Design plans for Brickell Avenue's new park get thumbs-up
BHA representatives liked what they saw in May when Commissioner Marc Sarnoff shared renderings for the 1814 Brickell Avenue site that he secured for a new neighborhood park.
The design plans include those items highest on residents' wish list: a playground area, a dog area and a quiet area. The raised central lawn and water feature, keystone-clad steps and formal treatment were welcomed additional features, befitting the Brickell setting, neighbors agreed.
There was less agreement on fundraising the final dollars needed for construction, and for ongoing maintenance and control. The Commissioner would like to see a resident-controlled and funded authority created for the park. But forking up funds for ongoing maintenance when already paying high property taxes and not seeing an equitable return in City services or quality was hard for some residents to envision. Everyone did agree, however, that they didn't want the City of Miami to be the caretaker of their new park.
At just under one acre, the $2.6 million lot was purchased earlier this year after Commissioner Sarnoff secured $2 million in impact fees that should have gone to the Brickell area. Donors, led by Tibor Hollo and family's $250,000 contribution, raised the bulk of the remainder.
The Commissioner is still working on fundraising for construction, pegged at $600,000 to $900,000 depending on the choice of certain features, and welcomes your call if you are so inclined. He is also looking ahead to assure the park is taken care of properly with the community at the helm. He understands, however, how residents who pay considerable property taxes might feel like they've paid enough.
"There are no two ways about it," he told BHA Board members. "Without Brickell, the City of Miami couldn't exist. District 2 pays 78% of the tax revenue to the City of Miami, but four other commissioners can put their hands on your money."
Nevertheless, he said he believes the best solution in our cash-strapped city is to follow the example of cities like New York with a body entrusted and self-funded for ongoing park maintenance.
In tandem with fundraising, the next step is presentation of "as built" plans, he said.
Enea Garden Design, Inc., the park designers who also designed the new entrance to Simpson Park at South Miami Avenue and Broadway (15th Road), shared their designs here. The trees detailed in the plan include an existing oak tree, and the addition of a live oak, two royal poincianas, bald cypress lining the central lawn and silver trumpet trees along the front. Weaver's bamboo and wild coffee is proposed around the park's rear and side perimeters. Designers call for eucalyptus wood playground equipment and a stainless steel trellis structure to provide the foundation for chalice vines bordering the picnic area.
See the legends for the plans by clicking here.
From the President By Ernesto Cuesta
20 Years: Next steps as we try to fill big shoes
Big shoes to fill. A hard act to follow. Difícil de igualar.
Expressions we're all familiar with. And ones I am particularly feeling these days, perhaps more so than anyone in the Brickell neighborhood. Brickell Homeowners Association is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and I am its third president. This is my first column to you.
Following Tory Jacobs is tough. He fulfilled his volunteer post as president of BHA with an unwavering dedication and sense of service. Tory brought vision and diplomacy to the table whenever tackling neighborhood concerns. He provided leadership and perseverance to make positive things happen, and just as important, stop things that would have a negative impact on our neighborhood. He always did it with grace and patience.
I told Tory and the Board when elected that I will do my best to continue on the path he forged on behalf of Brickell residents. Our Board is grateful to have his advice as our Chairman of the Board as we continue to fight for what Brickell residents are due, given our considerable financial contributions to the City of Miami.
We are still guided by the adage that has underpinned BHA's approach to its advocacy work: In unity there is strength. La unión hace la fuerza. This was the guiding principle established by Tory and our first pro bono General Counsel, Henry Taylor, 20 years ago when Henry drafted the corporate documents for our organization.
And I believe it too.
One of our strategies for gathering strength is unifying with our business counterparts, the Brickell Area Association, on the many matters we share of common interest. We have long had a strong cooperative spirit between our two organizations, but now we are creating a plan for coming together in force to improve the quality of life for our community.
Business and residential life are uniquely intertwined in our Brickell neighborhood from the Miami River south to 26th Road, and from the bay to I-95. The reason is simple: residents and business people (who make Brickell "home" during their working life), both want the same things. We want to co-exist in safety and security. We want clean, welcoming streets and sidewalks for both walkers and drivers. We want the beauty of our environment, both natural and manmade, to shine through. We want quality, responsive service from our City government.
