MiamiMiami RiverRiver CommissionCommission AnnualAnnual ReportReport 20202020
In 2020 evidence of the continuing revitalization of the Miami River District was found in construction of another 5 sections of the public Mi- ami River Greenway at “River Landing” featuring 420,000 square feet of retail and 506 residential units, “Aston Martin Residences” featuring 384 residential units, “Waterline Miami River” featuring 698 residential units, the 1st Street Bridge, and the expansion of Fern Isle Park. In addition, renovations finished at RMK Merrill-Stevens Boatyard, including a new seawall, infrastructure and ship lift.
The Miami River Commission approved the mixed use “River Parc” devel- opment featuring the public riverwalk, 2,500 new affordable, workforce and market rate residential units, riverfront restaurant and retail spaces in Little Havana. HORACIO AGUIRRE Chair’s Report STUART beautification events –City of –City Miami,beautification events 2010 “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” 2011 FINALIST “SUSTAINABLE SOUTH FLORIDA AWARDS, GREENEDUCATION &OUTREACH AWARD” Today –Miami Bibeau “BEST OFMIAMI2011–VISIONARY” TodayBatchelor–Miami “BEST OFMIAMI2011 –TURNINGGREEN” beautificationof – Miami, events City 2011 “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” beautificationof – Miami, events City 2012 “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” beautification of events– Miami,City 2013 “PROCLAMATION OFAPPRECIATION” Today–Miami “BEST OFMIAMI2014–UNSUNG HERO” Today –Miami Murley Jim Chairman “BEST OFMIAMI2015” TodayMiami “BEST OFMIAMI2016” gym, community centers, riverwalks for running, for running, gym, community centers, riverwalks baseball diamonds, football stadium, track, weights, tables, basketball,tennisandracquetballcourts, launch, pools,newplaygrounds, barbeques,picnic including aboatramp,kayakandpaddleboard District’s ninemajorparksoffer typeofrecreation every Allapattah, Durham Park,etc.The MiamiRiver Havana, SpringGarden, Overtown,Grove Park, multi-cultural neighborhoods inDowntown,Little the heartofCityMiam Miami Rivertheidealplacetolive,workandplayin This criticalbalanceofusesmakesthebeautiful manatees, dolphins,marlins,andothermarinelife. shippingvessels,yachts, used dailybyinternational and tugboatbasinsare highlyactive.Theriveris Recreational boatyards, marinas,commercial fishing neighbors intheCaribbeanandCentral America. Terminals provide tradetoour vitalinternational Shipping along “PortMiamiRiver”.International generating marineindustrialbusinessesoperating ShippingTerminals,International andotherjob- historic sites,25boatyards andmarinas,overadozen restaurants (additional22plannedrestaurants), 16 planned hotelswith1,200newrooms), 25operating 6,667 approved units),5majorhotels(additional parks, over11,910newresidential units(additional River’s shorelines feature9major publicriverwalks, Commission. Theproof isinthenumbers.TheMiami important andchallengingsuccessesoftheMiamiRiver mixed-use MiamiRiverDistrictisamongstthemost Awards KEEPING THEBALANCE THE MIAMIRIVERDISTRICT –Greater Miami Chamber–Greater of Commerce awarded to MRC awarded to Urban Infill Subcommittee
awarded to MRCawarded to Managing Bibeau Brett – Director awarded to MRC awarded to Managing Brett Director for volunteer Miami Greenway River for volunteer Miami Greenway River for volunteer Miami Greenway River for volunteer Miami Greenway River awarded to MRC awarded to Member Ernie Martin
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American Landscape Architects, 2003 Architects, Landscape American EXCELLENCE AWARD 2004 League, Environment “MOST POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT” “BEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION” 2005 “COMMUNITY STEWARD AWARD” Managing Bibeau Brett –Miami Director Today, 2006 “THE ACHIEVER –MIAMIRIVER’SRENAISSANCE MAN” Irela Bagué –Miami Today, 2006 “BEST OFMIAMI–IMPROVING QUALITY OFLIFE” Bibeau Association –Realtor of Miami Greater and Beaches the MIAMI IMAGE AWARD OF2006 included then was who in “Book the of Leaders” –Miami Today, 2007 “BEST BACKSTAGE LEADER” 2007 “THE NEWSMAKER” 2007 Association, Planning American – Plan “AWARD OFMERIT” Today, –Miami Bibeau Brett 