LTC 116-2010 Convention Center Expansion and Enhancement Steering Committee Update~' MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC # ii6-ZOio LETTER TQ,~=OMl~ll~~l~l~l~
To: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission ,i. r _,i I':.
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
Date: April 20, 2010
Subject: Convention Center Expansion and Enhancement Steering Committee Update
This Letter to Commission (LTC) is intended to provide you with an update on the progress of the
Convention Center Expansion and Enhancement Steering Committee and the Convention Center Master
Plan process. As noted in my LTC dated March 26, 2010, the Steering Committee met on April 19, 2010
to review Arquitectonica's progress. Attached for your review is the summary of the meeting, as well as
the summary from the previous meeting (held on March 3, 2010).
Additionally, attached please find an updated set of drawings of the Convention Center expansion and
enhancement for your review. These are preliminary drawings that reflect a vision for expansion of the
facility to address the needs identified by meeting and convention planners, current facility users, and
stakeholders, and as discussed by members of the Steering Committee during the four meetings (and
several subcommittee meetings), to date. These drawings will be further refined following additional
community input, including the Community Design Workshop that has been scheduled for May 13, 2010
at 6pm in room C220 of the Convention Center. Needless to say, you are all encouraged to attend.
As you will note, the renderings provide suggested enhancements that re-orient the entrance to the
facility, and add space to the center to address the meeting and event needs that have been identified.
Additional work remains on traffic patterns and options to address the displacement of the bus layover.
The renderings also provide several options for the placement of a convention center hotel adjacent to
the facility, should that option be pursued in the future. More specifically, the architects have laid out two
potential locations for an adjacent convention center hotel, should that be considered in any future
development discussion. One potential location is north of the current convention center where the 21st
Street Community Center is currently located. This space, which would not touch the two historic
structures, could accommodate an 800-room hotel. The second location option, which was presented to
the group at the meeting on April 19th, would be in the current location of the Fillmore Miami Beach. This
space provides several added benefits in terms of proximity, and provides for 1,000 rooms -which is
considered more in line with what is required for a convention center hotel. The two options are
presented in the renderings as placeholders, as the proposed expansion plans are being designed in a
manner that would not forestall the ability to develop a convention center hotel in the future, should that
be desired.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions with regard to this project.
JMG/HMF/MAS
F:\cmgr\$ALL\HFernandez\Tourism and Cultural Development\Tourism\Convention Center\MBCC Expansion Task Force Update LTC 4 20
10.doc
m MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, viww.miamibeachfl.gov
TOURISM AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Convention Center Master Plan Steering Committee Meeting
March 3, 2010
Meeting Summary
Committee Members Present: Ex-Officio Members Present: Others Present:
Mr. Jorge M. Gonzalez Ms. Hilda Fernandez Mayor Matti Bower
Mr. Stuart Blumberg Mr. Jorge Gomez Dave Anderson, Global Spectrum
Mr. Robert Wennett Mr. Max Sklar Brian Altazi, Arquitectonica
Mr. Scott Berman Mr. Bob Balsam Sergio Bakas, Arquitectonica
Mr. Saul Gross Bernardo Brescia, Arquitectonica
Mr. Tom Mobley Anne Cotter, Arquitectonica
Ms. Elsie Howard David O'Neal, Conventional Wisdom
Mr. William Talbert Jose Galan, Miami-Dade County
Mr. Michael Breslow Office of Capital Improvement
Ms. Cathy Rick-Joule Angelo Grande, MBCC
Ms. Wendy Kallergis Barry Moskowitr, GMCVB
Ita Moriarty, GMCVB
Larry Otto, MBCC
Grisette Roque, VCA
Betty Sanchez, URS
Eric Silva, MD Planning & Zoning
David Smiley, Miami Herald
Vivian Suarez, Commisioner Sally
Heymen's Office
Melissa Gaffney, NMMA (Boat
Show)
Ivette Diaz, CMB Communications,
Office
John McWilliams
Aaron Buchler, Kimley Horn
Laura Jameison, Botanical Garden
Jianina Velzquez, MBCC
Kevin Crowder, CMB Economic
Development Office
John Heffernan, Commission
Exposito's Office
William Cary, CMB Planning and
Zoning
Subrata Basa, Miami-Dade County
Planning and Zoning
Gaston Isoldi
The meeting was called to order. Ms. Hilda Fernandez gave a recap of the subcommittee meetings which took place
since the last Steering Committee meeting.
o Programming: Discussed what improvements would be necessary for the programming of the Convention
Center. The subcommittee agreed a 60,000 square foot ballroom was needed. They also
suggested creating an Advisory Board of meeting planners be created to obtain input on the
Master Plan. The GMCVB and Global Spectrum agreed to work on that. Several other
suggestions regarding built-in requirements were discussed and input was provided to
Arquitectonica.
n Functionality: The subcommittee expressed a desire to maximize meeting rooms and have access to all
halls and floors for loading. The location of freight elevators is very important, as well as
We are committed ro providing excellent public service and safety to oll who live, work, and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic communiy.
having a comprehensive security plan. The subcommittee also expressed a desire to have
more restroom facilities. A box office location is needed. Fixed concession stands are
needed and WiFi needs to be placed conveniently throughout the facility.
o Community: The subcommittee expressed a desire to maintain the east entrance to ensure a strong
connection with Collins Park. The Botanical Garden agreed that they would need to relocate
their main entrance and requested Arquitectonica meet with Raymond Jungles. There was
general support for the concept. There was also a suggestion to use some of the features
or treatments from Lincoln Park along the north side of 17`" street to strengthen the
connection.
o Big-Picture: Discussed out of the box ideas that would otherwise not be captured in the other meetings.
