Annual Report 20182017

Miami River Commission Annual Report 20182017

In 2018 voters overwhelmingly approved another section of the public riverwalk to be constructed by the private sector at no cost to the taxpayers. Recent successes in the Miami River District include construction along another 4 sections of the public Miami River Greenway at “River Landing” featuring 420,000 square feet of retail and 506 residential units, at “One River Point” featuring 402 residential units, 20 hotel rooms and rooftop restaurant, at “Aston Martin Residences” featuring 384 residential units, and at “Miami River Walk” featuring 698 residential units. In addition, renovations are under construction at RMK Merrill-Stevens Boatyard, including a new seawall new infrastructure and a new ship lift. The Miami River Commission approved the following plans in 2018: • Mixed-use redevelopment of the “Miami Riverside Center” featuring the public riverwalk, residential, office, retail and riverfront restaurants • Mixed-use redevelopment featuring public riverwalk, a new hotel, residential, retail and riverfront restaurants • Mixed-use redevelopment on a vacant site in East Little Havana, featuring the public riverwalk, hotel and a riverfront restaurant. –Miami Today–Miami events –City of Miami, –City events 2010 of Miami, –City events 2012 “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” FINALIST “SUSTAINABLE SOUTH FLORIDA AWARDS, GREENEDUCATION &OUTREACH AWARD” 2011 “BEST OFMIAMI2011–VISIONARY” “BEST OFMIAMI2011 –TURNINGGREEN” “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” “BEST OFMIAMI2014–UNSUNG HERO” “BEST OFMIAMI2015” “BEST OFMIAMI2016” –Miami Today–Miami –Miami Today–Miami events – City of Miami, –City events 2011 2013 Miami, of City events– Murley –Miami Today –Miami Murley Awards HORACIO AGUIRRE STUART

–Greater Miami Chamber–Greater of Commerce Chair’s Report in theheartofCityMiami. Miami River the idealplace to live,workandplay This critical balance of uses makes the beautiful manatees, dolphins,marlins,andothermarinelife. shippingvessels,yachts, used dailybyinternational and tugboatbasinsare highlyactive. Theriveris Recreational boatyards, marinas,commercial fishing neighbors intheCaribbeanandCentralAmerica. Terminals provide tradetoour vitalinternational Shipping along “PortMiamiRiver”.International generating marineindustrialbusinessesoperating Shipping Terminals,International and other job- sites, 25boatyards andmarinas,overadozen (additional 23plannedrestaurants), 16historic with 1,200newrooms), 21operatingrestaurants units), 5majorhotels(additionalplanned new residential units(additional6,757approved 9 major parks, over 8,612 public riverwalks, numbers. The Miami River’s shorelines feature Miami RiverCommission.Theproof isinthe most importantandchallengingsuccessesofthe mixed-use MiamiRiverDistrictisamongstthe diamonds, football stadium, track, weights, gym, diamonds, footballstadium,track,weights,gym, basketball, tennisandracquetballcourts,baseball pools, newplaygrounds, barbeques,picnictables, a boatramp,kayakand paddleboard launch, major parksoffer typeofrecreation every including Durham Park,etc.TheMiamiRiver District’s nine Spring Garden, Overtown,Grove Park,Allapattah, cultural neighborhoods inDowntown, LittleHavana, awarded to MRC awarded to Urban Infill ChairmanSubcommittee Jim

awarded to MRCawarded to Managing Bibeau Brett –Miami Director Today THE MIAMI RIVER DISTRICT BALANCE THE KEEPING awarded to MRC awarded to Managing Bibeau Brett Director for volunteer Miami beautification Greenway River for volunteer Miami beautification Greenway River for volunteer Miami beautification Greenway River for volunteer Miami beautification Greenway River awarded to MRC awarded to Member Ernie Martin awarded to MRCawarded to member Sandy Batchelor of uses along the historic ofusesalongthehistoric features wonderful

