HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW-CRA-R-02-0181SEOPW/CRA ITEM 12
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA") RECEIVING,
ACCEPTING AND ADOPTING THE OVERTOWN GREENWAY
PLAN, AS DETAILED IN EXHIBIT "A," AND THE
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN, AS DETAILED IN
EXHIBIT "B," THAT WERE COMMISSIONED BY THE
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND; AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE UP TO 50% OF
THE COST TO IMPLEMENT BOTH PLANS, WHICH SHALL
BE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
WHEREAS, the CRA acknowledges that the power of open space
would help to improve the quality of life for Overtown
residents; and
WHEREAS, the CRA is committed to supporting initiatives
that will seek to create .reinvestment in the Redevelopment Areas
by establishing a framework within which a unified, long-range
vision of Overtown can be built; and
WHEREAS, the Overtown Greenway Plan, commissioned by the
Trust for Public Land, is a key component for improving the
quality of life for Overtown residents and to established a
long-range vision for Overtown.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
s,0-pWECi
2-- 181
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the
Preamble to this Resolution are incorporated herein as if fully
set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Board of Directors hereby accepts and
adopts the Overtown Greenway Plan, as detailed in Exhibit "A,"
and the Overtown Greenprint Plan, as detailed in Exhibit "B,"
that were commissioned by the Trust for Public Land.
Section 3. The Executive Director is authorized to
provide up to 50% of the cost to implement both plans, which
shall be subject to the availability of funds.
Section 4. This resolution shall be effective
immediately upon its adoption.
SEOPIV1
Page 2 of 3
0 2-
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of December, 2002.
ATTEST:
PRISCILLA A. THOMPSON
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM
ANT) rnRRFC''TNRgR
ARTHUR E. TEELE, JR., CHAIRMAN
SEOPWICRA
Page 3 of 3 02- 41 1
0
ITEM 1y-
RESOLUTION NO. SEOPW/CRA R 0
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEAST
OVERTOWN PARK WEST (SEOPW) COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION FROMALLY ACCEPTING (1) THE
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN, AS DETAILED IN EXHIBIT "A" AND (2)
THE OVERTWON GREEN -PRINT, AS DETAILED IN EXHIBIT `B" THAT WAS
COMMISSIONED BY THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND (TPL); FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CRA TO PROVIDE UP TO 50% OF THE COST, TO
IMPLEMENT BOTH PLANS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
WHEREAS, The CRA acknowledges the power of open space to improve the quality of life for
Overtown residents; and
WHEREAS, the CRA is committed to supporting initiatives that will seek to create reinvestment
in the Redevelopment Areas by establishing a framework within which a unified, long-range vision of
Overtown can be built; and
WHEREAS, The Trust for Public Land Overtown Greenway Plan is a key component for
improving the quality of life for Overtown residents and is established as a long-range vision for
Overtown.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Board of Directors of the CRA adopt this Resolution formally accepting (1)
the Overtown Greenway Plan as detailed in Exhibit "A" and (2) the Overtown Green -print as detailed in
Exhibit "B" that was commissioned by the Trust for Public Land (TPL); further authorizing the CRA to
provide up to 50% of the cost, to implement both plans subject to the availability of funds
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
2M
Section I This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16t` day of December, 2002.
Priscilla Thompson
Clerk of the Board
APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND CORRECTNESS:
Alejandro Vilarello
CRA General Counsel
Arthur E. Teele, Jr., Chairman
SEOPW/CRA
0? 181
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Chairman Arthur E. Teele, Jr. and
Members of the CRA Board
From: Annette Lewis
Acting Executive Director
RECOMMENDATION
ITEM 11.
Date: November 11, 2002 File:
Subject: Overtown Greenway Plan
References:
Enclosures: Resolution, Supporting
Documentation
It is Respectfully recommended that the CRA Board of Directors adopt this Resolution formally
accepting (1) the Overtown Greenway Plan as detailed in Exhibit "A" and (2) the Overtown Green -print
as detailed in Exhibit `B" that was commissioned by the Trust for Public Land (TPL); further
authorizing the CRA to provide up to 50% of the cost, to implement both plans subject to the availability
of funds.
JUSTIFICATION
The CRA is committed to improving the quality of life for residents of the Redevelopment Areas. The
Overtown Greenway Plan identifies key areas within Overtown that represents slum and blight within
the community including the FEC Right -of -Way. The Plan proposes to link historic Overtown with
other city assets such as Bicentennial Park and the Miami River through an integrated pedestrian
oriented greenway route. The plan re-creates the original ambience of Overtown and "transforms
intrusive infrastructure components into natural assets through increased tree coverage improve natural
drainage and reduction of paved services, visual blight and discontinuities in the urban fabric that
suppress Overtown's potential as a livable neighborhood".
SEOPW/CRA
02— Ist
_., .'
SEOPW AND OMNUCRA
CITY CLERK'S REPORT
MEETING DATE: November 25, 2002
Page No. 5
NON-
A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
OMNUCRA MOTION 02-94
AGENDA
DIRECTOR OF THE CRA TO GRANT AN AMOUNT
MOVED: WINTON
NOT TO EXCEED $25,000 TO THE NEW WORLD
SECONDED: REGALADO
z
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS FOR TIMELY
ABSENT: GONZALEZ,
INSTALLATION OF ART THRONES AT
SANCHEZ
MARGARET PACE PARK AND TO SEEK
REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY ART IN PUBLIC PLACES AND FROM
THE CITY OF MIAMI.
NON-
A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
SEOPW/CRA MOTION 02-174
kGENDA
DIRECTOR OF THE CRA TO REQUEST THE
MOVED: TEELE
ASSISTANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI AND THE
SECONDED: REGALADO
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ABSENT: GONZALEZ,
TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO ITS RIGHT-OF-WAY
SANCHEZ
LOCATED AT THIRD AVENUE AND 14THSTREET
AND 8TH STREET FOR THE INSTALLATION OF
HISTORIC GATEWAY BANNER MARKERS
CONSISTENT WITH THE SOUTHEAST
OVERTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN.
NON-
Note for the Record: Chairman Teele stated that the
AGENDA
CRA should provide funding for an amount up to 50
percent of the cost of the Greenway project and that
issue is to be scheduled for the December 16, 2002 CRA
meeting. The Grand Opening of the Margaret Pace Park
is scheduled for December 18, 2002.
2 Amended 12-02-02 SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
m
EXHIBIT "A"
SEOPW / CRA
02- Ist
TRUST
F O R
PUBLIC
LAND
40
Conserving
Land
for People
December 6, 2002
Miami Community Redevelopment Agency
300 Biscayne Blvd. Way
Suite 309
Miami, Florida 33131
Dear Sirs:
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is please to present for your review the Overtown
Greenprint and Greenway Plans. These plans have been completed with tremendous
community involvement and input. The Greenprint Plan is a strategic plan to design and
build an interconnected system of urban open spaces, including parks, playgrounds,
community gardens and greenways. The plan's purpose is to help invigorate the
redevelopment of the neighborhood, as well as to provide the green infrastructure needed
to meet the residents' daily recreation and social needs. The Greenway is planned to be a
specific landscaped pedestrian and bicycle pathway that links natural, cultural, and
recreational resources within the community.
TPL, a national nonprofit conservation organization, conserves land for people to
improve the quality of life in our communities and to protect our natural and historic
resources for future generations. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation funded
the Overtown Greenprint and Greenway Plans as part of the 50th Anniversary Community
Initiatives Program.
Very truly yours,
Brenda Marshall
Associate State Director
South Florida Office
7900 Red Road, Suite 25
South Miami, FL 33143
SEOPW/CRA
(305) 667-0409
Fax (305) 667-0427
02- 181
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
prepared by Wallace, Roberts & Todd, LLC August,2002
i
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
This report documents the community -based development of the Overtown Greenway Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION page 2
2
THE OVERTOWN GREENWAY CONCEPT PLAN page 6
3
IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OPTIONS page 10
4
COMMUNITY MEETINGS SUMMARY page 18
5
ACTION PLAN p 24
tz
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prepared by Wallace, Roberts 8t Todd, LLC August,2002
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
0
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1. INTRODUCTION
THE GREENWAY CONCEPT
The Overtown Greenprint—the Trust for Public Land's community -based as-
sessment of the lands that need to be protected to ensure quality of life, clean
air and water, recreation and economic health in Overtown—has been devel-
oped based on community input gathered in a series of public meetings. The
Greenprint has taken shape around the concept of a greenway—a system of
landscaped pedestrian and bicycle pathways that link natural, cultural, and
recreational resources within the community.
The Overtown Greenway was conceived as a way to complete the necklace of
parks encircling the city of Miami and to improve access to Biscayne Bay and
the Miami River, the natural features that give the city its character. The Mi-
ami River Greenway, Bayfront Park, Bicentennial Park, Margaret Pace Park,
and a proposed Bay Walk that links these public open spaces and their cultural
amenities together define the shoreline of the city. The Overtown Greenway
will bring these natural and cultural shoreline amenities within comfortable walking
distance of Miami's inland neighborhoods.
The Overtown Greenprint concept acknowledges the power of open space to
improve the quality of life In its vicinity, enhance the image of a redeveloping
area, and create reinvestment momentum by establishing a framework within
which a unified, long-range vision of Overtown can be built. The greenway is a
key component of a "green infrastructure" that can play an important role in
the revitalization of Overtown.
THE CORRIDOR STUDY AREA
The establishment of a greenway that links Miami's inland neighborhoods to
the shoreline of the city and connects river to bay focuses on the inland neigh-
borhood of Overtown. One of Miami's oldest neighborhoods, Overtown ex-
tends west from the Florida East Coast Railroad and is at the center of down-
town Miami. The study area for the greenway includes the neighborhoods of
Spring Garden and Highland Park on the western edge of Overtown and ad-
dresses connections with the neighborhoods of Park West and Omni to the east.
tri Linkages to Biscayne Bay and the Miami River as well as other points of interest
b both within Overtown and beyond are key elements of the greenway concept.
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2 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
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Figure 1: Study Area Boundary
The greenway will connect the city's most important natural and cultural features: the
Miami River, the city's Inland neighborhoods and Biscayne Bay.
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
5
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The greenway is intended to link destinations within Overtown and give residents and
I� (7 visitors alike access to the neighborhood's rich history and community spirit.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Historic Overtown
At the center of Miami is the historically black neighborhood of Overtown,
bounded by the Florida East Coast Railroad on the east and NW 7th Avenue
on the west. Known originally as Color Town, Overtown was settled by black
men from the Bahamas and the southern states. They were recruited to the
area and became the largest work force in the construction of the Florida East
Coast Railroad in the 1890s. Residents of Overtown founded the city's first
church, Greater Bethel AME, several months before the city of Miami was
Incorporated. One third of the men who stood for the petition for incorpora-
tion of the city of Miami in 1896 were black men from Overtown.
Overtown took its name from its position "over" the tracks, where federal,
state and local laws segregating white and black society dictated that residents
establish a community independent of the emerging city on the east side of the
rail line. Overtown thus developed as a self-contained town within the larger
city of Miami. By the 1920s, when Miami had emerged as a thriving tourist
destination, Overtown had likewise emerged as a thriving Afro -Caribbean com-
munity, with active churches, a professional community, a successful business
community, and an exciting after-hours nightlife scene dominated by perform-
ers of international stature who nevertheless were required to seek accommoda-
tion in Overtown after their performances in the resorts of Miami Beach.
By the 1930s, numerous businesses in Overtown were owned and operated by
black people. Located on the Northwest Ninth Street corridor, these businesses
included the enterprises and home of Miami's first black millionaire, D. A.
Dorsey, one of the city's first newspapers, the Miami Times, the Atlantic Life
Insurance Company, and the Cola Nip Bottling Company. Northwest Second
Avenue, home to theatres as well as many hotels and clubs, was known as
"Little Broadway" and rivaled Harlem as a mecca for jazz entertainers.
Local business enterprises such as barber shops, groceries, sundries, dry cleaners
and clothing boutiques thrived along Overtown's Northwest Third Avenue,
supported by a growing population employed within Overtown, in Miami's
hotels, and in solid union jobs. The city's first labor union —the Brotherhood of
Sleeping Car Porters —was founded in Overtown and was soon joined by lodges
established by the Longshoremen and Masons. Eleanor Roosevelt visited
Overtown on numerous occasions to confer at the Mary Elizabeth Hotel with
the community's emerging leadership. Civic and benevolent organizations, so-
rorities and fraternities such as the Jaycees, Elks, Links, Egellocs, Idle Hour Club
and the King of Clubs also thrived in Overtown alongside a professional com-
munity of doctors, lawyers, architects, and educators who served the commu-
nity. The churches, then as now, anchored the community.
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
R
The physical environment of Overtown consisted of an interconnected network
of streets and alleys where wood frame cottages in the Caribbean vernacular
style, gardens, and small commercial buildings in the Art Deco and Mediterra-
nean styles formed neighborhoods with an active pedestrian street life.
In the early 1960s, construction of the 1-95 and SK836 expressways precipi-
tated the decline of the area. Sited in the core of Overtown, the expressways
replaced a significant portion of Overtown's urban fabric, displacing viable busi-
nesses and home owners within and adjacent to the rights -of -way. The express-
ways divided the community into distinct quadrants that were no longer ca-
pable of sustaining Overtown's pedestrian -oriented business district. Concur-
rently, desegregation permitted many Overtown residents to leave the area.
Planned housing communities and mass transit projects failed to halt continued
disinvestment and abandonment of the area, and by 1969, Overtown had
been reduced to a condition of blight, its population reduced from 40,000 to
less than 8,000.
In 1969, in order to leverage public investment, the portion of Overtown
bounded by the expressways and the FEC rail corridor was designated a redevel-
opment area. Tax increment financing funds and Community Development
Block Grants administered through the Miami Community Redevelopment
Agency (CRA) became available to implement capital improvements and other
redevelopment initiatives in Overtown. The CRA's initiatives in Overtown have
focused on retention of the local population and revitalization of the Northwest
Third Avenue historic business corridor and the Northwest Second Avenue
historic entertainment district.
The black community has maintained its presence in Overtown and public
investment has supported modest gains. The Northwest Ninth Street Pedes-
trian Mall was completed in 1994 as a public open space to complement the
proposed Historic Overtown Folklife Village and housing planned on the north
and south sides of the mall. The Lyric Theatre and other historic structures
located within the immediate vicinity of Northwest Ninth Street are listed on
the National Register of Historic Places and are the focal points of the Historic
Overtown Folklife Village concept, a history -based attraction that has been
proposed as an anchor for revitalization efforts in the neighborhood.
A variety of institutions and community groups, backed by $7,000,000 in
grant funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, are also work-
ing toward the revitalization of Overtown. These include the Trust for Public
Land and the Overtown Civic Partnership and Design Center. Also active are
the Overtown Empowerment Assembly and the Building Bridges Collaborative.
5
� Overtown prior to expressway construction: Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council plan showing buildings removed for expressway construction, images of Overtown
history from the Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida
C)
4 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
Definition of the Conceptual Greenway Route
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) identified the potential for a river -to -bay safewalk
in Overtown that could be developed following the model of the Chattanooga
River Safewalk, a project that links the Tennessee Riverwalk to the adjacent
neighborhood in decline and provides open space that improves the area's qual-
ity of life. TPL began discussion with the Miami Community Redevelopment
Agency about extension of the Northwest Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall, which
had been built as part of a development initiative to link Overtown to Biscayne
Bay. When complete, this pedestrian mall will link to the Miami Rambla, a
streetscape intended to connect the bayfront harbor slip at Bicentennial Park to
the interior of the city, much as Barcelona's Rambla, one of the world's most
recognizable pedestrian thoroughfares, extended an existing harbor slip inland.
The process of identifying an appropriate route for the Overtown Greenway
was integrated with the Trust for Public Land's development of a Greenprint for
Overtown, a more comprehensive evaluation of the open space needs within
the community. The definition of the preferred route for a greenway was there-
fore extended to a community -wide evaluation that considered possible align-
ments throughout the community and addressed the need for integrating the
greenway with a network of pedestrian thoroughfares that would provide im-
proved access to key community assets.
Stakeholder Input
Following site evaluation and a review of both the existing plans affecting
Overtown and of exemplary plans and programs in other places, a greenway
concept was developed based on community input gathered in a series of stake-
tZ tND
_0 1
Improvements within transporation rights -of -way can restore the tropical flavor to Overtown: the Florida East Coast Railway, 1-95 between Frederick Douglass Elementary and
E0 Booker T. Washington High School, Metrorail north of the existing Pedestrian Mall In Overtown and Metrorail in the adjacent neighborhood of Spring Garden..
41p�
holder meetings held in Overtown on April 23, 2002. These meetings identi-
fied important places, paths, and community attitudes and concerns related to
open space issues in Overtown
Existing Conditions and Opportunities
The corridor study area was evaluated in a series of site visits that identified
important paths and places within Overtown. Routes that link important com-
munity assets became the basis for identifying possible alignments for the
Overtown Greenway and the network of streets that would connect it to the
whole community. Conditions within these possible alignments were evaluated
along with existing plans in the area. Attention focused on the Northwest Elev-
enth Street corridor, the Florida East Coast Railway and Metrorail corridors.