Given the size and clout of the Brickell community, not to mention tax dollars far beyond those paid by any other area of Miami, you would not think it would be so difficult to achieve these basic expectations. Both of our organizations have been working to achieve a standard befitting the Brickell name for 20+ years. Brickell Area Association has been working at it even longer than BHA, by a couple of years.
While there is good news to celebrate that I hope you will read about in this issue—like the beautiful design for a park at 1814 Brickell Avenue—our work is cut out for us. Menuda tarea la que nos espera.
Fortunately, I have the help of the BHA Executive Committee (meet two of them later in this issue), the Executive Committee of Brickell Area Association, and our Board members and volunteers. And we are up to the task before us.
I welcome your comments and suggestions for ways we can make our neighborhood and BHA better. Please do not hesitate to email me at president@brickellhomeowners.com.
Disturbing views of Brickell
Brickell resident and business owner Charles Tavares walks the Brickell area daily, his preferred method over vehicular travel. The walk isn't always pleasant, however. In fact, it can be downright disturbing as he walks on poorly maintained and often dangerous sidewalks and roadways. This Brickell resident of 25+ years, who is also a BHA rep and board member of Brickell Area Association, wonders "Why are our streets and sidewalks so poorly maintained when Brickell is Miami's premier location?" In an effort to get attention from folks who could make it better, he has taken some walks with camera in hand.
Scary Sidewalks
He doesn't have to look hard to find sidewalks cracked, broken and dangerous, sometimes with sizeable chunks of broken concrete left for months. Forget about wheelchair travel on many sidewalks in the Brickell area. Poorly spaced utility poles, boxes for utilities and parking payments, news racks and large advertising panels block passage with no apparent prohibition.
Sanctioned Sidewalk Graffiti
When navigating these sidewalks you can't help but notice many are liberally marked up by various utility companies with no regard (and apparently no limits) on the visual blight they are creating with their handy codes. You've seen the marks. Every shade of neon spray paint depicting crude, cryptic arrows, lines, letters and shapes...all meaningful to the utility companies, but graffiti to those who have to look at it marring their path. This isn't sidewalk chalk that washes away quickly. This paint sticks around. In many spots the utility-taggers seem to be vying to get noticed with some patches sporting as many as six different colors. Fancy pavers don't even deter them. They spray decorative stonework just as quickly as asphalt or concrete, marking their territory like dogs staking their claim on our neighborhood, liberally blemishing our paths so we can't help but take notice.
Neglected Swales
And then right next to the sidewalks are swales--the small patches of what should be green public right of ways. Overgrown, weedy swales with litter and debris are a common sight, especially where construction projects stalled or never began. Swales are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. It would be up to the City's Code Enforcement to take action if the property owners are not maintaining them.
Frequent Flooding
And then there's the flooding. Streets and sidewalks get overwhelmed in a typical South Florida thunderstorm. BHA has been asked to be patient, and promised that the flooding at Brickell Avenue and Coral Way (12th Street) will be fixed when the Brickell Avenue repaving project gets underway.
But that's not the only problem area. Southeast First Avenue under the People Mover is often reduced to one lane when there's heavy rain. Around Mary Brickell Village, street flooding easily gushes over sidewalks on typical rainy summer afternoons.
Who You Gonna Call?
Many of these areas are not under City of Miami control, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff reminds us. In fact, the Florida Department of Transportation and Miami-Dade County are in charge of the roads and sidewalks of the main Brickell thoroughfares that are part of the U.S. Highway system. But the City is responsible for some elements of these State and Federal roads. It's complicated, so we created a chart of who is in charge of what. With so many overlapping agencies, it's not surprising that problems linger. The average person wouldn't know where to call to report a problem!
The Photographic Record: "Why?"
By Charles Tavares
I just cannot believe how much and for how long we’ve been neglected and our voices not heard! But finally, I believe, we have the scale of residents and voters to not implore for our taxes to be put to work for our community, but to demand it and see that we have the best community possible with our tax dollars.
