LTC 18-2002
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. /1l.2{)OZ
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To:
From:
Mayor David Dermer and Date: January 22, 2002
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez 1.. .,~
City Manager f//"" 0
EVALUATION OF SO H POINTE PROPERTIES FOR THE RELOCATION OF
THE SOUTH POINTE COMMUNITY VICTORY GARDEN
Subject:
On Monday December 17, 2001, the City of Miami Beach's Land Use Committee voted
unanimously (3-0) to relocate the Community Garden to 226 Collins Avenue. The
Committee also instructed the Administration to explore other nearby City owned vacant
properties that could be more favorable for urban gardening. It was also decided that
whether or not the Community Garden relocates, 226 Collins Avenue should remain a
green space.
The City owned properties were Washington Park and 210 2nd Street. The attached
Exhibit "A" shows the location of these properties. With the exception of 226 Collins
Avenue, all properties are part of the Parks Master Plan and are scheduled to be
renovated and programmed and as such are not recommended for the Garden relocation
site. 226 Collins Avenue was not part of the Master Plan and is a vacant parcel that will
remain green space. Residents in the area heavily support the Garden relocation but do
not support other ideas to develop 226 Collins Avenue into an urban park or parking lot.
The main concern regarding the proposed site is that it may not receive enough sunlight.
The City's design consultant, EDAW, Inc., believes that the difference in the amount of
sunlight/shade between the summer/winter months will encourage a variety of seasonal
planting throughout the year. The area that receives the least amount of sunlight (towards
the South of the lot adjacent to neighboring residential buildings) will not be used for
gardening plots. It will instead be landscaped with native planting materials responsive to
the shade. These planting will also act as a buffer between garden and building and will
help maintain the privacy of nearby residents.
The scope of services for the design phase of this project is currently under negotiation
with EDAW, Inc. While design services may not require City Commission approval, award
of the construction contract must be authorized by the City Commission in the future. It is
anticipated that the new Garden will have more plots and least two ADA gardening
opportunities as well as plots for local elementary schools. The theme of the project is "the
Victory Garden", a tradition that developed during World War II when all Americans were
requested as part of their patriotic duty to grow food to supplement their war rations. As
one of the centers of the domestic training of WWII military, Miami Beach was home to
many Victory Gardens. This project will commemorate this tradition by using period
appropriate fixtures, signage and design motifs. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
attachments
JMG\~sek
F:\DDHPI$ALLIKILROY\-CIPlCOMMUNITY GARDEN\COMMUNITY GARDEN EVALUATION.DOC
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EXHIBIT "A"
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EXAMPLES OF THE TRADITION OF THE VICTORY GARDEN