R9G-Discuss- Collins Canal-Dade Boulevard Bike Path Project -Tobin-g MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jimmy Morales, City Manager
FROM: Ed Tobin, Commissioner
DATE: July 1sth,2014
SUBJECT: Agenda item for July 23'd ,2,014 City Commission Meeting
Please place on the July 23'd, 2014 City Commission Meeting agenda a
discussion regarding the Collins Canal/ Dade Boulevard Bike Path Project.
Attached please find corresponding emails and information.
lf you have any questions please do not hesitate to call our office.
Best Regards,
Dessiree Kane
on behafl of Commissioner Ed Tobin
Agenda ltem R?L
oate ?-/0-l{903
Kane. Dessiree
From:
Sent:
To:
Gc:
Subject:
Categories:
Mooney, Thomas
Monday, July07, 2014 6:06 PM
'sheqyl gold'
Taxis, Mark; Brooks, Kathle; Tobin, Ed; Grieco, Michael; Jimenez, Joe; Carpenter, Eric;
Gonzalez, Jose
RE: Status of Dade VIvd. Bike Path
MCL:City Manager ECL
Hl Sheryl
The Planning Boand requested a brief update on the status of the bike path construction.
formal presentation will be made to the Planning Boand.
My understanding from the Public Works Depantment is that the cunrent asphalt will be
replaced with porous concrete. The landscaping portion of the project is scheduled to goto bid in the next few months and be completed by spring 2AL5.
Planning is not involved in the construction of the bike path, so I wouLd continue your
dialogue with the Public Works and fransportation Departments.
Tom
-- - --Original Message-----
From: sheryl gold [mailto:shergo]dcor{Oemail.comlSent: Thursday, JuIy 93, 2OL4 3:42 PM
To: Mooney, Thomas
Cc: Taxis, Mark; Brooks, Kathie; Tobin, Ed; Grieco, Michael
Subject: Status of Dade Vlvd. Bike Path
Tom,
Please advise who placed this item on the Planning Board Agenda for 3u1y 22 and who will be
presenting from the City.
We continue to have a number of serious concerns about this pnoject, not the least of whichis the absence of any landscaping for a large section and the loss of the buffer (against
noise and CO2 emissions) for the Palm View Historic nesidential neighborhood. At present,
there are two departments involved, Public Works and Transportationr with whom t^te have been
communicating. It would be helpful to know Planning's role in the matter, other than its
oniginal recommendation for the project and HPB's approval which resulted in the massive
destnuction of vegetation, loss of the waten view, installation of an unsightly crash wa1I,
the excessive size and number of bollard light fixtunes, and the lack of shade; pLus, the
questlonable safety of the path itself.
Thank you,
Sheryl Gold
GTAG Greenspace/Tree Advocacy Group
No
904
Kane, Dessiree
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
sheryl gold [shergoldcom@gmail.com]
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 9:06 PM
Carpenter, Eric
Taxis, Mark; Morales, Jimmy; Brooks, Kathie; Gonzalez, Jose; Mowry, Bruce; Levine, Phitip;
Tobin, Ed; Grieco, Michael; Malakoff, Joy;Weithorn, Deede;Steinberg, Micky; Miranda, Alex;
Dessiree Kane
Dade BIvd. Bike Path - Miami Herald
Fwd_ Mangrove Planting in Collins Canal.rtf; position paper - GTAG.doc; Publix - Draft #
3.doc; Re_ Landscape Plan for Collins Canal.rtf
June 25. 2014
To: Eric Carpenter, Director, Public Works
From: SheM Gold, GTAG Green$pace/Tree Advocacy Group
Re: Dade Blvd- Bike Palh - Miami Herald
CC: Mark Taxis, Jimmy Morales, Kathie Brooks. Bruce Mowry, Philip Levin€, Ed Tobin, Michael Grieco, Joy Malakoff, Micky Stelnberg,
Deede Weithom, Alex Miranda. Dessiree Kane
Eric,
I was astounded to read the attached Miami Hera,d article on the Collins Canal project, particularly Bruce Mowr/s comment there is 'not much work to do.' h conveyed a
mlsimpression ol what has transpired over the last four years of intense community and commission involvement and outlined a very disappointing plan by lhe new
administration. This plagued projecl has a long and complicated history that you and the administralion are well aware of(see attached e mail dated May 25, 2013).