On the July 4th weekend I was in a couple of other neighborhoods, like the Roads and Coconut Grove, where the parks are perfectly cared for, the sidewalks are perfectly finished. Even in Allapattah, considered a working class district, the sidewalks were in better shape than many areas of Brickell.
I think it’s time for a “Brickell Petition” among residents, demanding clean streets, graffiti free and safe sidewalks, and flooding solutions. A plan is needed for flooding not only on Coral Way and Brickell Avenue, but also at Southwest Eighth Street, Miami Avenue and 10th, Brickell Bay Plaza, Mary Brickell Village, etc.
Take a look. I think you’ll want to join me in this effort to make our voices heard.
Charles Tavares has lived in the Brickell area for more than 25 years and is currently a resident of Emerald at Brickell, which his company started developing back in 1998. He is a vice president and Board member at his condominium, and a Board member of Brickell Area Association and BHA. His motivation in pointing out what’s wrong in hopes of seeing improvement: “I love Brickell!”
The Photographic Record by Charles Tavares can be viewed by clicking here.
Brickell Area Roadways
FDOT reports on turning hazard at 26th Road and Brickell
BHA's efforts to improve the 26th Road northbound turn to Brickell Avenue continue. The Florida Department of Transportation provided BHA the following email response as a result of their promised "review...to determine if geometric improvements are possible," as reported in the last BHA News. FDOT identified possible improvements which might or might not be sufficient. BHA is asking the Miami-Dade County planners and Commissioner Carlos Gimenez to consider the dire need for a safer configuration when they undertake the bigger project in that area leading to the Rickenbacker toll booths. Presently only one lane is permitted to make the left turn onto Brickell Avenue when heading east on 26th Road, however vehicles in the next lane over regularly make the turn. The legally turning car is frequently cut off or caught off-guard, and accidents have occurred.
From: Khalil.Maarouf@dot.state.fl.us
To: blancheinmiami@msn.com
CC: Omar.Meitin@dot.state.fl.us; Ramon.Sierra@dot.state.fl.us; AGonzalez@mrgmiami.com; Judy.Solaun@dot.state.fl.us
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:34:13 -0400
Subject: SE 26 Road at Brickell Avenue. Eastbound Left Turn Movement. CTP 2010-02-0011
District Traffic Operations Office
1000 N.W. 111 Avenue, Room 6206A
Miami, Florida 33172-5800
Telephone (305) 470-5335
June 28, 2010
Ms. Blanche Back
Brickell Biscayne 150 SE 25 Road, 14J
Miami, Florida 33129
SUBJECT: Section 87030, State Road 5 / Brickell Avenue at SE 26 Road. Request to evaluate the eastbound left turn movement conducted from the through lane adjacent to the left turn lane. CTP 2010-02-0011
This is a follow-up to the Department's letter on February 17, 2010 regarding the subject matter. The Department completed its evaluations and has identified some improvements which included modification to the existing median at the eastbound approach, installation of a crosswalk with pedestrian features at the east leg and pavement markings.
Currently, Miami Dade County Public Works Department has an improvement project in the design phase along SE 26 Road between North Miami Avenue and Rickenbacker Causeway Toll Plaza. Our office is in the process of coordinating with the county to include our proposed improvements in their project. Design plans are at 90% level and their tentative date for beginning of construction is November 2010. Once we have their acceptance and more information is available, we will let you know.
Thank you for your time and patience. For questions and comments, please contact our office.
Sincerely,
Khalil Maarouf
Traffic Operations
Getting to Know BHA Officers
by Josie Gulliksen
Secretary Gail Feldman
It wasn't Philly's cold weather that spurred Philadelphia native Gail Feldman to move to Miami; it was potholes.
"My husband Steve has always been a builder and in real estate and when our brand new car fell into one too many potholes, we picked up and moved to Florida," Gail said.
That was in July of 2000. They immediately became Bristol Tower residents, the only home they've known for the past 10 years.
"We recognized when we first moved here that it had a very special feeling," she said. "We fell in love with the duality of a neighborhood and urban downtown feel."
