R7D-Accept Recomm Remove Boardwalk And Replace With Paver Pathway 24-29 StreetCOMMISSiON ITEM SUMMARY
Gondensed Title:
A Resolution Of The Mayor And City Commission Of The City Of Miami Beach, Florida Accepting The
Recommendation Of The Land Use and Development Committee To Remove The Boardwalk And Replace
With A Paver Pathway, With The Exception Of The Boardwalk Between 24 Street Through 29 Street, To
Maintain And Un Of The Beachwalk
Key lntended Outcome Supported:
Elevale Walkability To First Criteria Of All Developmenl Decisions, lncluding Reconstruclion And Planning;
and, Enhance Pedestrian Safety Universally.
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, elc.): ln the 2012 Community Satisfaction Survey, 48% of the
respondents would be willing to use bicycles as an alternative form of transportation and 63.7% of
stated that here were "too few" bike oaths/lanes.
Item Summary/Recommendation:
The wooden boardwalk was built in the mid-1980's and extended from the south end of Collins Park at 21
Street to the north end of lndian Beach Park at 47 Street. The Planning Department, as part of the
development review process, has accepted voluntary proffers from a number of upland properties that are
adjacent to the boardwalk to assist in the development of segments of a public beachwalk. The W-Hotel, Perry
/ One Hotel, The Edition, and Eden Roc Hotel have already converted the beachwalk to boardwalk or are
currently in the process of this conversion. The Fontainebleau, Ocean Grand Hotel, Versailles Project, and
Saxony Project have all committed or are in negotiations with the City to construct or fund the construction of a
beachwalk for the public benefit.
The existing boardwalk is not part of the AGN because its current width does not allow for safe bicycle and
pedestrian shared use. However, the beachwalk is an on-grade, ADA accessible pathwaythat supports bicycle
use and other recreational and non-motorized transportation activities thal are in line with the goals of the AGN.
Attachment C provides a map of the coastal pathway system and the construction material used for each
segment.
On February 6, 2012, Commission directed Administration that future segments of the beachwalk should be
elevated in order to have an ocean view. Staff identified four potential alternatives for the boardwalk: 1.
Continue to maintain exisling boardwalk; 2. Widen existing boardwalk; 3. Remove boardwalk and raise the
grade before constructing a beachwalk; and, 4. Remove boardwalk and replace with on-grade beachwalk.
At their April 9,2014 meeting, the Land Use and Development Committee discussed four alternatives and
recommended that the boardwalk be removed and replaced with a paver pathway to maintain the design
consistency and uniformity of the beachwalk system.
The Administration recommends adopting the resolution to remove the boardwalk, with the exception of the
boardwalk between 24 Street through 29 Street, and replace it with a paver pathway to maintain the design
consistency and uniformity of the beachwalk system.
On April 9,2014, the Land Use and Development Committee recommended that the boardwalk be removed and
replaced with a paver pathway to maintain the design consistency and uniformity of the beachwalk system.
Financial lnformation:
Source of
Funds:
Amount Account
I
OBPI Total
AGENDA 'TEH
RJ DE AAIAMIBEACH BATE S.2I-,V
612
g MIAMIBEACH
City of Miomi Beoch, 1700 Conveniion Center Drive, Miomi Beoch, Florido 33139, www.miomibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: May 21 ,2014
the City mtsston
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACI-I FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE LAND USE AND
DEVELOPMENT TO REMOVE THE BOARDWALK, WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF THE BOARDWALK BETWEEN 24 STREET
THROUGH 29 STREET, AND REPLACE WITH A PAVER
PATHWAY TO MAINTAIN DESIGN CONSISTENCY AND
UNIFORMITY OF THE BEACHWALK SYSTEM,
BACKGROUND
The 2025 Miami Beach Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Commission on
April 13, 2011 and became effective July 1, 2011. Pursuant to the policy adopted by the
City Commission as part of lhe 2025 Miami Beach Comprehensive Plan, the
Administration has continued to implement the beachwalk and baywalk projects in order
to further the City's vision of a continuous on-grade recreational path running north/south
along the coast linking the City's South, Middle, and North Beach Neighborhoods.
Currently, the beachwalk pathways are constructed from either concrete pavers or
concrete sidewalk. Attachment A provides photographs of the existing beachwalks in
North Beach and South Beach.
The vision that is being currently implemented was also documented in the City's
Atlantic Greenway Network (AGN) Master Plan adopted by City Commission on October
17,2007. Therefore, it has been the City's policy that, as oceanfront properties
redevelop, the Planning Department negotiates with private property owners during the
development approval process to remove the elevated structure where one exists and to
construct an on-grade beachwalk that can safely accommodate bicyclists and
pedestrians.