For years, GTAG has sleadfastty adyocated for aprogressive watelway project inCluding a safe biking system, Shade tre€ Canopy
and habitat restoration;
with the support of Commissioner Tobin who has doggedly pursued a better solution. whireq,"
appreciate lhat staff ii finally preparing to re commence work, we're incredulous lhat after extensive research, eounlless meetings with city and county staff and elected
represenratives,voruilinousco*espondence.andpresentalionsVty'ith COmpfghenSiVg SOlUtiOnS...thg City haS ChOSen tO
ignore multiple serious problems, whose solutions go well beyond replacing the temporary
surface in one section and planting a few trees and shrubs in other sections.
We hare asked the city repeatedly to ast on the following GTAG proposals:
1) A solutlon tor the 650 ft. section where there is zero space for any plantirqs, i-e. schedule a frollow up meetlng wllh Publix to re open discussions-
NOTE: Tle temporary asphalt was inslalled in one section to allow time to solve tre problem of zero space for landscaping along 650 linear ft. (two football flelds) abutUng
the palm View Historii Dlitrict. We recommended removing the left tum lane into Publix and creating space for a planting area to replace trees and reinstale a buffer to the
historic neighborhood (an lmpact Traffic Study was prepared by Alkins , Oct. 4,2012). Unfortunately, our proposal to remove the lane and reconfigure the iotersecton at Dade
and Michigin into a roundabout (bofh supported by the county) was put on hold, awaiting the original design for the renovation of the convention center
2) lmptement the plan to mitigate mangroves in the canal. There is no bene{it to Miami Beach when mitigation lakes place in lhe FPL Mangrove Miiigalion Farm ln the
Everglades. Follow up with ERM is requlted. Also, ascertein tf money was paid into the Fund.
NOTE: The innovative mangrove miligation plan conceived by GTAG and developed in collaboration with the clty and and its consultant Kirk Loftgren of Ocean Consr.rlting,
with input from Gary Milano, formerly with DERM, has been dormant {or well over e year. Periodic inquiries to staff about its status have gone unanswered.
3) Eliminate the safety risk of tlle path by curing serious Gonnectivity probl€ms.
NOTE: This was raised at the original Bike Master Plan workshops two years ago; and, again, at a recent
meeting with you, Kathie Brooks,lose Golzalez, Bruce Mowry, Tony Garcia of Steeeplans, and CIP, where it
was confirmed that all pending projects would be identifie<l as high priority, in order to reconcile thern with the
current Bike Master Plan review and revision BEFORE their implementation. The Dade Blvd- bike path is one
such project.
It is a fact that the Collins Canal seawatl restoralion/bike and pedestrian path is the mosl environmentally destructive public proiect ever undertaken by the City. Over 400
protected mangrove lrees were destroyed, all the upland landscaphg (approximately 31 ,000 linear fl) was removed and over 71,000 linear ft was promised as replacement (a
iotat misrepreJentation since ii was never a possibiiity). The upland landscaping was halted because there is no1 enough space to implement lhe plan fiat the city asked
GTAG to develop. ln addition, the excessive numbeiind size oI bollard lights ( that are not necessary with the large overhead street lamps) further resricEd the already
compromised planting area.
only or bike only path from Alton to l{eridiant reducing t}e o*idth and re gaining space for shadetrees.
905
Weurgevounottobesatisfiedwithputtjnglipstickonapig. Afterwaiungthislong, ltdoesn'tmakesensetorecommenceworkifsl.tbst&ntiVeimpfOvements
can be forthcoming in the near future. Think boldly. Afterall, this is an important gateway to the city and to the
new convention center ..- it deserves a far better outcome than what is presentlyplanned.