multi- Bibeau –Miami Today, –Miami Bibeau 2008 League, 2004 League, EXCELLENCE AWARD “MOST POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT” “BEST NON-PROFITORGANIZATION” “COMMUNITY STEWARD AWARD” “THE ACHIEVER – MIAMI RIVER’S RENAISSANCE MAN” “BEST OFMIAMI–IMPROVING QUALITY OFLIFE” MIAMI IMAGE AWARD OF2006 “BEST BACKSTAGE LEADER” “THE NEWSMAKER” “AWARD OFMERIT” “BEST OFMIAMI–BUILDINGINFRASTRUCTURE” was then included then was in “Book the of Leaders” –Miami Today, 2007 Landscape Architects, 2003 Architects, Landscape Brett BibeauBrett –Miami Today, 2006 Bagué –Miami Today, –Miami Bagué 2006 – American Planning Association, 2007 2007 Association, Planning American – –Realtor Association–Realtor of Miami Greater and Beaches the improvements totheMiamiRiverDistrict. with thepublic and private sectors to bring significant the broad based MRC to continue its work partnering advertisers intheMRC’s 16 City ofMiami($50,000),andprivatesector funding providers: Miami-Dade County ($200,000), level, youwillfindsomethingspecialtoenjoy. your individualinterests, age,gender, race,orincome Miami RiverCommissionpromises thatregardless of Miami RiverDistrictandenjoytheexperience.The Map andGuide,8 and 23 1856 Wagner Homestead. the oldeststandinghomeinMiami-DadeCounty, the 2,000 yearoldMiamiCircle, 1844FortDallas,and biking andfishing,historicsitessuchasthe forrunning,walking, community centers,riverwalks Chairman, Miami River Commission River Miami Chairman, Aguirre Horacio Stuart Commissioner Wifredo “Willy” Gort. Commissioner EileenHiggins,andCityofMiami Miami-DadeCounty Chairman FedericoFernandez, DeSantis, SouthFloridaWater ManagementDistrict newest volunteer board Ron members Governor The MRC welcomes our years of volunteer service. Daniel O’Keefe,andRoselvicNoguerafortheir Lehtinen, County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro, Miami RiverChampionsCongresswoman IleanaRos- the MRCthankslongstandingboard membersand THE MRC THANKS THE FOLLOWING THE THANKS MRC THE IVT YU O BRING TO YOU INVITE I awarded to MRC awarded to Chair Buermann Eric –Miami Today, 2007 for Miami the Urban Infill Corridor River Plan, American

awarded to the MRC the awarded to for Multimodal its Transportation Plan nd AnnualMiamiRiverday. Thisfunding allows awarded to MRC awarded to Managing Bibeau Brett who Director awarded to MRC awarded to Managing Bibeau Brett Director for Miami the Greenway, River Urban Environment awarded to MRC–1,000awarded to Friends of Florida, 2005 awarded to MRC awarded to –Miami Today, 2004 th AnnualMiamiRiverCalendar, awarded to Eric Buermann Eric awarded to and Brett awarded to formerawarded MRC to Chair Irela family and friends to the family and friends to the awarded to MRC Managing Director Director Managing MRC to awarded th Annual Miami River AnnualMiamiRiver

FiscalYear 2019 In addition, In addition,

In 2018, RMK Merrill-Stevens historic shipyard constructed significant renovations including a new seawall, new sheds, new Aston Martin Residences featuring public riverwalk under construction shiplift, etc. which will be completed in 2019. .

River Landing under construction, featuring public riverwalk, 420,000 sq ft of retail and 503 residential units.

