LTC 397-2021 OCEAN DRIVE CONFIGURATIONMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 397-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Manag�
September 21, 2021
SUBJECT: OCEAN DRIVE CONFIGURATION
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide the Mayor and Commissioners with
pertinent information with regard to the current configuration of Ocean Drive and present options
for an interim reconfiguration of the street, in advance of the September 23 Commission
Workshop. Attachment A depicts the Ocean Drive Short-Term Reconfiguration Options.
LONG-TERM VISION
On November 6, 2018, Miami Beach residents voted to approve the $439 million City of Miami
Beach General Obligation Bond (GOB) Program. The GOB program includes $20 million for the
design and reconstruction of the Ocean Drive corridor.
On September 16, 2020, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2020-31388,
authorizing the City to engage Zyscovich Architects in order to propose a long-term vision for the
Art Deco Cultural District (ADCD), including Ocean Drive. The professional services agreement
with Zyscovich Architects, executed on October 11, 2020, provides for a study area of Ocean
Drive, Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, as well as their side streets, from 5 Street to 17
Street.
Zyscovich's consultant team, including transit and mobility subconsultants Kittelson & Associates,
has evaluated all available traffic data, pedestrian and bicycle volumes, and mobility needs,
challenges, and opportunities in the ADCD. In addition, the consultant team has worked closely
with the Mayor's Art Deco Cultural District Panel and the City team to identify long-term street
configurations for Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, and the side streets within
the ADCD. The consultant has also utilized information gleaned from area resident stakeholders
and members of organizations such as the Ocean Drive Association, Washington Avenue
Business Improvement District, and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Currently, the consultant team is evaluating two options for Ocean Drive consisting of a
pedestrianization option without vehicles and an option that would allow vehicular traffic on a
restricted basis but highly focused on pedestrian circulation, comfort, and safety. Both options
are premised on initiatives that would control non-resident vehicular access and meter vehicular
flow throughout portions of the ADCD to maintain low vehicular volumes and create a more
pedestrian and transit amenable environment within the district. The final ADCD Vision Plan,
including recommended street configurations, is expected to be presented to the City Commission
Ocean Drive
SHORT-TERM RECONFIGURATION OPTIONS
1
Goals
•Safety
•Business Friendly
•Elevated Resident/Visitor
Experience
•Avoid Congregation
2
Ocean Drive Option A
Re -introducing Two-Way Traffic
•Sidewalk cafés remain on sidewalks and
parklets/sidewalk café extensions are
eliminated
•Reintroduces two-way traffic on the
road
•Valet and freight loading zones on west
side
•Two-way buffered bike lanes on east
side
•Requires bicycle detour at 10th Street
•Easily convertible to Freebee operation
•Implementation Costs -$60,000
•Recurring Costs -$20,000 3
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Ocean Drive Option B
Reintroducing One-Way Traffic
•Sidewalk cafés return to sidewalks and
parklets/sidewalk café extensions are
eliminated
•One-Way southbound vehicular traffic
•Valet and freight loading zones on west
side
•Two-way buffered bike lanes on east side
•Planters on the east side to reduce
congregation
•Easily convertible to Freebee operation
•Implementation Costs –$60,000
•Recurring Costs -$20,000
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Ocean Drive Association Preferred
Option
Pedestrianized
•Sidewalk cafés return to sidewalks and
sidewalk café extensions are included on
west side
•Pedestrian path on street with no protection
•Freebee operation with 8 vehicles would cost
$920,000 per year for 12 hours per day 365
days a year
•Proposed bicycle lane is too narrow for two-
way operation
•Management of 100 blocks will present a
challenge and will require additional cost
•Implementation Cost: $785,000*
•Recurring Costs: $1,265,000**
*Assumes installation of planters to separate restaurant expansions from
pedestrian path and planters on the side street
**Includes operation costs of Freebee, maintenance of planters, and
minor maintenance of pavement markings
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Ocean Drive Pedestrianized –
100 Block Alternative
No Valet Parking
•Closed to vehicles east of 100 blocks
•Movable barriers to at Ocean Court
•Rigid barrier at Ocean Drive
•Planters to improve aesthetics and
reduce congregation
•20 ft. clearance required for emergency
vehicle operation
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MOVABLE
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OCEAN CT.
Ocean Drive Pedestrianized –
100 Block Alternative
Valet Parking
•Valet stand on Ocean Ct. to process
vehicles
•Valet operations assumes control of east
half of 100 blocks
•Rigid barrier at Ocean Drive intersection
•Planters to improve aesthetics and
delineate valet area
•20 ft. min clearance required for
emergency vehicle operation
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OCEAN CT.
June 22, 2021
Via Email
Mayor and Commissioners
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Dear Honorable Mayor and Commissioners.
