Without a formal analysis, I’d go so far as to suggest that we have more parking structures in our high transit centers than any other city I’ve seen yet. Its projects like these that will really tarnish the USGBC’s LEED certification system.

Image Credit: Vitruvius09 via SSC

Of Buses and Trams

Published

on October 19, 2008

. 4 Comments

The Florida Department of Transportation has issued a new document entitled Accessing Transit:Design Handbook for Florida Bus Passenger Facilities. At 176 well-illustrated pages, I have yet to dive into this one, but from a quick skim it looks to offer something for every bus transit geek. Download it here.

Looking internationally to, um, Canada, the University of British Columbia released A Cost Comparison of Transit Modes. Their research found that of all major modes of transportation, excluding bicycling or walking, modern trams (streetcars) are the most cost effective transit investment dollar, as well as the most environmentally friendly. Click here for a nice, well-illustrated synopsis of their work.

Miami’s streetcar can’t come soon enough…

5-0.

Published

on October 17, 2008

. 0 Comments

Miami Bicycle Action Plan Available Online

Published

on October 17, 2008

. 0 Comments

You may now download the Miami Bicycle Action plan here. The accompanying map identifying planned infrastructure improvements will be available soon as well. Check back for updates.

Bike Miami and Future Infrastructure

Published

Gabrielle Redfern

on October 16, 2008

in Bikes and bike lanes

. 0 Comments

It is amazing to watch how Green Mobility and other cycling groups have made the City of Miami Move along with bike infrastructure. The upcoming Bike Miami could put old school transport back on the map . As we close the chapter of phenomenal growth in the County, I am disappointed as I gaze back on many great redevelopment achievements that did not include better-planned streets and sidewalks, crossings, and grades. The fact of the matter remains that too many public and private projects have gone forward with major underground retrofits and right-of way reconstruction – countless missed opportunities where five feet of clear, walkable sidewalk AND bike lanes could have easily been implemented:. A complete street of course. Biscayne Boulevard is a perfect example. Where is the bike lane? Where are the wide sidewalks? As construction comes to a grinding halt, Biscayne Boulevard will continue to look this way. It is the poster child of what we’ve done wrong (twice) within this last century.

If a few thousand people gather and populate along this downtown strip, go shopping, have lunch, make friends and go about their business without cars, the argument will be over, once and for all. Bikes and alternative forms of transportation matter and we, as the residents of Miami Dade County, must clamor for our civic leaders to push our city forward with clean, livable street infrastructure. After all, the sky will not fall; the river will not run dry if we have fewer cars on our roads as a normal course of affairs. The only way to achieve this is by making physical accommodations to the roadway for transport other than cars. The political chicken and egg story. Let’s crack it wide open and have it cook on the asphalt of old – politicians and bureaucrats all will take notice of that day of Bike Miami.

I look forward to seeing you and your friends at Bike Miami.

Upcoming Events:

We all know how I feel about Miami Beach. A great City to live or visit, but I wish you did not have to drive everywhere. And my wish could be granted, on such a small and perfectly laid out Island, if only we had the right mix of parking and public transit, complete streets and wide sidewalks. Getting my town closer to this tropical urban utopia will require your attendance at the following Public Meetings:

Dade Blvd. Bike Path (for the proposed bike/pedestrian bridge) on Oct. 21st 6:30 -8:30 p.m. at the Botanical Gardens.

And the ever-important Transportation Element Planning workshop tentatively scheduled for Oct. 27th, with a place yet to be determined.

The first meeting addresses upcoming projects that have the potential to include enhancements to non-motorized transportation. The second is a state requirement to conform to our wonkish Comprehensive Plan, an important technically we should utilize to realize global solutions to our constant state of gridlock and redundant bus routes. I would hope the TE update meeting could turn into a mini “Transit Summit” for the Beach that focuses on mobility for residents and guests. Only your attendance can make that happen.

Miami Bicycle Action Plan Met With Unanimous Support

Published

on October 16, 2008

. 5 Comments

This morning the Miami City Commission unanimously passed the Miami Bicycle Action Plan! This is a momentous day for Miami, one that should mark a new approach to bicycling in a city that was recently ranked as one of America’s three worst cities in which to ride.

Comprehensive in its scope, the Action Plan calls for the continued expansion of Miami’s on-street facilities, as well as classroom education and public awareness campaigns. The Action Plan is the product of a tremendous effort by several like-minded organizations and advocates, as well as multiple City and County departments. Those who read this blog know the usual suspects.

Above all, we at Transit Miami have to thank Mayor Diaz and his staff for their strong and continued support. From day one they were behind this effort and they continue to commit the City to becoming more livable. Bike Miami anyone?!

Check out a few photos from this morning’s rally below. Commissioner Sanchez, Sarnoff and Diaz were on hand, as well as dozens of other city employees and bicycle advocates. In the coming weeks Transit Miami will delve into the plan with more detail, and show you the City’s Bicycle Action plan as it relates to implementing new infrastructure all across the City.

City officials, commissioners, Police officers and citizens prepare to ride to City Hall in support of the Miami Bicycle Action Plan.