2008 “BEST OFMIAMI–BUILDINGINFRASTRUCTURE” Chairwoman Senator Anna Maria Rodriguez, Senator SenatorAnnaMariaRodriguez, Chairwoman volunteer board members:Miami-DadeDelegation TheMRCwelcomesournewest of volunteerservice. Anthony Rodriquez and Alyce Robertson for their years Willy Gort,Representative JoeGeller, Representative Mayor CarlosGimenez,FrankBalzebre, Commissioner District. In addition,theMRCthanksboard members to bringsignificantimprovements totheMiamiRiver work partneringwiththepublicandprivatesectors funding allowsthebroad basedMRCtocontinueits and the10 in theMRC’s 18 City of Miami ($50,000), and private sector advertisers funding providers: Miami-Dade County ($200,000), the 1856Wagner Homestead. and theoldeststandinghomeinMiami-DadeCounty, as the 2,000 year old Miami Circle, 1844 Fort Dallas, walking, biking and fishing, and historic sites such Chairman, Miami River Commission River Miami Chairman, Aguirre Horacio Stuart level, youwillfindsomethingspecialtoenjoy. your individualinterests, age,gender, race,orincome Miami RiverCommissionpromises thatregardless of Miami RiverDistrictandenjoytheexperience.The the MiamiDowntownDevelopmentAuthority. Portilla, AlexBarrera andChristinaCrespi, Director of Cava, CityofMiamiCommisionerAlexDiazdela Ileana Garcia, MiamiDadeMayorDanielaLevine THE MRC THANKS THE FOLLOWING I INVITEYOU TO BRING th awarded to MRC Chair Eric Buermann –Miami Today, –Miami Buermann Eric Chair MRC to awarded
for Miami the Urban Infill Corridor River Plan, awarded to the MRC the awarded to for Multimodal its Transportation AnnualMiamiRiverCalendar. This th Annual Miami River Map and Guide AnnualMiamiRiverMapandGuide awarded to MRC awarded to Managing Bibeau Brett Director awarded to MRC awarded to Managing Brett Director for Miami the Greenway, River Urban awarded to MRC–1,000awarded to Friends of Florida, awarded to MRC awarded to –Miami Today, 2004
family and friends to the family and friends tothe awarded to Eric Buermann Eric awarded to and awarded to formerawarded MRC to Chair
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Fiscal Year 2021 2021 Aston Martin Residences under construction, featuring the public In 2020, RMK Merrill-Stevens historic shipyard completed significant riverwalk. renovations including a new seawall, new sheds, new shiplift, etc.
River Landing completed construction in 2020, featuring the public riverwalk, 420,000 sq ft of retail and 503 residential units.
“In 2020 RMK-Merrill Ste- “Mast Capital commends TESTIMONIALS vens was proud to have the Miami River Commis- “Related Urban appre- “Following the Miami successfully completed a sion for its decades of suc- ciates the ongoing part- River Commission’s (MRC) $35 million modernization cessful efforts improving nership with Miami Dade advisory recommendation of the historic 100-year the Miami River District, County, and the Miami of approval, I’m happy to old boatyard, featuring a which in part attracted Mast River Commission’s sup- commence construction in new seawall, infrastructure Capital to the area. In 2020, port for “River Parc”, 2021 of a waterfront res- and ship lift. Now we are we were pleased to have which is currently under taurant featuring the pub- hiring 200 new additional completed construction of construction. This sig- lic Riverwalk, and a new employees in various full Waterline Miami River, fea- nificant public-private headquarters for NuMarine time jobs that pay above turing enhancements to the partnership is construct- Yachts in Little Havana. the County average. RMK- public Riverwalk and 346 ing the public Riverwalk, The MRC always goes Merrill Stevens applauds residential units on a river- 2,500 new affordable above and beyond to im- the Miami River Commis- front site in Little Havana and market rates resi- prove the exciting mixed- sion’s direct support for which previously sat vacant dential units, riverfront use Miami River District, for the Miami River, such as for over 20 years. We feel restaurants and retail. The example contracting the cleaning up the natural this project plays a key role MRC’s public meeting was Scavenger Water De- environment, marketing in the revitalization of the a helpful venue for posi- Contamination Vessel, via the Annual Miami River Miami River, and look for- tive communication with pressure washing the Miami Map and Guide, Miami ward to Phase 2, which the Miami River District’s River Greenway, landscap- River Calendar, and much breaks ground in 2021 and surrounding residents and ing, painting over graffiti, more.” will deliver 342 additional businesses.” – Alberto picking up litter, etc.” - Greg Cox, units.” - Camilo Miguel Jr., Milo, Jr. Related Urban – Arturo Ortega CEO RMK-Merrill Stevens CEO of Mast Capital Subcommittee Reports