Attached are e mails {two of the countless exchanged with staff over the years) plus GTAG'S original position paper and publix proposal.
Sheryl Gold
GTAG Greenspace/Tree Advooacy Group
httP://www.miar-niherald.egm/2014/06/19/4188564/dade-boulevard:bike-path-could.html
906
From: sheryl gold <sgoldcom@me.com>
Date: May 25, 2013 8:30:43 AM EDT
To: Eric Ca rpente r < EricCa rpenter@m ia mi beachfl. gov>
Cc: Jimmy Morales <Jimmymorales@miamibeachfl.gov>, Barry Miller
< barry@savinomiller. com), gary hunt <vanhu nt@att.net>, Gary Milano
<biscayn@gmail.com>, Ed Tobin <Ed@miamibeachfl.gov>, Dessiree Kane
<dessireekane@gmail.com>, Jeny Libbin <JerryLibbin@miamibeachfl.gov>, Enid
Rod rig uez <E n id Rod rig uez@ mia mi beachfl.gov>, Jo rge Exposito
<Jorge Exposito@ m ia mibeachfl. gov>
Subject: Fwd: Mangrove Planting in Collins Canal
Dear Mr. Carpenter,
Congratulations on your recent appointment! We're looking fonrvard to working with you
on opportunities to make green infrastructure a priority in our city.
GTAG initiated the proposal to mitigate, on site, some of the over 400 mangrove trees
(all three species) that were destroyed as a result of the Collins Canal project. The loss
of the mangroves, along with all upland vegetation, resulted in the most environmentally
destructive project ever undertaken by the city. GTAG introduced the city to Gary
Milano, who at the time, was the DERM Mangrove specialist. He's now retired and is
still willing to assist us. The city then hired a consultant to design a mitigation plan.
Presently, there are three GTAG recommendations on the table, to improve the canal
project:
1. Replace as many mangroves in the canal as practical; unfortunately, the vast
majority are planned to be mitigated in the FPL Mitigation Farm in the Everglades,
which does
nothing to repair our city's environment. This is because of the existence of
Johnson sea grass in the canal.
2. Eliminate the left turn lane into Publix to create the space needed for planting in
1,200 ft. section where no vegetation is presently possible.
3. The native/shade upland landscape plan that was designed by GTAG (in response
to repeated requests by Public Works), that has now been rendered undoable because
Public Works gave us a plan to work from that did not indicate the bollard fixtures
that have now been installed all along the canal. This was an oversight of epic
proportions and someone must be held accountable. Now we have
been advised by Public Works that the plan is at g0% when no one from PW
communicated with our group since we so
generously provided the plan, pro bono, to the Public Works Department last
year. lf I had not written to Public Works about our shock at seeing the bollards, we
would have never
heard another word about the landscape plan until it was implemented. To be
907
honest, I cannot say if this is due to incompetence, lack of transparency, obstruction or
deception. We have experienced all of these during our dealings with Public
Works on the canal project. Despite misinformation contained in a Letter to
Commission dated
April 1 ,2013 and an a(icle in MB Magazine, Parks and Rec did not "coordinate"
or "collaborate" with GTAG on this plan. We have never had a meeting or any
discussions
with Parks and Rec. Our sole contact on this project, from the beginning, has
been Public Works.
We believe it is absolutely necessary that senior staff now engage in getting this
project right.... beginning with this discussion with ERM. Unless the county sees that
the administration
and our elected representatives are committed to fixing this "flawed" project, nothing will
be achieved, despite GTAG's thousands of hours devoted to this over the past three
years.
We are requesting that you participate in this meeting. Secondly, we are asking for the
upland landscape plan to be stopped immediately and a meeting called to address the
serious problems connected with its implementation.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Gold
GTAG Greenspace/Tree Advocacy G roup
From : Diaz, Hermes lmailto:HermesDiaz@miamibeachfl .gov]
Sentr Tuesday, May 2L,2013 2:17 Pl4
To: Hopps, Christine (RER)
Subjec* Mangrove Planting
Hi Chrissy;
The City of Miami Beach and a group of concerned residents would
like to schedule a meeting with your office within the next 2 weeks,
preferably in the afternoon to discuss the mangrove planting over the
Collins Canal. lf you could please give us a couple of dates where you
are available to make sure we Gan get everyone can attend.
