LTC 273-2004 Status Report on the Indian Creek Greenway Project
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. 273-2004
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To:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Date: October 19, 2004
From:
Subject: STATUS REPORT ON THE INDIAN CREEK GREENWAY PROJECT
The Indian Creek Greenway project was initiated in 1998 by interested residents and the
City Commission. A multi year planning process was undertaken that culminated in a
concept plan for the Greenway in mid 2001. The project was for a 2.5 mile Jlreenway, or
linear park, along the eastern shore of Indian Creek, from 21st Street to 53r Street.
The Greenway project was intended to provide for a corridor that would develop the natural
aesthetic assets of the Indian Creek shoreline as well as to provide opportunities for
recreation, environmental education and pedestrian/non-motorized transportation. The
concept plan calls for three gateways to the corridor located at the southern entry point at
21st Street, at a midpoint at 41st Street and at the northern entry point at 53rd Street. The
gateways are intended to serve as highlighted activity areas. The concept also anticipates
the development of five nodes or focal points/points of special interest that would also
receive extra attention. The nodes are located at Lake Pancoast (24th Street to 26th
Street), Seville Plaza (29th Street), Mangrove Point (35th Street), Pine tree Park overlook,
and Indian Beach Park (46th Street).
The Greenway is intended to serve as an integral part of an overall development plan that
links the North Beach Recreational Corridor (53rd Street to 87th Street) and the Collins
Canal Greenway (a one mile corridor from the Collins Park area to the bay adjacent to the
Collins Canal). While progress on the North Beach Recreational Corridor and the Collins
Canal is being made and funding provided, the lack of funding for the Greenway has
hampered progress.
In order to help advance the Greenway project, a pilot project was defined as Phase 1,
from 24th Street to the 29th Street pedestrian bridge.
On July 7, 2004 the City Commission adopted Resolution Number 2004-25602, approving
Amendment Number 1 to the contract with EDAW forthe Oceanfront Neighborhood, which
provides additional services for Phase I of the Indian Creek Greenway project.
This initial phase of the project consists of a feasibility study and conceptual design ofthe
Indian Creek Greenway, from approximately 24th Street to the 29th Street pedestrian
bridge. The completion date for this phase of the project is September 1, 2005.
As part of the scope, the consultant will meet with numerous regulatory agencies, including
the Florida Department of Transportation, the South Florida Water Management District,
the Department of Environmental Protection and others, to determine the impact of these
agencies' requirements on the proposed Indian Creek Greenway. Other portions of the
scope include a survey of the project area above and below the water line, a study of
existing marine life which may impact permit requirements, and the development of
conceptual but feasible design options. This level of study and analysis is necessary to
support the project because the amount of existing land in numerous places is too narrow
to physically construct the Greenway. To implement the vision for this project, it will be
necessary to build certain portions into the Indian Creek Waterway.
The City issued a partial Notice to Proceed to the consultant on August 12, 2004 for the
hydrographic and marine surveys. The partial notice to proceed was issued in advance of
the rest of the scope to ensure that marine surveys would be performed within the growing
season for certain aquatic plants. As of the date of this memo, the field work for both
surveys has been completed, and the consultant is preparing survey deliverables.
On October 15, 2004 the City issued a full notice to proceed for the entire scope of the
feasibility study. Upcoming tasks include a topographic survey ofthe area, production of a
base map, geotechnical tests, and a thorough review of codes and regulations applicable
to the design. Once these tasks are complete, the consultant will schedule meetings with
each regulatory agency to discuss the project in detail.
A key to completing this and future sections of the Greenway is the acquisition of rights-of-
way in the corridor. Most of the necessary rights-of-way are held by private parties or other
government agencies, most notably the Florida Department of Transportation. A resident
involved in the initial planning and development of the concept plan has offered to assist
the City in obtaining necessary right-of-way for the Greenway project. Mr. Leonard Wien
has volunteered to lead the right-of-way acquisition process. Using residents as the first
point of contact for the right-of-way acquisition process should be well received within the
community.
Mr. Wien may draw upon other citizens to assist in the right-of-way process and will be
assisted by an Administration representative and the City legal Department. After an initial
citizen contact is made and information provided to the property owner, the actual property
transfer (easement or quit claim deed) will be negotiated and executed by the
administrative and legal representatives.
The right-of-way acquisition process is set to commence on a parallel track with the design
for Phase 1.
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