MAMI RIVER GREENWAY Dr. Ernest Martin, Chair URBAN INFILL James Murley, Chair
IN 2020 THE MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY continued THE MRC’S URBAN INFILL SUBCOMMITTEE contin- construction, featuring a public pedestrian & bi- ued efforts to assist implementing various cycle pathway, landscaping, decorative lights, way- adopted and award-winning plans, including finding signage, historic markers, informational the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan, kiosks, benches, art installations, and other ameni- Miami River Corridor Multi-Modal Transporta- ties. In 2020, another 5 sections of the public Riv- tion Plan, Miami River Greenway Action Plan erwalk were under construction by the private and and others, all available for downloading at public sectors. Over 6.75 miles of the public Mi- www.miamirivercommission.org. ami River Greenway have been constructed, with an additional planned 3.25 miles to complete. The MRC appreciates the mutual efforts to im- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCE plement the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, Philip Everingham, Chair and the cost shares provided to date from multi- IN 2020, CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED ple public and private funding sources including at River Land- Congress, State of Florida, Florida Department of ing featuring 420,000 square feet of retail, 506 Transportation, South Florida Water Management residential units and the public riverwalk, Water- District, Florida Inland Navigation District, City of line Miami River featuring 346 residential units Miami, Miami-Dade County, Downtown Develop- and the public riverwalk and renovations at RMK ment Authority, and numerous private sector de- Merrill-Stevens shipyard, featuring a new seawall, velopments. infrastructure and ship lift. In 2021 construction The MRC thanks the City of Miami and its resi- continues at Aston Martin Residences featuring dents for voting to include the Miami River Green- 384 residential units and Waterline Miami River way in the approved Miami Forever Bond Issue, re- Phase 2 featuring 342 units, both featuring the development of the “Miami Riverside Center,” and public riverwalk. Therefore the Miami River Dis- “The Wharf”. trict is ripe with mixed-use economic develop- ment, commerce and jobs.
STORMWATER Sallye Jude, Chair 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 neigh- borhoods 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 Com- missioner Eileen Higgins and the Board of County Commissioners for renewing $140,000 for the Scaven- ger Water DeContamination vessel’s services in the Miami River. In addi- tion to removing floating debris and hazards to navigation, the Scavenger Vessel significantly improves water quality by decontaminating 600,000 gallons 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. Subcommittee Reports
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 2020 alone, the Miami River “VIP” resulted in 10 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 Antillean Marine international shipping vessel. these River improvements to fruition. “Waterline Miami River” Phase 1, featuring public riverwalk. UPPER RIVER MIDDLE RIVER LOWER RIVER Shipping and Marine Industrial Zone: Center of Port Miami River’s trade and industry. Residential / Mixed Use Zone: Includes River Landing historic neighborhoods, Downtown Zone: High-density residential, offices and restaurants. Riverwalks link The Miami Intermodal Center links rail, air, freight, transit, pedestrian and vehicular traffic. marine-industrial businesses, parks, etc. historic landmarks and parks along river.