Sincerely;
h4IATdIBSACH
Hermes Diaz,P.E., Civil Engineer lll
908
COLLINS CANAL SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECT
Position Paper prepared by GTAG Greenspace Tree Advocacy Group of MB
Project Description:
Rebuilding the north sea wall along Dade Boulevard, fr:om the 17th Street bridge to
Convention Center Drive, reptacing the present wall with poured concrete; constructed
from the road side (land), not water, since the canal is too shallow. lmplementation of a
new 8 ft. wide bike/pedestrian path, separated from the canal by a barrier. The project
will necessitate the removal of all trees cunently growing at the location.
Greenspace impact Hundreds of protected mangrove trees (red, black, white) will be
destroyed. Replacement landscape will consist of trees of varying species, howevetr,
none of the new trees are equal in ecologicalvalue to the mangroves which are the
predominant tree that will be destroyed. Another consequence of installing the 8 ft wide
bike patn within a I ft. wide area between the new sea walland Dade Boulevard, will be
a space of three football fields in length between trees, including 650 linear ft without
landscaping, fronting the Palm View Historic District-
WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN?
lf the city supports enlisting world class architects to design parking garages, a concert
hall and a library, why would the city accept less when developing a project involving a
historic waterway created by its founding father-
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to create an extraordinary public project.....
a balanced, progressive project that consists of
- inspired structural restoration
- opportunities for safe biking and walking, AND
- an ecologically responsible enhancement of the unique mangrove and upland
environment
This could have been accomplished through the use of rip-rap (rows of boulders)
deposited along the base of the new sea wall to above water level at high tide and
exiending out O ft into the canal. This approach would provide a base to mitigate on site
the hundreds of mangrove trees that will be lost; rather than mitigating them
somewhere in South Dade. This plan would have allowed the new mangrove trees to
be in the tidal flushing zone and provide all the environmental benefits that makes them
a valuable species that have a special protected status, such as
- cleansing the water
- providing protection for young fish
- providing habitat for birds
909
While there are three species presently growing, it is the red rnangroves, especially,
that are host to crustaceans, crabs and provide hiding spots for young fish. The
enhanced canal could have been a nature trailfor kayaks, zodiacs and canoes. This
could have been an ecologicaljewel.
lnstead, the project will consist of a sterile concrete sea wall, with a Jersey barrier atop,
an 8 ft. bike path which restricts to 12 inches the area for planting along much of the
project length. lt will result in the unprecedented destruction of hundreds of protected
mangrove trees * a habitat along the canalwhere little green, black crowned and yellow
crowned herons are known to roost; and the loss of buffering of the historic homes and
institutions such as the Holocaust Memorial and the MB Botanical Garden from the
Dade Boulevard traffic and resulting noise, emissions, particulate and light pollution.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
While the project has been discussed for at least 17 years, the c$rrgnt_plan has been
rushed through and was only presented to the public recently, just three weeks before
the HPB approval vote hearing. City staff has stated that the project must move forward
due to grant deadlines.
There is no question that vegetation and ecological considerations were an afterthought
when designing this plan. lt was only after the plan was presented to govemment
agencies, that the city's Greenspace Management Division was even consulted; and
then they were not invited to participate in the public meeting.
It appears that the Bike Master Plan has been driving the process and has prevented a
balanced approach from taking place.** Residents were only presented with a single
opportunity to be informed and provide comment on the current plan, while the bike
committee has been meeting for years. As recently as two weeks ago, when asked if
there would be a second public meetlng, city staff indicated that another public meeting
may not be necessary.
There are a number of serious issues that must be addressed:
The city never presented the regulatory agencies with a proposal
that would have achieved an ecological restoration. For example,
The DERM Coastal Resources project manager confirmed that this project was
proposed and considered solely as a development project; with no
component of ecological restoration.
