Archive for the ‘Transit Miami’ Category
Netherlands based West 8 has finally released their proposed design for Lincoln Park adjacent to the New World Symphony building by Frank Gehry. More than a year after changing Frank Gehry as the park designer, West 8 has released an exciting design for the urban park in the heart of Miami Beach.
According to the architect’s website:
The Lincoln Park site is small — less than three acres in size. In European public space tradition, a site this small might be composed entirely of hard plaza surface, such as the 3.25-acre Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. Even in American park design, urban parks can have a substantial amount of paved surfaces. Union Square Park in San Francisco is almost the same size as Lincoln Park, and equally positioned in the heart of its city center. It’s a place of gathering and activity and a place of relaxation for residents and visitors. But while Union Square Park has some patches of lawns and small gardens, most of the surfaces are paved plaza.
Given this precedent for urban parks, a question emerged early in the design process for Lincoln Park: should this public space feel like more like a plaza or be “green,” like a park? What is appropriate for this site, with its future use as a place of gathering, its openness to the intense sun, the availability of a pallet of tropical vegetation, its relationship to a stunning new piece of architecture, and its position within the activity of Miami Beach?
West 8 felt strongly that our mission is to deliver a green park, not a plaza. A park that feels intimate, shady, and soft. A park that will support the world-class attraction provided by the projection wall on the New World Symphony Building. A park that reflects the spirit and vitality of Miami Beach. And a park that will support a multitude of day and night uses, either under the shade of the trees or a starlit sky.
Lincoln Park will also have the wonder of some totally unique features that are one of a kind. First, there will be several pergolas that embrace the park edges, whose shape is inspired by the puffy cumulous clouds in this tropical climate. This will not only provide shade but will support the bright blooms of bougainvillea vines. High quality artwork is equally important here, and the projection wall is an ideal “canvas” for video projection artists, an emerging and exciting discipline of art. Both local and international artists could provide an ever-changing exhibit that would occur outside the walls of a traditional museum experience.
Lincoln Park will actually convey the illusion of a larger park than its small size actually is. This will be achieved by careful manipulation of the topography for a gentle undulation underfoot; by establishing “veils” of palm tree planting that conceal and reveal views; and by creating a mosaic of meandering pathways that lure you through all corners of the Park.
When realized, Lincoln Park will be a unified expression of recreation, pleasure and culture. Combined with the momentum of the New World Symphony’s uses and outstanding architecture, the campus will be a world class destination that marries music, design and experience.
Be sure to check out more images at the West 8 website. We would love to know your opinion? Does it standup to the original Frank Gehry design?
SOUTH FLORIDA EAST COAST CORRIDOR STUDY
PHASE 2 PUBLIC HEARING
Visit
www.SFECCstudy.com for more information
The Florida Department of Transportation District Four will conduct a public hearing regarding proposed transit improvements along the South Florida East Coast Corridor.
Citizens are invited to give their comments about technologies, route plans and station locations at any one of five sites in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach Counties.
The study seeks to improve north-south mobility by providing new regional and local passenger service along an 85-mile segment of the Florida East Coast Railway between downtown Miami and Jupiter in Palm Beach County.
Each hearing will begin with a 30-minute open house where citizens can talk with study team members. A formal presentation will follow after which there will be a public testimony period, when comments and opinions are entered into the public record, one person at a time. Study team members will also be available to discuss the project and answer questions after the public comment period.
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21
Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus
James K. Batten Room # 2106
300 NE 2nd Ave.
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. AND 6 – 8 p.m.
*Free parking at College Station Garage, 190 NE 3rd St., or take Metromover to College/Bayside Statio
The Florida Department of Transportation sometimes gets a bad rap but the people in charge have got a lot on their plate plus all the people of Florida to answer to:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/personnel/OfficeOrg.shtm
They are public and civil servants and, as a former staffer myself, I understand that exceptional challenges are before them everyday. Seriously, just look at what they are responsible for accomplishing:
TransitMiami.com and the South Florida Bike Coalition fully support FDOT’s mission and with your signatures, we are giving local District Secretary Pego the support he needs to make Brickell Avenue a safer place to live, work and cross the street. Have you signed the letter yet? Please feel free to send it directly yourself to Gus.Pego@DOT.STATE.FL.US.
A few other people who deserve your words of support for FDOT’s mission:
Ray LaHood, USDOT Secretary: 202-366-4000 or via web.
