Directors/Alternates Present
- Margaret Lee/Brickell Biscayne
- T. Sinclair (Tory) Jacobs/Brickell 25
- Mac Seligman/Brickell Townhouse
- Celestino Pena/Brickell Harbour
- Veena Panjabi/The Palace
- Danny van der Reis/The Imperial
- Berdie Archer/, Gloria Konsler/One Tequesta Point
- Norman Mininburg/Brickell Place, Phase I
- Ernesto Cuesta/The Metropolitan
- Bruce Cotton/2000 Brickell
- Jay Morton/Bristol Tower
- Sheila Zemsky/Brickell Key I
- Henry H. Taylor, Jr., Esq./General Counsel
- Ronald K. Smith, Esq./Deputy General Counsel
- Natalie Brown/Communications Director
Associate Members Present
- Danny Ponce/Brickell Key Master Association
- Ted Hollo/Florida East Coast Realty
City of Miami Present
- Commander Rudy Llanes, Officer Jeffrey Giordano,
- Sergeant Carlos Suarez/MPD
- Patricia Castro/Downtown NET
- Also Present
- Robert Register, Janet Seitlin, David Korros/FDOT
- Mari Ledon/Brickell Townhouse
- ErnieGuiterez/Bristol Tower
- Robert Wyman/ Miles Moss & Assoc., Inc.
The meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. The reading of the April minutes were unanimously waived and the minutes accepted as published.
FDOT Presentation
The BHA invited the FDOT to provide an overview of the plans for Brickell and the major intersections throughout Downtown area. David Korros and Robert Register answered BHA questions on a variety of matters relating to Brickell Avenue, part of the U.S. Transportation system since it is part of U.S. 1.
Q. Repaving Project on Brickell?
(Background: There is money in the FDOT’s work plan to do “repairs to the surface” and some relatively minor work. At a recent meeting the BHA had brought up with Gary Donn that the homeowners want asphalt. Gary Donn relayed to FDOT after the BHA meeting their unanimous desire for the old concrete Brickell to be converted to asphalt.)
A. FDOT: It will greatly increase the cost, but we have agreed to look at that as an alternative. There is a project development and environmental process that precedes all design work. At the end of that process, all the environmental permits should be obtained. The recommended alternative then goes to design. They’re going to do an environmental assessment and look at asphalt as a possible alternative. “We heard you, we are looking at it and will keep you informed.”
Project Development and Environmental Studies.(PD& E) can take up to 18 months. The original repaving plan wasn’t allocated until 2006, so it’s okay that the PD&E will take that long. After the PD&E, the FDOT then looks for the corresponding funding and determines when the funds can be made available for the project. It’s likely the first decision won’t be made until Fall 2004.
Q. Sidewalks of Brickell?
A. (The question was raised about the poor condition of the sidewalks and whether they would need to be done with the repaving or done before or separately? BHA had made a request of the City about sidewalk repair, which passed it on to FDOT.) “It would make sense to do together.” He’ll check on it.
Q. What about lighting?
A. (The question was asked as to whether lighting considerations were under the jurisdiction of the FDOT as well, which the representatives affirmed. It was also asked whether decorative lighting could be added.) “We have a standard issue, which isn’t elegant. When municipalities want to upgrade, it is possible and has been done elsewhere, however, it is currently too soon to tell what it will be, but the matter of lighting is in the mix.”
More Q & A followed:
Q. How much more is asphalt than repairing the concrete?
A. Originally estimates were $2 million for concrete repair; $7-8 million for changing to asphalt.
Q. For the repaving, are we looking at all the way to the Brickell Bridge or just 15th to 25th Road?
A. This project is from 5th to 25th.
Q, Are there any alternatives to making it quieter if we can’t get asphalt?
A. We’re going to study it and look at it in a year.
Q. How long will construction take?
A. Don’t know but will check back at the office.
Robert Register, Traffic Operations
New information: The FDOT has given tentative approval for a signal at 14th Terrace where the Four Seasons is, contingent upon analysis of Coral Way and 15th Road. This plan would restrict movement at 14th Street, or close the opening at 14th Street and 14th Lane. He just got the draft report; hasn’t given it serious review.
Q. What’s the status of the change in u-turns on Brickell southbound in the 1800 block that has generated so much resident concern?
A. We are taking another look at. We’ve reopened that issue. The crosswalk markings need to be redone and a guide wire for utility pole has recently been installed in the ramp of the crosswalk, which Comcast must remove.
Q. What’s happening at 15th and Coral Way?
A. The City asked FDOT to look into a possible round-about. We’re also looking at channelization, and signalization. We don’t think a round-about is feasible because of the various entries not being perpendicular to the circle, and there are progression problems with signalization because of the traffic light at Second Avenue …there’s only 300 or 400 feet between the two. We based our decision not to signalize on traffic counts, which we anticipate going higher with the opening of the Second Avenue Bridge. We’re trying to make it a safer intersection.
Q. Shouldn’t the priority be on giving 15th Road residents easier access to Coral Way and how much is this solution costing taxpayers?
A. Mr. Register said he has the figure but doesn’t remember….somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000.
Q. Eighth Street two-way? What’s up with that?
A. That’s City of Miami, Patrick Daniel.
Brickell Harbour
The report came in from the engineers who determined the building won’t have to be torn down and residents may be moving back in 90 days after 10-12 weeks for retrofitting and critical repairs. Celestino Pena says that anybody with a building dating back to 1975-1985 might have to look into this problem having to do with the cabling that reinforces the slabs. The concrete is porous and the corrosion gets to the wiring within the concrete.
President’s Report
Old Miami High Bungelow restoration. Dade Heritage Trust asked for letter of support. Ron Smith moved and Ernesto Cuesta seconded that we write a support letter for their application to the State for the restoration of the 1904 Miami High School. The motion passed unanimously.
Traffic Speed Reader. A report was given by treasurer Norm Mininberg on a radar speed reader that BHA could obtain for use in slowing traffic down along Brickell Avenue. Brickell Place offered to store it and charge it. The cost is $3,280 and it’s visible within 750 feet. It was moved by Norman Mininberg and seconded by Birdie Archer that the BHA purchase a reader. Officer Giordano will help with signage recommendations.
Police Report
An individual is getting in to Brickell Key on the shuttle. He’s been hitting Brickell Key with robberies. They have an id, just trying to catch him.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. No meetings in summer unless an emergency.