Mr. Brescia discussed the existing space of the Convention Center and what they were targeting for the
expansion. The current preliminary master plan would reorient the entrance of the Convention Center and create
a new facade with a main entrance facing south towards Lincoln Road. This would include a new covered drop-
off street running east-west along 18`h Street between The Fillmore and City Hall, and a new lobby. It would also
have an additional 200,000 square feet of exhibit space (for a total of 700,000 square feet), a 60,000 square foot
multi-purpose ballroom, 20,000 square footjunior ballroom, and 97,000 square feet of additional meeting rooms,
which totals 220,000 square feet of meeting space. This expansion would take place on the Convention Center
Preferred Lot (P-Lot) and Convention Center Drive and does include a parking facility to replace any lost parking
caused by the development (approximately 1,400 spaces). An inviting, 100,000-square-foot plaza and outdoor
meeting space would be added for groups wanting to meet in the outdoors to take advantage of Miami Beach's
climate.
• Mr. Jorge Gonzalez asked whether 700,000 sq ft was ideal or if we should attempt to go for 1 million sq ft. He
also questioned whether we have the hotels to support it a 1 million sq ft convention center. Ms. Ita Moriarty said
that we would be better off with 700,000 because we do not have the hotels that can support more.
• Mr. Gonzalez asked if Arquitectonica could research the load of the roof of the current facility to determine if a
recreational use could be designed for the roof.
• Mr. Tom Mobley expressed a concern with having the meeting rooms all on the west side, especially if the hotel
was being proposed for the NE corner of the facility. The location of the meeting rooms is important for attendees
and they shouldn't be forced to walk a long distance. Should also look at the proximity of the meeting rooms to the
exhibit halls
• Mr. Scott Berman explained that a hotel must be able to sell leisure business, have balanced business mix, to
make financial sense and location of the hotel within the master plan will be an important factor.
• Mr. Stuart Blumberg explained that it's vital to first focus on the expansion and enhancement before the hotel.
This is the most important factor in booking new business.
• There were some questions regarding security to ensure bollards or other structures are in place to prevent a
vehicle from driving into the building. Arquitectonica showed several slides showing different options which
included planters, lights, etc.
• There was a discussion pertaining to the Botanical Garden and how it will function with the parking structure being
built right next door to its entrance. Arquitectonica said that they already met with the Ms. Laura Jamieson during
the Community Subcommittee meeting and presented these plans. During that meeting Ms. Jamieson general
expressed support for the project and was interested in seeing how the Botanical Garden could work more closely
with the Convention Center. The only major item that would need to be addressed would the location of the
Botanical Garden entrance. Ms. Jamieson was present at this meeting and reiterated those sentiments.
Arquitectonica committed to meeting with Raymond Jungles who is designing the improvements to the Botanical
Garden.
Mr. William Cary, expressed a concern with the footprint of the hotel and requested it be cut back to not block site
lines of the historic structure from Washington Avenue.
It was agreed to have the next Steering Committee meeting on Monday, April 19, 2010. Arquitectonica will also
meet with smaller groups before the April 19 meeting in order to further the master plan.
F:\info\$ALL1Max\TCD\MBCC1Master Plan\3 3 10 MEETING SUMMARY.doc
We are committed ro providing excellent public service and sofery to all who live, work, and play in our vfbronl, tropical, historic community.