“Rails-to-Trails Conservancy “I thank the Miami River strongly supports the Miami Commission and the res- TESTIMONIALS River Commission and its idents of the City of Miami dedication to protecting and for overwhelmingly voting It has been my honor “I’m very proud to have enhancing the river. Together, to approve the mixed-use and privilege to serve as helped create the Miami with the City of Miami, Mr. redevelopment of the Miami “a volunteer Miami River River Commission when Bibeau and the Commission Riverside Center, featuring Commission board member I was a State Legislator, have quietly pieced together the public Riverwalk, for the past twenty years. In and then volunteered as 65 percent of the planned residential, retail, riverfront partnership with the public a board member for the 10-mile greenway along the restaurants, and new income and private sectors, our past over 18 years as a river. The riverwalk is at the for the City of Miami. The team successfully completed County Commissioner. The front-line of sea level rise Miami River Commission major maintenance dredging Miami River Commission efforts, active transportation, provided an excellent and and environmental cleanup has a proven track record economic development and fair public forum for the projects in the Miami River, for improving the natural an important component development team, City of Seybold Canal, Wagner environment, generating of the Miami Loop. We Miami, and general public to Creek, constructed 6.5 miles jobs, and supporting the appreciate our partnership communicate and plan the of the public Miami River mixed-use Miami River and shared commitment to best possible project, which Greenway, and made new District towards achieving enhancing Miami through directly benefits the entire riverfront parks.” its full potential.” trails and stewardship.” community.” – Congresswoman Ileana – Bruno Barreiro – Keith Laughlin, President, – David Adler, President, Ros-Lehtinen Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Adler Group Subcommittee Reports

MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY Dr. Ernest Martin, Chair URBAN INFILL James Murley, Chair IN 2018 THE MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY continued con- THE MRC’S URBAN INFILL SUBCOMMITTEE continued ef- struction, featuring a public pedestrian & bicycle forts to assist implementing various adopted pathway, landscaping, decorative lights, way- and award-winning plans, including the Mi- finding signage, historic markers, informational ami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, Miami kiosks, benches, art installations, and other ame- River Corridor Multi-Modal Transportation nities. In 2018, another 4 sections of the public Plan, Miami River Greenway Action Plan Riverwalk were under construction by the private and others, all available for downloading at sector. Over 6.5 miles of the public Miami River www.miamirivercommission.org. Greenway has been constructed, with an additional planned 3.5 miles to complete. The MRC appreciates the mutual efforts to ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCE implement the Miami River Greenway Action Philip Everingham, Chair Plan, and the cost shares provided to date from multiple public and private funding sources IN 2018, CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED at River Landing fea- including Congress, State of Florida, Florida turing 420,000 square feet of retail, 506 residen- Department of Transportation, South Florida tial units, and the public riverwalk, construction Water Management District, Florida Inland continued at Aston Martin Residences featuring Navigation District, City of Miami, Miami-Dade 384 residential units and the public riverwalk, County, Downtown Development Authority, and construction commenced at Miami River Walk numerous private sector developments. Apartments featuring 698 units and the public The MRC thanks the City of Miami and its riverwalk, and renovations are under construc- residents for voting to include the Miami River tion at RMK Merrill-Stevens shipyard, featuring Greenway in the approved Miami Forever Bond a new seawall, and new ship lift. In addition, the Issue, and the redevelopment of the “Miami MRC favorably received FDOT’s “Miami River Riverside Center.” Freight Improvement Plan”. Therefore the Miami River District is ripe with mixed-use economic STORMWATER Sallye Jude, Chair development, commerce and jobs. THE STORMWATER SYSTEM is the leading source of pollution into the Miami River. The Miami River water basin includes a 69-square-mile area of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the State of Florida. All stormwater from this area drains into the Miami River through over one hundred outfalls. The Miami River Commission appreciates Commis- sioner Eileen Higgins, Mayor Carlos Giménez and the Board of County Commissioners for appropriating $140,000 for the Scavenger Water DeContamination vessel’s services in the Miami River. In addition to removing floating debris and hazards to navigation, the Scavenger Vessel significantly improves water quality by decontaminating 600,000 gal- lons of water per hour and injecting 150,000 liters of oxygen per hour into the Miami River. Scavenger 2000 Water De-Contamination Vessel keeping the Miami River clean. Free boat rides from Lummus Park’s public riverwalk during the 22nd Annual Miami Riverday. VOLUNTARY IMPROVEMENT PLAN Frank Balzebre, Chair THE MIAMI RIVER VOLUNTARY IMPROVEMENT PLAN (VIP) identifies and encourages public and private sector riverfront parcels to address various riverfront issues which are potentially detrimental to operations on the River, the environmental quality of the River, and the River’s attraction as a destination for residents, tourists and businesses. In 2018 alone, the Miami River “VIP” resulted in 23 major Miami River Greenway Beautification volunteer events featuring plantings, removal of illegal dumping, invasive species, and graffiti along several sections of the Miami River, removing derelict vessels, repairing Riverwalk lights, unclogging stormwater drains, removing a floating hazard to navigation and oil sheen, found and corrected sources of contamination etc. The MRC thanks Miami-Dade County, City of Miami, FIND, FDOT, private sector, and the fantastic volunteers for their hard work bringing these River improvements to fruition.