There is a significant amount of vacant, publicly owned land in Overtown,
which contributes to the derelict appearance of the area but also presents an
opportunity for the development of open space throughout Overtown. Unim-
proved transportation system rights -of -way are a highly visible component of
the area's land use pattern. The Miami -Dade Transit Authority, the Florida
East Coast Railroad, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the
city of Miami, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) control roughly 120 of the approximately 680 acres within the
Overtown study area. The Florida Department of Transportation is the largest
landholder, with approximately 100 acres of dedicated right-of-way. Much of
this land is available for redevelopment by the CRA either through lease agree-
ments or coordination with other governmental landholders, or through direct
investment, pending approval of the extension of the CPA boundary to include
areas within the FDOT right-of-way.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
C3�
I
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2. THE OVERTOWN GREENWAY CONCEPT PLAN north to Northwest Twentieth Street and the Wynwood district. Streetscape
enhancements on Northwest Ninth Street and Northwest Eleventh Street link
A vision of what the greenway could be was presented to the community In a the Overtown Greenway to Bicentennial Park. Streetscape enhancements on
series of meetings. Northwest Eleventh Street between Northwest Seventh Avenue and North -
PROPOSED ALIGNMENT west Twelfth Avenue and a pocket park at Northwest Twelfth Avenue link the
Overtown Greenway to the Miami River Greenway.
The proposed Overtown Greenway encompasses the two rail corridors that
traverse Overtown as well as the streets flanking these corridors. Improvements
within the rail corridors and streetscape improvements on the flanking streets
are the greenway's key components. The proposed T-shaped alignment follows
the Metrorail from Northwest Seventh Avenue to Northwest First Avenue
where it follows the FEC corridor south to the Flagler Street Transit Mall and
N11AGE
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0gure 2: Overtown Greenway Concept: Paths and Places
GREENWAY THEMES
Connections
The Overtown Greenway Is Miami's inland link between the city's two most
important natural features: the Miami River and Biscayne Bay. The greenway is
integrated with a network of pedestrian friendly streets in the center of Miam' .
that provide access to schools, shopping, cultural amenities, neighborhood parks,
community services, transit, residential enclaves, and Overtown's rich history.
Integrated with Miami's transit system, the greenway is a multifunctional urban
public space that links the community's existing assets and ties them to the
community beyond.
Community
The Overtown Greenway is a framework for enriching community life. A beau-
tiful visual oasis in the heart of Historic Overtown, the greenway is the seam
that holds the neighborhoods of Overtown together. Important community
focal points—Overtown's "Main Street" D. A. Dorsey Way, the Historic Gos-
pel, jazz and Blues Entertainment District at the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall,
Dorsey Park in the northeast Overtown residential neighborhood, and Booker
T. Washington High School and Frederick Douglass Elementary School —are all
united by the greenway to form a necklace of community and cultural ameni-
ties accessible to residents and visitors alike.
By promoting connectivity and focus within Overtown, the greenway reverses
the fragmentation of the community caused by past transportation projects.
The greenway also establishes and strengthens connections to adjacent commu-
nities and employment centers as well as to the educational, recreational, natu-
ral and cultural amenities of the city as a whole. The Overtown Greenway
completes Miami's necklace of parks by linking the Miami River Greenway and
Bicentennial Park to the heart of the city in Overtown.
History
The Overtown Greenway brings the historic heart of Miami to life by celebrat-
ing the values, traditions, and history of the community in built form. The
greenway incorporates design features, plantings, gateway monuments, histori-
6
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
cal interpretive elements, and public art that give expression to Overtown's
unique cultural heritage. The design of paving and other pedestrian amenities
expresses the cultural heritage of the community. Plantings within the greenway
reflect both the tropical setting and the garden traditions of the community.
Gateways, punctuating the length of the greenway, incorporate public art and
historical interpretive elements related to Overtown's rich history and together
form a series of events that both enliven the greenway itself and direct attention
to other points of interest within the neighborhoods.
The Future
The Overtown Greenway is a significant contributor to the future wellbeing of
Overtown and the city as a whole. The greenway contributes to a more sustain-
able urban infrastructure by integrating transit with increased natural and hu-
man amenities. It provides transit options that are both convenient and enjoy-
able to use. Pedestrian and bike paths, Metroraii, and Bay Link give access to
jobs in other areas of the city and make Overtown a convenient pedestrian -
oriented neighborhood where walking, biking, or taking transit to work, play, or
community activities are all attractive, safe options that reduce reliance on the
automobile. The greenway also transforms harsh, intrusive infrastructure com-
ponents into natural assets through increased tree coverage, improved natural
drainage, and the reduction of paved surfaces, visual blight, and discontinuities
in the urban fabric that suppress Overtown's potential as a livable neighbor-
hood.
PROPOSED COMPONENTS
Streetscape Improvements
It is the quality of the pedestrian experience that distinguishes a greenway from
a road. Walkable, comfortable, enjoyable, and safe streets linking important
destinations within a community are the basic components of a greenway.
Streetscape enhancements, therefore, are the central building block of the
greenway and an important means of improving the quality of life in Overtown
and providing an armature for further redevelopment.
The primary pedestrian spine of the Overtown Greenway is Northwest Elev-
enth Street, which is one of the few east -west streets that cross the city uninter-
rupted from the Miami River to Biscayne Bay. Improvements geared to enhanc-
ing the pedestrian experience and providing bicycle routes are proposed for
both sides of the street along its entire length. Variations in streetscape design
are proposed to reflect the distinct characters of the three neighborhoods that
Eleventh Street traverses: historic Spring Garden and Highland Paris between
the Miami River and Northwest Seventh Avenue; the heart of Overtown be-
tween Northwest Seventh Avenue and Northwest First Avenue; and Park West
between Northwest First Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard.
Similar streetscape enhancements are proposed for Eleventh Terrace, which will
be extended to Northwest Seventh Avenue to allow the greenway to encom-
pass the entire frontage of Booker T. Washington High School and improve the
school's accessibility to the community. Streetscape enhancements are pro-
posed for Northwest First Avenue on both sides of the FEC corridor, including
widened sidewalks, street lighting and security features, a designated bike path,
street trees, pedestrian waysides, pocket parks, public art works, and markers
and monuments that identify the greenway and provide wayfinding and inter-
pretive information.
Streetscape enhancements also are proposed for the major avenues within
Overtown that intersect the greenway. Neighborhood gateways are planned at
these intersections to mark the interconnection of the greenway with the neigh-
borhood at large. Avenues proposed as major north -south pedestrian and bike
corridors are: Northwest Second, Fifth and Seventh Avenues and D. A. Dorsey
Way (Northwest Third Avenue). Enhancements are also proposed for the ma-
jor east -west streets within Overtown to complete a network of pedestrian
friendly streets anchored by the greenway and serving as its "tributaries." Streets
Greenway components can Include streetscapes, pedestrian waysides and pocket parks, artworks -and cis and markers such as those on the t
Northwest Ninth Street. The greenway can extend these existing greenway segments to continue the linkage between river and bay.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
proposed as major east -west pedestrian corridors are: Northwest Second, Fifth,
Seventh, Fourteenth, Seventeenth, and Twentieth Streets. East -west corridors
also serve as connectors to the neighborhoods adjacent to Overtown. In -road
bike facilities are proposed for Northwest Seventh, Eleventh, Fourteenth, and
Twentieth Streets as well as Northwest Second, Seventh and Miami Avenues.
Inclusion of Overtown pedestrian corridors in the Downtown Transportation
Master Plan, MPO Transportation Improvement Program, and in the redevel-
opment plan for the Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelop-
ment Agency is also proposed.
Rail Corridor Enhancements
A greenway is a passage of natural beauty within the urban environment that
establishes a clear sense of place and belonging within the natural order. Plantings
within both Metrorail and FEC rail corridors are an Integral part of the greenway
concept. These rail rights -of -way offer an important opportunity to increase the
"depth" of the greenway by claiming the disused space beneath the Metrorail
elevated track and along the FEC track for planting, pedestrian waysides, paths,
and other uses that enrich the pedestrian experience and enhance the appear-
ance of the neighborhood. Both rail corridors contribute to the blighted condi-
tion of their adjacent neighborhoods and one of the primary goals of the greenway
concept is to create a "green infrastructure" around which redevelopment can
take shape. Landscaped open spaces increase the perceived value of a neighbor-
hood and can offer a spur to redevelopment.
Upgrades to Metrorail facilities are proposed between Northwest Fourth Av-
enue and Northwest Second Avenue to facilitate establishment of an effective
greenway. Service access ramps flanking D. A. Dorsey Way (Northwest Third
Avenue) and adjacent to Frederick Douglass Elementary School create a barrier
that prohibits establishment of a pedestrian friendly environment on Overtown's
main business street and in this segment of the proposed greenway.
Y�� I—L ;I •Q, ;.µ_ 1q 1xY.^. IinaWn ow— 11ApWf-Tt W6Y-M
.ry un e!ntC•+wRCYti;Elh VM CAM WElcGvty r "m rwwa: r"a'eld s
Figure 3: Possible Sections: Streetscape and Rail Corridor Enhancements
The siting and design of these facilities has contributed to the decline of the
main business street and mitigation measures such as mural painting or screen
planting do not satisfactorily address their blighting influence. It is proposed,
therefore, that the Transportation Improvement Program and Downtown
Transportation Master Plan include redesign of facilities to establish a "Safe
Walk to School" for Frederick Douglass Elementary, a pedestrian friendly main
street, and a landscape amenity on a par with those in other communities
where landscaping beneath elevated rail lines reduces the negative impact of the
facility.
Upgrades to the FEC corridor are also proposed. Conversion of the rail line
itself from freight to a passenger light rail is proposed as the ultimate goal for the
greenway. If the continued routing of freight through downtown Miami is found
to be mandatory by the Downtown Transportation Master Plan, it is proposed(
that at a minimum pedestrian enhancement of the streets flanking the FEC
corridor and aesthetic improvements within the rail corridor itself be imple-
mented to reduce the negative impact of the rail line.
FDOT Right -of -Way Enhancements
Improvements within the 1-95/SR 836 limited access right-of-way are also
proposed. The area, known locally as the "Overtown Everglades" contains drain-
age lakes with wetland vegetation. The lakes support a wide variety of water
fowl. The right-of-way currently is used by students as a path to school and with
enhancement could serve as a passive recreation trail. Enhancements, water
quality and pollution mitigation, establishment of a Safe Route to School and
mitigation measures to off -set the adverse impact of expressway construction
on Overtown are proposed to be Included in the planned improvements to I-
395 and to 1-95/SR 836 to permit truck access.
Enhanced pedestrian underpasses on NW 11 th Street and NW 11 th Terrace
(are proposed to establish a Safe Route to School for Frederick Douglass Elemen-
tary and Booker T. Washington High Schools
Nais/o' , 1Mh8 TIC6fl l7Y1O191Wl1d'M' WMs'Mr K"M %QUWQUW I.4W"W_PAFW YNlOgSYrMMQ1M1LTWM WYA7l1Y CWE
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8
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
3. IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OPTIONS
COORDINATION OF THE GREENWAY WITH OTHER EFFORTS
There are a number of plans afoot within the city of Miami with which the
Overtown Greenway might coordinate. These include plans for the develop-
ment of cultural and recreatational facilities that can be linked by the greenway,
plans and strategies for redevelopment and revitalization of the community to
which the greenway can contribute, and plans and programs into which the
greenway may be incorporated as a means of implementation, funding, and
management. The following summarizes the key initiatives within Miami that
are relevent to the development of the greenway. The plans and programs
described here introduce potential partners, implementation programs and funding
sources for the greenway.
Miami River Greenway
The Miami River Commission (MRC) was created in 1998 by the state legisla-
ture to prepare a comprehensive plan for the restoration and enhancement of
the Miami River and Biscayne Bay. The Miami River Greenway Action Plan, a
TPL project and one element of the MRC program, is designed to make the
river more accessible to residents and visitors, allow marine industrial shipping
activity to thrive and prosper, improve land values, and make the river a desti-
nation landscape through improved recreational amenities.
The five key elements of the plan are intended to hasten physical improvements
throughout the river corridor. They are: 1) points of public entry to the river,
2) a primary system of public trails and walkways, 3) improvements and en-
hancements to existing parks, 4) improvements and enhancements to existing
roads and bridges, and 5) improvements and enhancements to the river chan-
nel and banks. In addition, the Miami River Commission has established an
Urban Infill Study Area to guide development and coordinate funding for im-
provements in the area adjacent to the Miami River. The study area includes
portions of southwest Overtown.
The Historic Overtown Folklife Village
,..� En The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc., a
O non-profit organization, was established in 1977 as a manuscript and photo-
s; ,b graphic repository. The Foundation operates a research center located at the
Joseph Caleb Center that gives access to source material and information focus-
ing on the black experience in Miami -Dade County from 1896 to the present.
The Foundation owns and operates several buildings in Overtown. These in-
10 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Plans underway along the greenway corridor include The Miami River Greenway, the
Roots in the City community garden program, the Lyric Theatre expansion, museums
located in Bicentennial Park, and the Center for the Performing Arts
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
0
clude the Johnson Center, the Lyric Theatre, and the Dorsey House. Origi-
nally the home of D. A. Dorsey, Miami's first black millionaire, the Dorsey
House displays "Black Towns,"an architectural study of black settlements and
alleyways throughout the United States developed by the Foundation with the
support of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
Foundation -owned historic sites, as well as other designated historic structures
In a two -block area between Northwest Second and Third Avenues and North-
west Eighth and Tenth Streets are anchors for the Historic Overtown Folklife
Village, a proposed tourist destination that celebrates Miami -Dade County's
black heritage. The initiative was conceived by the Foundation in 1980 with
NEA support and a masterplan was developed in 1983 and updated in 1997.
The masterplan suggested design guidelines for a mixed -use cultural/entertain-
ment district with a retail corridor, housing, rehearsal and performance space
for artists, educational and meeting facilities and the expansion of the historic
Lyric Theater. The Historic Overtown Folklife Village is an integral part of the
1983 Southeast Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Plan and in 1999 was
designated a Florida Main Street Community by Florida's Secretary of State.
The Foundation was also responsible for obtaining historic designation of the
Chapman House, located on the campus of Booker T. Washington Senior High
School. This structure has been adaptively reused as the Multicultural Research
Center for Miami -Dade County Public Schools. In 1990, the Foundation es-
tablished Miami-Dade's Black Heritage Trail, now part of the State of Florida
statewide tour. By appointment, the Foundation conducts walking tours of the
Folklife Village and countywide bus tours.
Knight Foundation Funded Plans
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has provided $7,000,000 in
grant support to the Overtown Civic Partnership, a coalition of organizations
engaged in the Overtown Transformation Initiative. Among these organizations
are the Trust for Public Land and the Overtown Community Development and
Design Center (OCDDC).
The OCDDC will be housed in the historic D. A. Dorsey house on Northwest
wNinth Street and contribute to the redevelopment of Overtown by coordinat-
®ing the activities of its member organizations, including the Collins Center for
I 'b Public Policy, the St. John's Community Development Corporation, BAME
Development Corporation of South Florida. Inc, the Black Archives History
Qand Research Foundation of South Florida, and the Local Initiative Support
Corporation.
Roots in the City
Florida International University has implemented a neighborhood beautifica-
tion and job -training program called Roots in the City. The program seeks to
transform Overtown into an aesthetically pleasing community of gardens, shade
trees, and planted thoroughfares while providing training and improving the
marketable job skills of area residents. The program includes a Horticultural
Training Program that hires Overtown residents without job skills and provides
apprenticeship -type training in horticulture. The program aims to improve the
aesthetic appearance of Overtown by creating community gardens throughout
Overtown that beautify, improve the ecology, and foster a sense of community
pride.
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Overtown Redevelopment
Area Design Charette
Overtown has been the subject of a legendary number of planning studies. The
1998 Treasure Coast Study is recognized as the most complete and represen-
tative of community consensus on goals for the redevelopment of Overtown.
The plan includes the following key recommendations:
• Define a center for Overtown with a scale appropriate to the surrounding
neighborhoods
• Restore Northwest Second and Third avenues as entertainment and busi-
ness hubs
• Link Overtown's hub to the civic and commercial center of Miami
• Restore existing neighborhoods and create new neighborhoods through infill
housing
• Create "Great Streets"
• Transform negative spaces under highways into positive spaces
• Identify and preserve historic landmarks
• Expand schools and after -school activities
Revise existing zoning code to support the goals outlined in the citizens'
vision for Overtown
These recommendations are reflected in the Community Redevelopment
Agency's current plans and will be reevaluated as part of the CRA's updated
Redevelopment Plan, currently under study.
I
R
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 1 1
Bicentennial Park Florida East Coast Railroad Corridor Strategic Redevelopment Plan
In 2000, a community group formulated a recommendation to the city for the
revitalization of the derelict Bicentennial Park on Biscayne Bay between North-
west Ninth Street and 1-395. Plans for the park evolved through a public pro-
cess, and consensus was built around a proposal to establish two museums to
anchor and activate the park. Designed originally in 1976 with no program or
buildings, it failed to attract users and in the twenty-five years since its dedica-
tion has fallen into a state of disuse and deterioration that constitutes a blighting
influence on the surrounding district.
The comprehensive master plan for the park calls for two museums, the Miami
Museum of Science and the Miami Art Museum, to frame a central open space
that would provide access to a Bay Walk linking Margaret Pace Park to the
north with Bayfront Park and the Miami River Greenway to the south. The
park concept and its linkages along the Bay Walk seek to establish a "necklace
of parks" for Miami.
Plans for the park have also included proposals to improve the design of Biscayne
Boulevard in order to ensure that the park can be accessed from the west side of
the boulevard. Pedestrian crossings, wide sidewalks and medians wide enough to
accommodate a light rail line and safe pedestrian movement have been pro-
posed as critical modification to the Florida Department of Transportation plans
for the boulevard. The city and FDOT are working to develop a solution that
permits the boulevard to serve pedestrian -oriented redevelopment.