I write with the endorsement of the Board of Directors of the Ocean Drive Association for which I
serve as chair. I am also an Ocean Drive resident and Owner of The Betsy -South Beach. I also Chair
the Mayor’s Committee on the Reimagination of the Art Deco Cultural District where we have been
fortunate to be exposed to a series of informative presentations by the Bernard Zyscovich team of
experts as we explore longer term options for the ADCD, many of which impact the discussion you
are having on June 23, 2021.
We have a great deal of respect for the leadership the Mayor and Commission are providing as we
pursue a better future for our community. Similarly, we admire the City Manager’s efforts and those
of her appointed civilian and public safety leadership teams wrestling with some profoundly difficult
issues.
The ODA welcomes the Manager’s LTC on near term Ocean Drive options. There are many excellent
recommendations and some we have concerns about. We seek to summarize concisely.
•Our primary concerns relate to public safety. Any options that we as operators and owners
think have the potential of compromising public safety, we do not support (noting we are not public
safety experts):
1.Businesses must be held accountable for what occurs immediately in front of their
premises/property, particularly in the outdoor café seating areas. Moving the cafes to the
east side of Ocean Drive eliminates the possibility of this important responsibility and
creates a disconnection for customers, visitors and residents from the destination they are
patronizing. This issue has both public safety and operational challenges which is why
Options 3 & 3A are not advised.
2.In the current environment we have a manageable and modest stream of pedestrians on
the west sidewalk, with most encouraged (and desiring) to use the street or east sidewalk
(which is a much better place to observe our celebrated architecture). From a public safety
point of view, we need to keep the larger crowds awa y from café guests and hotel
entrances. We would limit the passage to the 6’ space along the curb (not adjacent to the
buildings) outlined in current city guidelines. We would also respectfully remind the
Commission that in previous years we worked together to eliminate the unsightly
“gauntlet” on the west sidewalk which compromised the safety of guests, service personnel
and limited MBPD visibility into this critical area. (Note: There are several buildings with
Chairman
Mike Palma
Clevelander
Vice Chairman
Jonathan Plutzik
The Betsy
Secretary
David Berg
Infinity Real Estate
Treasurer
Alfie Feola
Altanini Realty
Jonathan Bennett
Nakash/Jordache
Ian Hendry
Club Management
Group
Steven Boucher
Boucher Brothers
Management, Inc.
Marlo Courtney,
Goldman Properties
Tom Glassie
Avalon Hotel
Ricardo Tabet
Celino Hotel
David Wallack
Mango’s Tropical Café
Ceci Velasco
Executive Director
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Chairman
Jonathan Plutzik
The Betsy
Secretary
David Berg
Infinity Real Estate
Treasurer
Alfie Feola
Altanini Realty
Steven Boucher
Boucher Brothers
Management, Inc.
Marlo Courtney,
Goldman Properties
Jamil Dib
V&E Restaurant
group
Tom Glassie
Avalon Hotel
Ian Hendry
Club Management
Group
Eugene Rodriguez
Property Owner
Ricardo Tabet
Celino Hotel
David Wallack
Mango’s Tropical
Café
Ceci Velasco
Executive Director
ATTACHMENT - B
unique architectural design that require exemption from the requirement that café tables are immediately adjacent
to the buildings (e.g., Mango’s))
3. Sadly, we have all observed consistent crowd control issues on Ocean Drive. It has been very important that in those
surge or “stampede” moments that an unobstructed exit to Lummus Park exists. We do not support the installation
of planters on the east side of Ocean Drive. We welcome them as cosmetic additions to the vacant west side areas
(e.g., in front of the Tides) to beautify the street. Noti ng too, that we have a very limited amount of real estate on
Ocean Drive and have ambitions to tackle other matters in the street (Freebees, pedestrians, bicycles, skateboarders
etc.), taking seven feet of it for east side planters creates issues with options 3 and 3A.
4. We support a pilot program of very actively managed Freebees (with passenger loading zones) to ensure that the
vision is both safe and effective for residents and visitors to Ocean Drive. We would recommend(i) silent electric
vehicles, (ii) speed governors, (iii) no music, (iv) carefully vetted drivers and (v) ADCD appropriate Freebee signage
(i.e., no advertising except our cultural programming!!). One of our very important amendments is that the Freebees
need to operate with two-way Freebee traffic, reinforcing the view that we need to protect every inch of real estate
we have. (Noting longer term, with appropriate improvements, Ocean Court might be used as one of the
corridors(northbound?) for the Freebee loop. Similarly, the serpentine path might be considered for “return”
Freebee trips south to north).
5. Further, as it relates to several proposed options we are concerned about the shared spaces. Even as we welcome
bicyclists to OD, we are aware that many are traveling at dangerous speeds and, others, demonstrating acrobatic
skills that are inconsistent with a safe environment. Our recommended course of action seeks to get this behavior
under control and some possible additional separation from pedestrians before substantial injury occurs. As
mentioned above, this item highlights our concern with Options 3 and 3A.
