Brickell neighborhood to get a park
A lot on the west side of Brickell at 1814 will be the site of a new public park serving the needs of the growing residential community in the area, including many families with children. This new parcel right in the middle of the residential Brickell corridor was an unexpected triumph when Commissioner Marc Sarnoff's staff shared the news with BHA Directors in mid-January. It was probably the single most welcome news in the past two decades, right up there with the announcement of the first Publix to be opened in the area.
"This park is great news for the residents of Brickell and the many families and children we have living here now," BHA President Ernesto Cuesta said. "We have been vocal about needing a park within safe walking distance for a long time, and are thrilled that it is really going to happen."
The parcel is just under an acre at .81 acres, or approximately 35,500 square feet. It was purchased with a $337,775 grant from the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program and matching funds from City non-general fund monies for just under $2.6 million total. Impact fees, collected from developers with the purpose to offset infrastructure costs of new projects in the area, were used for the purchase. Brickell has borne the brunt of the development surge but has not gotten its fair share of impact fees, Commissioner Sarnoff told the BHA Board last April. Long-time developer and BHA Associate member Tibor Hollo helped the purchase with a $200,000 contribution.
Kids, pets top priorities
Neighbors are envisioning a playground area for children and an area for dogs in the park. Commissioner Sarnoff has scheduled a joint meeting with the Boards of BHA and Brickell Area Association in the latter half of March to discuss design plans.
The question of funding for the creation of the park has not been ignored. The Commissioner has secured $240,000 in funds from a number of sources including $33,000 in fines collected from numerous tree violations documented at 2110 Brickell Avenue and held in the City of Miami Tree Trust Fund, an additional $172,000 in Safe Neighborhood Park Funds and $35,000 from developers. The Commissioner said he hopes businesses, residents and others in the area will match that amount for the park build out.
BHA has long been advocating for more parks to better accommodate the high density of residents living in the Brickell area. Many residents include families and pets who have a desire to enjoy the great outdoors outside their doors.
Creative approaches
Commissioner Sarnoff has been a proponent of more green space for Brickell residents and started work on the issue soon after taking office. The Commissioner had a creative plan with Mr. Hollo who was willing to lend a piece of waterfront land on Brickell Bay Drive for temporary park space until development conditions turned more economically favorable. The deal ultimately could not get worked through legal channels. The Commissioner asked the BHA Board of Directors to "not give up hope" last year, pledging to continue to make Brickell green space a priority.
BHA salutes Commissioner Sarnoff for his diligence on behalf of neighbors, and his ability to make this happen, especially in this tight economic environment.
Follow the BHA website for news of park development at www.brickellhomeowners.com.
More about green space
In other ongoing parks and green space news, the small waterfront green space at the end of 25th Road has been resodded, thanks to Brickell Biscayne and its marina developer that finished their marina restoration project there. Benches have been put in place in the patch of green, but unfortunately, the mahogany tree BHA News reported was to be relocated there could not be replanted.
The City of Miami still needs to address the crumbling seawall issue, the state of its own grounds on the half of the lot not restored by the developer, and better lighting at night to prevent bad elements from making the space their home or recreation area (a problem which has been reported by neighbors on 25th Road). And finally, canine courtesy is desperately needed among those who take their dogs to the area.
FDOT addressing Brickell safety concerns
The solution that was supposed to make pedestrian life on Brickell safer has yet to show its promise at 1770 Brickell Avenue where the Florida Department of Transportation's flashing pedestrian beacon at the mid-block crosswalk was installed last year.
The problem is most drivers are not yielding or even slowing down for pedestrians when the beacon is activated. The way it is supposed to work is simple: Pedestrians push a button to activate the flasher. An audible message then tells the pedestrian to stand at the curb and wait for traffic to stop before crossing. Drivers are simply supposed to stop, when they can do so safely, when they see the flashing yellow beacon indicating a pedestrian wants to cross.
Tweaks were made to the system in January, but FDOT officials say now it is a matter of driver education and police enforcement to get the system working correctly.