Center for the Performing Arts
Construction is under way for a performing arts center located on Biscayne
Boulevard in the Omni District, immediately east of the Overtown community
between Northwest Thirteenth and Northwest Fourteenth Streets. The center,
which will house opera, symphony and ballet companies, has stimulated eco-
nomic development within the Omni District, which many media- and arts -
oriented businesses that can no longer afford to operate in Miami Beach have
discovered as a promising area in which to relocate. Several businesses already
have relocated to the area and significant development projects are planned,
including a branch of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Property owners
along the Northwest Fourteenth corridor plan restaurants, cafes and arts spaces
to complement the arts and media organizations moving into the district.
cnThe Community Redevelopment Agency has proposed revitalization of the
®nearby Miami Skills Center as a training center for media and arts production
I Fv lobs that are anticipated to emerge in the new arts and media district spurred
� by the development of the Center for the Performing Arts.
li n
��-12 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
F-�
Prepared at the request of the city of Miami, the Florida East Coast Railroad
Corridor Strategic Redevelopment Plan provides a guiding tool for the future
redevelopment and preservation of the FEC corridor. In June 2002, the Miami
City Commission adopted through resolution the recommendations contained
in the plan and directed the administration to begin identifying and allocating
funding for the implementation of the plan's recommendations.
Key recommendations adopted by the city include:
• Drainage, paving, lighting and landscaping improvements on streets within
the study area
• Development of the Wynwood Manufacturing District in Buena Vista Yard
• Expansion of the Enterprise Zone boundary
• Creation of a financing plan such as tax increment financing and special
assessment districts
• Re-establishment of Commercial Revitalization Programs on key streets
• Planning and zoning regulations for development within the FEC corridor
including design guidelines, housing prototypes, and special district and
neighborhood conservation regulations
• Establishment of historic and neighborhood conservation districts
While the FEC Corridor Study area is north of Fourteenth Street and encom-
passes primarily the Wynwood, Little Haiti, and Edgewater neighborhoods, the
study's recommendations extend to adjacent areas, including Overtown, which
are integral to the study area. Recommended implementation strategies there-
fore would have impact within Overtown directly and indirectly. These include:
• Enhanced employment opportunities in a revitalized Wynwood Manufac-
turing District
• Establishment of an arts and entertainment district centered on Fourteenth
Street and Northwest Second Avenue that leverages the Historic Overtown
Entertainment District and the Park West Club District
• Creation of a premium light rail system to link these districts to downtown
• Open space and greenway development adjacent to the FEC corridor that
could be extended south into Overtown.
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
City of Miami Community and (Economic Development Department
The city of Miami Community and Economic Development Department (CEDD)
administers HUD programs intended to assist cities with funding for a variety of
development programs and projects including housing development, capital im-
provements, and other community -building and job development activities. These
funds are awarded to both public and private entities and are a major funding
source for the CRA. The CEDD also administers funding for its own activities
within designated areas, including Overtown. The special districts that are eli-
gible for CEDD assistance include the designated Miami -Dade County Empow-
erment Zone and the city of Miami Community Revitalization Districts.
Miami -Dade County was designated as an Urban Empowerment Zone as part
of a federal program to create jobs and business opportunities in the most
economically distressed areas of the inner cities. The Empowerment Zone (EZ)
of Miami -Dade County includes areas of Aliapattah/Civic Center, Florida City,
Homestead, Liberty City, Little Havana, Melrose, Overtown, Wynwood, Mi-
ami International Airport, and areas of the central business district and seaport.
The EZ program provides tax incentives and performance grants to further the
goals articulated in its strategic plan.
These goals include expansion of business in the EZ as well as job training,
education and child care programs to prepare students, entrepreneurs, and
business people in the area for full participation in the EZ's seven target indus-
tries, which include international trade and commerce, biomedicine, film and
entertainment, financial services, information technology, telecommunications,
and the visitor industry.
The Empowerment Zone strategic plan focuses on "smart growth" strategies
that promote growth in the urban core as an alternative to westward suburban
expansion. Key is making the urban core a magnetic place to live and work by
taking advantage of its assets, including existing infrastructure, the opportunity
for land assembly and residential development, access to transportation, an
underutilized workforce, and proximity to jobs, the business and cultural center
and beaches and natural features. Reduction of crime, delivery of social ser-
vices, investment in youth opportunity, improvement in transportation, removal
of barriers to urban development such as brownfields and regulatory obstacles,
and protection of the environment are elements of the EZ strategy.
tom% Open space and neighborhood enhancement within Overtown are "smart growth"
� � strategies that support development within the urban core and support the EZ's
Pu 1 strategic goals and thus are eligible for funding through CEDD, which has sup-
ported the development of the greenway plan.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
's
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- SR '...14
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Figure 5: Community Revitalization Districts
Al
Figure 6: City of Miami Empowerment Zone Central Area
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
13
3
Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency
The Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency was
established to promote revitalization of the designated redevelopment area within
Overtown. The 1983 redevelopment plan is undergoing an update in 2002.
Preliminary proposals include extension of the CRA boundaries to include the
areas beneath the highways west and north, making CRA investment possible
in these areas.
The current CRA plan incorporates elements of the strategic plan for the Mi-
ami -Dade County Empowerment Zone and the Community Revitalization Dis-
tricts as well as key recommendations contained in the Treasure Coast Regional
Planning Council Overtown Redevelopment Area Design Charette study and
components of the Historic Overtown Folklife Village Master Plan. The CRA's
recent activities in Overtown have focused on revitalization of the Northwest
Third Avenue Business Corridor through support of local business owners.
The CRA is supporting the development of the Center for Performing Arts in
the Omni area and has designated the vicinity as a motion picture and media
district, targeting media and arts organizations and businesses, in order to estab-
lish and sustain redevelopment momentum in the area.
The CRA is supporting development of destination entertainment districts in
Park West and in Historic Overtown and is currently exploring options for
making streetscape improvements along Northwest Eleventh Street in order to
strengthen connections between the two neighborhoods.
The CPA is also developing programs and projects to address the need for skills
training in the emerging job markets within the redevelopment areas.
Integrating the greenway into the CRA redevelopment plan has been proposed.
��. ., er,~La.'ix...�`15 .:k•s. ,.T' [rf ,+oars
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Figure 7: Community Redevelopment Areas
14 _ TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
0
C,J
I
Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Master Plan
The Miami -Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has developed a
transportation improvement plan for the county through 2025. Priority projects
to address the most pressing current urban transportation problems have al-
ready been funded as part of the five-year plan identified in the Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP). The longer range plan shows how specific local,
state and federal transportation improvement funds will be spent, including
those set aside to provide pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, protect the
environment, and support economic growth. Only projects in an approved TIP
are eligible for these funds. Up to twenty percent of the cost of a federally
funded transportation project may be used for environmental mitigation or
pollution abatement. Funds may also be used to offset impacts from previous
transportation improvement projects such as the construction of the express-
ways that precipitated Overtown's economic decline. Funded projects include
several with relevance to Overtown, including portions of the Miami River
Greenway, pedestrian enhancements ' to Northwest Second Avenue, and the
Flagler Street Marketplace Passenger Activity Center or Transit Mall.
Other plans that will impact Overtown significantly include an east -west cargo
truck corridor linking the Port of Miami to State Road 836 along Northeast
Fifth and Sixth Streets. An expressway ramp at Northwest Third Avenue and
Eighth Street would require shifting 1-95 southbound lanes west and demolish-
ing their eastern shoulder to make room for the ramp. Since the new corridor
would also send heavy commercial traffic through Overtown, the Overtown
Advisory Board and residents have requested aesthetic components in design-
ing the project that could include cosmetic visual barriers around the proposed
ramp and corridor.
The MPO is studying three plans for redesigning Interstate 395 by raising it,
turning it into an underpass, or lowering it. The transportation department
favors raising and widening 1-395, replacing embankments with columns and
increasing the north -south traffic beneath the ramps. A more design -intensive
plan calls for a section of 1-395 to become an underpass in the vicinity of the
Center for the Performing Arts. Design difficulties and costs for routing the
road underground may be prohibitive. A third, and least likely plan, would
bring 1-395 to ground level somewhere between 1-95 and the causeway. Trans-
tzportation improvement funds associated with this project could be used to
mitigate any negative impacts the project might have on Overtown.
.- he MPO is finalizing plans to establish a Bay Link between the city's central
(-business district and Miami Beach. Design criteria and the final selection of one
f three alternative routes will be made upon completion of a public participa-
tion process. One routing option would terminate at the Overtown Station.
City of Miami Downtown Transportation Master Plan
The city is preparing a downtown transportation master plan that will inform
future decisions regarding transportation improvements and enhancements. The
plan is in the evaluation stage and contains a series of recommendations includ-
ing a base scenario, an enhanced scenario, and a visionary scenario. Once it is
final, it is expected that the MPO Governing Board will endorse the plan and
adopt some elements into the Transportation Improvement Program.
Recommendations under study include pedestrian enhancements and two-way
conversion of key streets and design improvements to current MPO/FDOT
plans for 1-395 and 1-95. Northwest Ninth, Eleventh, Fourteenth and Seven-
teenth streets and Northwest Second Avenue are identified as proposed pedes-
trian corridors. The visionary scenario includes proposals to provide improved
pedestrian access to Bicentennial Park and to Biscayne Bay along a shoreline
Bay Walk, and enhancements of Biscayne Boulevard to improve its urban de-
sign qualities. Provision of a new interchange at Northwest Fourteenth Street is
also included in the visionary scenario. The Overtown Greenway could be added
to the plan and become eligible for transportation improvement funding.
The City of Miami Open Space Master Plan
In order to coordinate the myriad plans, proposals, and studies that will influ-
ence the city's development, the Planning Department has initiated an open
space master plan that will address public open spaces, parks and plazas and a
system of "Great Streets" to be integrated with proposed transportation im-
provements.
The Overtown Greenprint and Greenway have been preliminarily accepted for
inclusion in the city's comprehensive plan and the Open Space Master Plan,
allowing the proposed improvements to become part of the city's Capital Im-
provement Project budgeting process and eligible for Homeland Defense Safe
Neighborhood Improvement Bond funding.
Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority
The Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority (MSEA) mission includes support
and promotion of entertainment, development of tourism, and related activities
that will contribute to the economic and social growth of the city of Miami.
These activities are supported by the Convention and Development Tax, a large
portion of which MSEA returns to the county each year as unrequired for
support of the Miami Arena and promotion of conventions and sporting events.
The development and maintenance of a greenway that establishes links be-
tween the existing Park West 24-Hour Entertainment District and the planned
Historic Overtown Entertainment District may qualify for MSEA support.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 15
1ND tri
is b
GREENWAY COMPONENTS
IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS
COSTS
NW 11 m Street
Inclusion in one of the following:
$5.6M-$16M
16 blocks at $ 350,000- $1 M per block
MPO Transportation Improvement Plan
CPA Redevelopment Plan
City of Miami Landscape Master Plan
NW 14 Avenue E at W
Inclusion in one of the following:
$8.5M
24 blocks at $350,000 per block
MPO Transportation Improvement Plan
CRA Redevelopment Plan
City of Miami Landscape Master Plan
NW 11'b Terrace
Inclusion in one of the following:
$2,800,000
8 blocks at $350,000 per block
MPO Transportation Improvement Plan
CPA Redevelopment Plan
City of Miami Landscape Master Plan
Metrorail ROW
Inclusion in one of the following:
$7,500,000
10 acres at $ 750,000 per acre
MPO Transportation Improvement Plan
CPA Redevelopment Plan
City of Miami Landscape Master Plan
Use agreement or donation/acquisition of right-of-way
and Implementation with TPL and Grant Funding
FEC ROW
Inclusion in one of the following:
Cost not available
MPO Transportation Improvement Plan
CRA Redevelopment Plan
City of Miami Landscape Master Plan
Use agreement or donation/acquisition of right-of-way and
implementation with TPL and Grant Funding
Overtown Everglades
Inclusion in MPO Transportation Improvement Plan
Cost not available
as a part of 1-395 Improvements or as a separate
Transportation Enhancement Project under the
Safe Routes to School Program
Figure 8: Potential Implementation Programs and Costs for Greenway Components
A
IV
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
FUNDING SOURCE
ALLOCATING ENTITY
Foundation Grants
Trust for Public Land
Tax Increment Financing
City of Miami Community Redevelopment Agency
(funds may only by used within the redevelopment area)
Community Development Block Grants
City of Miami Community and Economic Development Department
City of Miami Community Redevelopment Agency
Development Impact Fees
City of Miami
Convention and Development Tax
Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority
Homeland Defense Neighborhood Improvement Bond
City of Miami Commission
City of Miami Department of Planning
City of Miami Department of Public Works
City of Miami Department of Parks and Recreation
Safe Neighborhoods Park Bond
Miami Dade County
Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds
Florida Department of Transportation
Transportation Enhancement (ISTEA and TEA-21)
(proposed improvements must be Included in the
Surface Transportation Safety (402 Funds)
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
Congestion and Air Quality Mitigation
Transportation Improvement Program
Grants for Public Programs in Culture and Heritage
National Endowment for the Humanities
Planning
(Grant applicant must be a Non -Profit Cultural Institution
Implementation
such as a historical society or museum, or a public agency)
Figure 9: Potential Funding Sources
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
17
4. COMMUNITY MEETINGS SUMMARY
STAKEHOLDER INPUT
The following is a summary of community response to the Overtown Greenprint
and Greenway concepts:
Initial Steering Committee Comments
Meeting held April 23, 2002 at YWCA, 351 Northwest Fifth Street
included in the planning process. Each park is named after someone —can
they be remembered in the parks in some way? Many of the community's
older garden club members recall the gardening traditions of the area —can
these be reflected in the parks?
• Streetscapes are a first priority.
• It is preferable to do one park fully rather than dabble here and there with
all the parks.
• Seizure of assets in RICO prosecutions provide a source of funds to the
police. Can these be earmarked for parks protection?
• Is bond money available for improvements?
• Kids play in the parking lot across from Gibson Park instead of in the park.
• Parks need to include the latest toys —skateboarding, in -line skating, scoot- Public Meeting Open Space Workshop Initial Input
ers, nice play structures.
• There needs to be better use of greenery to make it nicer to just walk.
• Is this effort tied into the CIP budget for parks improvements that is fund-
ing, for example, the $25 million park in Little Haiti?
• All the parks need enhancement and variety and to be like nice parks
elsewhere.
• Does TPL do things that aren't just peripheral —in the right-of-way? There
is a need for real improvements of the parks themselves
• It is preferable to see the parks stay the same rather than have them en-
hanced and allowed to be overrun by drug addicts.
• Are there any city mechanisms to support the park improvements so that
they actually serve the community instead of the drug addicts? Such as
police, NET offices, maintenance crews?
• Improvements can be tied to other development so that "defensible" space
is created. Likely places include new development opposite Lummus Park,
Dorsey Park
• Operations and maintenance must be included in the planning process from
the beginning
C)Community partners can be involved in the creation of "defensible" spaces.
O Community groups could help with upkeep. Enhancements could be made
E A, in coordination with other development efforts to get synergy.
n The history of Overtown can be told through the parks. History should be
18 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Meeting held April 23, 2002 at Lyric Theater, 819 Northwest Second Ave.
• Reeves Park is too far from the Northwest Fifth Street housing projects.
Kids can't walk from their houses to Reeves Park because of crime at the
intersection of Northwest Seventh Street and Northwest Fifth Avenue,
which is the center of drug activity in the neighborhood.
Lummus Park is considered to be part of East Little Havana. Fencing on the
north side makes access difficult and seems to deliberately prevent residents
of Overtown from using the park or accessing the Miami River. The historic
structures in the park and the history of early settlement on the Miami
River would be of interest to the kids of Overtown, and exclusion from the
park is considered insulting to the community. (One of the structures, the
"Long Building," was originally located at Fort Dallas, near Southeast Sec-
ond Avenue at Southeast Fourth Street. Fort Dallas was an army outpost
established during the Seminole Wars of the early nineteenth century to
protect a slave plantation that was operated on the north bank of the
Miami River in the ,1830s. The structure was moved from its original site
to Lummus Park in 1925. The "Wagner House" was moved to the park in
1981 from its original location near Wagner Creek.)
Northwest Seventh Street has no architectural character and is unpleasant
to walk on, as well as dangerous due to drug activity.
YWCA has a couple of vacant lots with tree coverage adjacent to it. It
would be neat if those open areas were parks.
Athalie Range Park (beneath 1-95)
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
This park was named for a former commissioner who is still alive but who
might want her name taken off the park because it is such a substandard
facility. The park is often overlooked. The park is used as a soup kitchen
and is difficult to access. The park serves as a meeting place for a domino
club that has been in continuous operation in Overtown since 1930,
when it was established in Good Bread Alley, which was eliminated by I-
95. Club members provide their own tables and chairs. There is no domino
park for this club. There are twelve domino parks serving the Cuban com-
munity. This is not fair.
• There is a lot of vacant land that could be used as parks.
• Home ownership is discouraged by city policy that clears land but doesn't
build on it.
• Rosa Parks School lacks a playground. The school is located on the former
site of a commercial laundry. Environmental problems prevented con-
struction of a permanent school building there. Portable classrooms are
used instead. A community garden established adjacent to the school is
therefore located on hazardous soil.
• Overtown could use more public an.
• There is a map generated in the 1998 charette that details all the "sacred
places" of Overtown.
• Booker T. Washington High School is an important part of the commu-
nity, but it is isolated from the community.There is no access to it and
there is no neighborhood around it. It needs to be connected to the entire
community. There needs to be a Metroraii stop at the school. There
needs to be access to the school from the projects northeast of 1-95 and I-
395, such as Town Park Village and Williams Park.
Chapman House, on the grounds of the school is an interesting asset but it
is isolated. The house could be moved to a better location, as has hap-
pened in Beale Street in Memphis, or on Seville Square, in Pensacola,
which are both made up of historic houses relocated from other locations
within their cities.
r. Northwest Second Avenue is designated as the Historic Entertainment
c4 District. Historic structures could be moved there from other locations in
E 'b Sir preserve ehistory fhse and establish an
Similar o Beale Street In Memphis. o at BookerT.Washington
High School, the Chapman House, the x-ray clinic, the architect's office
00 � on 12th, etc. would be candidates.
