Resolution 2023-32641 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-32641
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE
COMMITTEE AT ITS MAY 23, 2023 MEETING, AND AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION TO PROCEED WITH A 3D PRINTED "LIVING"
SEAWALL PILOT PROJECT.
WHEREAS, at the May 4, 2022 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Steven
Meiner sponsored a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Committee (the "Committee")to discuss the feasibility of 3D printed "living" seawalls; and
WHEREAS, at its January 11, 2023 meeting, the PSNQLC discussed the item at
length, and recommended for Public Works Department to explore the feasibility of
incorporating a Seawall Pilot Project (the "Pilot Project"), which would replace traditional
concrete panels used in seawall construction with 3D printed concrete seawalls; and
WHEREAS, at the May 23, 2023 PSNQLC meeting, Public Works Department
presented to the Committee information on a 3D panel option that is planned to be
produced by a Miami-Dade County based manufacturer; and
WHEREAS, a seawall pilot project which incorporates 3D panels is expected to have
a similar cost and a similar construction installation method as constructing the seawall with
the traditional pre-cast concrete panels specified in the City's Public Works Manual; and
WHEREAS, the 3D panels can be used to meet the City's requirement of the top of
cap seawall elevation of +5.7 feet (NAVD) and meet all applicable requirements of the
Florida Building Code; and
WHEREAS, compared to a traditional seawall project, the project timeline for 3D
panels is expected to be 3 to 9 months longer due to permitting; and
WHEREAS, by incorporating designs with shapes and textures that mimic coral
reefs and mangroves, 3D printed seawall panels serve to promote biodiversity by
supporting a wider range of marine life and contribute to shoreline resilience; and
WHEREAS, based on the potential benefits of 3D printed panels for seawall
construction, the Committee adopted a motion to proceed with the Pilot Project, as
recommended by the Public Works Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood
Quality of Life Committee at its May 23, 2023 meeting, and authorize the Administration to
proceed with a 3D printed "living" Seawall Pilot Project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ds day of NML , 2023.
ATTEST:
.1 :2v."-----___
...... 5(
JUL -- 5 2023 Dan Gelber, Mayor
Rafael . Granado, City Clerk
(sponsored by Commissioner Steven-Meiner)
r',,1;;H Ems",_^
APPROVED AS TO
FORM&LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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City Attotna Date
2
•
Resolutions-C7 0
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: June 28,2023
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE
COMMITTEE AT ITS MAY 23, 2023 MEETING, AND AUTHORIZING THE
ADMINISTRATION TO PROCEED WITH A 3D PRINTED "LIVING"
SEAWALL PILOT PROJECT.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends accepting the recommendation of the Public Safety and
Quality of Life Committee at its May 23, 2023 meeting, to proceed with a 3D printing of"living"
seawall pilot program.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
At its May 4, 2022 meeting, the City Commission approved a referral to the Public Safety and
Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) to discuss the practicality of 3D printed
"living"seawalls; and
At its January 11, 2023 meeting, the PSNQLC members discussed the item at length and
made a motion for Public Works to explore the feasibility of incorporating a seawall pilot
program and replace traditional concrete panels used in seawall construction with 3D printed
concrete seawalls.
At its May 23, 2023 meeting, Public Works presented the PSNQLC members, information on a
3D panel option that is planned to be produced by a Miami-Dade County based manufacturer.
Committee members made a motion to proceed with a pilot program as recommended by
Public Works.
Page 771 of 1808
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•
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Figure 1. Seawall constructed with traditional flat concrete seawall panels
' ' i
Figure 2. Rendering of a 3D panel by Kind Designs
ANALYSIS
A seawall pilot project with 3D panels is expected to have a similar cost and a similar
construction installation method as constructing the seawall with the traditional pre-cast concrete
panels specified in the City's Public Works Manual. The 3D panels can be used to meet the
City's requirement of the top of cap seawall elevation of +5.7 feet (NAVD). Compared to a
traditional seawall project, the project timeline for 3D panels is expected to be 3 to 9 months
longer due to permitting.
Cost
The total capital cost of a seawall project is expected to be similar for seawalls using 3D panels
as for seawalls using traditional concrete panels. The average cost for a typical, 40— 100 linear
foot City of Miami Beach seawall project is $3,550/linear foot (in 2023 dollars): $850/linear foot
for design and $2700/linear foot for construction, based on recent City projects. Structural
testing of the 3D panels suggests that the 3D panels will have a 50-year design life, similar to
traditional concrete panels.Accordingly, the frequency of replacement is expected to be similar,
indicating a comparable equivalent annual cost for seawalls with 3D panels as for seawalls with
Page 772 of 1808
concrete panels.