"From an engineering standpoint, we've done just about everything we can do. We need to initiate with the police a regular cycle of enforcement," FDOT engineers and specialists including Alan El-Urfali, Carl Morse, Carlos Perez and Kristof Devastey told the BHA Board of Directors at their January meeting.
FDOT engineers and spokeswoman Alicia Gonzalez said they are launching an active educational outreach campaign and asking police for enforcement assistance. The bilingual insertion in this issue, paid for by FDOT and its media relations group, carries the educational message about the system.
The system was the result of a Brickell Avenue Pedestrian Safety Study that BHA had been advocating for some time. BHA residents have wanted to see vehicular traffic slow down on Brickell Avenue to make it safer for both cars and pedestrians, and have pushed for more traffic signals along the corridor toward that end.
26th Road and Brickell Avenue intersection gets fresh look
In another matter of traffic safety on the southern end of BHA territory, FDOT has agreed to study the 26th Road left turn lane heading north onto Brickell Avenue. There is one left turn lane but drivers one lane over frequently make an illegal left turn as well, often to the peril of the properly turning car, caught off-guard and often cut-off by the second turning vehicle. The configuration of the lanes at this intersection right before the wide Rickenbacker toll plaza entrance seems to encourage the illegal maneuver.
BHA has been urging attention to this intersection for years to no avail up to now ("Residents' Request Rejected," BHA News, Spring 2006) save for some added pavement markings which residents say are not particularly effective.
BHA advocate Blanche Back, a resident of Brickell Biscayne on 25th Road, has been among the most persistent of the voices asking for something to be done at the intersection before a terrible accident leaves someone dead or severely injured. Vowing to "bring it up in every meeting" until action is taken, her pleas, echoed by many neighbors, were heard in January. In a letter last month FDOT said they would review the intersection to "evaluate the eastbound left turn movement" to see if "geometric improvements are possible." (See letter reprinted to the left.)
BHA will keep neighbors aprised of the findings of the FDOT's study and what can be done to improve the intersection.
Advanced Warning
System for the Brickell Avenue Bridge complete
In other FDOT/Brickell Avenue news, the department reported successful completion of the system to provide motorists with advanced notification of when the Brickell Avenue Bridge is in the up position. FDOT officials said it’s been operational since July 2009 and have not heard of problems with it.
The BHA extends it gratitude to Alicia Gonzalez for her active participation in hearing Brickell neighbors' concerns.
Chairman’s Column
By T. Sinclair (Tory) Jacobs
BHA is two decades old, and going strong
BHA marks 20 years since founding this year. We have seen a lot of changes in our neighborhood, including a tripling of residents in two decades. Within our geographic area from the Miami River south to Rickenbacker Causeway, we have welcomed many new neighbors and new amenities.
We have described our vertical density in the past with the illustration that if all the residents of the Brickell area were horizontally situated as single family home lots 60-feet wide rather than stacked as we are now, our homes would stretch from Miami City Hall to West Palm Beach and beyond.
While we have grown, what has not changed is what Brickell neighbors want from their neighborhood. They seek the highest standards of safety, harmony, beauty. These quality of life measures don’t come easily, however. Never have. In this dismal economy, where many businesses, associations, individuals and our own City of Miami are struggling to stay afloat, quality of life is even more susceptible to erosion.
Fortunately, many signs detailed in this BHA News tell us this won't happen in our Brickell community:
• New executive officers have taken the helm of BHA (see photo and list opposite). These advocates are carrying on the work of BHA set forth in the past 20 years and have many new ideas and approaches to making life in the Brickell area the best it can be. They seek your involvement on committees as detail-ed on page 10. (Joyfully, I am retiring to Chairman of the Board, a purely advisory position which, according to our bylaws, carries no specific duties or obligations other than to be helpful if called upon.)
• Our Commissioner for District 2, Marc Sarnoff, is fulfilling a key promise to Brickell residents to find a way to add a sorely needed park to our neighborhood. We are grateful for, and a little in awe of, his ability to pull off this major feat for residents. I believe our neighbors stand ready to help bring this space to beautiful fruition.