The Ninth Street Pedestrian Mail needs to fit into some context
The mall was vandalized and destroyed. It needs to be fixed and extended
starting from Mt. Zion and moving east so that the money doesn't nun out
before the Overtown portion is completed. When the mall was built with
UMTA grants, the citizens who were displaced between Sixth and Tenth
and between the FEC railroad and Northwest Second Avenue were sup-
posed to be given the chance to return.
All the streets in Overtown need to be safe and attractive
Drug dealers and purse -snatchers make all the streets unsafe. Northwest
Fifth Avenue at Northwest Seventh Street is the intersection with the most
drug activity in the streets and in the shops. Northwest Fourth Avenue
between Northwest Seventh and Northwest Eighth Streets is called "Hell's
Kitchen" because of drug activity. Northwest Fifth Street is a jammed party
scene on Friday night with lots of drug activity.
FEC Corridor is a major barrier
It is only possible to cross at Fourteenth or Twentieth by car, but people
used to walk over the tracks at the streets in between. Now, with new
fencing, people can't get access to bus lines on the east side of the tracks that
take transfers and sometimes can't make it to work if they don't have the
extra 50 cents for buses on the west side. This is perceived to take the place
of a wall that once stood on Twelfth Avenue to keep people from exiting
Overtown.
• The Homeless Assistance Center at 1515 Miami Avenue is an asset.
• The FDOT basin near the Women's Detention Center has become a beauti-
ful amenity thanks to birds from the Everglades bringing in seeds. It has 23
kinds of waterfowl and all the plants that grow in the Everglades. People
should be able to use it as a park. The water is fenced off so it is safe, but
strolling paths and half -pipe skating park features could be added to make it a
real park. It is called the Overtown Everglades.
• Overtown needs tropical vegetation so it can fit in with the rest of the
atmosphere of Miami and the beach and be a tropical place.
• Overtown needs shade for old people.
• People in Overtown used to brag about their gardens. There used to be a lot
of fruit trees and shade trees. The trees at the Culmer Center are left over
from the gardens of houses that were cleared to make the Culmer Center.
People still remember whose house was near the remaining trees, such as the
Tamarind Tree. Overtown needs more of those trees and gardens.
0
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 19
CJ
t
Oo
tern
n
• Shabby vacant buildings are at the entrances to Overtown. Overtown needs Greenprint Steering Committee Workshop: the Greenway Concept
a Gateway at Eighth Street across from the People's Restaurant. Meeting held May 29, 2002 at YWCA, 351 Northwest Fifth Street
• Fourteenth Street is a good east -west connector to the Center for the It is vital that actual residents of Overtown have a say in guiding the pro -
Performing Arts and has the Miami Skills Center. cess. The steering committee is not the same as the residents. Mayor's
• The Miami Skills Center needs something to be done with it. office can provide contact information for all the neighborhood resident
• Northwest Second Avenue as it jogs under the Metrorail could be en- groups who need to be included. It is important to make clear presentations
hanced
with clear choices to make.
• Twentieth Street all the way to Margaret Pace Park should be an east -west
connector
• Overtown should be connected to the Miami Circle
"If you could have one thing right now, what would it be?":
• Housing
• Enhancements of the streets and places to hang out
• Enhancement of the parks and variation within the parks
• Tropical park
• Skate board park
• Folklife Village
• To fit in with Miami, the beach, the tropics
• Jobs that will come from beautification
• Put a face on Overtown—an image, a spirit, a visualization, some public an
that people could galvanize around
• A tree canopy —a green frame for public spaces, a tropical atmosphere
• Safety and security
• Gardens and plants like the ones that used to be there —fruit and shade
trees, philodendrons, flowering tropical trees, native canopy trees —not trashy
olives
• To bring downtowners to the Folklife Village
• The A 1 Bay Link route
A mural under the expressway on 14th Street at Northwest Third Av-
enue —you'd never expect something there
• Where is the money coming from?
• Maria Nardi, City Planning Department pointed out that the Greenprint
will be reflected in the Overtown CPA redevelopment plan update and in
the city's own plan for a landscape master plan for the city.
• A greenway should address drainage and sustainability
• Seventeenth and Nineteenth are beautiful streets
• Lighting is critical for all streets
• Bikeways are important
• School kids all have to walk from their neighborhoods to Frederick Douglass
or the other elementary school. Routes for them to walk safely are impor-
tant. Current routes are Sixth and Eighth to Third.
Greenprint Steering Committee Workshop: Implementation Strategies
Meeting held June 19, 2002 YWCA, 351 Northwest Fifth Street
Bill Mauze outlined steps that Overtown community members are taking
to advance the goals of redevelopment.They have established a coalition of
CDCs under the support of the Knight Foundation. It is called the Overtown
Community Development and Design Center and will be housed in the
Dorsey House. It includes BAME Development Corporation of South Florida,
Inc., St. John's Community Development Corporation, Local Initiative Sup-
port Corporation, and the Collins Center. They have hired an executive
director, Phil Bacon, and are in the process of defining his job responsibili-
ties. Suggestion: use the Greenprint as a guide for things Phil should work
with the city to accomplish.
Mr. Mauze indicated that the Empowerment Trust is the most promising of
the redevelopment entities in Overtown these days. It is under the direc-
tion of Brian Finney, who is also the director of the Office of Community
and Economic Development. They control all the money.
Mr. Henderson noted the CRA is looking into leasing space under the
Metrorail for parking. He will provide a contact so we can look into this.
I
20 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Greenprint Steering Committee Workshop: Priority Route
Meeting held August 8, 2002 YWCA, 351 Northwest Fifth Street
Three alternative routes and a table of evaluation criteria were presented to the
steering committee, which was asked to identify the priority route of the
greenway plan. "All of the above" was presented as a fourth option. The greenway
priority route is defined as a single corridor that will be an identifiable extension
of the Miami River Greenway that is distinct from the network of pedestrian
thoroughfares that lead to it. Each possible greenway alignment was evaluated
for its appropriateness as the greenway priority route based on community
input, existing improvement plans in Overtown, and other criteria. Those that
were determined to be most beneficial and most feasible for development were
identified as the three alternative priority routes. Other possible alignments will
be included in the Greenprint recommendations for the improvement of pedes-
trian corridors throughout Overtown.
The steering committee endorsed Option A as the priority greenway route that
will form the basis of the development of the Greenway Plan. The Committee
recommended that the other components of the Greenway Concept Plan be
included in the Greenprint for Overtown.
aR
EVALUATION
CRITERION OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C
Relatively easy,
Time consuming
Time consuming
Is it easy to build?
requires negotiation
and complex,
and complex,
with Metrorail
requiring
requiring
adoption into
adoption into
City of Miami
City of Miami
CIP Budget
CIP Budget and
negotiation with
FEC
Does it include the
most linkages to
important community
1
2
3
assets?
Is It least costly?
1
2
3
Is It included in an
existing Improvement
NO
PARTIAL
PARTIAL
plan?
Is there a Pilot
YES
NO
YES
Project Opportunity?
Does it ADD
something to the
Greenprint that
YES
NO
PARTIAL
would not otherwise
be included?
Figure 10: Table of Evaluation Criteria
0
z
22 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
POSSIBLE ALIGNMENT - OPTION A
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Figure 11: Possible Alignment Options A, B, and C
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
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POSSIBLE ALIGNMENT - OPTION B
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OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
23
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5. THE OVERTOWN GREENWAY ACTION PLAN
GREENWAY ELEMENTS DESIGN GUIDELINES
The basic building blocks of the greenway are described in the design guidelines
below. The locations of these elements along the greenway route are indicated
in the Overtown Greenway Plan, which identifies the precise routing of the
greenway, its linkages and its features. The Overtown Greenway Plan also
identifies zones along the greenway route that can be funded, implemented and
maintained by specific development partners. The Overtown Greenway Action
Plan provides costs per zone based on the unit costs below.
Pedestrian Bikeways
Pedestrian paths and bikeways are the key element of the Overtown Greenway.
These paths provide clear, well -lit, safe routes for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Both in -road bike lanes and combined pedestrian/bikeways are proposed.
Pedestrian bikeways will typically be used by children and cruising cyclists while
in -road bike lanes will serve serious cyclists. A continuous pedestrian bikeway
along the entire greenway route should provide sufficient room for pedestrians
and cyclists to pass and include safe crossing at street intersections. Pedestrian
bikeways should be made of an easily maintained material such as asphalt or
concrete paving that adheres to accessibility standards for pedestrians. Minimum
clearances of 8-12 feet horizontally (20 feet where space permits) and 7-8
feet vertically as well as standard maximum slope, cross slope, gaps and vertical
changes in surface should be maintained throughout the greenway route. In-
road bike lanes should be a minimum of 4-6 feet. Shared car and bike lanes
should be a minimum 14-16 feet. Pedestrian bikeways should cost in the range
of $100- $200 per lineal foot for paving and $60-$120 per lineal foot for
pedestrian lighting.
Landscape Enhancements
Shade is the primary goal of landscape enhancement along the greenway route.
The tropical climate of Miami makes biking and walking uncomfortable in the
summer and a canopy of shade trees is critical to establishing the greenway as a
viable open space amenity. At the same time, the tropical climate of Miami
allows luxuriant growth of a variety of plants that add considerable interest to
the experience of living here. Creation of a "tropical" atmosphere is therefore
another goal for landscape enhancements along the greenway route. Overtown's
garden traditions are a potential point of pride and community involvement and
�d creation of opportunities to practice these traditions is another goal of landscape
�C..i enhancements. Landscape enhancement should cost in the range of $5 per
nc)o square foot for planting areas and $100-200 per lineal foot of tree canopy.
24 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
0
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Pedestrian Waysides
Opportunities to rest and refresh along the greenway route are an important
component of making the walking and biking experience comfortable and
enjoyable. Pedestrian waysides should therefore be located regularly along the
greenway route and sited carefully to coincide with points of interest. Each
Neighborhood Gateway should incorporate a pedestrian wayside. In addition,
waysides can be located at decision points along the greenway route where
orientation signage can provide users with a reason to pause. People feel more
comfortable resting in a place where there appears to be a reason to pause.
Informational signage, interpretive elements and drinking fountains provide such
reasons. Large, shady trees provide a similar reason to take a break. Each wayside
should include lighting, seating, a litter receptacle, a bike rack and where a
shade tree canopy has not grown up yet, a shade structure. Security features
such as telephones should also be sited regularly along the greenway route at
pedestrian waysides. The cost for pedestrian wayside components should be in
the following ranges: Pedestrian light: $3,000-5,000, Litter receptacle: $800-
$1,000, Seating: $800-$1,000 per bench, $400-$600 per drum seating
cluster, Bike rack: $300-$500; Drinking fountain: $2,500-$4,000, including
plumbing; Shade structure: $5,000-$10,000; Telephone: $3,000-$6,000.
The cost for a typical pedestrian wayside, excluding special elements such as
historical markers should be in the range of $4,500 to $15,000.
0
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 25
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Wayrinding
A key method of ensuring that the greenway is an effective recreational corridor
is to clearly identify it. Confidence in the greenway's potential to provide a
safe, enjoyable experience is created when it is clear to potential users that it is
well-defined and thoughtfully appointed with clearly identified pathways and
interesting places along the way. The Overtown Greenway Plan identifies the
greenway route and its linkages as well as interesting destinations along these
paths. This can be reinforced by using wayfinding techniques including design
consistency and signage. Establishing an identifiable design vocabulary for all
amenities along the route will provide a form of passive wayfinding that allows
users to recognize the Overtown Greenway as a distinct corridor. In addition,
directional signage that identifies the Overtown Greenway and points users to
linkages and facilities along the way can be sited along the greenway route.
Wayfinding signage should include a standard "trail marker" element located at
intervals along the route and at decision points to ensure that the route is clear.
Trail markers should incorporate the Overtown Greenway logo and be a simple,
relatively inexpensive but distinctive elements that can be easily and affordably
installed and maintained or replaced. Wayfinding signage should also include
informational signs at key points along the route to provide orientation.
Informational signage should be related to the trail marker in design and include
guider signs at both a pedestrian scale to be located like trail markers and at a
vehicular -scale to be located at intersections. Larger information kiosks
incorporating maps should be located at decision points along the route.
Informational signage should be distinct from historical and interpretive signage
and should provide information about the greenway, its linkages and nearby
points of interest, directing greenway users to these features. Wayfinding signs
should cost in the range of $750 for a trail marker, $1,500 for a small pedestrian
guider, $4,000 for a larger vehicular -scale intersection marker; $5,000 for an
information kiosk with map.
Miss Precious Ferguson's winning entry in the
Overtown Greenway Logo design contest will
be incorporated into all greenway signage.
26
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$ Map
Kiosk
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY
BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL
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OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
Trail
Marker
Historical and Interpretive Markers
Points of interest along the greenway can be marked by a variety of historical
or interpretive elements that provide information about features located along
or near the greenway or that are themselves points of interest. These markers
should be distinct from the wayfinding signage located along the route and may
be designed as part of a public art program in the form of signage or sculpture.
An interpretive plan coordinated with the Black Heritage Trail should be
developed to guide the placement, content and design of historical interpretive
elements. A broad range of history and nature oriented educational topics can
be incorporated into the greenway's interpretive plan. The design of each marker
should be unique, with each marker costing in the range of $1,000-5000 or
more, depending upon the funding sources available.
Neighborhood Gateways
Special features can establish activity nodes along the greenway at Neighborhood
Gateways. Gateway monuments and pocket park facilities for special activities
such as gardening, gathering, memorials, or recreational activities can be designed
specifically for each Neighborhood Gateway identified along the greenway route.
The designs for each Gateway should reflect the interests, stewardship
committment and funding resources of the development partners in that area of
the greenway. The cost for special features at neighborhood gateways should
be in the following ranges: Gateway signs or monuments: $4,000 to $100,000;
pocket parks: $10,000-$50,000; Decorative pavement at pedestrian crossings:
$12,000-$15,000.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 27
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Step 1: Establishing a Right -of -Way
Development strategies for the greenway must focus initial efforts on establishing
a right-of-way for the greenway. The Overtown Greenway route is for the
most part planned within publicly held vacant land. Key landholders include
Metroraii, the Florida Department of Transportation, US Housing and Urban
Development, the Florida Fast Coast Railway, the City of Miami and Miami
Dade County Public Schools. in addition, Florida Power and Light maintains
facilities along NW 11 th Terrace. Land ownership along the proposed greenway
route should be verified by a licensed surveyor and all existing easements, use
agreements or leases verified through a thorough title search.
Once land ownership is verified, the existing procedures and requirements for
granting access should be investigated for each of the verified land holders
within the proposed greenway route. Easements, leases, use agreements,
partnerships, existing improvement programs and other methods of establishing
a right-of-way for the Overtown Greenway should be explored through discussion
with each of the land holders. Exisitng leases and other use agreements should
be identified so that alternative arrangements for current lease holders can be
explored.
City of Miami officials can play a key role in this stage of the development
process by assisting in the identification of current and future use agreements,
leases or other arrangements within the proposed greenway right-of-way that
will impact greenway development in the short and long-term. City officials can
help identify phasing options or alternative strategies.
Step 2: Establishing a Management Authority
Identifying an entity to oversee the long-term management and maintenance of
the greenway is critical to its success. The long-term management of the greenway
should be assigned to a single, responsible organization. Responsibility for the
administration of use agreements, programming of activities, daily upkeep and
long-term repair must be assumed by an organization with the capacity to
execute these functions reliably. The organization responsible for the greenway
must be accountable to the community and to users of the greenway and have
the institutional capacity to assume full responsibility for the maintenance and
operation of the greenway. The responsible organization could take the form of
a trust administered by a coalition of community groups or by a city agency
similar to the Bayfront Park Trust that is overseen by a board of directors
representing the community. Major landholders along the greenway route, such
as Metrorail and the city of Miami are also potential management authorities
for the greenway. The Miami River Commission or the Miami Exhibition and
Sports Authority are also potential authorities.
As the current condition of the existing Overtown Pedestrian Mall attests,
maintenance and operation are not provided reliably by the City of Miami. The
development of a community -based stewardship program should therefore be
established to provide oversight of whatever entity assumes responsibility for
the greenway. Commitment by community organizations to monitor the
condition of the greenway, perform both day-to-day maintenace and act as the
watch dog organization to ensure performance of repair, upkeep and security
patrols is critical. Local residents are a key resource for stewardship of public
amenties of this kind and can work in concert with an umbrella organization
that serves as the administrator of greenway-related management issues.
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NOiA ❑CAy .'. Wunr QFDOT MMetrwuil .HUD Mirmi-DWe NFEC Rukuad 05ched Baud ®FPl Substatim :Wristac Corp. ■Fitih rtmendmeni MJWJah and
Figure : Land ownership along the Overtown Greenway route. WIDMI'-0o k 7fmma. Inc
28 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
Step 3: Identifying Community Partners for Stewardship
The Overtown Greenway can be divided Into distinct zones where responsibility
for greenway stewardship is assumed by local community partners. Local residents
within each zone will have a greater stake in the segment of the greenway
within their zone and are likely to play a larger role in the maintenance and
upkeep of "their" section of the greenway. Likewise, locals will expect meaningful
input into the programming of activities and the design of each of the individual
facilities within their zone. Developing a committment to stewardship is important
to the success of the greenway and to foster a sense of ownership, each zone
should be developed based on the expectations of local community members
about how they will use the greenway as well as the level of committment they
are willing to make as local stewards of the greenway. Community partners
within each zone can also contribute to the funding of the greenway facilities
within that zone.
Spring Garden
Local users of the Spring Garden section would likely be residents of Spring
Garden and Highland Park as well as patrons of the Winn Dixie Market coming
from Overtown. Visitors would likely include users of the Miami River Greenway
and people using the Culmer Station to either visit the Winn Dixie Market or
the Miami River Greenway. Spring Garden and Highland Park Resident
Associations should be involved in the specific design of the facilities within this
section of the greenway. Likewise, these resident associations are potential partners
in the day-to-day upkeep of the greenway. Because Winn Dixie Market is an
important desitination along the greenway--it is likely that trekkers on the Miami
River Greenway and Overtown Greenway alike will stop at the market for
refreshments --Winn Dixie is a potential steward of the greenway as well.
