NBCRA Committee Minutes 1-14-25
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139 www.miamibeachfl.gov/northbeachcra
MEETING MINUTES
NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Normandy Shores Golf Club, 2401 Biarritz Drive
Members in Attendance Chair Ronnie Issenberg; Vice Chair Tom Richerson; Omar Jimenez;
Sam Latone; Romina Orozco-Encio; Manning Salazar; and David
Sexton, ex officio
Speakers and Guests Ariel Guitian, Interim Division Director, and Herman Fung, Project
Manager, Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP),
Wannemacher Jensen Architects; Jose Gonzalez, Director,
Transportation and Mobility Department; and Tom Curitore, Deputy
Director, Parks & Recreation Department
1. Call to Order & Attendance
Committee Chair Ronnie Issenberg called the meeting to order at 4:42 p.m.
Committee Business
2. Approval of Minutes and Reports December 10, 2024 Meeting Minutes, Biannual Report
(July – December 2024), and 2025 Committee Meeting Calendar
The Committee approved by acclamation the following items:
i. Meeting Minutes from December 10, 2024
ii. Biannual Report (July – December 2024)
iii. 2025 Committee Meeting Calendar
3. Legislative Update
• Presenter: Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager
Ms. Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided the Committee with the following updates:
In November, CRA Resolution No. 025-2024 directed exploration of artistic display stations at
Altos del Mar Park, with final funding approval by the City Commission anticipated by April 2025.
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – January 14, 2025
Page 2 of 4
The City Commission and CRA Board will review the request to allocate CRA funding in the
amount of $10,000 for North Shore Park signage enhancements on February 3, 2025. In addition
to CRA Board budgetary approval, the City Commission must review capital improvement projects
involving City assets.
Following a Committee recommendation of support in November 2024, the North Beach Artistic
Recycling Program, proposing $10,000 in CRA funds for artistic recycling receptacles, is
anticipated for City Commission review on February 26, 2025.
Old Business
4. Status Update: 72nd Street Community Complex Project
• Presenters: Ariel Guitian, Interim Division Director, and Herman Fung, Project Manager,
Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and Wannemacher Jensen Architects
Mr. Herman Fung, CIP Project Manager, and Mr. Ariel Guitian, CIP Interim Division Director,
provided an update on General Obligation (G.O.) Bond Program Project #1: the 72nd Street
Community Complex.
Following a budget overage that resulted in the discontinuation of a previous design process, the
project design contract underwent a new competitive process and subsequent redesign,
incorporating City Commission input from December 11, 2024. Community outreach is underway
before a redesign will be presented to the City Commission. Pending City Commission approval
and no unexpected delays, the Design Review Board (DRB) evaluation is targeted for April 2025,
with design completion anticipated by the end of 2025 and construction commencing in Spring
2026.
Wannemacher Jensen Architects, the project’s construction manager at risk (CMR), presented
renderings highlighting key features, including an aquatic center, community center and library,
integrated parking structure, and environmental sustainability elements.
The Committee commended the improved aesthetics and discussed potential concerns,
including:
• The impact of on-site retail spaces on existing local businesses
• The absence of concession facilities for the aquatic pool deck
• Risks associated with project delays and cost escalations
Motion: The North Beach CRA Advisory Committee supports the draft
design for the 72nd Street Community Center project, as presented
by Wannemacher Jensen Architects on January 14, 2025, and
recommends the continuation of the project design process toward
the development of a world-class facility.
Motion made by: Tom Richerson
Seconded by: Romina Orozco-Encio
Motion passed: 6 – 0
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – January 14, 2025
Page 3 of 4
New Business
5. Feasibility of Waterborne Transportation Services
• Presenter: Jose Gonzalez, Director, Transportation and Mobility Department
Mr. Jose Gonzalez, Transportation and Mobility Director, addressed ongoing efforts by the City to
introduce waterborne transportation services as a transit enhancement. Mr. Gonzalez shared that
the City has secured a $600,000 Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant and is
exploring federal funding for infrastructure development.
The City Administration is preparing a competitive solicitation for public water taxi services
connecting Miami and Miami Beach, potentially aligning with Miami Beach locations identified in
a Miami-Dade County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) study. Proposers will be
tasked with addressing a balanced public-private model of service, infrastructure needs for
vessels and docking stations, and a viable service schedule to enhance connectivity.
Discussion with the Committee included consideration for local ridership subsidies while
maintaining high-quality service and public transit challenges such as docking limitations and
efficient navigation routes.
6. Future Programming of Bandshell Park Domino Pavilion
• Presenter: Tom Curitore, Deputy Director, Parks and Recreation Department
Mr. Tom Curitore, Parks and Recreation Deputy Director, outlined efforts to reactivate the
Bandshell Park domino pavilion, which is currently closed due to public safety concerns. He noted
considerations for programming the space includes balancing community use, preventing
unauthorized activity, and creating value with a public amenity.
Mr. Curitore solicited ideas from the Committee, whose suggestions for activation included:
• Introducing concession services and incentives to attract an operator.
• Partnering with Unidad for senior programs.
• Hosting live performances, art installations, or an artist residency program with interactive
community engagement.
7. Committee Member Comments
• Request for a comparative report on North Beach CRA projects, annual funding
allocations, and expenditures.
• Proposal to leverage the Normandy Fountain Business Association to enhance outreach
and participation in the North Beach CRA Commercial Facade Improvement Program,
assisting businesses with guidance on vendor selection and best practices.
• Consideration of alternative Committee meeting locations to improve accessibility and
virtual attendance participation.
North Beach CRA Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes – January 14, 2025
Page 4 of 4
8. Public Comment
No public comment was made.
9. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made and approved, concluding the meeting.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.