If the permitting agencies consider the 3D panels to have an environmental mitigation value,
then this may reduce or eliminate the need for installation of rip-rap in the vicinity of 3D panel
seawalls, thereby reducing the overall project cost. The costs of other seawall components such
as the precast piles and the concrete cap is expected to be unchanged, regardless of the type
of panel.
Permitting
The permitting process for a traditional seawall (no environmental resources impacts) has a
typical duration of 6 months. The Public Works Department anticipates that the permitting
timeframe will be approximately 9 — 12 months for a seawall with 3D panels, considering that
this is a new and untested technology that may be closely scrutinized by the regulatory agencies.
At least three regulatory agencies are typically responsible for issuing permits for seawall
projects. These agencies are Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources
Management (DERM), South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. These permitting agencies have not issued a permit for aseawall using 3D
panels, nor have they provided an estimate of the duration of the permitting process for seawalls
using 3D panels. Kind Designs has had initial discussions with Miami-Dade County DERM, and
DERM is supportive of a pilot project to evaluate the 3D panels in lieu of riprap mitigation that is
currently required.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
Results from the 2022 Resident Survey related to the City's perception and satisfaction show
an overall approval of 67.4%, and rated the City as a good place to live.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This project will be funded out of the Citywide Seawalls Capital Project.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends accepting the recommendation of the Public Safety and
Quality of Life Committee at its May 23, 2023 meeting, to proceed with a 3D printing of"living"
seawall pilot program.
Applicable Area
North Beach
Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O,
to Know" item, pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes No
Strategic Connection
Environment& Infrastructure - Reduce risk from storms, high tides, groundwater, and sea level
rise.
Legislative Tracking
Public Works
Page 773 of 1808
Sponsor
Commissioner Steven Meiner
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ MAY 23, 2023 PSNQLC MEMO
❑ Resolution
Page 774 of 1808
0LD BUSINESS 1.
MIAMI BEACH
COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee Members
FROM: Alina T.Hudak,City Manager
DATE: May 23,2023
SUBJECT:DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PRACTICALITY OF 3D PRINTING OF'LIVING'SEAWALLS.
HISTORY:
At its May 4, 2022 meeting, the City Commission approved a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Committee(PSNQLC)to discuss the practicality of 3D printing of"living"seawalls,item C4J.
At its January 11, 2023 meeting, the PSNQLC members discussed the item at length and made a motion for Public Works to
explore the feasibility of a seawall pilot project using 3D printed concrete seawall panels(3D panels).
The 3D panels are intended as a replacement for traditional concrete panels used in seawall construction.Compared to traditional,
flat seawall panels(Figure 1),the 3D panels(Figure 2)have a raised surface that proposes to improve environmental conditions by
creating complex habitats for marine organisms to grow and forage.As directed,the Public Works Department further investigated
the 3D panels that will be produced by an upcoming Miami-Dade County based manufacturer,Kind Designs.
• . .f
Figure 1.Seawall constructed with traditional flat concrete seawall panels
l •
•
Figure 2.Rendering of a 3D panel by Kind Designs
ANALYSIS
Update on Pilot Projects in Miami-Dade County
No 3D printed concrete seawall panels have been installed,as of March 2023.Kind Designs has printed 3D panels for testing in the
Netherlands and expects to begin manufacturing the 3D panels in a warehouse located in Miami-Dade County in April 2023.A local
seawall construction contractor, Dock&Marine Construction Company, plans to install the 3D panels on client projects as soon as
the 3D panels are available.No known environmental or building permits have been requested or issued for seawalls specifying the
use of 3D panels.
Two planned seawall pilot projects located in Miami-Dade County were previously discussed in PSNQL Committee: a private
seawall replacement (100 linear feet) on the Miami River and a private seawall replacement in Key Biscayne. The Miami River
Page 775 of 1808
project has not yet submitted a permit application for the 3D panels;the Key Biscayne project has been defunded and there are no
plans for implementation at this time.