The numbers of mangroves that will be destroyed have been undercounted
by DERM because they did not factor in smaller trees. Therefore, when
calculating the required mitigation, DERM did not count hundreds of trees. For
example, some mangrove trees, although eight feet tall and providing habitat
for wildlife and buffering to the historic neighborhood, do not count.
1.
2.
910
GTAG's own survey of the mangroves between the 17th Street bridge
and Convention Center Drive, conducted by a certified arborist, shows three times
the number of trees to be destroyed.
ln a recent report, submitted in connection with the recommendations to the
HPB, city staff stated "much of the vegetation along the canal is of very low quality
and undermines the sea wall." Nothing could be furtherfrom the truth.
GTAG has concluded that the city's canopy replacement numbers are misleading
from two standpoints:
- the real value of the mangroves is in no way replaced by the proposed trees
- the destruction is grossly underestimated
3. lt is forcing our elected representatives to vote on a plan that is uninspired and
inadequate and is being driven by grant and timing considerations rather than
the quality of the outcome.
Why doesn't the cunent plan bear any resemblance to the project description"
submitted for commission approval in 2008?
4. Other discrepancies: Public Works recently stated "we submitted a check to DERM for
the mangrove mitigation. We are in the preliminary stages of identifying potential mitigation
sites within the City. No site has been selected as yet."
DERM just this week disclosed that a permit for the mangrove removal had not been issued
because they were waiting for proof that the CMB had purchased credits from the FPL
Everglades Mitigation Fund Bank. Such purchase would mean that the mitigation would take
place in South Dade on FPL lands, not even in Miami Beach.
WHAT TO DO?
For those of us who have been laboring for years to improve the greenspace of our
city and advance public awareness of protected species such as mangroves,
strangler figs, specimen trees and mature trees (we estimate that the mangroves have
existed along the Collins Canal for at least 50 years), this project clearly represents
a Iack of priority for greenspace. We will go even further...it represents the most
environmentally destructive project ever proposed in the city. These are not
the actions of a "sustainable" city.
The residents deserve transparency and responses to our public information requests.
The GTAG request for a postponement of the initial HPB approVal vote due to a lack of
access to details was ignored by Public Works.
A project of this rnagnitude and consequence demands more than one public
meeting.
911
Please write/callthe Mayor and Commissioners and the Historic Preservation Board
to let them know you are seriously concerned about the impending destruction of
hundreds of protected trees and the inadequacy of the replacement plan; ask them
to develop a plan that will provide not only safe bike access, but a viable landscape
buffer and tree canopy and ecological benefits to the Collins Canal itself. Please
request a series of public meetings, one prior to the HPB approval vote scheduled for
Dec. 13.
Please forward this e mail to your friends and neighbors. We need to spread the
word, as quickly as possible.
Thank you in advance for your support and efforts.
Sheryl Gold
Gary Hunt
GTAG - Greenspace/Tree Advocacy Group of Miami Beach
ADDENDUM
*Cammission Memorandum - Collins Canal Enhancement Project
December 10, 2008
Page 3 of4
Collins Canal Shoreline Restoration Project
ln 1914, the Collins Canal was dredged in order to connect the southern end of lndian
Creek to Biscayne Bay. Over the years, the seawalls abutting the watenray have
declined in structural integrity and are currently in need of repair and reinforcement. The
deterioration of the seawalls in turn results in shoreline erosion and destabilization and
subsequently sedimentation of the canal bottom, which impact the water quality of the
canal. The restoration of the canal will afford a higher quality habitat to the federally
protected endangered sea grass and other wildlife that comprise theJra-[glqvg_
ecosvstem and inhabit the canal's shores and submerged bottom.