UPPER RIVER MIDDLE RIVER Shipping and Marine Industrial Zone: Center of the river’s trade and industry. Residential / Mixed Use Zone: Includes historic neighborhoods, The Miami Intermodal Center links rail, air, freight, transit, pedestrian and vehicular traffic. marine-industrial businesses, parks, etc.

Existing Riverwalk Proposed Riverwalk Existing On-Road Greenway Proposed On-Road Greenway

MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY’S TIMELINE 1897 1972 1980s 1998 2000 2001 2002 Henry Flagler opens Parks For People bond Miami River Greenway Florida Legislature Florida Legislature With the Trust for Public Sections of the Miami six-story Royal Palm issue passed by voters, section constructed along creates Miami River passes Miami River Land, the MRC, City of River Greenway Hotel, including first funds portions of the north shore from Biscayne Commission as a Improvement Act Miami and Miami-Dade constructed greenway Miami River Greenway Bay to NW 2 Avenue watchdog, advocate and County unanimously clearinghouse for the approve Miami River 2003 1910 1980s river. Miami Circle site Greenway Action Plan Sections of the Miami Lummus Park created Miami River Greenway discovered River Greenway on Miami River section constructed along constructed north shore from Biscayne Scavenger 2000 Water De-Contamination Vessel keeping the Miami River clean. Bay to NW 2 Avenue VOLUNTARY IMPROVEMENT PLAN Frank Balzebre, Chair THE MIAMI RIVER VOLUNTARY IMPROVEMENT PLAN (VIP) identifies and encourages public and private sector riverfront parcels to address various riverfront issues which are potentially detrimental to operations on the River, the environmental quality of the River, and the River’s attraction as a destination for residents, tourists and businesses. In 2018 alone, the Miami River “VIP” resulted in 23 major Miami River Greenway Beautification volunteer events featuring plantings, removal of illegal dumping, invasive species, and graffiti along several sections of the Miami River, removing derelict vessels, repairing Riverwalk lights, unclogging stormwater drains, removing a floating hazard to navigation and oil sheen, found and corrected sources of contamination etc. The MRC thanks Miami-Dade County, City of Miami, FIND, FDOT, private sector, and the fantastic volunteers for their Mouth of the Miami River including the public Riverwalk in Miami Circle Park, a hard work bringing these River improvements to fruition. designated National Historic Landmark.

MIDDLE RIVER LOWER RIVER Residential / Mixed Use Zone: Includes historic neighborhoods, Downtown Zone: Urban, high-density residential, offices, commercial marine-industrial businesses, parks, etc. businesses. Riverwalks link historic landmarks and parks along river.

MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY’S TIMELINE Map © 2001 Richard Troutner. All rights reserved. 2002 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010-2018 Sections of the Miami Sections of the Miami City of Miami adopts Miami River Corridor Sections of the Miami City Bicycle Master Plan Sections of the Miami River Greenway River Greenway “A Vision for Miami’s 21st Multi-Modal Transportation River Greenway adopted recommending River Greenway constructed constructed Century Parks & Public Plan created by constructed completion of the Miami constructed River Greenway Spaces” recommending Metropolitan Planning 2003 2005 Organization and MRC • Sections of the Miami completion of the Miami recommending completion River Greenway constructed Sections of the Miami Sections of the Miami River Greenway • MRC River Greenway of the Miami River and additional sections River Greenway hosts Greenways summit • constructed constructed Greenway funded and designed for Sections of the Miami River • Greenway construction construction in 2010-2011 Greenway constructed continues

