LTC 460-2024 G.O. Bond Beachwalk Reforestation UpdateMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC# 460-2024
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Eric Carpenter, City Manager� �
October 17, 2024
SUBJECT: G.O. Bond Beachwalk Reforestation Update
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (L TC) is to share an update on the G.O. Bond
Reforestation project along the Beachwalk.
The project concluded the public
comment period on September 30
for which advisements were shared
through the City's communication
channels and mailers to beachfront
property owners. Following the
community outreach effort,
Environment and Sustainability
Department professionals will spend
the next several months addressing
feedback and meeting individually
with property owners. City staff will
be contracting with a Public
Information Officer to organize the
meetings and prepare graphics.
Staff will take into consideration
species selection, and distribution
requested, and refine the planting
palette and locations of individual
plantings. It is important to note that the City does not intend to plant trees adjacent to properties
with building associations that may advise they do not want trees. This planning effort is expected
to last until Spring 2025, after which tree planting may commence at approved locations, beginning
with City-owned parcels.
The Beachwalk Reforestation effort aims to enhance one of the City's most recognized assets by
creating shade to help reduce the effects of extreme heat for this pedestrian and cyclist mobility
corridor that is part of the Atlantic Greenway Network. The project is funded by both a United
States Forest Service Urban and Community Forest Grant and the 2018 G.O. Bond/ Additionally,
the project will contribute to the City's goal of increasing the tree canopy from 17% to 22%.
The project website is accessible at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/residents/neighborhood
affairs-division/active-projects/neighborhood-improvements/beachwalk-reforestation/.
Please contact Amy Knowles, Chief Resilience Officer, at AmyKnowles@miamibeachfl.gov for any
additional informational needs regarding this memorandum. /.I# ll MH/AK/LP