The Collins Canal Enhancement Project will rehabilitate the northern bank of the Collins
Canal between approximately Alton Road to 24th Street and Lake Pancoast. The City
retained Coastal Planning & Engineering, lnc. (CPE) to complete the innovative design
of this project that will utilize the creation of a 'living seawall", which is a seawall system
that uses natural materials to reinforce a seawatl such as boulders and special
geotextile fabrics while simultaneously generating numerous environmental benefits.
The project will involve the removal or bracing of the existing sea wall and the
installation of a new seawall comprised of carefully intermeshed, large diameter
boulders which will provide increased wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and more
natural flushing and flow of water.
The slope and elevation of the new boulder walls will be designed to closely mimic
natural tidal creek shorelines. A geotextile liner will be installed along the eroded
shoreline areas behind the new boulder walls to prevent future erosion. The shoreline
912
will then be replanted with native coastal plant species that will serve to anchor the
shoreline and minirnize erosion. These shoreline areas will also become a buffer zone
protecting the watenryays from polluted storm water run-off.
**The Dade Boulevard Bike Path will create a multi-purpose public access corridor on
the south side of Dade Boulevard from Purdy Avenue to the 23rd Street Bridge,
adjacent to the Collins Canal.
The existing cross section of the Dade Boulevard corridor has some width limitations
which require the stabilization of the Collins Canal embankment and upgrade or
replacement of the existing seawall prior to the construction of the proposed bike path.
ln its cunent state, the walls of the canal cannot provide adequate soil support to the
proposed bike path to ensure the safety of its users- As such, an embankment
stabilization and subsequent seawall restoration project are an integral component of
the Dade Boulevard Bike Path and seawall project, since it wili provide the foundation
necessary to ensure the structural integrity of the bike path. The proposed modifications
to the Collins Canal seawall design plans of the northern bank of Collins Canal will
integrate both the bike path and seawall projects and continue the currently proposed
design as one project.
Credentials:
GTAG
Formed 10 years ago by residents, our mission is to protect, preserve and
enhance the urban forest of Miami Beach, with a particular focus on native
species and shade canopy.
Key accomplishments: Succeeded in getting the CMB to establish a separate
Greenspace Management Division and hire the city's first urban forester.
Gary Hunt
Co Founder, GTAG Greenspace Tree Advocacy Group of MB
Founder of Treemendous
Board Member, Tropical Audubon Society
Certified Arborist
Miami Beach community activist
Member, Bayshore Neighborhood Association
Sheryt Gold
Co Founder, GTAG Greenspace Tree Advocacy Group of MB
lnitiator, producer and creative director of the nation's first public awareness
campaign on the environment; aired on the Discovery Channel
Producer and creative director of Global Releaf, American Forest's TV
campaign to plant one million trees
Miami Beach community activist
Member, Patm View Historic District Neighborhood Association
913
COLLINS CANAL PROJECT
BACKGROUND I N FORMATION:
After many years of discussions, the City of Miami Beach undertook the replacement of
the seawall and construction of a new pedestriar/bike pathway along the Collins Canal'
Unfortunately, the seawall restoration/bike path project has resulted in the unavoidable
destruction of most trees/vegetation along the canal. While new landscaping is planned
in other sections, the project has left OVER two footballfields in length on Dade Blvd.
(650 linear ft.) totally barren of trees and vegetation*,-bordering the Palm View Historic
bistri"t residential neighborhood and directly across from Publix; and destroyed
hundreds of protected mangrove trees. As a result, 1) the area is visually and
aesthetically ugly; 2) there is no buffer to Patm View historic homes and residents
against vefricutai emissions, noise and light pollution, and particulates; and 3) the
eiology, including wildlife, has been adversely affected.
This corridor is too important to our city and bordering neighborhoods -
palm View Historic District and Bayshore - to accept anything less than a progressive
transiUwatelway design. lt is the gateway to the city center and anticipated upgraded
convention center.
There is signiflcant community support for improving the Collins Canal project which
would provide not only safe bike access, but a viable landscape buffer and tree canopy;
along with ecological benefits to the Collins Canal itself'
ln summary, the primary goal is to create a linear bikeway with continuous native shade
canopy trees and groundiover. The ONLY option to accomplish this is to eliminate the
east Lound Ieft turn lane into the Publix parking lot on Dade Blvd; along with relocating
the curb and gutter.