m ~til I AM I B EAC H
CiFy of Miomi Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
TOURISM AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Convention Center Master Plan Steering Committee Meeting
April 19, 2010
Meeting Summary
Committee Members Present: Ex-Officio Members Present: Others Present:
Mr. Jorge M. Gonzalez Ms. Hilda Fernandez Mayor Matti Bower
Mr. Stuart Blumberg Mr. Jorge Gomez Steven Haas, GMCVB
Mr. Robert Wennett Mr. Max Sklar Brian Altazi, Arquitectonica
Mr. Scott Berman Mr. Bob Balsam Sergio Bakas, Arquitectonica
Mr. Saul Gross Bernardo Brescia, Arquitectonica
Mr. Tom Mobley Anne Cotter, Arquitectonica
Ms. Elsie Howard Angelo Grande, MBCC
Mr. William Talbert Barry Moskowitz, GMCVB
Mr. Michael Breslow Ita Moriarty, GMCVB
Ms. Wendy Kallergis S. Fogg, GMCVB
Mr. Alex Munoz I. Castillo, GMCVB
Grisette Roque, VCA
Eric Silva, MD Planning & Zoning
Vivian Suarez, Commission Sally
Heyman's Office
Melissa Gaffney, NMMA
Ivette Diaz, CMB Communications
John McWilliams
Aaron Buehler, Kimley Horn
Laura Jameison, Botanical Garden
Jianina Velzquez, Miami Beach
Convention Center
Kevin Crowder, CMB
John Heffernan, Comissioner
Exposito's Office
William Cary, CMB, Planning and
Zoning
Matthew Pinzur, Miami Dade
County
Rick Schmidt, Conventional
Wisdom
L Frankel
Jackie Weiner, Miami Today
V Diveri
C Ritch
Mr. Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, welcomed everyone and advised the Committee that Arquitectonica will review
the current Master Plan, highlight changes made and cover issues discovered since the last meeting. Mr. Gonzalez
also reminded the Committee that the Community Design Workshop (CDW) will be held May 13 at 6pm in the
Convention Center. A reminder notice will be sent to the Committee for those who wish to attend.
Mr. Brescia advised the Committee that the existing FPL Transformer Vaults offer redundant feeds which can't be
provided by FPL in a new transformer vault. As such, keeping the transformer vaults at their current location would
appear to be beneficial. This required Arquitectonica to "offset" the pre-function space and entry drive on the south
side of the newly re-oriented building in the area of the vault. This plan of action also provides access for
maintenance in the future. Mr. Brescia stated that it would and could be easily masked as part of the design of the
facility, and the public would never know the transformer vault was even there - especially as the Vault doesn't make
any noise.
We are commined 'n p~ovlding excellent p~blk service and sofery to oll who I,we, work, and ploy .n our vibrant, rropkal, historic cummuNy_
Mr. Brescia advised the Committee that they met with the City's Administration who expressed a need for atwo-way
portion of the new 18th Street front access road at the far west end between Meridian Avenue and Meridian Court.
This was requested in order to improve traffic circulation in and out of the City Hall Garage. The Committee
requested Arquitectonica study a flexible two way street along the entire stretch of 18'h street.
Mr. Brescia also explained that the Boat Show had requested a high bay entrance off Meridian providing direct
access into the exhibit hall.
The restaurant building at central courtyard was reduced and the water feature became a wet feature during non
event days and a dry larger courtyard to enlarge the space during event days.
A possible location for a metro bus transfer station was discussed on the east side of Meridian. This possible location
was deemed undesirable and the solution for relocating the transfer station would be found elsewhere.
The possibility of use of The Fillmore site for a future hotel site emerged since the last discussion, especially since
the hotel package is likely to be a distant phase. This option is now considered more advantageous than the north
canal site for a variety of reasons delineated: better location for a future hotel developer; a good connector to Lincoln
Road to the south and Collins to the east. The Committee endorsed having the Fillmore site as Option 1 and the
north Washington Avenue site as Option 2 for the hotel for purposes of having placeholders on the master plan
designs.
It was requested that a more extensive scope for the traffic implication on 18th as well as Washington and Meridian
should be studied.
The Botanical Garden was discussed further and Arquitectonica explained that direct access from the garage to the
Garden should be provided and the entrance of the Garden should be moved to the NE corner of the site with
perhaps an enhanced pedestrian experience along the canal and into the Garden. Arquitectonica must meet with
Raymond Jungles in the immediate future to discuss these items. It was suggested that funding be included in the
Master Plan for re-orienting the Botanical Garden entrance in light of the proposed enhancements to the convention
center. Mr. Brescia explained the adjustments made to the garage facility to terrace away from the garden and
provide more greenery to compliment their use.
Mr. Brescia presented a redesign for the Junior Ballroom to allow for a more westerly view with windows and
terraces. The Committee asked Arquitectonica to study switching the pre-function for the Junior Ballroom to the north
side with glass and access to an outdoor terrace that would be located on the top parking floor, west end.
Access to Hall A along Washington should remain so the hall doesn't become isolated and hard to sell. They were
also asked to consider a secondary drop-off at north east corner that can access the hall, or a widening at the last
block of Washington for a wider recessed bus drop-off. (there are currently two lanes in each direction with a median
plus a recessed drop-off lane.)
They were asked to review and analyze an alternative or second smaller Multi-Purpose room and meeting room
block in the Master Plan so the NE end of the center isn't left isolated and requires a long connection to any meeting
space.
Arquitectonica will develop the master plan further in preparation for the CDW; a steering committee meeting will be
scheduled following the CDW to discuss input received.
Concurrently, the plans as developed to date will gothrough acost-estimating exercise and an internal meeting will
be convened to discuss any preliminary estimates.
F:\cmgr\$ALL\HFernandez\Tourism and Cultural Development\Tourism\Convention CenterVlpril 19 10 MEETING SUMMARY.doc
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