Stephanie C. Kopelousos, FDOT Secretary: fdot@dot.state.fl.us
You can also call the Miami FDOT Office at 1-800-435-2368.
The Miami Herald also cares about transportation and our community. Try aviglucci@miamiherald.com or write your own letter to the editor at HeraldEd@MiamiHerald.com
We believe that a Florida standard residential/business area speed limit for Brickell Avenue is the most important thing – the fundamental step toward making Miami’s densest residential area and the Americas’ financial epicenter an easier place to live and do business. We have the support of the Brickell Homeowner’s Association, several residents, business owners and employees, but we think FDOT deserves to hear from all of us. Thank you to all of you for signing the letter – we’ll keep you updated on the project and Mr. Pego’s response right here at TransitMiami.com.
Miami 21, the form-based code recently adopted in the City of Miami (also a hot discussion topic here a year ago), won the American Planning Association (APA) Florida Chapter Award of Excellence. Miami 21 was the sole Award of Excellence presented by the chapter this year. To quote from the award letter by the Awards Committee Chair: “Your dedication and achievement of such a worthy effort is a true reflection of the innovation and quality of planning occurring within the state.”
City of Miami Planner Luciana L. Gonzalez accepted the award on behalf of the city:
I was honored to accept the award on behalf of all team members, staff, and other supporters who have worked so hard over the years to make Miami 21 a reality. This award belongs to many people who were and have been involved in this extraordinary project. Thanks to all of you who helped reach this achievement. It is remarkable what we’ve been able to accomplish and I look forward to its continued success!
Congratulations to the City of Miami, staff, and all who worked tirelessly to make Miami 21 a reality.
I received the following email from Miami Beach transportation activist Gabrielle Redfern, on an upcoming speaking engagement against a new proposed scheme by the City of Miami Beach. If you can attend, you will find the information below.
Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club
PRESS RELEASE
Meeting Date: Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
Meeting Time: 8:30 AM
Meeting Place: David’s Café II, 1654 Meridian Ave., South BeachMiami Beach civic activist Gabrielle Redfern, speaks out against the city’s proposed fifty million dollars in Parking Bonds (debt), as this week’s guest speaker at the September 21st meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club .
Gabrielle has been investigating the finances of the city Parking Department, which brings in some thirty million dollars a year, and has formed some strong opinions as to the benefits (or harm) to taxpayers of taking on so much new debt, especially with our difficult financial situation. Her objective is to further the development of an integrated and managed high-tech transportation and parking system, which she believes the terms of the new bonds might hinder.
Gabrielle is county commissioner Sally Heyman’s appointee to the Citizen’s Transportation Advisory Committee and a member of the Mayor’s Miami Beach Blue Ribbon Committee on Bikeways. She also served as vice-chair of the MPO’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and is a member of the city’s Design Review Board.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club
For more information contact David Kelsey . To be placed on the Breakfast Club ’s mailing list, contact Harry Cherry. Both can be reached at TuesdayMorningBreakfastClub@Yahoo.comVisit our new web site at: http://www.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club ).
My wife and I moved to Belle Meade about two months ago. We fell in love with this neighborhood on the Upper East Side because of the walkability to the Mimo district and because the area has some beautiful historic homes (we purchased a 1940’s bungalow).
Belle Meade today is a semi-gated community. It lies east of Biscayne Blvd and is wedged between Biscayne Bay, NE 6th Court, NE 72nd Terrace and NE 77th Street. It is only accessible by car through a guard gate on NE 76th Street. Bicycles and pedestrians can enter and leave the community through any one of the streets that connect to NE 6th Court.
There has been a bit of a crime wave going through the area. A few weeks ago the police busted a house in Belle Meade that was dealing drugs. Yesterday there was an armed robbery/home invasion one block from my house. Residents are upset, and rightfully so. But now there is talk about closing off all the bicycle and pedestrian access points on NE 6th Court, thereby creating a totally gated community.
I am not a fan of gated communities. I believe that erecting concrete walls sends the wrong message to the greater Miami community. For a community to be truly integrated barriers should not be erected to separate the haves from the have-nots. In addition, research suggests that gated does not equal safer. One thing is certain; they give a very false sense of security to the individuals living within these communities. Creating a proper neighborhood watch program is the answer and will show far greater results then erecting walls.