*the total lack of any landscaping is due to the narrowing of the space available for planting; a
direct result of the existing left tum lane into Publix-
WHY IT IS GOOD BUSINESS FOR PUBLIX TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH TO IMPROVE THE COLLINS CANAL PROJECT.
914
As a committed corporate partner in Miami Beach's effofis to be ecotogically sensitive
and green, we call upon Publix to help make the Collins Canal -- in its 100th anniversary
year -- a progressive urban watenruay with upland shade trees and replacements for the
hundreds of recently destroyed mangroves. Indeed, we encourage publix to join local
residents and the city commission and administration in improving and restoring the
canal in the section of Dade Blvd. located directly across the street from its store -- in
order to provide a beautiful and environmentally sound entry into Miami Beach for the
thousands of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and boaters who pass by both publix and
the Collins Canal every day.
We suggest Publix use this as a public relations opportunity, with the possibility
of 1) a joint news conference with city officials to announce the collaboration; and 2) a
store display of The Reclamation Project, a pafticipatory eco-art project by Xavier
Cortada. The project, which is part of the Miami Science Museum, encourages local
businesses to take paft in engaging their customers about the environment. In this
case, the mangrove seedlings displayed at Publix would eventualty be planted in the
Collins Canal, in order to restore and rebuild ecosystems that were destroyed.
1. Publix has a strong corporate environmental policy:
"Publix is committed to preserving and improving our environment."
The nGreen Routine" program has been so successful, Publix was awarded the Council for
Sustainable Florida large business award. Also, Publix is a partner company in the
Environmental Protection Agency's "Energy stad' and "Greenchill" programs.
2. Publix has a strong corporate sustainability statement:
"Publix's continued success depends upon sustaining our environment, the people in our
company and communities, and our business. Publix has always been committed to the
responsible use of environmental resources."
3. Publix's Greenwise branding, which includes a wide range of natural and organic products,
substantiates the company's commitment to its customers that green is an integral part of their
business plan.
4. Enabllng the planting of the necessary upland landscaping will not only restore the
environment but will also enhance the aesthetics of the view directly across from the entrance to
the Publix store on Dade BIvd.
5. The Revised Traffic lmpact Study prepared by ATKINS, October 4,2012, at the request of
the City of Miami Beach, evaluated the traffic operational impacts due to the removal of the
Eastbound Left turn storage lane going into the Publix located at 1045 Dade Blvd. lt was
concluded that the proposed removal of the turn lane "will have minimal to no effect on the
traffic operational performance at the intersections within the study area." (all adjacent
interesections)
915
6. The community is celebrating the centenary of the Collins Canal, the oldest surviving man-
made structure on Miami Beach. What betterway to demonstrate Publix's commitment to
the neighborhood and community, than by enabling the improvement of the ecology and
appearance in the immediaate vicinity of the store.
7. Reach potential new shoppers. The city has added a crosswalk and signal at Michigan Ave.
and Dade Btvd. that will improve access for Publix shoppers who are pedestrians and bicylists
using the newly installed mutti use path.
The city has installed a new dock to service on board residents who want to shop at Publix by
dinghy.
Thousands of visitors each year take Dade Blvd. to reach the convention center.
Residents use Dade Blvd. as a major artery to reach their homes, schools, city center
and downtown Miami. Without Publix cooperation to enable the widening of the space
available for landscaping, the public will be forced to look at a baren concrete seawall,
crashwall and bike path; and pedestrians and bicylists will be exposed unnecessarily to
sun/heat that would otherwise be mitigated by shade trees.
Our city, as well as Miami Dade County, has a serious tree canopy deficiency. With
rising temperatures, particulary impactful in our tropical climate, it is becoming more and
more critical not only to stop the destruction of trees, but to increase the canopy through
planting. Trees not only cool our cities and our planet, they also clean the air, conserye
energy, prevent stormwater runoff and soil erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, improve
business traffic, absorb noise and dust, and hetp mitigate heat islands.