11 th Terrace
The local users of the 1 1 th Terrace section are likely to be primarily students
and their care givers who accompany them to school. A "Safe Walk to School"
program should be integrated with the design of the greenway in this section to
ensure that the greenway reflects the recommendations of the program and
takes advantage of the resources available to this program, whether for funding
through the MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Program or coordination with the
V schools. Miami Dade County Public Schools should be involved in the design of
tr: specific features and also involved in stewardship. The Parent Teacher Association
1 end student organizations are also potential stewards of the school walk section
::�Df the greenway. The Roots in the City Community Garden program has a
aO �mique role to play in the development of the greenway in this section, where
3�acant land provides an opportunity to develop community gardens that can be
maintained by the group and fulfill the program's mission in skills training.
Historic Overtown
The Historic Overtown section of the greenway is likely to be the most intensively
used section of the greenway once the redevelopment of the area has truly
taken off but because the area is currently the least populated area along the
greenway route it does not have a local population of potential stewards and
will not have the "eyes on the street" provided in Spring Garden or along the
11 th Terrace school walk. The upkeep and programming of activities for the
greenway in this district will likely become an undertaking requiring a serious
committment from a variety of organizations throughout the community. Because
the historic district is potentially the anchor of the community, the design of
this section of the greenway should reflect the input of a broad spectrum of the
community. The Overtown Community Development and Design Center is a
potential coordinator for the variety of organizations and community members
who may play a role in development and stewardship. Because of the district's
importance as a redevelopment anchor, the City of Miami Community
Redevelopment Agency, the Downtown Development Authority, the
Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority and
Department of Parks and Recreation are also potential participants.
Park West
The Park West section of the greenway lies in the center of what is meant to be
an active, pedestrian -oriented urban neighborhood. As redevelopment in this
area takes hold, the number of retail and restaurant destinations on NE 9th
Street will increase, making this a vibrant part of the greenway. The development
of a pedestrian -oriented urban street with a designated in -road bike lane and
way -finding signage can be integrated with the redevelopment plan for the area
and follow the design principles established for Park West by the city of Miami.
The greenway will be one more use that adds richness to the street but the
design and the maintenance of the street are an integral piece of the streetscape
character of downtown Miami.
Other Stewardshp Partners
Miami -Dade County has less than 10% tree coverage --one of the lowest tree -
coverages of any metropolitan area in the nation. In response, the county has
developed an Adopt -a -Tree program that could play a role in the development
of the tree canopy along the greenway route by providing community groups
with resources. Miami also has an active local community interested in tropical
plants. Fairchild Tropical Garden, The Kampong, the Flowering Tropical Tree
Society, the Tropical Fruit Society and other horticultural societies could play a
role in providing expertise in the selection, sourcing and maintenance of plantings
along the greenway and partner with local organizations to develop the greenway
as a tropical microhabitat in the urban core.
A
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 29
Step 4: Establishing the Implementation and Funding Strategy
Establishing dedicated funding sources for the greenway's design, construction,
management and maintenance will be the first order of business for the
management authority established for the greenway. The variety of possibilities
outlined in "Implementation and Funding Options" should be explored in detail
to identify committed development partners and to establish a funded
implementation program for the greenway or its components. Grant funding
available to the Trust for Public Land makes a pilot project possible and provides
an opportunity to explore these options and establish a model for the
development of the complete Overtown Greenway.
Step 5: Design Development
Once the design parameters for the greenway are established by the completion
of an implementation strategy that addresses right-of-way, management,
stewardship, and funding, the design of the greenway can proceed in a phased
manner under the guidance of a steering committee made up of key stakeholders.
Steering committee members should include representatives of the management
authority, community stewardship partners and development partners identified
in the previous step.
The Overtown Greenway pilot project will establish the design of the standard
elements that will be used throughout the greenway, such as paving, lighting,
pedestrian wayside elements and wayfinding signage and therefore the steering
committee for the pilot project should include community partners from all
zones of the greenway. The design of Neighborhood Gateway and historical
interpretive features should be carried out under the guidance of a steering
committee representing the community partners from the stewardship zone in
which the feature is located.
For each phase of the design development, including the pilot project and all
subsequent development phases, a professional team lead by landscape architects
should propose alternative designs to the steering committee for its review and
input. The design team should include civil, traffic and electrical engineers, a
signage designer and interpretive planner. Historians, educators and artists can
be included in the design process either as members of the design team or as
members of the steering committee. Conceptual designs for each greenway
feature that meet with the approval of the steering committee and that reflect a
feasible, funded implementaion program will be developed into construction
documents.
Step 6: Construction
Construction of the greenway should be carried out under the guidance of an
experienced construction project manager acting on behalf of the management
authority. Responsibility for the quality of construction, management of funding
and schedules, compliance with all relevent construction standards and ultimate
legal responsibility for the greenway lies with the management authority as one
of its primary functions. The successful realization of the greenway will depend
upon project management that is consistent, of the highest standard and staffed
by professionals with exerience appropriate for a project of this scope. Phasing,
coordination of development partner involvement and strategic planning will be
required to successfully manage the implementation of the greenway. The cost
of the greenway's full build -out is outlined below.
ESTIMATE OF PROBABLE COST OF CONSTRUCTION (based on design guideline unit prices for elements identified in plan)
N
Pedestrian Bikeways
Landscaping
Waysides
Wayfinding
Markers
Gateways
All Elements
Spring Garden
$800,000
$800,000
$24,000
$26,000
$25,000
$250,000
$1,925,000
11th Terrace
$800,000
$1,500,000
$39,000
$45,000
$50,000
$250,000
$2,684,000
Historic Overtown $480,000
$100,000
$24,000
$27,000
$50,000
$150,000
$831,000
Park West
$800,000
$500,000
$9,000
$27,000
$25,000
$100,000
$1,461,000
Total
$2,880,000
$2,900,000
$96,000
$125,000
$150,000
$750,000
$6,901,000
Grand Total
with 25% for design and contingency included
$8,626,000
00 � 30 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
F+
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
3
Step 6: Management and Use
Once complete, the greenway will require on -going upkeep and programming
of activities in order to maintain it as an active, vital community resource. To
remain alive and well, the greenway must keep "eyes on the greenway" to
ensure that it is a defensible public space that plays a role in the life of the
community. Stewardship activities to ensure this vitality should be the joint
responsibility of the management authority and community stewardship partners.
The role of each should be clearly defined and a system of interaction between
the two established to ensure accountability.
The role of the management authority will include activities such as management
of construction, liaison with community partners, administration of use
agreements or leases, programming of activities, daily upkeep and long-term
repair. These activities may be performed by the managment authority directly
or by other entities to be coordinated through the management authority. The
appearance and functionality of the greenway and safety within the greenway
will be the responsibility of the greenway management authority. Long-term
integrity of the greenway route as an uninterupted corridor will also be the
responsibility of the management authority, which should work to ensure that
future development accomodates the greenway. Ensuring adequate funding for
all necessary activities and administration of funds dedicated to the greenway
will also be the resposibility of the management authority. Community members
and groups should participate in any or all of these functions, especially daily
upkeep and programming of activities, as active stewardship partners. Community
stewardship partners should have the authority, through a board of directors or
citizens' advisory panel, to be involved in guiding policy decisions, monitoring
the performance of the management authority and initiating programs,
improvements and activities, including fund raising. Each community stewardship
partner should assume direct responsibility for some aspects of the up -keep and
management of the greenway within its zone.
Establishing the greenway as a desirable place to be for all community members
is critical and will require on -going involvement by the community. Defensible
public spaces require design and programming of uses that will truly activate the
greenway and ensure community interest. Through participation in the design
of features, each stewardship partner can set the stage for the active involvement
of the community in the use of the greenway. Gateways, interpretive features
and activity elements that reflect the interests of the community and that are
1-0 useful, enjoyable amenities will attract and retain users, thereby keeping "eyes
on the greenway." All ages and both genders should be accomodated by some
n activity to encourage a broad range of users. Community Gardens should be
sized and designed to be easily maintained by the available and interested users,
features for gathering should be demand -driven elements that will be used
routinely by loyal followers such as organized clubs, community groups and
educational programs; pocket park activity features should be imaginative and
provide a variety of fun activities, developed with input from children and youths
to ensure that the most desirable toys and play features --as determined by
actual kids --are incorporated.
Regularly scheduled community activities that will keep "eyes on the greenway"
should also be developed by community stewards. Sponsored events to activate,
maintain and raise funds for the greenway or for other community needs can be
developed for the greenway. These activities might include athletic events, arts
and cultural festivals or market days, club meetings, civic and church -group
activities, parties and gatherings, and musical events. The "River -to -Bay" theme
of the greenway offers opportunities to develop a program of regular events
that reflect this theme and promote community -wide participation. The annual
foot race held in San Francisco called "Bay to Breakers" is a model for similar
events that can take place along the Overtown Greenway. In this event,
participants run through the city from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific
Ocean. The event, which is challenging athletically, attracts runners of
international stature as well as community members of no athletic ability who
join in for the fun, many in costume. A similar River -to -Bay actiicty can be
planned by community members for the Overtown Greenway as a fund raiser
or festival even before completion of the greenway itself. As the Miami River
Greenway and Bay Walk are implemented, the event can be extended to include
the downtown Miami "necklace of parks" as a whole.
Daily up -keep activities such as routine inspection and security patrols can be
performed by community members as well. The Roots in the City Program can
provide a useful model and pilot program. Similar programs that address other
requirements for maintaining a "green infrastructure" can be developed both
by community groups and city agencies and contribute not only to the well-
being of the greenway but establish a skilled pool of "stewards" for the city of
Miami's open space network as it takes shape over the coming years.
Maintenance is a critical limiting factor in the development of such a network
and expanding upon the Roots in the City model program for civic beautification
can establish a foundation for continued growth and development.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 31
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OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
MIAMI RIVER GATEWAY
Major Gateway linking the Overtown and Miami River Greenways
Pocket park on the Miami River with waysides and interpretive features
Pedestrian/Bikeway along NW 12th Court including wayfinding signage
Pedestrian crossing at NW 11th Street
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
SPRING GARDEN GATEWAY
Gateway sign or monument
Pocket park at Canal with a wayside and interpretive features
Pedestrian crossing of NW 8th Street Road to link NW i 1 th Street to
Culmer Station Pedestrian/Bikeway
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 35
NW 11 th STREET PEDESTRIAN BIKEWAY
Streetscape enhancements from NW 12th Avenue to NW 7th Avenue
including street trees, widened sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, wayfinding
signage and waysides
Landscape enhancement within Winn Dixie Market landscape buffer zone
Pedestrian connections to Winn Dixie Market
Establishment of in -road bike lanes
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36 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
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Gateway sign or monument
Pedestrian Crossing of NW 7th Avenue to establish a link between
Culmer Station and Booker T. Washington Safe Route to School
CALMER STATION PEDESTRIAN BIKEWAY
Pedestrian/Bikeway adjacent to bus way
Wayfinding markers along NW 11 th Street and Pedestrian/Bikeway
Pedestrian links to Highland Park neighborhood
Link to Culmer Gateway
61
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 37
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BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL
Link to Culmer Gateway
Extension of NW 1 1 th Terrace to NW 7th Avenue to create a
Pedestrian/Bikeway with wayfinding signage
Pedestrian/Bikeways along NW 1 1 th Terrace with separated bus lane
Educational/Historical Interpretive Elements
Landscape Enhancement within Metrorail right-of-way to create a green
connection between school and neighborhood
Pocket park with pedestrian waysides, community garden and play
features
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 39
REEVES GATEWAY
Gateway sign or monument
Pedestrian passage across Metrorail right-of-way to link Sth Avenue
neighborhood and Reeves Park to Safe Routes to School
Enhancement of FPL Power Station enclosure
PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS AT 1-95
Pedestrian/Bikeways along NW 1 Ith Terrace
Enhancement within FDOT right-of-way
Educational/Historical Interpretive Elements
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40 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
FREDERICK DOUGLASS SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL
Link to Dorsey Gateway
Pedestrian/Bikeways along NW 11 th Terrace with wayfinding signage
and separated bus lane
Educational/Historical Interpretive Elements
Landscape Enhancement within Metrorail right-of-way to create a green
connection to D.A. Dorsey Way
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 41
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DORSEY GATEWAY
A Major Gateway Monument to mark the center of Overtown
Pedestrian Crossing of NW 3rd Avenue to link Frederick Douglass Safe
Route to School and Overtown Pedestrian Mall Extension
Pedestrian/Bikeway along NW 11 th Terrace and Metrorail right-of-way
Landscape enhancement within Metrorail right-of-way
Pedestrian waysides
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TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 43
FOLKLIFE VILLAGE GATEWAY
Gateway sign or monument
Pedestrian crossings at NW 2nd Avenue at NW 1 1 th Street
Pedestrian Waysides
Connection to Overtown Pedestrian Mall
Landscape enhancement within Metrorail right-of-way
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A. Lyric Theatre E. Mt. Zion Baptist Church
B. D.A. Dorsey House F. Ebenzer M.E. Church
C. Cola Nip Bottling Company G. Greater Bethel AME Church
D. Ward Rooming House H. Dr. Johnson's X-ray Clinic
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
PEDESTRIAN MALL EXTENSION 8t RESTORATION
Pedestrian/Bikeway within Metrorail right-of-way
Pedestrian waysides
Historical interpretive elements
Landscape enhancement of Metrorail right-of-way and vacant land
Pedestrian Crossing of NW First Court at NW 1 Oth Street
Link to existing Pedestrian Mail
Restoration of existing Pedestrian Mail
Extension of Pedestrian Mail across FEC right-of-way to link Pedestrian
Mall and Miami Rambla
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 45
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OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN
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Restoration of streetscape, fountain, monument, plantings
NE 9th STREET PEDESTRIAN BIKEWAY
Streetscape enhancements including street trees, widened sidewalks,
pedestrian lighting, wayfinding markers
Establishment of in -road bike lane
BISCAYNE BOULEVARD GATEWAY
A Major Gateway monument on west side of Biscayne Boulevard
announcing the Overtown Greenway
Pedestrian crossing of Biscayne Boulevard to link the Overtown Greenway
to Bicentennial Park
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OVERTOWN GREENWAY PLAN 47
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02- 181
* OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................ 1
PARTI — EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................. 2
PARTII - INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 6
1. GREENPRINT DEFINED: ............................................................................... I ........................... 6
2. STUDY AREA: ......................................................................................................................... 6
PART III - EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................ 9
1. COMMUNITY PARKS: .................. I ............ I ............................................................................... 9
2. COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACES: ........................................................................................ 10
3. COMMUNITY PATHWAYS: ...................................................................................................... 10
4. NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS: ...................................................................................................... 10
5. SIDEWALK NETWORK: ........................................................................................................... 11
6. GREENWAYS:....................................................................................................................... 12
7. COMMUNITY GARDENS:
8. HISTORIC/CULTURAL RESOURCES: ....................................................................................... 12
PART IV — NEEDS AND PRIORITIES....................................................................................... 14
1. PUBLIC WORKSHOP: ............................................................................................................. 14
2. Focus GROUPS: .................................................................................................................. 15
3. INTERVIEWS: ........................................................................................................................ 16
4. COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS AND SURVEY: .......................................................................... 17
5. STEERING COMMITTEE: ........................................................................................................ 17
6. NEEDS AND PRIORITIES SUMMARY: ....................................................................................... 18
PART V — GREENPRINT SYSTEM VISION.............................................................................. 19
1. PROCESS: ............................................................................................................................ 19
2. ISSUES AND IDEAS (OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS): ...................................................... 19
3. THEMES:.............................................................................................................................. 20
4. PRINCIPLES: ......................................................................................................................... 21
5. SYSTEM:............................................................................................................................... 21
6. THE GREENPRINT PLAN'
j, PART VI — IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM............................................................................. 25
I1. STRATEGIES: ........................................................................................................................ 25
2. ESTIMATE OF PROBABLE COSTS: .......................................................................................... 27
APPENDICIES
Appendix A: 4.23.02 Community Workshop Meeting Minutes
Appendix B: 4.24.02 Focus Group Meeting Minutes
Appendix C: Interview Minutes
Appendix D: Overtown Greenprint Plan Public Comment Form
Appendix E: Public Comment Form Response Tabulation
Appendix F: Greenprint Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
Trust for Public Land SFQAWXRA
Overtown
02- 181
OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
Acknowledgements
This Plan represents the collaborative effort of a project team comprised of the Trust for Public
Land, the Greenprint Steering Committee and Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart,
Inc. We acknowledge and thank the following people who have contributed information and
participated in the development of this Greenprint Plan.