Mayor Diaz takes a practice spin on his new three wheel throne!

Heading down Bayshore Drive to the entrance of City Hall’s Pan American Drive, Mayor Diaz, Commissioner Sarnoff and Comissioner Sanchez lead the pack.

A host of media reporters and photographers were on hand to document the sunny approach to City Hall.

Photo-op in progress.

From left: Robert Ruano, Director of Sustainable Initiatives, Commissioner Sarnoff, Mayor Diaz, Commissioner Sanchez and in the back right, Police Chief John Timoney. Looks like they are having fun, huh?

Action Alert: Miami’s Bicycle Action Plan

Published

on October 15, 2008

. 0 Comments

The Miami Bicycle Action Committee has been hard at work for the past 8 months and tomorrow our labor of love goes before the City Commission.

In order to rally support, the Green Mobility Network has organized a bicycle rally in front of City Hall. If you have the time and want to show your support for this important initiative, please come on down and circle City Hall with us from 8:30-9:00am. The Plan itself is scheduled to be reviewed at 10:00am.

If you haven’t done so, please call and email your commissioner and tell them that you support the plan!

Orange Bowl and MDT

Published

Tony Garcia

on October 14, 2008

. 2 Comments

Larry L.’s Streetwise column this week was right on about the transportation improvements needed around the Orange Bowl. Maybe the PTP was overly ambitious, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to get the most out of our surtax dollars (along with more dedicated revenue from the general fund, gas tax, etc.). Maybe the Orange line is not heavy rail (unfortunately), but there is a cheaper and faster-to-construct-and-implement alternative: BRT. For the same money that the 27th Avenue Orange Line would cost as an elevated train, we could implement all legs of the Orange line (including the one that runs next to the Orange Bowl) as BRT lines. In terms of increasing ridership and growing the system, this ‘crawl before you walk’ philosophy may be the best way to use our money to get results. As time goes on, and ridership increases, we can consider the benefits of upgrading certain lines. The real key to expansion success lies in the land development regulations around transit stops, and how they accommodate higher densities and encourage pedestrian activity.

Addressing Waterfront Open Space

Published

on October 13, 2008

in New York City, Water Park and Waterfront

. 3 Comments

I spent the better part of this long weekend wandering through the many parks of New York City. The weekend weather was absolutely perfect to spend the whole day in a park and as you’ll see from the pictures below - I wasn’t the only one who thought so. Now, I know I’ve said this before but, Miami could learn a lot from these cities. New York’s ever growing park infrastructure is absolutely amazing. Over the weekend, I wandered through Central, Union Square, Washington Square, and most importantly: the new Hudson River Parkway and Hoboken’s Pier A Park. NYC and Hoboken have rejuvenated their waterfront with quality design and infrastructure, enabling access to the vast open space along the shores. There certainly is not a valid reason why our Waterfront parks and river greenway shouldn’t be able to emulate the success of these great public spaces. A brief walk through of either of these two linear riverside parks will reveal why they too will become great public spaces - accessible green space, limited concrete, varied structured and unstructured activity spaces, and multimodal connectivity…

We began the day Saturday with an obligatory trip into Central Park. This was the scene pretty much throughout the park. The park offered us a great escape from the crowds we had just walked through in Midtown - it seemed like the other half of the city had flocked to Central Park.

This was the scene at Hoboken’s Pier A, just across the Hudson River from NYC’s Hudson River Parkway.

This whole park is built upon a pier and provides some great open space in which to enjoy the panoramic views of Manhattan. It reminded a lot of Brooklyn Bridge Park on the opposite side of Manhattan…

Like the Hudson River Parkway, New Jersey is working to connect their entire waterfront park system with bicycle paths - creating safe, healthy, and clean ways for residents to access the waterfront, transit, and Business Districts.

Shade. If there had’t been a nice cool breeze, I’m sure we would have seen more people enjoying this area.

Being the transit junkie that I am, I just had to go for a ride on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail. These trains are fast, efficient, quiet, and a wonderful way to commute through Jersey.

Take the 2 Mile Challenge

Published

on October 12, 2008

in Sprawl and Uncategorized

. 2 Comments

Clif Bar, the purveyor of well-known and quite tasty energy bars, has long been an eco-conscious company. However, they have taken their advocacy to a new level with the Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge.

Their fantastic website gives you the facts about climate change, connects it to human behavior, allows you to build your bicycle (assuming you don’t already have one) and map out a two mile radius from where you live so that you may see all that is accessible within a relatively easy bicycle ride.

Why 2 miles? Well, if you visit the website you will learn that 40% of urban travel in America is two miles or less. 90% of such trips are undertaken with automobiles, which generate approximately 25% of our nation’s carbon emissions. Bottom line: American’s are lazy and we pollute.

However, as Clif Bar rightly asserts, such trips are easy to replace with a bicycle which in turn helps you get fit, connect to your neighborhood and city in a new way, and have little to no impact on the environment. If you take the challenge but once a week, your will be doing yourself, city and world a bit of good.

So go ahead Miami, Take the challenge!

Sarasota’s Planning Conundrum

Published

on October 11, 2008