Three years ago, following a 23-year career as a magazine publisher, first in the tourism industry and later with regional lifestyle magazines for luxury brands like Chanel and Bulgari, Gail decided to retireand volunteer on Bristol Tower's Board of Directors.She felt her building was losing its luster, so rather than sit back and complain, she decided to do something about it. She is proud to say that the building is now back and restored to its former glory.
"I'm very fond of the Brickell area and consider it the Park Avenue of Florida, so naturally, I want our building to shine and the street to live up to its potential," she said.
One person who was instrumental in helping her accomplish her goals at Bristol Tower was her neighbor Claudia Bruce, former BHA president and neighborhood advocate, who she credits with helping her quickly and swiftly resolve many of the issues she faced. BHA's General Counsel Mel Frankel approached her about getting involved with BHA. She now serves as secretary, an ideal post for her since she studied radio and television prior to entering the publishing world. She is comfortable serving on BHA's Executive Committee tackling and resolving issues.
When she's not busy working on the two boards, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. She raised three children - two boys and a girl - while working in publishing and says she enjoyed her dual career of publishing and motherhood. She's grandmother to five kids, a set of twins and a set of triplets. One son works in development with his father and spent time volunteering in Haiti following the devastating earthquake.
Gail also makes time for some hobbies, particularly tennis and yoga. There's no other place she'd rather live and play than Brickell.
"It's a great location, very centralized. Everything we need is nearby and it's nice that we've seen it grow with retail and restaurants," she said.
Treasurer Eddy del Rio
For years Eduardo "Eddy" del Rio had been receiving the BHA News at his home in Brickell Townhouse, where he's been a resident for nine years and where long-time BHA Board member and neighborhood advocate Mac Seligman also resides.
He first volunteered in 2008 to help BHA with the Voter Registration drive in conjunction with Downtown Miami Partnership. The goal was to increase the number of registered voters in the Brickell area, especially with so many new residents moving into the Brickell and Downtown neighborhoods. After that, Eddy's regular attendance at City of Miami events on behalf of the BHA had a positive impact on Brickell residents.
Eddy said his involvement fueled an interest in becoming part of the BHA board and taking on more of a leadership role. With his financial background, he was a natural choice to take over as Treasurer when Ernesto Cuesta became president in early 2010. As treasurer, he said, "My goals are to keep things running as smoothly as Ernesto did and get more condos involved in our organization to create a tighter-knit community." He also hopes to entice his fellow officers in hosting community events and fundraisers to create awareness of the benefits of BHA, and perhaps implement a monthly property manager's breakfast meeting hosted by a local business.
Eddy's roots in Brickell date back to his childhood. Born and raised in Miami, a Christopher Columbus High School graduate, and growing up in the nearby Coral Gate neighborhood, he was a regular visitor to Brickell Townhouse where his grandparents lived. He recalls those days with fond memories.
"My grandparents lived in Brickell from the 1980s to 1998 so I feel like I was raised in the Brickell area," he said. "I spent a lot of time at the building with them, enjoying the pool, so consequently, I feel a strong emotional attachment to the building."
Now living on Brickell with his wife Rebecca, his ties to Brickell have come full circle, especially now that they are expecting their first child, a boy, in September.
"Now that I'm going to be a father, it feels even more like home here. I know it's safe and I can walk around and enjoy the scenery," he said. "It's comfortable to be able to walk anywhere, and we appreciate the growing sense of community so many people are creating. I even love walking and visiting area restaurants and hotels and enjoying what they offer residents."
Eddy's 9-to-5 life for the past 15 years has been in the financial industry where he makes a living working at FT Trade Financial helping clients with financial planning, money management and cash flow. He helps businesses with their day-to-day needs and works on group benefits for condominium associations as well.
When he's not busy working - at his profession or in the community - he enjoys golf and running. He says he strives to one day be as fast as his predecessor Ernesto, whose fast finishing times have placed him tops at most of the races he enters. For the time being though, he plans to keep running his personal, professional and volunteer life with all the same passion and enthusiasm.
Strategies for collecting delinquent fees gets boost with new Florida law
When BHA Board members met in May, they discussed a financial issue of concern for a number of condo associations: collection of maintenance fees. This was on the eve, however, of the enactment of a new Florida law that gives associations a much more powerful means for collecting from renters in units owned by people behind in their fees.