• The folks at Florida Department of Transportation—with whom we are frequently at odds given their "highway" perspective of what we regard as our neighborhood’s "Main Street"—are listening to us and our concerns. The cover page article discusses the long-standing problem at 26th and Brickell Avenue that FDOT is revisting, as well as their efforts to make the pedestrian crosswalk at 1770 Brickell safer.
• And finally, the robust Restaurant Listing included in this issue on the last five pages demonstrates the variety and quality of the growing amenities we have in our midst to enjoy.
Your participation, and that of your fellow residents, can make all the difference in seeing positive changes come to fruition, in overcoming long-standing problems and challenges and in making our neighborhood the best in Miami-Dade.
Board officers elected at Annual Meeting
A new slate of officers was elected for BHA at the Annual Meeting in February. Ernesto Cuesta, who has been treasurer for BHA for six years and president and treasurer at his building The Metropolitan, is now president of BHA. Professionally, he is chairman of the Enterprises Group Corporation, a multi-faceted company that is involved in many business lines.
First Vice President remains Larry Imber, of The Palace and an oral surgeon/periodontist by profession. Santiago Echemendia, a resident of Two Tequesta Point and an attorney with Tew Cardenas LLP where he is partner and chair of the firm's Local Government Law Group, is new to the executive committee. He joins as Second Vice President. Eduardo "Eddy" del Rio is taking over as BHA Treasurer, after serving as a BHA volunteer. He is a resident of Brickell Townhouse and is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual. BHA Secretary is Gail Feldman, a resident of Bristol Tower who was appointed to the office last year when Gloria Konsler left Miami. Gail is VP at Steven J. Feldman, Inc. Real Estate Development. Long-time BHA president Tory Jacobs is being kept close at hand as Chairman of the Board, an advisory position.
Get in shape, catch a show with these deals for Brickell Homeowner Association resident-members
Two of our esteemed neighborhood establishments are offering BHA residents special discounts and deals, as part of BHA’s expanding member benefits program:
The Sports Club/LA is continuing its Corporate Membership partnership with Brickell Homeowners Association for condominium member residents. BHA residents can get the best corporate rates for the swanky fitness center located at Four Seasons, provided a minimum of five residents purchase club memberships within the next two months! Many residents are already members, but for those who have thought about it but not yet joined, here’s the opportunity with no excuses. (Verification of eligibility must be provided within seven days of joining.) See special insertion in this issue, or for further details, contact Dave Warren, membership director, at 305-533-1199 ext. 7902.
The Adrienne Arsht Center is also reaching out to BHA Members with special promotions. Deals including 30% off The Joffrey Ballet on March 26; 20% off the matinee performance of The Cleveland Orchestra on March 27; 10% off the March 29 Lang Lang and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival; and 10% off the April 1st 8 p.m. and April 3rd 2 p.m. performances of the hit musical, “Mamma Mia.” Residents of BHA Member condo associations can receive the discounts by going to the website, www.arshtcenter.org/offer and entering the promo code SPRINGFUN. For information or questions call 786-468-2358.
BHA bids farewell and extends thanks to Brickell advocate
Former BHA Secretary Gloria Konsler has moved with husband Gary to Pennsylvania to be near her daughter’s family including four little ones. Gloria and Gary were residents of One Tequesta Point since 1998 and Gloria was also executive administrator for Brickell Area Association for many years. She also served as the Brickell Neighborhood PAC Treasurer. Gloria was a wealth of knowledge about Brickell, and was a friendly advocate on behalf of both the residential and business community.
Gloria is missed by her neighbors and BHA friends alike. We wish her well.
Southeast 25th Road designated “Tory Jacobs Boulevard” in honor of Brickell advocacy work
The City of Miami bestowed one of its highest honors on BHA’s long-time leader, T. Sinclair (Tory) Jacobs, with the renaming of SE 25th Road to "Tory Jacobs Boulevard." Since 1990 Tory Jacobs has been advocating and serving the Brickell area as volunteer president, and now Chairman, of Brickell Homeowners Association, and as a board member of Brickell Area Association, tackling quality of life and related concerns for the Brickell residential and business communities.
