LTC 412-2017 Questions on the Mid-Beach Recreational Corridor ProjectMIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel: 305-673-7010 , Fax: 305-673-7782
NO. LTC # 412-2017
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members of t City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Man
DATE: August 10, 2017
SUBJECT: Questions on the Mid -Beach Recreational Corridor Project
Over the last day, I have received numerous questions about the work occurring as part of the
Mid -Beach Recreational Corridor project. I realize there is a lot of passion and worry for the
dune vegetation, as well as the cats in this area. The purpose of this Letter to Commission
(LTC) is to explain what is happening and to respond to these questions.
We are in the process of constructing a portion of the beachwalk from 53rd Street to 64th Street
to provide bicycle and pedestrian connectivity from South Beach to North Beach. On July 19,
2017, we announced the commencement of this project in an LTC (Attachment A). As part of
this project, we are restoring the dunes which have become overgrown with non-native, invasive
vegetation over time. We are removing the non-native, invasive vegetation, such as Scaevola
and Brazilian pepper, and will be replacing them with a variety of native species, including sea
oats, shore paspalum, beach bean, beach morninglory, railroad vine and dune panic grass, that
will improve the health of the habitat, reduce beach erosion, and better protect upland properties
during storms.
Photo 1 - Non-native, invasive Scaevola taccada in the Miami Beach dunes
There is a cat population that lives in these dunes. I understand there are concerns about what
is happening with these cats during the project. Whenever we work in a sensitive habitat such
as the dunes, we take special precautions to protect the plants and animals in the area. In this
instance, we are allowing the cats and other species that live in the dunes to migrate naturally to
other dune areas that have been previously restored.
We have confirmed with the contractor on site that the cats are scurrying away when their loud
and slow-moving equipment is in operation. The contractor is vigilant and sensitive to their
presence as he proceeds with his work. The city's Environmental Inspector is closely monitoring
the site to ensure these animals are protected. We have also reached out to Miami -Dade
County's Animal Services Department and they are willing to help us with trap, neuter and
release, as well as provide housing in a "no kill" animal shelter for the cats, as needed.
Outreach for this project began last summer and includes on-going communication with 37
buildings and community stakeholders, such as condominium associations. Prior to the
commencement of construction activities, the Public Information Officer for this project visited
each condominium along the corridor and handed each property manager an 11x17 project sign
to post in their common areas, as well as a project fact sheet (Attachment B). Additionally,
project signs were installed at Allison Park (64th Street) and Beachview Park (53rd Street) noting
a July 2017 start date (Attachment C).
Photo 2 — Construction sign posted at project site
Should you have any questions, please contact Diana Fontani, the project Public Information
Officer, at 305-673-7071.
Attachments:
A — MBRC LTC
B — Project Fact Sheet
C — Project Construction Sign
SMT/MKW
MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 371-2017
LETT
ATTACHMENT A
TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members of t _ e City Co n'mission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: July 19, 2017
SUBJECT: Middle Beach Recreational Corridor (: eachwalk) Phase Il — Section 1
(From 53rd Street to 64th Street)
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to inform the Mayor and Commission that on
Monday July 24, 2017, the Office of Capital Improvement Projects will commence construction
of a portion of the beachwalk located between 53`d and 64th Street, immediately west of the
dunes.
The project consists of the construction of an on -grade ADA compliant pedestrian paver
walkway, with bollard lights, landscaping and irrigation. Exotic dune vegetation will be removed
and replaced with dune enhancements such as native dune vegetation species and beach
compatible dune fill. The proposed bollard lights will meet Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission's marine turtle nesting requirements.
The project construction will take approximately twelve months. Please note that access to the
beach will be provided at all times.
The attached fact sheet is being distributed throughout the corridor via e-mail and to each
neighboring building.
Should you have any questions, please contact David Martinez at 305-673-7071.
Attachments:
Fact Sheet
1
PROJECT LOCATION
Middle Beach Recreational Corridor KBeacPhase II- Section
(From 53rd Street to 64A` Street)
What's New
OnJuly 34.2017.the City ofMiami Beach Office cf
Capital Improvement Projects (CP) wffl commence
construction of the MiddIe Beach Recreational Corridor
(MBRC) from 53rd Street to 64th Street. The MBRC
wifl be an on -grade. Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)accessibIe pathway that wiU support the use of
bicycles pedestrans and other non -motorized means
of transportation. The MBRC project is part of the
Greater Atlantic Greenway Network (AGN), The MBRC
is a north/south coastal connector in the AGN. Once
completed. this project will provide infrastrucure for a
mulit-modaf transportation system and support the use
of atternative modes of transportation within City Iimits.