Existing Riverwalk Proposed Riverwalk Existing On-Road Greenway Proposed On-Road Greenway
MIAMI RIVER GREENWAY’S TIMELINE Map © 2001 Richard Troutner. All rights reserved. 1897 1972 1980s 1998 2000 2001 2002 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010-2020 Henry Flagler opens Parks For People bond Miami River Greenway Florida Legislature Florida Legislature With the Trust for Public 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 six-story Royal Palm issue passed by voters, section constructed along creates Miami River passes Miami River Land, the MRC, City of River Greenway River Greenway “A Vision for Miami’s 21st Multi-Modal Transportation River Greenway adopted recommending River Greenway Hotel, including first funds portions of the north shore from Biscayne Commission as a Improvement Act Miami and Miami-Dade constructed constructed Century Parks & Public Plan created by Metropolitan constructed completion of the Miami constructed greenway Miami River Greenway Bay to NW 2 Avenue watchdog, advocate and County unanimously River Greenway Spaces” recommending Planning Organization clearinghouse for the approve Miami River Gre- 2003 2005 and MRC recommending • Sections of the Miami river. Miami Circle site enway Action Plan completion of the Miami completion of the Miami River Greenway constructed 1910 Sections of the Miami Sections of the Miami River Greenway • MRC Lummus Park created discovered River Greenway River Greenway River Greenway and additional sections on Miami River constructed constructed hosts Greenways summit • • Greenway construction funded and designed for Sections of the Miami River continues construction in 2010-2011 Greenway constructed
Volunteers along the public riverwalk. MRC thanks volunteers Get Involved! and sponsors: The Miami River Commission invites groups and individuals Miami-Dade County from the community to get involved in improving your Miami City of Miami River District, and the private sector to help us as sponsors of Florida Department of events. To learn more about what you can do, visit our website at Transportation www.miamirivercommission.org for updates. Florida Department of State The Miami River Commission thanks all of the incredible volunteers of all ages and walks of life who planted and picked up Downtown Development litter along the riverwalk during 10 volunteer beautification events Authority in 2020. The MRC is thankful to our growing list of sponsors, RMK Merrill-Stevens partially listed at right, who contributed volunteers, supplies and Epic Marina funding to the “greening” of the river, and removed an estimated Sightseeing Cruises 250,000 pounds of garbage. All MRC and subcommittee meetings are publicly noticed. Public Hands On Miami participation is encouraged. Florida Drawbridge
Left to right: Marlins Ballpark, Sewell Park, Terrazas, Hurricane Cove Marina and Boatyard, Pier 19, Apex Marine and Durham Park neighborhood. 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
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. CHRISTINA CRESPI MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR Florida Governor: RON DeSANTIS Downtown Development Authority Designee: Ms. PATRICIA “PATTY” HARRIS Designee: Mr. NEAL SCHAFERS CAPTAIN JO-ANN BURDIAN United States Coast Guard Mr. LUIS GARCIA Mr. ALFRED SANCHEZ Captain of the Port of Miami Member-at-Large Appointed by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Governor Designee: Ms. SANDY O’NEIL Designee: Mr. JOHN MICHAEL CORNELL Dr. ERNEST MARTIN SENATOR ANNA MARIA RODRIGUEZ Neighborhood Representative appointed Managing Director: Chair, Miami-Dade Delegation by the City of Miami Commission Mr. BRETT BIBEAU Designee: Senator Ileana Garcia Designee: Mr. THOMAS KIMEN III Designed by: Toni Kirkland LLC Mayor DANIELA LEVINE CAVA Ms. SALLYE JUDE Mayor of Miami-Dade County Neighborhood Representative appointed by the Miami-Dade County Commission Mayor FRANCIS X. SUAREZ Designee: MR. MIKE SIMPSON MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION Mayor of the City of Miami c/o Robert King High Designee: Ms. MEGAN KELLY Mr. PHILIP EVERINGHAM Designee of: MICHAEL KARCHER, 1407 NW 7 ST, Suite 2 Commissioner EILEEN HIGGINS Chair of Marine Council Miami, FL 33125 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Ph: 305-644-0544 Designee: Ms. MAGGIE FERNANDEZ Ms. SARA C. BABUN Member-at-Large appointed by the Commissioner ALEX DIAZ de la PORTILLA Miami-Dade County Commission www.miamirivercommission.org City of Miami Commissioner Designee: Ms. ROSELVIC NOGUERA Designee: Mr. ALEX BARRERA Mr. MANNY PRIEGUEZ KATHERINE FERNANDEZ-RUNDLE, Esq. Member-at-Large appointed by the City Miami-Dade State Attorney of Miami Commission Designee: Mr. DAVID MAER, Esq. Mr. CHAUNCEY GOSS Chair, South Florida Water Management District Designee: Mr. SCOTT WAGNER, Esq.