The City's Beachfront Management Plan with the State of Florida also lists the
development of the AGN as a management activity that enhances the natural resource
value and/or public recreation value for which the lands were acquired. The Beachfront
Management Plan states that the AGN serves to help conserve the dune ecosystem and
to provide significant economic and social benefit by creating a continuous coastal
network for alternative transportation and community enhancement.
613
Commission Memorandum
Boardwalk / Beachwalk Uniformity
May 21 , 2014 Page 2 of 4
The City has already made a substantial investment in the development of the AGN.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) funds are available for alternative
transportation facilities that improve mobility. These funds are contingent upon the
establishment of an alternative transportation corridor that is accessible by non-
motorized vehicles (bikes, skate boards, roller blades, etc) as well as pedestrians. To
date, the City has obtained more than $6,000,000 in funding from FDOT to design and
construct the coastal portion of the AGN.
On May 20, 2013, a special City Commission meeting convened to discuss the
boardwalk. The Commission directed Administration to take down the block behind The
Perry I One Hotel from 23 Street to 24 Street and keep the boardwalk from 24 Street to
29 Street. Mlami Beach Drive promenade runs just east of Collins and west of the
boardwalk between 24 Street and 29 Street, which allows for a smooth lransition of
bicyclists to the promenade while still retaining a segment of boardwalk.
Boardwalk History
The wooden boardwalkwas built in the mid-1980's and extended from the south end of
Collins Park at 21 Street to the north end of lndian Beach Park at 47 Street. The
Planning Department, as part of the development review process, has accepted
voluntary proffers from a number of upland properties that are adjacent to the boardwalk
to assist in the development of segments of a public beachwalk. The W-Hotel, Perry I
One Hotel, The Edition, and Eden Roc Hotel have already converted the beachwalk to
boardwalk or are currently in the process of this converslon. The Fontainebleau, Ocean
Grand Hotel, Versailles Project, and Saxony Project have all committed or are in
negotiations with the City to construct or fund the construction of a beachwalk for the
public benefit. Attachment B provides a breakdown of the segments remaining of the
existing boardwalk and the segments that have already been converted from boardwalk
to beachwalk.
The existing boardwalk is not part of the AGN because its current width does not allow
for safe bicycle and pedestrian shared use. However, the beachwalk is an on-grade,
ADA accessible pathway that supports bicycle use and other recreational and non-
motorized transportation activities that are in line with the goals of the AGN. Attachment
C provides a map of the coastal pathway system and the construction material used for
each segment.
ANALYSIS
Past & Current Proiects
In 2009, during the development of the W-Hotel, the boardwalk fronting this property was
removed and replaced with pavers from 21 Street to 23 Street. The developer designed,
constructed, and partially funded 885 feet of beachwalk east of the W-Hotel and Collins
Park from 22 Street to 23 Street. The total project cost was $1 ,107 ,225. The developer's
construction cost was $582,225 plus another $275,000 in Right-of-Way fees that the City
applied to the project. The City contributed the remaining $250,000 toward the project.
ln October 2012, the City began the removal of the existing elevated boardwalk and its
replacement with approximately 950 feet of an on-grade paver pathway from the south
property line of the Eden Roc Hotel (approximately 45 Street) to the north terminus of
the wooden boardwalk at approximately 47 Street. Eden Roc funded the permitting and
design of the beachwalk. The total construction cost for this project was $1,063,550,
which was funded through $704,000 from a Florida Department of Transportation grant
and $359,550 from the City.
614
Commission Memorandum
Boardwalk / Beachwalk Uniformity
May 21 , 2014 Page 3 of 4
On May 20, 2013, a special City Commission Meeting was held to discuss the
boardwalk. The Mayor and Commission approved taking down the boardwalk behind
the Perry / One Hotel from 23 Street to 24 Street and keeping the boardwalk from 24
Street to 29 Street. ln February 2014, the Perry lOne Hotel closed the boardwalk to
construct a new beachwalk that is anticipated to be complete and open to the public by
Fall2014.
On June 6, 2013, the City entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Seville
Acquisition, LLC. Pursuant to the Agreement, the City was required to issue the Seville /
Edition a permit authorizing the demolition of the existing boardwalk and the construction
of the new paved beachwalk. At the March 5, 2014 Commission Meeting, the City
Commission approved a motion to move the project forward with the elevated design
and concrete pavers.