The City of Miami Beach seeks to implement this project in an innovative and
environmentally beneficial manner. The city commission, residents of the adjacent
neighborhoods, community leaders, and environmentaI activists, including members of
GTAG - Greenspace/Tree Advocacy Group, support the ecological restoration of the
historic canal and replacement of the destroyed trees.
ln summary, Publix is the premier quatity food source for Miami Beach residents.
Pubix's community image and business will be further enhanced by cooperating with the
city and its residents to achieve a Coilins Canal project that will help to ensure its
sustainability...for present a nd future generations.
December 21,2072
Submitted by:
GTAG Greenspaceffree Advocacy Group
Sheryl GoId, Gary Hunt, Jane [.osson, BarryMiller
916
From: sheryl gold <shergoldcom@gmail.com>
Date: May 20, 20132:05:48 PM EDT
To: "Diaz, Hermes" <HermesDiaz@miamibeachfl.gov>
Cc: Barry Miller <barry@savinomiller.com>, gary hunt <vanhunt@att.net>, John
Oldenburg <JohnOldenbu rg @ miamibeachfl.gov>, Richard Sa ltrick
<RichardSaltrick@miamibeachfl. gov>, Do uglas Seaman
<DouglasSeaman@miamibeachfl.gov>, Jimmy Moraies
<Jimmymorales@miamibeachfl.gov>, Ed Tobin <Ed@miamibeachfl.gov>, Dessiree
Kane <dessireekane@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Landscape Plan for Collins Canal
Hermes,
You asked GTAG to design a landscape plan when the original PW plan was deemed
inappropriate.
We refused, on several occasions, to provide these services, untilwe were assured
that Public Works
would pursue our proposed solution for providing space from Alton to Meridian to
mitigate the total absence of upland landscaping
along the Palm View Historic District. Once PW agreed to put in the "temporary" bike
path along this section, we agreed to design, pro bono, a native, shade canopy plan.
After passing by the canal recently and seeing the numerous bollards, plus reading the
publicity about the upcoming Collins Canal landscaping
in the MB Magazine and the April LTC, GTAG members realized that the light bollards
were never on the plan you provided us, in order for us to develop a landscape plan.
The size, location, and number of these lights will greatly impact the city's ability to
implement the plan as it was designed. lt is unacceptable that we invested all
this time and effort, and no one ever told us about the bollard lights.
We have spent thousands of hours over the last three years, advocating for the right
thlng on this project. Now, at this late date, we discover yet
another "oversight" or questionable decision that has caused our work to be a wasted
effort. Why is it at 90% without ANY communication since we submifted the plan?
Sheryl Gold
GTAG Greenspace Tree Advocacy Group
On May 20,2013, at 1;37 PM, Diaz, Hermes wrote:
Sheryl;
917
ln response to your previous enquiry, although theywere part of the HPB approval, the
plans that were provided to GTAG for the purpose of the designing an upland landscape
along the Collins Canaldid not show the proposed light bollards along the Collins
Canal. I have attached the plans we have worked with Parks and Recreation
Department off the design sketch provided by GTAG. These are about 90% completed.
Sincerely;
MlAMIBEACH
Hermes Diaz, P.E., Civil Engineer lll
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, Engineering Division
1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tel: 305-673-7080, Ext: 6387 / Fax: 786-394-4571 / ranannr.miamibeachfl.gov
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work
and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community-
---Original Message---
From: sheryl gold [mailto:shergoldcom@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013'12:09 PM
To: Diaz, Hermes
Cc: Barry Miller; gary hunt; Oldenburg, John; Saltrick, Richard
Subject Landscape Plan for Collins Canal
Herrnes,
Did you locate the specific plan that was provided to GTAG by Public Works, for the
specific purpose of designing an upland landscape plan along the Collins Canal?
I need this information by the end of the day-
Thank you,
Sheryl
< P K-20 09-2-Land sca pe. pdf>
918