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Brenda Marshall, Associate State Director
Lavinia Freeman, Program Manager
THE GREENPRINT STEERING COMMITTEE
David Days, Executive Director, St. John Community Development Corporation
Gonzalo DeRamon, Vice President, Bank of America
Juan Espinosa, Vice President of Transportation, David Plummer & Associates
Javier Fernandez, Senior Advisor/Policy Coordinator, City of Miami, Mayor's Office
Gregory Gay, Urban Community Planner, City of Miami Planning and Zoning
Terri Griffin, Assistant Director, City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department
David Henderson, Bike/Pedestrian Specialist, Miami -Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization
Father George Knab, Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Parish
Bill Mauzy, Executive Director, Bame Development Corporation of South Florida
Maria Nardi, Chief of Urban Design, City of Miami Planning Department
Reverend James L. Phillips, Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church
Eileen Maloney -Simon, Executive Director, YWCA
Kristopher Smith, Project Director, National Conference for Community and Justice
THE KNIGHT FOUNDATION PARTNERS
Brenda Marshall and Lavinia Freeman, The Trust for Public Land
Dr. Dorothy Fields, Founder, Archivist Historian, Black Archives History and Research
Foundation of South Florida
Bernice Butler, Collins Fellow, Development Director of Real Estate, Collins Center for Public
Policy
Denis Russ, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
CONSULTANTS WORKING ON RELATED PLANS FOR THE OVERTOWN AREA
Ray Gindroz, FAIA, Managing Principal, Urban Design Associates
Gerald Marston, ASLA, Principal, Wallace Roberts & Todd
Carolyn Mitchell, Landscape Architect, Wallace Roberts & Todd
Sergio Vasquez, CNU, Senior Project Director, Dover Kohl & Partners
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown page 1
OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
Part I — Executive Summary
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
An Initiative to improve the physical, social and economic
quality of life for residents of Miami's Overtown Community
The Trust for Public Land (TPL), with financial assistance from the John S. and James L. Knight
Foundation and Bank of America, developed this Greenprint Plan to improve the quality of life in
the Overtown community of Miami. The Overtown Greenprint Plan is part of a comprehensive
effort to rekindle the vibrancy and livability of this historic African -American neighborhood. The
Plan aims to develop an interconnected system of urban open spaces including parks, green
spaces, plazas, gardens, sidewalks and bikeways, that are needed to meet residents' daily
recreation, social and living needs and are critical to neighborhood vitality. This system of public
improvements is intended to stabilize and reinvigorate the neighborhood and demonstrate a
community commitment that will attract essential private reinvestment. The time is ripe for this
redevelopment as growth surges in all areas of the city surrounding Overtown.
The Greenprint Plan is part of a broader community revitalization initiative for Overtown that
includes housing and commercial development, as well as education, job opportunities, youth
and family services, and cultural and recreational opportunities for Overtown residents of all
ages. In creating the Greenprint, planners and neighborhood residents alike recognized the
importance of integrating parks planning within the full scope of community revitalization.
Through the Greenprint Plan Overtown can position itself to capture its share of development
activity occurring at its borders and thus share in the revitalization of the Greater Miami
community.
Overtown is one of Miami's most historic neighborhoods. The area lies near the center of the
city and is bounded by NE 1st Avenue on the east and NW 7th Avenue on the west. The
neighborhood was formed in the 1890s when residents of Overtown, hired to construct the
railroad, began to settle in the area. The FEC rail corridor created the first major boundary of
Overtown. The neighborhood formed on the west side of the tracks, segregated from the white
society that inhabited the burgeoning city on the east.
The name Overtown derives literally from its social separation because people had to cross
"ovee' the tracks to enter into the area. In the 1920s, as Miami emerged as a major tourist
destination, Overtown similarly became a vibrant area with its own schools, churches and a
bustling businesses district. The area also became a center for jazz, rivaling Harlem, with
numerous theatres clubs and hotels featuring the most famous entertainers of the day. The
neighborhood was home to a professional community of doctors, lawyers, architects and
educators. SEOPW/CRA
Trust for Public Land
Overtown 0 page
01 OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
In the early 1960s the SR 836/1-395 and 1-95 expressways were constructed through the area,
bisecting Overtown and severely disrupting the grid of walkable streets that characterized the
neighborhood and gave life to its business/entertainment district. The introduction of these
roadways heralded a major change in the neighborhood as large numbers of residents and
businesses were displaced. By 1969 the neighborhood exhibited pervasive conditions of slum
and blight as a consequence of disinvestment and abandonment. By the early 70s the area had
the lowest per capita income and the highest poverty rates of any area of Miami. These trends
continue to plague the area today.
The Overtown Greenprint Plan is based on the fact that parks and open space contribute
significantly to a community's health, stability, economic vitality and quality of life. A quality park
system can help attract tourism, enhance real estate values, attract business and discourage
crime. The Greenprint Plan is designed to help reclaim the vibrancy of the neighborhood by
developing the green infrastructure to support social and economic growth. The Plan relies on
the active participation of Overtown residents, assigning the community the responsibility for
helping to maintain its parks and assuming a role as parks stewards. The Plan also proposes an
ongoing partnership among the City of Miami, the Overtown Community Redevelopment
Authority, the Trust for Public Land and Miami -Dade County, working closely with community
residents and taking advantage of local, state and federal programs to fund, construct and
maintain parks and green spaces.
The Key elements of the Greenprint Plan include:
Renovation of Existing Community Parks - to make them more inviting, attractive and useful
for Overtown residents
Development of Greenways - linear parks that connect the neighborhood with other important
landmarks, activity centers and resources in Overtown and surrounding communities
Development of Gateways and Community Gardens - to beautify the community, to reinforce
its unique identity, and to encourage community involvement
Development of New Community Gathering Spaces - Overtown Market for green produce,
crafts shows and other marketplace activities; and Overtown Green for special events and
festivals
Redevelopment of Major Community Pathways - with shade trees, streetlights, wide multi-
purpose paths and/or bike lanes, to provide safe, functional bicycle/pedestrian corridors
throughout the community
Development of New Neighborhood Parks - to ensure that every resident has convenient
access to open space and recreation facilities
Enhancement of Existing Sidewalks - to provide a safe, shaded, interconnected system
Highlight and Support the Overtown Segment of the Black Heritage Trail - to educate and
inform residents and visitors about Overtown's rich historic and cultural heritage through the use
of interpretive signs, exhibits, public art, music, markers and existing buildings
The elements listed above are illustrated in the Overtown Greenprint Plan on the following page.
02- 181
SEOPW/CRA
Trust for Public Land
Overtown page 3
wd OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
2. Develop a phased 5-year implementation plan to be added to City/County/MPO Capital
Improvement Program.
Highlight and Support Overtown Segment of the Black Heritage Trail
1. Locate historic/cultural sites, develop central theme.
2. Develop Trail Master Plan showing sites and locations of proposed markers, exhibits, public
art, etc.
3. Investigate opportunities to acquire/use targeted sites, apply for funding.
4. Train residents to maintain the trail.
SEOPW/CRA
02-- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown page 5
�.�+✓ OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
Part II - Introduction
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, interested in stimulating redevelopment within the
Overtown area created a collaborative among partner organizations to help rekindle vitality
within this historic Miami neighborhood. The partners in this effort were the Trust for Public
Land; the Collins Center for Public Policy; the St. John Community Development Corporation;
the BAME Development Corporation of South Florida; the Local Initiatives Support Corporation
and the Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida. The Trust for Public
Land elected to use Knight Foundation and Bank of America funds to develop a "Greenprint"
Plan for Overtown. The objective of the plan is to develop specific strategies to enhance urban
open space, recreation, and transportation enhancement opportunities while helping to
stimulate community redevelopment.
There are several simultaneous and potentially complimentary activities that are also being
advanced within the Overtown area. The Trust for Public Land is developing an Overtown
Greenway plan for a linear park system that is intended to connect facilities, landmarks and
resources within Overtown, the first portion of which is the existing Pedestrian Mall constructed
on 9th Street between NW 1st Avenue and NW 2nd Avenue. In addition the Knight Foundation
has awarded a grant to the Collins Center for Public Policy, which is examining Overtown
redevelopment strategies and has initiated efforts to establish a Design Center in Overtown, the
purpose of which is to provide technical assistance and coordinate redevelopment strategies
within the neighborhood. The St. John CDC and BAME Development Corporations are
undertaking a wide range of housing redevelopment and new construction activities in
Overtown. Also, the City of Miami Community Redevelopment Agency is updating its original
Community Redevelopment Plan prepared for the Overtown neighborhood in 1982.
The objective of all parties is that these simultaneous efforts fit together to bring meaningful and
positive redevelopment to the Overtown neighborhood. This document is a roadmap to
incorporate greenspace as a key element of neighborhood revitalization.
1. Greenprint Defined:
A Greenprint Plan is a strategic plan to design and build an interconnected system of urban
open spaces - including parks, greens, gardens, plazas, bikeways and sidewalks. The purpose
of the plan is to invigorate the redevelopment of the neighborhood, as well as to provide the
green infrastructure needed to meet residents' daily recreation, social and living needs. In
Overtown, the Greenprint Plan consists of the following eight elements:
• Community Parks
• Community Gathering Places
• Community Pathways
• Neighborhood Parks
• Sidewalk Network
• Greenways
• Gateways/Community Gardens
• Historic/Cultural Trail
2. Study Area:
The Greenprint Plan for the Overtown neighborhood encompasses approximately a 1.5 square
mile area bounded by NE 1st Avenue (on the east), NW 22nd Terrace (on the north), NW 7tn
Avenue (on the west) and NW 6tn Street (on the south). A map of the study area is provided as
Exhibit 1.
Trust for Public Land --
Overtown who ,, �9
OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
Overtown is one of Miami's most historic neighborhoods. The area lies near the center of the
city and is bounded by NE 1st Avenue on the east and NW 7th Avenue on the west. The
neighborhood was formed in the 1890s when residents of Overtown, hired to construct the
Railroad, began to settle in the area. The FEC Railway corridor created the first major boundary
of Overtown. The neighborhood formed on the west side of the tracks, segregated from the
white society that inhabited the burgeoning city on the east.
The name Overtown derives literally from its social separation because people had to cross
"over' the tracks to enter into the area. In the 1920s, as Miami emerged as a major tourist
destination, Overtown similarly became a vibrant area with its own schools, churches and a
bustling businesses district. The area also became a center for jazz, rivaling Harlem, with
numerous theatres, most notably the Lyric and Ritz, clubs and hotels such as the Mary
Elizabeth Hotel, featuring the most famous entertainers of the day. The after-hours nightlife of
Overtown's entertainment district brought excitement and vibrancy to the neighborhood streets.
The neighborhood was home to numerous civic and benevolent associations such as the
Jaycees, Hour and King clubs, entrepreneurs among whom was D. A. Dorsey, Miami's first
black millionaire, and a professional community of doctors, lawyers, architects and educators.
In the early 1960s the SR 836/1-395 and 1-95 expressways were constructed through the area
bisecting Overtown isolating the area and severely disrupting the grid of walkable streets that
characterized the neighborhood and gave life to its business/entertainment district. 1-395 was
extended east and west through the center of the neighborhood intersecting with 1-95 just north
of NW 14th Street. 1-95 splits the area in a north/south direction. These two elevated roadway
segments became the most prominent physical features of Overtown, scarring its landscape.
The introduction of these roadways heralded a major change in the neighborhood as large
numbers of residents and businesses were displaced. Finally, in the 1980s the Metrorail transit
route was extended through the area to create yet another physical barrier within Overtown.
By 1969 the neighborhood exhibited pervasive conditions of slum and blight as a consequence
of disinvestment and abandonment. The population of the area dropped precipitously from its
peak of 33,000 in the 1960s to slightly more than 8,700 in 1999. By 1980 the unemployment
rate had risen to 9% and the neighborhood had the lowest per capita income and the highest
poverty rates of any area of Miami. These trends continue to plague the area. Several planning
initiatives undertaken over the past three decades have yielded only modest improvements with
little reinvestment despite the neighborhood's continuing commitment to revitalization. Urban
renewal efforts of the 60s and 70s actually spurred further disinvestments leaving large tracts of
vacant, weed -strewn lots throughout the neighborhood.
The Overtown neighborhood is divided by sever I
major transportation corridors SEOPW CRA
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-.0f OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
Part III - Existing Conditions
Following is a summary description of the urban parks and open space facilities that presently
exist within the Overtown neighborhood.
1. Community Parks:
A community park typically includes active facilities (such as baseball and/or football fields,
tennis, handball or racquetball courts) as well as passive facilities (such as picnic areas, trails
and open space). These facilities are intended to serve recreation needs of many
neighborhood areas. There are five facilities within the Overtown study area that can be
classified as community parks including:
• Rainbow Village Park
• Williams Park
• Dorsey Park
• Gibson Park
• Reeves Park
Lummus Park, an additional community park serving the project area, is located just outside
the southwest corner of the study area. In addition, Range Park, located under the 1-95
overpass, between NW 1Oth and NW 11th streets, serves as a location for passive recreation,
primarily dominoes games, which has historically been an important social activity in the
neighborhood.
Although the neighborhood is well served by its community parks in terms of the number of
such facilities that are available throughout Overtown, the parks clearly suffer from minimal or
deferred maintenance and are in need of considerable improvements.
Community Parks
Serve the whole
community, not just the
immediate neighborhood
Are centrally located in the
community.
Have active sports facilities
(baseball, soccer etc.)
Are easily accessible and safe
places for children to play.
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OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
2. Community Gathering Places:
Overtown presently has a variety of important community landmarks and facilities such as the
Lyric Theatre, Peoples Barbeque and Sawyer's Walk. In addition, a wide variety of churches
have served as longstanding community anchors. However, there is a noted absence of
informal social gathering places, plazas and civic spaces were community interaction can
readily occur.
Neighborhood Plazas
Bounded by commercial more than
residential buildings.
Variety of seating types encourage
interaction.
Considerable attention is focused on
the layout, circulation pattern,
planting plan, furnishings, and
lighting.
The height -to -width ratio of buildings
to outdoor space create a human
scaled settinq.
3. Community Pathways:
A community pathway is a prominent pedestrian route linking significant facilities within the
neighborhood, such as churches, parks, retail centers, schools and civic spaces. Community
pathways also link,the community to destinations outside the neighborhood. Examples of
such sites in the Overtown area would be the Miami River and the proposed riverwalk, the
Jackson Memorial medical complex, the Winn Dixie Market Place and Bicentennial Park.
Community pathways have adequate width (a minimum width of 8 feet is preferred) to permit
simultaneous, safe foot and bicycle traffic.
As noted in the general project area description above, a major transportation corridor
interrupts virtually every community pathway throughout Overtown. Pathways that do exist
within the neighborhood lack a sufficient number of shade trees, street furniture and
amenities that would make the streets inviting for pedestrians. In addition, these pathways
tend to be too narrow to permit multiple activities such as walking and biking.
4. Neighborhood Parks:
According to guidelines established by the National Recreation and Park Association', a
neighborhood park is typically between 5 and 10 acres in size and features playgrounds and
"Park, Recreation Open Space and Greenway Guidelines",
National Recreation and Park Association —1996
SEOPW / CRA
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Overtown
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V%W,w° � 0' OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
passive recreation facilities. However, a neighborhood park in urban areas is likely to be
considerably smaller. Optimally a neighborhood park should be located within four blocks or
a quarter mile (15 minute walk) of every resident. The sole facility in Overtown that
approaches the definition of a neighborhood park would be Town Park.
commureiy o'ftm
Neighborhood Parks
Serve residents within walking distance.
Play areas, benches and paths
encourage neighborly interaction.
Easily accessible and safe places for
children to play.
The height -to -width ratio of buildings to
outdoor space create a human scaled
setting.
Are easily observed by surrounding
residences for child supervision.
Ca rmykv Groans
5. Sidewalk Network.
Every sidewalk throughout a neighborhood should be inviting, shaded, safe and
interconnected with other walkways that link the community together. As noted above,
however, the sidewalks throughout Overtown lack sufficient shade trees and width (a
minimum width of 5 feet is preferred, expanding to 8 to 10 feet for multi -purpose sidewalks) to
readily invite pedestrian and/or bicycle activity. In addition, in Overtown major transportation
corridors constructed through the neighborhood have resulted in a discontinuous sidewalk
network. Many of these walkways also appear unsafe and uninviting because the sidewalks
extend below elevated roadways and transit routes.
Pedestrian f Bike Trails
Provide safe walking and
liking routes.
Create connectivity
among important sites In
the community.
Can be practical or
recreational.
Are easily accessible.
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`� OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
6. Greenways:
Greenways are linear parks that are intended to connect important facilities, landmarks and
resources within a community and surrounding areas. The City of Miami has been working
with the planning/design firm of Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) to develop an Overtown
Greenway Plan. A small segment of the Greenway has been constructed on NW 9th Street
between NW 1s' Avenue and NW 2nd Avenue. The ultimate objective of the Overtown
Greenway is to link the community to the Miami River and Biscayne Bay. Within the
Overtown neighborhood, the Greenway is planned to provide access to schools, shopping,
cultural amenities, neighborhood parks, community services, transit, residential enclaves and
historical landmarks. In addition, the Greenway is designed for integration with Miami's transit
system.
7. Community Gardens:
• Dr. Marvin Dunn of Florida International University has introduced community gardens to
Overtown through the "Roots in the City" Horticultural Training Program. The objective of
the program is to transform the neighborhood into a "community of gardens, shade trees
and planted thoroughfares". Presently, Overtown has one community garden on NW 14th
Street and NW 3rd Avenue. Several additional community gardens are planned.
Encourage community
interaction.
Provide an educational
opportunity for children.
Help keep surrounding
homes cool on hot days
and help to counteract
the urban heat island
effect.
8. Historic/Cultural Resources:
Overtown is one of Miami's historical Black communities and as such its story dates back to
the early 1890s when people began to arrive in the area to help build Henry Flagler's railroad.
Throughout the 1900s Overtown developed its own schools, churches and businesses. Many
of the community's significant historical resources, listed below, are still intact and could
benefit from a comprehensive "Greenprint for Overtown.
SEOPW/CRA
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Overtown page 12
S*O OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
Points of Interest
• Lyric Theater
• Greater Bethel AME Church
• Mt. Zion Baptist Church (original palmetto shack)
• Dorsey House/Folklife Village Project
• Cola -Nip Building
• Chapman House
Significant Sites
• Second Avenue Clubs: Rockland Palace, Harlem Square Club, Cotton Club, Calypso
• Ritz Theater
• Modern Theater
• "Little Broadway", "The Strip",
Tenth)
• Mary Elizabeth Hotel
• Rockland Palace/Della Robia
• Sir John Hotel
Old Neighborhoods
• Good Bread Alley
• Railroad Front
• Hatchet Bay Town
• Chinatown
• Martin's Lane
• Gambler's Lane
"the Great Black Way" (Second Ave between Sixth and
In 1993 the Miami -Dade Transit Authority, in collaboration with the Black Archives, began
conducting tours through Coconut Grove, Overtown, Liberty City, and Brownsville.