Other Considerations
lndividuals often loiter beneath the elevated boardwalk. Homeless encampments can
often go undetected for long periods of time. This, coupled with the large number of
feral cats living under the boardwalk, can lead to unsanitary conditions that cause a
public health concern.
Permittinq Requirements
All construction that occurs east of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL)
requires a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The
CCCL Permitting Program goal is to protect the coastal system from improperly sited
and designed structures which can destabilize or destroy the beach and dune system.
These standards may be more stringent than those already applied in the rest of the
coastal building zone because of the greater forces expected to occur in the seaward
zone of the beach during a storm event.
During the CCCL permit application process, FDEP reviews a project's construction
plans to determine if the proposed design is a major or minor structure. No major
structures can be constructed east of the Erosion Control Line (ECL). ln addition, during
the permitting process FDEP will request that the footprint of any structure (beachwalk or
boardwalk) be within a given set back from the ECL. Until plans are presented to FDEP,
they will not make a formal determination if a structure is considered major or minor. The
City has not presented FDEP with a plan to permit any new boardwalk structures, thus at
this time we do not have precedent on if a new or larger boardwalk structure could be
permitted.
Potential Options
On February 6, 2012, Commission directed Administration that future segments of the
beachwalk should be designed to include ocean vistas. Staff identified four potential
alternatives for the boardwalk:
Continue to maintain existing boardwalk.
Widen existing boardwalk.
Remove boardwalk and raise the grade before constructing a beachwalk.
Remove boardwalk and replace with on-grade beachwalk.
1.
2.
J.
4.
615
Commission Memorandum
Boardwalk / Beachwalk Uniformity
May 21 , 2014 Page 4 of 4
Alternative '1 - maintain the existing boardwalk and replace structure as it reaches the
end of its lifespan. The existing raised boardwalk has gradually declined throughout the
years making it more costly for the City to maintain. ln the last three years, the City has
spent over $377,345 to repair and maintain the boardwalk in working condition. The
boardwalk pavilions located at selected entrances require additional maintenance of the
roof and bench structures. lf the boardwalk is destroyed by storm surge or its structural
integrity becomes compromised, the City will need to apply for a CCCL permit to build a
new structure, which FDEP will evaluate permit feasibility at that time.
Alternative 2 - widen the existing boardwalk. The boardwalk is currently 12 feet wide
and does not safely permit joint use by pedestrians and alternative transportation
options. The Federal Highway Administration recommends that the width of a shared
path measure at least 15 feet to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists safely. The
City may be able to extend the footprint landward of the existing boardwalk structure.
The entire boardwalk system currently ranges from 0 to 15 feet east of the ECL. Thus,
the City may need to obtain easements from the adjacent properties in the areas were
the ECL is the western edge of the existing footprint. FDEP would need to review this
concept to provide feedback if widening of the existing boardwalk would be considered
major or minor structure.
Alternative 3 - remove the boardwalk and replace with an elevated paver pathway to
allow for greater ocean views. This alternative would require additional fill and,
depending on the elevations of the adjacent dune and upland property, may require the
construction of retention walls to ensure the structural integrity of the raised pathway.
The FDEP has permitted an elevated pathway design for the Seville/Edition Beachwalk.
The additional scope required under this alternative would result in a cost increase for
design, permitting and construction.
Alternative 4 - continue wlth the current policy of removing the boardwalk, except 24
Street through 29 Street, as sections become funded and replace with an on-grade
concrete paver beachwalk. Based on previous consultations with FDEP, the agency
prefers the low profile, frangible pavers to the wooden boardwalk structure because the
pavers are anticipated to cause less impact to upland property during a storm surge
event.
At their April 9, 2014 meeting, the Land Use and Development Committee discussed
these alternatives and recommended removing the boardwalk and replacing with an on-
grade paver pathway to maintain the design consistency and uniformity of the beachwalk
system.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends: 1) accepting the recommendation of the Land Use and
Development Committee via separate motion; and 2) adopting the resolution to remove
the boardwalk with the exception of 24 Street through 29 Street and replace it with a
paver pathway to maintain the design consistency and uniformity of the beachwalk
system.
Attachments: A: Existing Beachwalk Photographs
B: Boardwalk Segments Map
C: Coastal Pathway Segments Map
JJ/MF/TRM/ETC/ESW
616
Attachment - A
Iixisting Ileachwalks
North Beach Recreational Corridor at 64 Street
Walkway Material: Concrete
North tseach Recreatir.rnal Corridor
Walkway Material : Concrete
617
Bcachwalk at 22 Strcet
Walkway Materia[: Concrete Pavers
Beachwalk at Lincoln Roacl
Walkway Material: Concrete Pavers
618
Attachment - B
City of Miami Beach: Boardwalk Segments
Descndion: EDEN ROC BEACHWALKSlalus: Fund6d by Prvat6 Comploted
D slance: 0 25 rnies (1320 fmt)
Descdption: FONTAINEBLEAU BEACHWALKSlalls: To Ae Funded by Fonlaioebleao.