6. We acknowledge that we, together, have not sufficiently explored the more active utilization of the “100” blocks of
OD. We are aware that we have important hotel guest arrival issues that need addressing. Especially with the rainy
season commencing. Better signage, valet operations and some better imagination has the potential of having a
very favorable impact. We really need to focus our best minds on this issue with great urgency as we search for
comprehensive solutions.
• Now on to business and redevelopment issues.
1. With both a long- and short-term perspective, we are all focused on creating the conditions which cause private
capital to invest in our buildings on Ocean Drive in such desperate need of renovation. That investment is critical to
our shared vision for an extraordinary future of the ADCD. The Zyscovich work with the ADCD Committee (in active
dialogue with MB’s Planning Department) and the MB Chamber Committee are both wrestling with this multi -
faceted issue. We also need to find ways to produce financial support for our shared goals on OD and in Lummus
Park. The short-term message? We can’t casually remove substantial cash flow producing café seating from the
sidewalks. These seats certainly benefit the current operators and landlords, but they also have significant
implications for the financial modeling associated with prospective investment. An 11’ sidewalk café alone (as
contemplated in Options 3 or 3A) is not a sufficient amount of space for sidewalk café tables. We are hoping that
the continuing elevation of the pedestrian experience brings strong café and business engaged traffic to Ocean Drive
that will enhance sales and result in further investment into our historic properties. To become the “American
Riviera” that we all believe strongly that this street can be, we need to enhance the café experience by though tfully
increasing/protecting operational scale, while focusing aggressively on elevating operator performance.
2. Operating an isolated satellite café on the east side of OD is simply impossible under current conditions. Providing
security for guests and having service people crossing lanes of pedestrian, bicycle and Freebee traffic are all
operationally profoundly challenged. About this, all our operational experts are certain further highlighting our
concerns with Option 3 and 3A.
ODA’s Formal Recommendation to the Commission: Explore and discuss Option 4 as Amended. The Amendments include:
1.Rather than southbound Freebee traffic only, we recommend two -way traffic. Consequently, there should be no
automotive vehicles on Ocean Drive. However, 10’ should be sufficient for two slow moving Freebees who
occasionally cross and utilize a portion of what is depicted in Option 4 as the “buffer” area.
2.We need attractive planters blocking the west side sidewalk and Ocean Drive café expansion seating from the traffic
of all types. This will provide much needed safety protection but will keep most of the flow to Lummus park still
seamless and visible. These planters can be two feet or less in east-west dimension and must be beautiful and
contribute to a more inviting environment!
3.Further discussion to make certain that we avoid the recreation of the ‘tunnel and gauntlet effect’ that the
Commission worked so hard to eliminate a few years back.
To summarize, from West to East our recommendation is to adopt ‘Option 4’ with the following friendly amendments:
1.8.5 feet of West sidewalk café (abutting the buildings),
2.6.0 feet of pedestrian clearance on the West sidewalk
3.16.0 feet of Ocean Drive café, including allocation of two feet for planter boxes
4.5.0 feet of Ocean Drive CLEARLY MARKED Pedestrian passage including café entrance/exit and strolling
5.10.0 feet of CLEARLY MARKED Ocean Drive Freebee passage
6.2.0 feet of buffer
7.5.0 feet of CLEARLY MARKED Bicycle Lane (both north and southbound)
8.10.5 feet East sidewalk pedestrian passage
The reasons why we support Option 4 (as amended) are the following:
•Provides ample sidewalk café seating to generate sales and, critically, promote reinvestment in the properties
•Provides two-way Freebee traffic to address the need for hotel or restaurant guests to be dropped off at their
destination.
•Ample sidewalk pedestrian path on the East and more modest on West sidewalk.
•Provides an easy way to close the Freebee and bike lanes for pedestrian use only on certain
days/weekends/events
•Pedestrians can still use the freebee lane as a walking path when the (speed limited) Freebees are not passing
by, but it clearly delineates the Freebee path / ‘right of way’ (not unlike what one would observe in an airport
terminal today)
Finally, we encourage the city to hold operator’s “feet to the fire”, demanding excellent performance from us every day.
We want to work with the city to address many of the “low hanging fruit” opportunities (e.g., apply fresh paint , add
lighting, sweep, hose down, freshen up , empty garbage more frequently etc.) in all the ADCD areas in and adjacent to
OD. We, together, need to take those steps now if we really want to inexpensively jump start immediate change in the
community.
We want to be your partner in a great OD future. We are all striving for a more satisfying, safe, and consistent “live, work
and enjoy” environment.
Respectfully,
Jonathan Plutzik
Chairman – Ocean Drive Association
Owner – The Betsy Hotel
Resident – Ocean Drive
cc: Alina Hudak, City Manager
Rafael Granado, City Attorney