SEOPW/CRA
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,**0' OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
Part IV — Needs and Priorities
The Overtown Greenprint Plan is the culmination of a public process conducted over a four -
month period from April to July 2002. The process involved public workshops, focus group
meetings, interviews, community presentations and a public survey. A Steering Committee,
comprised of people representing a broad cross-section of organizations, businesses and public
agencies representing Overtown, provided oversight and input throughout the process. These
public outreach efforts are described in detail below:
Interviews and workshops were conducted to determine the community's perception of needs
and priorities as they relate to elements of the Greenprint in Overtown. The minutes from these
meetings are included in Appendix 1 of this report. A summary of the results of these meetings
is provided below.
1. Public Workshop:
On April 23, 2002, a Public workshop was conducted at the Lyric Theatre with residents and
interested parties. The objective of the workshop was to describe the concept of a Greenprint
Plan and to obtain input from participants about the needs for recreation and open space
throughout the community. The workshop began with an overview presentation of various
changes that have occurred in the development patterns of Overtown over the past several
decades. Participants were also presented with a description of the array of elements that
could be included in an urban Greenprint plan. At the conclusion of the workshop
introduction, participants were divided into two breakout groups and were asked to respond
to the following three (3) questions:
1. Participants were asked to verify "sacred places" in the neighborhood — parks, schools,
churches, civic buildings, community centers etc.
2. Participants were asked to identify (and map) new gathering places, community garden
sites, social centers, locations for special events and sites for sports activities.
j (Participants were also asked to identify why these locations were selected and what site
selection criteria they were applying.)
3. Participants were asked to identify bicycle and pedestrian connections that should exist
throughout the neighborhood.
/CRA
April 23, 2002 Workshop 0 2 -
18!
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Overtown page 14
CM
err'' OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
In summary, responses obtained during the workshop included (see Appendix A:
Community Workshop Minutes):
• An historic center should be established in Overtown and all the historic structures
throughout the neighborhood should be concentrated around this site — implement the
Folk Life Village concept.
• All streets need to be safe for pedestrian and public gathering activity.
• City policies seem to discourage homeownership to the detriment of the neighborhood.
• Range Park should be improved to permit dominoes games and social activity.
• Because of crime at the intersection of NW 7th Street and NW 51h Avenue it is unsafe to
walk to Reeves Park.
• There are many vacant lots throughout the community that could be used for parks.
• Overtown could use more public art.
• Community schools, particularly Booker T. Washington High School, are isolated and
inaccessible by pedestrians.
• To be used, the gth Street Pedestrian Mall needs to connected and extended to key
community destinations.
• The FEC corridor is a major barrier.
• Shade trees, fruit trees and gardens that historically characterized the neighborhood
need to be reintroduced.
• Overtown needs a "face", an image, spirit and public art that residents can relate to and
galvanize around.
t Before introducing new community parks, the community should enhance and maintain
existing facilities.
• Create public gathering spaces adjacent to and in concert with the Lyric Theatre.
• The neighborhood is in need of places for people to sit and socialize.
k • Jobs and affordable housing are needed.
• Streets need to be beautified and made inviting, need to use "greenscaping" to bring
parks into the streets
• Fences and gates throughout the community create boundaries and contribute to the
sense of inaccessibility
2. Focus Groups:
Several focus group meetings were conducted over a two-day period on April 23 and 24
2002. Meetings were conducted with community stakeholders, church leaders, prospective
and current developers and local government officials. The comments presented during
these meetings are summarized below (see Appendix B: 4.24.02 Focus Group Meeting
Minutes):
• It will be important to address the perception of crime.
• How do you eliminate truck traffic from the seaport, on NE 2nd Avenue, from disrupting
the neighborhood.
• Need to segment Overtown to respond to different themes.
• There is no theme place in Miami to represent Afro-Cuban, Dominican populations
moving into the area.
• Do not solely look to the past, look to current cultures inhabiting the area.
• Need to increase zoning heights to make development more attractive economicall)gg®pw/CRA
Trust for Public Land
Overtown page 15
i
'%10" OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
• Historic elements reinforced by economics will ultimately drive redevelopment.
• Design standards need to be directed to promote cultural connections.
• Overtown is ripe for redevelopment.
• Do a pilot project to demonstrate ability to execute.
• Address fundamentals: land use, street grid, slow down and improve circulation.
• Provide incentives for mixed use and preserve a place for current residents.
• Arena Blvd. could be the community's new "front door".
• Fenced -in parks should be available for use after hours.
• Try and connect open spaces to new residential and commercial development.
• Fences keep people out, that is why Overtown is fenced in, the message should not be
the fence.
• People evacuated Overtown after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, moving to points north and
west.
• Improve street cleanliness and provide shade.
• Connect neighborhood to transit facilities, get transit route stops in Overtown.
3. Interviews:
Interviews were conducted with an array of individuals who represent the interests of
Overtown including:
Gonzalo DeRamon, Vice President, Bank of America;
David Days, Executive Director, St. John Community Development Corporation;
Bill Mauzy, Executive Director, Bame Development Corporation of South Florida;
Maria Nardi, Chief of Urban Design, City of Miami Planning Department;
Terri Griffin, Assistant Director of the Miami City Parks and Recreation Department
Dr. Dorothy Fields, Founder, Archivist Historian, Black Archives History and Research
Foundation of South Florida
The comments from these interviews are summarized below (see Appendix C: Interview
Minutes):
• The neighborhood residents have to be involved from the inception of park development.
• Train residents of Overtown to maintain gardens.
• The Overtown Neighborhood Assembly is developing "butterfly gardens" at historic sites
throughout the community. The Assembly seeks to fund community projects that are
economic -based.
• All improvement efforts in Overtown should be coordinated.
• Develop community gardens similar to "Victory Gardens".
• The City may be willing to incorporate the Greenprint Plan into the Miami Comprehensive
Plan.
• The City does not have capacity to assume responsibility for new parks at the current
time.
• The City partners with an array of organizations to outsource programming. In Overtown
the City works with the Overtown Optimist Club, Dade County Schools, Touching Miami
with Love Ministries, Alonzo Mourning Foundation, Inner City Children's Dance Company.
The City gives these partners a permit to operate, they work with City staff. The City is
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
5 OpW / CRA
2—
page 16
OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
seeking to develop an adopt -a -park program but does not have dedicated staff at this
point.
• Possible funding sources for park and recreation facilities in Overtown include the Safe
Neighborhood Parks Bond Program, City of Miami Capital Improvement Program, Law
Enforcement Trust Fund, and Community Development Block Grants.
• Overtown has a greater concentration of parks than any comparable neighborhood in the
City.
• The St. John CDC has several affordable scattered -site housing projects in various
stages of planning.
• Gibson Park could be a major facility in the community; it is well managed and has an
associated library.
• Landscaping would definitely be a community asset.
• Improvements at Dorsey Park would positively influence projects in planning by the St.
John CDC.
• BAME constructed the New Hope housing project on 6th Street.
• Overtown can't be isolated any more, it is well situated for redevelopment.
• Overtown needs housing and jobs.
• Consider making the CDCs responsible for parks construction and management.
4. Community Presentations and Survey:
In an effort to obtain the support of the Overtown community leadership the Greenprint Plan
was presented to the Overtown Advisory Board and the Overtown Neighborhood Assembly.
Each group approved the Plan unanimously.
Overtown Advisory Board .................................................June 20, 2002
Overtown Neighborhood Assembly ..................................June 26, 2002
In addition, a questionnaire was developed and distributed in an effort to solicit general
community input regarding the types of open space and recreation facilities that are needed
within Overtown. The survey form has been incorporated in this Report as Appendix D:
Overtown Greenprint Plan Public Comment Form. Over 58 people responded to the
survey, the results of which are incorporated in this Report as Appendix E: Public
Comment Form Response Tabulation. In general, respondents attached high priority to the
need for neighborhood parks, community gathering spaces, playgrounds and improved
sidewalks within the Overtown neighborhood.
5. Steering Committee:
In the interest of eliciting broad -based community input and in order to build consensus, a
cross-section of key community decision -makers were invited to serve on a Greenprint
Steering Committee. The committee met on the following three dates, which were critical
junctures in the development of the plan:
Conceptual Greenprint Plan ..............................................May 29, 2001
Conceptual Greeprint Implementation Plan......................June 19, 2001
Final Plan Endorsement .................................................. August 7, 2001
The Steering Committee's comments during the presentation of the conceptual Greenprint
Plan are summarized below (see Appendix F. Steering Committee Meeting Minutes):
• Need to convert every roadway in Overtown to two-way streets. SEOPW / CRA
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'4-0 OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
• Children walking to school need access from the southwest to the southeast.
• Equipment in the existing parks should be upgraded.
• Parks need to be programmed.
• Multi -purpose pathways are needed.
• Lighting is needed in the parks and along the streets.
• Wider community input from the residents is absolutely crucial to the acceptance of the
plan.
• Citizen participation and oversight should be considered as the Greenprint plan evolves.
6. Needs and Priorities Summary:
The following summary of Greenprint needs and priorities is based upon the comments
obtained from representatives, residents and interested and involved community parties
obtained during the various interviews and workshops.
• There is a need for improved sidewalks that are well shaded and connect to major
destinations, particularly schools, parks and activity centers, within and outside the
Overtown neighborhood. Sidewalks must be well lighted and safe for pedestrian activity.
Sidewalks should be wide enough for pedestrian as well as bicycle use.
• There is a need to improve existing parks and recreation facilities throughout the
neighborhood.
• There is a need to preserve and celebrate the historic and cultural facilities in Overtown
and to emphasize these resources as major destination points within the neighborhood
both for residents and potential visitors.
• There is a need to re-create the green spaces and community gardens that historically
characterized Overtown. Community gardens can offer an opportunity for self-sufficiency,
community identity and pride.
• There is a need to coordinate and orchestrate the various improvement efforts that are
being planned for Overtown to ensure that efforts are maximized and implementation is
guaranteed.
• There is a need to acknowledge the new and varied cultures that inhabit the
neighborhood.
• There is a need to create social gathering opportunities throughout the community.
• There is a need to create partnerships among the City organizations that serve the
neighborhood and people who reside in Overtown. Such partnerships are important both
to share the costs of creating and maintaining functional and effective urban greenspace
systems and to ensure participation and ownership of such facilities for their long-term
viability.
02SEOPw 181
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Overtown page18
l
vwO OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
Part V — Greenprint System Vision
1. Process:
The process that was followed in developing the Greenprint Plan was fairly straightforward
with each succeeding step building upon the conclusions and findings developed during the
preceding assessment. Related ideas were grouped together to form the basis of
representative core themes. In turn, these themes formed the foundation for guiding
principles of the Greenprint Plan. The principles were applied to identify the range of
elements that could possibly be included in the Greenprint Plan. The elements were
organized to form the basis for the generalized system concepts that were refined to create
the explicit Greenprint system concept for Overtown. A graphic representation of this process
is provided below:
Issues Themes Guiding System Greenprint
& Ideas Principles Concepts 19 Concepts
2. Issues and Ideas (Opportunities and Constraints):
The input from community meetings, Greenprint Steering Committee meetings, workshops
and interviews described in Section IV led to the identification of issues and the development
of ideas that included:
• The need for safe streets
• The need for gathering spaces
• The need for jobs and decent, affordable housing
• The desire to celebrate the neighborhood's cultural and historical landmarks
• The necessity to recognize new cultures that are beginning to inhabit the area
• The realization of the declining population of Overtown (from 80,000 to 8,000 residents)
• Overtown's image
• The lack of mobility and presence of a host of major physical boundaries
• The presence of numerous vacant lots and abandoned buildings
• The development pressures that are beginning to surround Overtown
• The proximity to the Miami River as a major resource
• The ample number of parks
• The potential for gentrification
The foregoing list of issues and ideas expressed during the various Overtown Greenprint
meetings suggest that there is a wide array of opportunities in the neighborhood that can
serve as stimulus to create an effective Greenprint Plan to serve area residents. However,
these opportunities are tempered with a considerable set of constraints.
Opportunities include:
• A well defined, traditional street grid
• The rapidly expanding economy of neighboring downtown Miami that will influence future
development trends within Overtown
• The strong cultural heritage of Overtown and the presence of a host of historic resources
Trust for Public Land S gopWjCRA
Overtown page 19
02- 181
NN ' 00' OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
• A considerable inventory of community parks
Notable constraints to the development of the Greenprint Plan include:
• The physical barriers created by the FEC Railroad, 1-95, 1-395 and the Metrorail
• The relatively limited locally -serving commercial areas in Overtown
• The poor condition of housing, vacant lots
• The apparent lack of community organization
• The inadequate level of maintenance of the park facilities that serve the neighborhood
• The high degree of poverty, and disinvestments in the neighborhood
3. Themes:
As noted above, the issues and ideas generated through the interviews, focus group
discussions and public meeting conducted throughout the development phase of the
Greenprint Plan, were organized into related groups in order to determine whether any
recurring themes emerged. The following core themes were identified through this process:
• Child needs
• People spaces
• Music
• History
• Culture
• Activities
"Futurescape"
� Single �
Mothers
1
Residence
1
Proximity
Watehable 1
I Historic 1Contemp. \—music
1 Spaces 1
Music 1 Music i
1 After j
t School t
child-1 Activities 1
1 Historic 1
II Overtown F-- history
needs 1
I Form _—
—
Skateboarding
i ` — culture
1
11 �yf1
V Historic
1\C Buren / Conte\\�
i Basketball
�'
Black
1 �— Culture 1
Playground �\
1 1\ Garden 1
ectivltlea-1 i 1
1 Latino Caribbean
I Culture Culture 1
1 Dominos 1
1
1 Churches BBQ'tng
1 Gatherings
1 1
Historic
• Mousses
11
i Parades�
Restaurants /
`
Public Art
people
Watching
\ Plaza i
Gateways,(
1 'Main Street"
P+cPI+ —1
Historic`
Fruit Tree 1
P.
11
Gardens 1
Green/Commons
Bus Stop �
Market Place
Public
ImaGGe Transit Stop
tngn paw<r. i
♦
-
- - - -
SEOPW/CRA
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Trust for Public Land
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.;,,,, o OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
4. Principles:
The Principles that guided the development of the Greenprint System Vision was developed
from the foregoing themes and evolved directly from a combination of the input from the
community interviews and workshops and observations from the various site visits and
community analysis conducted over the early stages of the planning process. The Guiding
Principles are listed below:
1. Renovate Community Parks: Improve the quality of existing recreation facilities.
2. Develop Community Gathering Places: Create a central gathering space for outdoor
events and marketplace activities.
3. Enhance Community Boulevards: Facilitate important pedestrian/bicycle routes in the
community by providing a tree -shaded multipurpose pathway for foot and bicycle traffic.
4. Acquire and Develop Neighborhood Parks: Provide a neighborhood park within three
blocks of every resident.
5. Enhance the Existing Sidewalk Network: Provide a minimum 5-foot sidewalk on all
streets for pedestrian safety.
6. Develop Greenways: Provide a system of linear parks and greenways that connect
important facilities, landmarks and resources in Overtown and surrounding communities.
7. Develop Gateways/Community Gardens: Create gateways, community gardens as
focal points that define and reinforce Overtown identity.
8. Highlight and Support Overtown Segments of the Black Heritage Trail: Educate and
inform residents and visitors about Overtown's culture and heritage through a heritage
trail, public art, markers, etc.
5. System:
A concept of an Overtown Greenprint begins to develop building upon the Greenprint
principles. The focus for this conceptual system includes:
Renovate Existing Community Parks — Overtown has a fairly extensive array of five
community parks, which are larger, active recreation facilities. However, these parks suffer
from poor maintenance. Community input suggests that additional parks are not needed but
that the existing facilities should be improved and maintained. A qualitative assessment
should be conducted for each of the existing parks throughout Overtown to determine the
renovation needs at each park as well as the life expectancy of existing equipment and
facilities. An aggressive maintenance program should be developed and neighborhood
residents should be invited to assist the city in carrying out this program over time. (See
Exhibit 2 - Community Parks)
Develop New Neighborhood Parks — These parks would be located in present residential
areas within a safe and comfortable walking distance of adjacent residences to allow easy
access for neighborhood children. Probable locations would be in the vicinity of Miami
Avenue between NW 11th and NW 14th Streets and in the vicinity of NW 5th Avenue between
NW 51h and NW 71h Streets. (See Exhibit 3 - Neighborhood Parks)
Develop Gateways and Community Gardens — A community garden has been established
at NW 14th Street and NW 3rd Avenue. This well -maintained landscaped green space is an
excellent example of measures that can be taken to provide natural community amenities. If
Trust for Public Land
Overtown 02 page 21 81
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
EXHIBIT 2
Community Parks
N
rk
rk
Gibson Park
Trust for Public Land Overtown SEOPW/CRA
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THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
EXHIBIT 3
New Neighborhood Parks
New
Neighborhood
Park
New
Neighborhood
Park
SEOPW / CRA
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Trust for Public Land
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'k%� OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
placed at key entry points in the neighborhood, gardens could serve as gateways that mark
the neighborhood, introduce visitors to the area and offer needed aesthetic improvements
along the roadways through Overtown (See Exhibit 4 — Neighborhood Gateways). There
are several key intersections where community gardens coupled with signature signage
could serve these functions including:
• NW 20th Street/1-95 Overpass
• NW 20th Street/3rd Avenue
• NW 20th Street/FEC Railway
• NW 17th Street/1-95 Overpass
• NW 17th Street/FEC Railway
• NW 14th Street/7th Avenue
• NW 14th Street/1 st Avenue
• NW 11th Street/7th Avenue
• NW 5th Street/7th Avenue
• NW 4th Street/5th Avenue
• NW 7th Street/3rd Avenue
• NW 9th Street/1 st Avenue
Develop Greenways — As noted above, a greenway is a linear park system that connects
important facilities, landmarks and resources in Overtown and surrounding communities. A
segment of a greenway, the gth Street Pedestrian Mall (between NW 2nd Avenue and Miami
Avenue) has already been developed in Overtown. A second segment of the mall, extending
to NW Td Avenue, has been designed and is expected to be under construction within the
near future. Conceptual alignments of this system would extend the Greenway along NW 9th
Street as far eastward as Bicentenial Park and Biscayne Bay and, jogging up to 11th Street,
extending as far west as the Winn Dixie shopping center at NW 2"d Avenue. A conceptual
north/south alignment envisions an intersecting Greenway segment running along 3rd Avenue
from NW 5th Street, where it could connect to the Miami River, to NW 22nd Street.