In The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), author Jane Jacobs suggested that crime could be reduced by having “eyes on the street.” We can increase eyes on the street by forming a neighborhood watch program. We can also keep the existing eyes on the street by encouraging people to walk or bike, rather than forcing Belle Meade residents to get in their cars every time they need to run an errand on Biscayne Blvd. Erecting walls will only reduce the eyes on the streets of Belle Meade.
We must keep our neighborhood walkable. There is considerable evidence and research which proves that homes in walkable neighborhoods command a premium over non-walkable neighborhoods.
My hope is that one day the guard gate on NE 76th Street can come down too. We should work with the surrounding neighborhoods to make them better, thereby reducing crime and making the entire Upper East Side a more vibrant community.
You can check out how walkable your neighborhood is on Walkscore.
From Transit Miami reader Rima, commenting on the unfortunate state of public transport and bike/ped saftey in Miami. Couldn’t agree with her more!
The video of the car not stopping for the lady with a baby stroller was shocking, and yet so common in Miami. How many times have I been pushed off the street or dangerously cut off by an SUV with a “Pro Life” sticker on the back. Oh, the irony.
I never, ever walk or bike in Miami. I only feel safe to do so on some select streets in Miami Beach. It is a pity. There is a lack of political will to change the street layouts, and the majority of the population is not pushing for change. They are happy with their cars, clogged streets, lack of alternative. They consider public transport/bikes something for poor people. Our only alternative is to move away.
Given the upcoming meetings regarding the latest phase of the SFEC Corridor Study I thought it would be a good time to look back to my review of the project alternatives after last year’s initial presentation. I am curious how things have changed since then. From what I hear, the integrated solution that provides local and commuter service is being tossed for an exclusively commuter service….lets hope that is not the case.
Yesterday FDOT hosted a public meeting displaying their Phase 2 analysis for the FEC Corridor. Promising stuff, although I left with a few questions and concerns. The project team was interested and excited about the prospect of bringing some form of transit down this corridor, describing a higher than average projected ridership and amazing public support, and truly explaining the pros/cons of each alternative ( a welcomed change from other FDOT meetings I have attended where there was very little choice being given to attendees as project reps simply ram the preferred alternative down your throat). Unfortunately, as one project representative said (who wished to remain anonymous) the major problem with getting funding for construction will be the federal government’s hesitance at giving over $1 billion for construction, when local officials will not commit to continue funding the tri-rail service we already have. Can’t say I blame them.
For my money, I was impressed the alternative that offered both local and express service. ‘Urban Mobility’ (Alternative B) would provide both local and express service using a combination of light rail and commuter rail, and would cost about $3.4-4.2 billion (for the full length of the 80 Miles).
Anther alternative I liked was the ’Integrated Network’ solution (Alternative D) which would provide crucial new east/west connections between the FEC corridor and the airport Tri-Rail station. This alternative, while not as convenient for express service, was also less expensive at $2.9-3.6 billion. The cost difference attributed to building out the second track for express service.
My big concern (echoed by many people I spoke with around the room and after the meeting) is that the service stops at government center, missing the vital connection to the Port. Word on the street is that they have no intention of going to the Port because of engineering issues (which is total bs). Here we have within our reach the holy grail of Miami transit – a direct connection between the sea port and the airport – and FDOT wants to stop at the door . The FEC corridor already runs to the port – there is NO reason not to take it all the way in – not right-of-way issues, not engineering. No reason. Period. It will be a boon to the cruising industry who will be able to tell their customers that they no longer need to factor in a $50 round-trip taxi cab ride to and from the port (more money to spend on board – can anyone say more on-board revenue???)
So FDOT, listen closely. Here are my recommendations:
- Combine alternatives B and D. We need express service and local service along the same alignment (without having to go west).
- Connect to the airport tri-rail station. We want more connections – not less!
- Connect to the sea port! This project cannot should not move forward without making that vital connection. As important as the tunnel is to the seaport, imagine what a passenger connection from the airport will do for our local cruising industry.
- Move swiftly!! These are important moves you are making. Don’t delay!
The expected time line is: PDE preferred alternative chosen in the Spring of 2010, final study in Fall/Winter 2010, apply for federal funding 2011, begin design work/ROW acquisition late 2011/early 2012. Seems ridiculously long, doesn’t it? Sigh…
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