Effective July 1, 2010, the "Distressed Condominium Relief Act" gives condo associations the right to demand renters in units delinquent in their maintenance fees to pay rent directly to the association rather than to the owners of the unit.
Some renters will be caught off guard, having enjoyed the posh amenities of their new digs unaware that their owners hadn't been paying their fair share for those privileges to the association. They will have to give the association the monthly funds to cover maintenance. Legal specialists have said the law isn't clear whether the renter is responsible for the fee just going forward from July 1, or catching up on unpaid months as well.
Condo representatives also shared some of their other creative methods for collecting fees. (These methods have not been evaluated for legal considerations, and are not necessarily sanctioned by the program's discussion leaders from Kane & Co.). These ideas included updating key fobs to necessitate an office visit by the renter giving management an opportunity to advise them of the delinquency and/or limit their access to amenities; not allowing new rentals until owners are current; and foreclosing on delinquent units as quickly as possible.
Another topic of discussion focused on associations' internal controls. Monte Kane and Jeff Ducker of Kane & Company shared the "fraud triangle," which is a simple but powerful schema for evaluating fraud risk, whether it's for a condo association, business or other type of organization. Evaluating each of the three components can help associations evaluate and avoid risk.
DDA shares vision for improved, pedestrian-friendly South Miami Avenue streetscape
In June representatives from Downtown Development Authority presented neighbors with impressive ideas for streetscape improvements along South Miami Avenue around Mary Brickell Village. The goal is to give priority to pedestrians, bikers and public transportation in the "Brickell Village Center." The concept plans include renovating South Miami Avenue with improved walkways and sidewalks, street trees for shading, lighting, benches, trash receptacles and landscaping. Easier connectivity from the two sides of the street and with other streets in the area is also an identified need.
Charles Tavares participated in the DDA's stakeholder meeting and reported that he was impressed with this positive step to improve the Brickell area. Unfortunately, funding has not yet been secured from the City or County to make the vision a reality. BHA will continue to monitor the plan's progress and provide any input sought.
Miami cracking down on landscape blowers who pollute our streets
BHA applauds NET Administrator Liza Walton and the NET office for their response to those who illegally blow lawn and trash debris to the streets. The letter below in response to numerous complaints was sent to all property owners and building managers in June.
22 June 2010
Brickell Property Manager
Brickell Avenue
Miami, FL 33129
RE: Landscaping on Brickell
Dear Property Managers:
The City of Miami NET office has received numerous complaints from residents regarding the litter, grass and leaves that are being blown onto the street by landscapers on Brickell Avenue. Although blowers are timesaving and handy in keeping a particular property clean; they are often misused. The blowing of debris onto the street makes our historic Brickell Avenue look unkempt. In addition, it is unpleasant for families and pedestrians trying to enjoy the sidewalks of the Avenue, as passing cars often displace the litter and clippings back onto the sidewalk.
The City of Miami Ordinance number 10128 generally states that property owners shall be responsible for keeping the sidewalk and other public rights-of-way clear of all trash and litter, and shall maintain their property in a clean, mowed, cut and litter-free manner, including sidewalks, grass strips, swale area or rights-of-way up to the edge of the pavement of any public street. Sweepings shall be picked up and NOT swept (or blown) in the gutter. Any person violating this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a civil infraction, and may be fined up to $500.
The City of Miami is notifying all Brickell property managers to please work with their landscaping companies to make sure that debris is not being blown onto the public right of way. Code Enforcement is going to begin strict enforcement of this ordinance—which results in a citation of the property being mailed to the President of the Condominium Association.
Please post this letter and educate your landscaping company of this ordinance. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions, or if you would like to set up a time for me to present this information to your board.
Thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to working with you in creating a cleaner and more pleasant Brickell environment.
Sincerely,
Liza Gallardo Walton
Administrator, Coconut Grove and Brickell
City of Miami Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET)
Attachment
CC: William Ortiz, Supervisor Code Enforcement South
Jeffery Giordano, Brickell Area NRO, Miami Police Department
In the Neighborhood...Everyday Services Close to Home
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