Description of \�/����
'^r�' Work
,The walkway will be constructed along the west side
of the coastal duneo, east of the oceanfront properties
•The walkway will be permitted in accordance with
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP) coastal construction regulations
•Non-native dune vegetation will be removed and
replaced with dune enhancements such as native dune
vegetation and beach compatible dune fill
Path way lighting will meet Florida Fish and VVi|d|ife
Commission's marine turtle nestling requirements
Timeline
The project construction will take approximately
twelve (12) months to complete Beach access will
be provided at all times Work hours are from 8
a.m. to 6 pm Monday through Friday Please note
that this schedule could change due to inclement
weather or unforeseen conditions Extended
weekend work hours are subject to City approval
Communication
For more information, please contact:
Diana Fontani Martinez. Pubic Information Speciaiist
P3O5.0737O71
E. dianafontani@miamibeachfi.gov
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K4ARA DEL PROYECTO
Corredor Recreativo de Middle Beach (Paseo de la Playa) Fase 11 Seccion 1
(Desde la calle 53 hasta la calla 64)
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ATTACHMENT B
Pia nnedProgrens
Middle Beach Recreational Corridor (Beachwalk) Phase II- Section
(From 53rd Street to 64th Street)
What's New
On July 24, 2017, the City of Miami Beach Office of
Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) will commence
construction of the Middle Beach Recreational Corridor
(MBRC) from 53rd Street to 64th Street. The MBRC
will be an on -grade, Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) -accessible pathway that will support the use of
bicycles, pedestrians, and other non -motorized means
of transportation. The MBRC project is part of the
Greater Atlantic Greenway Network (AGN). The MBRC
is a north/south coastal connector in the AGN. Once
completed, this project will provide infrastrucure for a
mulit-modal transportation system and support the use
of alternative modes of transportation within City limits.
Description of Work
•The walkway will be constructed along the west side
of the coastal dunes, east of the oceanfront properties
•The walkway will be permitted in accordance with
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(FDEP) coastal construction regulations
• Non-native dune vegetation will be removed and
replaced with dune enhancements such as native dune
vegetation and beach compatible dune fill
• Path way lighting will meet Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission's marine turtle nestling requirements
Timeline
The project construction will take approximately
twelve (12) months to complete. Beach access will
be provided at all times. Work hours are from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note
that this schedule could change due to inclement
weather or unforeseen conditions. Extended
weekend work hours are subject to City approval.
1
Communication
For more information, please contact:
Diana Fontani Martinez, Public Information Specialist
P: 305.673.7071
E: dianafontani@miamibeachfl.gov
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;" ^ilt rMIBEACH
Corredor Recreativo de Middle Beach (Paseo de la Playa) Fase II Seccion 1
(Desde la calle 53 hasta la calle 64)
Nuevas Noticias en el Proyecto
El 24 de julio de 2017, la Oficina de Proyectos de Mejorias
de Capitates (CIP) de la Ciudad de Miami Beach comenzara
la construccion del Corredor Recreativo de Middle Beach
(MBRC) desde la Calle 53 hasta la Calle 64. Este paseo
acomodara acceso bajo el Acta de Americanos con
Discapacidades (ADA) y permitira al igual el acceso a
bicicletas, transeuntes, y otros medios de transporte no
motorizados. Este proyecto hace parte de la red de vias del
Gran Atlantico (AGN). El MBRC es un via de conexion a
lo largo de la costa (norte a sur) dentro el AGN. Una vez
termindao, este proyecto proveera infraestructura para
un sistema de transporte multimodal y permitra el use de
modos alternativos de transporte dentro de los limites de la
Ciudad.
Description Del Trabajo
• El paseo se construira a lo largo del lado oeste de las
dunas costeras, al este de las propiedades frente al mar
• El paseo se construira siguindo las regulaciones de
construccion en la costa del Departamento de Proteccion
Ambiental del Estado de la Florida (FDEP)
• Mejoras a las dunas incluiran el reemplazo de vegetation
no nativa con material nativo y compatible con la playa
• Nueva illumination a lo largo del paseo que cumplira
con las requerimientos de la Comision de Pesca y Fauna
del Estado de La Florida para proteger la anidacion de las
tortugas marinas
Duration
La construccion del proyecto tomara aproximadamente doce
(12) meses. El acceso a la playa sera mantendo en todo
momento. Las horas de trabajo seran de lunes a viernes de
8 am a 6 pm. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que esta prevision
puede cambiar debido a las inclemencias metereolologicas
o condiciones imprevistas. La extension del horario de
trabajo esta sujeta a la aprobacion por la parte de la Cuidad.
MAPA DEL PROYECTO
Comuniquese
Para obtener mors information, comuniquese con:
Diana Fontani, Especialista de Information Publica
P: 786.390.6521
CE: dianafontani@miamibeachfl.gov
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MIDDLE BEACH RECREATIONAL_
CORRIDOR
Phase II Section 1 from Allison Park (64 Street) to
Beachview Park (53 Street)
ATTACHMENT C
PROJECT START: July 2017
• The walkway will be constructed along the west side of
the coastal dunes, east of the oceanfront properties and will
be permitted in accordance with the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP) coastal construction regulations
• Non-native dune vegetation will be removed & replaced with
dune enhancements
• Pathway lighting will meet Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission's marine turtle nesting requirements
Mayor
Philip Levine
Commissioners
John Elizabeth Aleman
Ricky Arriola
Michael Grieco
Joy Malakoff
Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
Micky Steinberg
City Manager
Jimmy L. Morales
City Attorney
Raul Aguila
City Clerk
Rafael E. Granado
Design Consultant Calvin, Giordano & Associates
Contractor J.R.T. Construction, Co. & Associates
Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
David Martinez, P.E., Director
This project is made possible through funding from: Special
Revenue, FDOT Grant, Middle Beach Quality of Life Resort
Tax Fund, and Miami Dade County Interlocal/Resort Tax
MIAMIBLACH
305.673.7071 mbplannedprogress.com