Volunteers replanting the public riverwalk’s community vegetable and fruit garden MRC thanks volunteers and Get Involved! sponsors: The Miami River Commission invites groups and individuals State of Florida from the community to get involved in improving your Miami Miami-Dade County River District, and the private sector to help us as sponsors of City of Miami events. To learn more about what you can do, visit our website at Downtown Development Authority www.miamirivercommission.org for updates. One River Point The Miami River Commission thanks all of the incredible volunteers Miami Dolphins of all ages and walks of life who planted, painted murals, picked up Miami Marlins litter, removed invasive plants and spread recycled mulch along the University of Miami riverwalk during 23 major volunteer beautification events in 2018. The Hands On Miami MRC is thankful to our growing list of sponsors, partially listed at right, Florida International University who contributed volunteers, supplies and funding to the “greening” of Florida Wood Recycling the river. Florida Drawbridge The 23nd Annual Miami Riverday festival is scheduled April Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart 6, 2019, in Lummus Park, 250 NW North River Drive. Just like the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 22nd annual festival, held April 7, 2018, Miami Riverday features Leadership Miami free river boat tours, live music, environmental education, marine Country Day High School expo, historic re-enactors, children’s activities and much more. All MRC and subcommittee meetings are publicly noticed. Public participation is encouraged. The full MRC usually meets on the first Monday of the month at noon, in the conference room at 1407 NW 7 Street.

Looking east: Hurricane Cove Marina, Durham Park neighborhood, Terrazas, Sewell Park, and River Landing under construction. Learn more about the Miami River’s past, present and future, view reports, plans, public meeting minutes, agendas and more at the informative www.miamirivercommission.org

Antillean Marine international shipping vessel passing public riverwalk in Curtis Park.

Miami River Commission Members

Chair: HORACIO STUART AGUIRRE Mr. BRUCE BROWN Ex-Officio Members: Representative from environmental or Chair, Miami River Marine Group civic organization appointed by the Designee: Mr. RICHARD DUBIN CONGRESSWOMAN Governor Ms. ALYCE ROBERTSON ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN Vice Chair: Mr. FRANK BALZEBRE Downtown Development Authority Designee: Ms. DEBBIE ZIMMERMAN Designee for Miami Dade Mayor: Designee: Mr. NEAL SCHAFERS Mayor CARLOS GIMENEZ CAPTAIN MEGAN DEAN Mr. ALFRED SANCHEZ United States Coast Guard Florida Governor RICK SCOTT Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Captain of the Port of Miami Designee: MS. PATRICIA “PATTY” HARRIS Designee: Ms. SANDY O’NEIL Mr. LUIS GARCIA Dr. ERNEST MARTIN Member-at-Large Appointed by the Neighborhood Representative appointed Governor by the City of Miami Commission Managing Director: Mr. BRETT BIBEAU Designee: MR. JOHN MICHAEL CORNELL Designee: Mr. THOMAS KIMEN III Designed by: Toni Kirkland Graphics Rep. KIONNE MCGHEE Ms. SALLYE JUDE Chair, Miami-Dade Delegation Neighborhood Representative appointed by the Miami-Dade County Commission Mayor FRANCIS SUAREZ MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION Mayor of the City of Miami Mr. PHILIP EVERINGHAM c/o Robert King High Designee of: MICHAEL KARCHER, Chair Commissioner EILEEN HIGGINS of Marine Council 1407 NW 7 ST, Suite 2 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Miami, FL 33125 Designee: Ms. MAGGIE FERNANDEZ Ms. SARA C. BABUN Ph: 305-644-0544 Member-at-Large appointed by the Commissioner WIFREDO “Willy” GORT Miami-Dade County Commission City of Miami Commissioner Designee: Mr. Duber Luzardo www.miamirivercommission.org KATHERINE FERNANDEZ-RUNDLE, Esq. Mr. MANNY PRIEGUEZ Miami-Dade State Attorney Member-at-Large appointed by the City Designee: Mr. DAVID MAER, Esq. of Miami Commission Mr. FEDERICO FERNANDEZ Chair: South Florida Water Management District