Not Built
Dislance: 0.20 milss (1060fe€t)
Desc.iplion: aOARDWALKSlalus Un[und6d
Distancer 0 44 miles (2320 l8et)
Desslpnon: mEAN GRAND HOTEL
BEACF]WALK
SlatLrs: Funded by Pnvale, Nol ALrill
Distance: 0.05 miles (260leet)
N'17lHSr
-@,
S
4,llHSI
]?TH ST
3€TH ST
Des.riplonr VERSAILLES/SAXONY B€ACHWALKStatu6: Funded by Pivate, Nor Bullt
Distance: 0.20 mil€s (1060 leet)
Desciplioni SEVILLE BEACHWALKStalos: Fonded by PrivaE, in Construction
D stance 0.07 miles (370 tuet)
Descnpl on: aOARDWALK
Sialus: Untunded
Drslance: 0.3s miles (1860 feBl)
Descr pton: PERRY BEACHWALKSiatus: Fundsd by Privale, lr Construclion
Dislance: 0 12 miles (630 teet)
Descriplionr W HOTEL BEACHWALKStatus: Fundod by Pivat8, Compl6l6d
Distance: 0 12 miles (630leel)
Legend
Water
Streets
II
i
21ST ST
Beach
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Attachment C
City of Miami Beach: Atlantic ureenway NetworK
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620
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAM! BEACH, FLORIDA! ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO REMOVE THE
BOARDWALK AND REPLACE !T WITH A PAVER PATHWAY, WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF THE BOARDWALK BETWEEN 24 STREET THROUGH 29
STREET, TO MAINTAIN DESIGN CONSISTENCY AND UNIFORMITY OF
THE BEACHWALK SYSTEM.
WHEREAS, on April 13,2011 , the 2025 Miami Beach Comprehensive Plan was adopted
by the City Commission and became effective July 1, 201 1; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the policy adopted by the City Commission as part of the 2025
Miami Beach Comprehensive Plan, the Administration has continued to implement the
beachwalk and baywalk projects in order to further the City's vision of a continuous on-grade
recreational paths running north/south along the coast linking the City's South, Middle, and
No(h Beach Neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, on October 17,2007, the Miami Beach City Commission adopted the
Atlantic Greenway Network (AGN) Master Plan also known as the Bike Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2007 AGN Master Plan focused on creating an interconnected network
of bicycle and pedestrian facilities by way of on-street bicycle facilities, shared-paths,
Beachwalks, Baywalks, and establishing connections between the City network and the
County's and State's regional bicycle network; and
WHEREAS, the City's Beachfront Management Plan with the State of Florida also lists
the development of the AGN as a management activity that enhances the natural resource
value and/or public recreation value for which the lands were acquired; and
WHEREAS, the beachwalk is an on-grade, ADA accessible pathway that supports
bicycle use and other recreational and non-motorized transportation activities that are in line
with the goals of the AGN; and
WHEREAS, the existing boardwalk is nol part of the AGN because its current width does
not allow for safe bicycle and pedestrian shared use; and
WHEREAS, as part of the development review process, the City has accepted voluntary
proffers from a number of upland properties that are adjacent to the boardwalk to assist in the
development of segments of a public beachwalk; and
WHEREAS, on May 20,2013, the City Commission directed the Administration to keep
the boardwalk irom 24 Street to 29 Street; and
WHEREAS, Miami Beach Drive promenade runs just east of Collins Avenue and west
of the boardwalk between 24 Street and 29 Street, which allows for a smooth transition of
bicyclists to the promenade while still retaining a segment of boardwalk; and
621
WHEREAS, at its April S, 2014 meeting, the Land Use and Development Committee
recommended to remove the boardwalk and replace it with a paver pathway to maintain the
design consistency and uniformity of the beachwalk system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
GOMMISSION OF THE GITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Land Use and Development Committee
to remove the boardwalk and replace it with a paver pathway, with the exception of the
boardwalk between 24 Street through 29 Street, to maintain design consistency and uniformity
of the beachwalk system.
PASSED and ADOPTED this
ATTEST:
day of 2014.
PHILIP LEVINE, MAYOR
RALPH GRANADO, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM AND LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
T iAGENDAl2014\Ljay\Beacn',valx U formit,,; - RESO doc
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