Miami Beach Seawall Pilot Feasibility
A seawall pilot project with 3D panels is expected to have a similar cost and a similar construction installation method as
constructing the seawall with the traditional pre-cast concrete panels specified in the City's Public Works Manual. The 3D panels
can be used to meet the City's requirement of the top of cap seawall elevation of +5.7 feet (NAVD). Compared to a traditional
seawall project,the project timeline for 3D panels is expected to be 3 to 9 months longer due to permitting.
Cost
The total capital cost of a seawall project is expected to be similar for seawalls using 3D panels as for seawalls using traditional
concrete panels. The average cost for a typical,40— 100 linear foot City of Miami Beach seawall project is $3,550/linear foot(in
2023 dollars):$850/linear foot for design and$2700/linear foot for construction, based on recent City projects. Structural testing of
the 3D panels suggests that the 3D panels will have a 50-year design life, similar to traditional concrete panels.Accordingly, the
frequency of replacement is expected to be similar, indicating a comparable equivalent annual cost for seawalls with 3D panels as
for seawalls with concrete panels.
If the permitting agencies"consider the 3D panels to have an environmental mitigation value,then this may reduce or eliminate the
need for installation of rip-rap in the vicinity of 3D panel seawalls, thereby reducing the overall project cost. The costs of other
seawall components such as the precast piles and the concrete cap is expected to be unchanged,regardless of the type of panel.
Permitting
The permitting process for a traditional seawall(no environmental resources impacts)has a typical duration of 6 months.The Public
Works Department anticipates that the permitting timeframe will be approximately 9— 12 months for a seawall with 3D panels,
considering that this is a new and untested technology that may be closely scrutinized by the regulatory agencies.
At least three regulatory agencies are typically responsible for issuing permits for seawall projects.These agencies are Miami-Dade
County Department of Environmental Resources Management(DERM), South Florida Water Management District(SFWMD), and
U.S.Army Corps of Engineers.These permitting agencies have not issued a permit for a seawall using 3D panels, nor have they,
provided an estimate of the duration of the permitting process for seawalls using 3D panels. Kind Designs has had initial
discussions with Miami-Dade County DERM, and DERM is supportive of a pilot project to evaluate the 3D panels in lieu of riprap
mitigation that is currently required.
Potential Locations for City Pilot
In collaboration with Kind Designs and the City's Environmental Department, the Public Works Department used the following
criteria to evaluate potential locations for a seawall pilot project using 3D panels:
Table 1.Seawall Pilot Evaluation Criteria
• Criteria Optimal Range Rationale
Seawall Replacement Seawalls with high replacement priority
Priority High are due for replacement in the near-term,
irrespective of the pilot program.
Seawall Length 50 ft—100 ft This length is relatively short, keeping
costs low for the pilot program.
Wave activity from boats can discourage
Boat Traffic Minimal growth of marine life on the proposed
seawalls.
This is the appropriate depth for
encouraging growth of marine life.
Water Depth 2 ft—5 ft Shallow depths decrease available
surface area of the panels for growth of
marine life.
None or Low Rapid flow of stormwater through an
Stormwater Outfalls Velocity Flow" outfall located on a seawall can
discourage growth of marine life.
The existence of marine organisms such
Existing Marine Life Yes as coral in the vicinity of the seawall
suggests optimal growth conditions at the
seawall.
Proximity to Biscayne Bay generally
Proximity to Biscayne improves water quality and flushing
Bay Close conditions compared to constricted
canals.
Over 30 City-owned seawalls of medium to high replacement priority were considered for the pilot program.Based on these criteria,
four locations are potential candidates for the seawall pilot project:
Table 2.Recommended Seawall Pilot Locations
Location Seawall Length Recommendation
(linear feet) for Pilot
W 60m Street, 46 ft Page�i76 of 18 8
East of Pine Tree Drive
42nd Street,
West of Indian Creek 49 ft Medium-High
Drive
Ray Street,
South of South Shore 49 ft Medium-High
Drive
Northwest corner of
41st Street and Indian 86 ft Medium-High
Creek Drive
CONCLUSION:
Following the recommendation of the PSNQLC members to explore the feasibility of a seawall pilot program using 3D printed
concrete seawall panels(3D panels),the Administration has identified four feasible locations for the program,as well as a consultant to design 3D
panel seawalls.
Applicable Area
Citywide
is this a"Residents Right to Does this item utilize GO,
Know"item,-pursuant to Bond Funds?
Day Code Section 2-14?
Yes No
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
El Commission referral to PSNQLC Other
Page 777 of 1808