All five of the City of Miami Commissioners and Mayor Diaz were in attendance at the ceremony October 8 where the City made its presentation and passed its formal resolution for the renaming. Marking the southern edge of the Brickell corridor, 25th Road is also where Mr. Jacobs resides, having been a Brickell resident for more than 30 years.
Tory Jacobs, along with attorney Henry Taylor, formed the Brickell Homeowners Association in 1990 as an advocacy group to help residents shape, maintain and improve their neighborhood. During Tory's two-decade tenure as president he has been successful in leading the charge on quality of life issues including beautification, noise abatement and traffic, as well as launching the Brickell Avenue Streetscape Plan and backing projects like Mary Brickell Village.
He has also been an active board member of the Brickell Area Association, the sister association of BHA made up of Brickell businesses. It was the directors of BAA who conceived of the idea to honor Tory in this lasting way.
Tory was overwhelmed with the designation saying, "This was quite unexpected. I thought one had to be dead to receive this honor. I feel very much alive."
Tory also told the City Commission in accepting the designation that he began working with the City of Miami on the concerns and rights of neighbors who live vertically rather than horizontally early on when City ordinances and policies weren't set up to address high-rise living. The City has come a long way since then, he said, in working with high-rise neighborhoods.
The BHA extends its gratitude to Commissioner Sarnoff's office and Bert Gonzalez for assisting in the street naming process, and its deepest congratulations to Tory on a distinction well deserved.
BHA Committees
Brickell neighbors need you
BHA is forming several committees and welcomes residents to join who are willing to work on issues and projects. The committees will address issues BHA has been involved in for two decades and which require constant vigilance, as well as new possibilities such as the Community-Neighborhood committee where members will look at the social side of Brickell living. The committee list that follows includes some of the topics that might be tackled under each. These lists are not comprehensive; new issues and challenges are always arising in our dynamic community.
Safety & Security Committee
• Speeding on Brickell
• Sidewalk conditions
• Crosswalks and pedetrian safety
• Collaborative programs with police, among buildings
Quality of Life
• Repaving of Brickell Avenue – FDOT Project
• Canine Courtesy
• Horn honking
Beautification
• Brickell Avenue Streetscape
• Other opportunities for improvement or creating space
Parks/Greenspace
• 1814 Brickell Avenue
• 25th Road – any opportunities?
• Brickell Park – signage
Community-Neighborhood
• Block Party or other event?
• Development of more resident-member benefits
If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact your Board representative (listed on page 2) or BHA Communications Director Natalie Brown via email nbrown@brickellhomeowners.com
News from Neighbors
Dade Heritage Trust invites neighbors to discover their own hidden treasures
Our friends and neighbors at Dade Heritage Trust are inviting BHA residents to their "Antique Show-and-Tell" on Thursday, April 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dade Heritage Trust offices at 190 SE 12 Terrace. They urge residents to:
"Bring your favorite heirloom or garage sale find and tour DHT's historic headquaters for a chance to discuss your treasure with Art and Antique Appraiser Tara Ann Finlay of Anubis Appraisal & Estate Services, Inc." and Antiques Roadshow fame. It’s your chance for a mini-roadshow without the lines, if you move quickly. The event is free and will feature the winners of the student art and photography competition. For more information call DHT at (305) 358-9572.
First Presbyterian: Old and new
BHA Associate Members at the First Presbyterian Church of Miami announced a new ministry in the community. Their historic Flagler Chapel is open to the community on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The church invites residents and business people to this beautiful, sacred space for prayer and reflection. A 15-minute service is provided at 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. during this time to assist those who attend. All are welcome.
The Presbyterian Women also extend an invitation to all to their Annual Sacrificial Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall behind the church at 609 Brickell Avenue. The breakfast will be on Good Friday, April 2, at 11 a.m.
The First Presbyterian Church of Miami, incorporated in 1896, is the oldest organized church in the Miami area. The original church stood on the corner of Flagler Street and Third Avenue. The congregation outgrew the small church and moved to its current location in 1946. The inspiring Flagler Chapel is a replica, constructed with the original stain glass windows and rich oak wood paneling.
See article about the church's history online in BHA News Winter 2007 issue, "First Presbyterian Church: Miami's Oldest Congregation."