Enhance Community Pathways — These pathways would offer an inviting environment for
bikers and pedestrians and would include shade trees and wide, multi -purpose sidewalks
along primary east/west and north/south streets that extend through Overtown (See Exhibit
5 - Community Pathways) including:
• NW 20th Street
• NW 17th Street
• NW 14th Street
• NW 11th Street
• NW 7th Street
• NW gth Street
• NW 5th Avenue
:��upw/ pA
• NW 3rd Avenue 0 2 — 181
Enhance Existing Sidewalk Network — Public streets and sidewalks comprise the vast
majority of any community's public space. These spaces should form a safe, comfortable
(shaded), inviting, interconnected web for pedestrians as well as bicyclists, residents as well
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
page 22
M-
EM,
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWNGREENPRINT PLAN
EXHIBIT
Neighborhood Gateways
Community Garden - NW 14'/ 3'
Trust for Public Land
Overtown 02- 181
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
EXHIBIT 5
Community Pathways
Edge S' ;2'; 8'Parking 4' 11'
of ROW Sidewalk : with Bump i Bike Travel
outs
Street Trees ; i i
SEOPW/CRAD
Trust for Public Land ,� f 4
Overtown 1 1
I
`-A* OVERTOwN GREENPRINT PLAN
as visitors to travel throughout the community. Sidewalks throughout Overtown fail to provide
these safe and convenient links throughout the neighborhood. All sidewalks throughout the
neighborhood should be evaluated in terms the availability of shade trees, benches, and
pedestrian -scale lighting. In addition, all sidewalks should be at least 5 feet in width, a
comfortable width to enable two people to walk together.
The sidewalk network should be specifically designed to ensure access between residential
areas and the Booker T. Washington High and Frederick Douglas Elementary Schools, which
are isolated by the roadway overpasses that surround them. The network should also enable
ready access to the various existing and proposed parks, community churches and
commercial areas within Overtown. In addition, the sidewalk system should afford
connections to the employment centers such as Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Brickell
area, and amenities such as Bayfront and Bicentennial Parks, the proposed performing arts
center and all of the areas along Biscayne Boulevard, and the proposed riverwalk along the
Miami River.
Create Community Gathering Spaces — There are two primary potential community -
gathering spaces in the neighborhood, the Overtown Market and the Overtown Green. The
shaded area under the 1-395 overpasses at NW 13th Street and 3rd Avenue represents one
location. This space could be associated with a market place/main street commercial area
that is already established and runs along Td Avenue. If expanded and properly designed this
area could be a prime location for an outdoor Overtown "Green Market".
Another opportunity for a gathering space is located on 2nd Avenue between NW 9th (the
pedestrian mall) and NW 10th Streets, adjacent to the Lyric Theatre. This area could be
retained as open space for civic events or passive activities, an Overtown green. Alternately,
historic structures from throughout the neighborhood could be relocated and concentrated
around this space and, together with the theatre, create a cultural center. Landscape
treatments and pedestrian amenities would form the nucleus of a formal commons that would
celebrate the heritage of Overtown. (See Exhibit 6 - Community Gathering Spaces)
Highlight and Support Overtown Segments of the Black Heritage Trail — Overtown has a
rich culture and a variety of historic structures that date back to the early 1900s can still be
found throughout the neighborhood. A walking trail with markers that tell the story of and
commemorate these important landmarks would help to highlight the history of Overtown and
preserve and celebrate the neighborhood's culture. In 1990 the Black Archives established
Miami-Dade's Black Heritage trail with a segment through the Overtown area. Later the State
of Florida published segments of the trail in a statewide tour guide publication. By
appointment, the Black Archives Foundation conducts walking tours of Overtown and
countywide bus tours. The Trail identified in the Overtown Greenprint Plan builds on the
Black Heritage trail. This proposed trail would loop through the neighborhood threading up
from Lummus Park, running past the Scottish Rite Temple, to the Historic Jazz, Blues and
Gospel Historic Entertainment District at the 9th Street Pedestrian Mall adjacent to Lyric
Theatre. The Trail would then pass the Greater Bethel AME Church, and Mt. Zion Baptist
Church and the Masonic Lodge, past the Cola Nip Building, the Ward Rooming House, the D.
A. Dorsey House and Carver Hotel and up to the St. Agnes Church. (See Exhibit 7 —
Historic Train
SEopw / C R 1
02-
Trust for Public Land
Overtown page 23
t
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
EXHIBIT 6
Community Gathering Spaces
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
IM
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
EXHIBIT %
Historic Trail
fistoric
"rail
The Lyric Theatre is a community icon as well as identity of Overtown
Overtown's historic entertainment forum
SEOPW / CRA
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
i ;� A 'OIL
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°ftO OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
Part VI — Implementation Program
1. Strategies:
The following table outlines immediate and long-term actions recommended to implement the
elements of the Greenprint Plan. The table also identifies those agencies that would have the
primary responsibility to undertake these actions.
ACTION
POTENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY/
FUNDING SOURCES
General Coordination
1.
Organize a Technical Advisory Committee JAC) of coordinators,
funders and implementers. Potential participants include TPL, the
Collins Center, the CRA, the City of Miami (planning, parks, public
works), Miami -Dade County (planning, parks, public works), FDOT
and Overtown community representatives.
2. Meet once/month to establish and coordinate funding priorities;
potential funding sources; grant applications; design services
contracts; public meetings, workshops and special events; lobbying;
bidding/award of contracts.
3. Prepare a unified Overtown Master Plan showing a single vision, list
of projects and implementation program for the community
Renovate Existing Community Parks
1.
Conduct a qualitative assessment/inventory of each existing park to
determine priority renovation needs.
Staff/Consultant
2.
Meet with area residents to discuss, verify findin s.
Staff/Consultant
3.
Develop a phased five year renovation schedule for improvements,
add to City CIP.
Staff/Consultant
4.
Apply for grant funding.
City, TPL, CRA/Consultant
5.
Fund/construct improvements.
CIP, TIF, CDBG, FRDAP, UPARR,
Homeland Defense
6.
Train residents for citizens' oversight and parks maintenance.
City, TPL, CRA
Acquire
and.Develop New Communi Gathering Spaces
1.
Investigate opportunities to acquire/use targeted sites.
Staff
2.
Negotiate for acquisition/use.
Staff
3.
Prepare conceptual site plans.
Consultant
4.
Meet with area residents to review, discuss, revise.
Staff/Consultant
5.
Develop cost estimate, phased implementation schedule.
Consultant
6.
Apply for funding.
City, TPL, CRA
7.
Design improvements.
Consultant/Contractor
8.
Fund/construct improvements.
CIP, TIF, CDBG,FRDAP, UPARR,
Homeland Defense, FDOT (overpass)
Enhance Community Pathways
1.
Conduct a qualitative assessment/inventory of each pathway to
determine priority enhancement needs.
Staff/Consultant
2.
Meet with area residents to discuss, verify findings.
Staff/Consultant
3.
Develop a phased five year renovation schedule for improvements;
add to Ci /Coun /MPO Capital Improvement Program.
Staff/Consultant
4.
Apply for grant funding.
City, oun, TPL, CRA, Consultant
5.
Fund/construct improvements.
CIP, TIF, CDBG, TEA-21, FRDAP,
UPARR, MPO, Homeland Defense
Acquire
and Develop New Neigh borhood'Parks
1.
Investigate opportunities to acquire/use targeted sites.
Staff
2.
Negotiate for acquisition/use.
Staff
3.
Prepare conceptual site plans.
Consultant
4.
Meet with area residents to review, discuss, and revise.
Staff/Consultant
Trust for Public Land
Overtown SEOPW / C%AOge 25
®2- 181
fig
✓ OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
ACTION
POTENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY/
FUNDING SOURCES
5.
Develop cost estimate, phased implementation schedule.
Consultant
6.
Apply for funding.
City, TPL, CRA
7.
Design improvements.
Consultant/Contractor
8.
Fund/construct improvements; work with residents to assist in
maintaining sites.
CIP, TIF, CDBG, FRDAP, UPARR,
Homeland Defense
Enhance Existing Sidewalk Network
1.
Conduct a qualitative assessment/inventory of each block to
determine priority enhancement needs.
Staff/Consultant
2.
Meet with area residents to discuss, verify findings.
Staff/Consultant
3.
Develop a phased five (5) year renovation schedule for
improvements; add to City/County/MPO Capital Improvement
Program.
Staff/Consultant
4.
Apply for grant funding.
City, County, TPL, CRA, Consultant
5.
Fund/construct improvements; work with residents to assist in
maintaining sites.
CIP, TIF, CDBG, TEA-21, FRDAP,
UPARR, MPO, Homeland Defense
Acquire
and Develop Greenwa s
1.
Investigate opportunities to acquire/use targeted corridors.
Staff
2.
Ne otiate for acquisition/use.
Staff
3.
Prepare conceptual site plans.
Consultant
4.
Meet with area residents to review, discuss, and revise.
Staff/Consultant
5.
Develop cost estimate, phased implementation schedule.
Consultant
6.
Apply for funding.
City, TPL, CRA
7.
Design improvements.
Consultant/Contractor
8.
Fund/construct improvements; work with residents to assist in
maintaining sites.
CIP, TIF, CDBG, TEA-21, FRDAP,
UPARR, MPO, Homeland Defense
Develo Gateways/Comm uniGardens
1.
Investigate opportunities to acquire/use targeted sites.
Staff
2.
Negotiate for acquisition/use.
Staff
3.
Prepare conceptual site plans.
Consultant
4.
Meet with area residents to review, discuss, revise.
Staff/Consultant
5.
Develop cost estimate, phased implementation schedule.
Consultant
6.
Apply for funding.
City, TPL, CRA
7.
Design improvements.
Consultant/Contractor
8.
Fund/construct improvements; work with residents to assist in
maintaining sites.
CIP, TIF, CDBG, FRDAP, UPARR,
Homeland Defense, TEA-21
Highlight
and Support Overtown Segments of the Black Heritage Trail
1.
Develop a central theme, eg "Heart of Miami", "Home of Jazz, Blues
and Gos el"etc.
Staff/Consultant
2.
Develop a Trail Master Plan, showing sites and locations of
proposed markers, exhibits, public art, music, etc.
Staff/Consultant
3.
Meet with area stakeholders to review, discuss, and revise.
Staff/Consultant
4.
Investigate opportunities to acquire/use targeted sites.
Staff
5.
Negotiate foracquisition/use.
Staff
6.
Develop cost estimate, phased implementation schedule.
Consultant
7.
Apply for funding.
City, TPL, CRA
8.
Design improvements.
Consultant/Contractor
9.
Fund/construct improvements; work with residents to assist in
maintaining sites.
CIP, TIF, CDBG, FRDAP, UPARR,
Homeland Defense, DCA, TEA-21
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
page 26
I
so
4,,of OVERTowN GREENPRINT PLAN
2. Estimate of Probable Costs.
The estimate of probable costs associated with immediate and long-term actions recommended
to implement the elements of the Greenprint Plan is included as Exhibit 3: Greenprint
Estimate of Probable Costs.
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown page 27
Overtown Greenprint Plan
Exhibit 3 - Estimate ojProbable Costs
ICJECT NAME: TPL Overtown Greenpnnt
ROJECT NO.: 16280
E: June 19, 2002
JECTPELASE: Draft Cost Estnnate
ESTIMATE OF PROBABLE COST
Item N
1
Item
Rambow Village Park
uanti
1
Unit Price Subtotal
$1, 000
Description
Improvements to address the current
recreation needs of Overtown's citizens -
park. each
2
Williams Park
1
$ , 000
3,
Dorsey Park
1
$ 000
4.
Gibson Park
1
$1 000,
5.
Reeves Park
1
1 000 0
allowance
1.
Overt.. Marketplace
1.2 C
12 NiNC 640 000
Acquire land costs based on $50/s .ft
$2 000 000
Development
2.
Overtown Festival
1 A
2.2Mi AC $24,000 000
Acquire land costs based on $50/s .ft
$10 000 000
Development
1.
NW 20th St
;46000
3300
LF $625 000
2.
NW 17th St
4000
LF $757 576
3.
NW 14th St
3500
LF $662 879
4.
5th Ave
2400
LF $454 545
5.3rdAve
LF, $1,136364
6.
NW 7th St
2800
LF $530 303
7.
INE 9th St
2400
LF $454 545
8.
NW 11thSt
2400
LF $454545
01.rtheast
Nei boyhood Park lAC S2,700,000
and costs based on $50/s .ft
2.
Southwest Nei boyhood Park 1 AC S2,700,000
16 miles 8o0
Replace approx half of sidewalks
1.
11 th Street TB
2.
FEC Railw D
wi��
1.
'�\ NUMMMSM
Communi Gateways -Laze 6 TBD
2.
CommunityGateways - Small 6 TBD
3.
Neighborhood Gateways 4 TBD
Subtotal
54115 758
Bonds and Insurance 2 %
1082,315
Mobilization 5 %
2,705 788
General Conditions 3%
1,623 473
Maintenance of Traffic 7 %
3,788103
Contingency 20%
10 23152
Total
1 74,138,588
Glalting Jackson Karcher Anglin Lopez Rinehart, Inc. has no control over the cost of labor, materials, or equipment, the Contraetofs method of determining prices or competitive
bidding or market conditions. There", our opinions of probable construction costs provided for herein are made on the basis of experience and represent our best judgment as
Landscape Architects familiar with the construction industry. The firm cannot and does not guarantee that proposals, bids or the constnuction cost will not vary from our opinbro
of probable costs. If the Owner wishes greater assurances as to the construction cost, we recommend the employment of an independent cost estimator. llJ�
Page 1 of 1
SEOPW/CRA
2- 181
„'
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
APPENDIX A
4.23.02 Community Workshop Meeting Minutes
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
1
i
OVERTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD
WORKSHOP
April 23, 2002
Lyric Theatre
819 NW 2❑d Avenue
Miami, Florida
AGENDA
6:00 — 6:20 ....... Welcome, Introduction (Bernice Butler — Collins Center)
• Overtown Overview (Ray Gindroz - Urban Design Associates
• Overtown Greenprint/Greenway Program (Lavinia Freeman - Trust for
Public Land)
• Description of Group Exercise Objectives
6:20 — 7:30 .......Break-out Groups
• Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities — Urban Design Associates
• Greenprint Mapping - Glatting Jackson
o Overview of Greenprint Elements
o Mapping Exercise
7:30 — 8:00 Beak -out Group Reports
Next Steps
02- r
I 6'•,i;.'rS^ _._OCtrvn =G T�F I"il?(`.t'i7c:�:1: _.. L" meG,,"Inn :Qnej,l riCc
_ i'r
GLATTING i,m,,,
JACKSON
KERCHER
ANGL
Street LOPEZ
Suite 200 RINEHART
Palm Beach
Florida
33401 COMMUNITY
1.659.6552 PLANNING
1.833.1790
Meeting Minutes
LrE
West
Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Project: TPL Overtown
GJ # 16280
Location: Lyric Theatre
819 NW 2nd Avenue
Purpose: Neighborhood Workshop
General Discussion
Compiled By: David Kutner, Glatting Jackson
Date: May 1, 2002
, .I
UDA. INTRODUCTION — Ray Gindroz
• UDA is assisting Collins planning efforts in Overtown
0 TPL- Greenway — River to Bay -
PARTICIPANT COMMENTS `�
• 1980s is when Latin populatio loded
• Overtown was called "colortown blacks, Latinos, Chinese, Filipinos, etc
who lived there
• Huge gay population has migrated from Key West to South Beach and now to
Overtown
• People moving back to Overtown from Miramar where they moved after Hurricane
Andrew in 1992
• Overtown is the "Golden Ghetto' to become upper middle class multi -racial
community
• Not doing a plan
• Overtown is safest place west of Miami
• Need housing
• Enhance existing public spaces
SE®PW /CRA
• 2°d Avenue create a variety of parks and allow residents 181
• Folk Life Village 2
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-23 workshop general.doc 12/4/2002
Overtown enprint
4-23 Neighborhood Workshop Meeting Minutes
• Clinic on I Vh Street
• Dorsey House on 9th
• Improve Streets — cleanliness, shade, transition to downtown, well designed, same
quality as downtown
• Jobs through beautification, make community look better
• Put face on Overtown, create public art, image - future image — how do the
community and tourists view Overtown culture and commerce
• Strength and Survival
• Landscaping/greenscaping as a vehicle to frame public spaces — bring park into
street, onto sidewalk
• "Urban Acupuncture" — where is the spot in Overtown where a statement can and
should be made
• Embankment and 141h street — light it up create a statement
• Trees — Urban — Native trees, no black olives wants palms, Poinciana, flowering
trees, fruit trees that were here historically — check out trees at Culmer Center
• Parking lots built by city eliminated many fruit trees
NEXT STEPS
• Need Almond Macaroon (businesses needed)
• Connecting transit to 131h street & P Avenue — get trains to stop in neighborhood
SEOPWXRA'
02- 181
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-23 workshop general.doc 12/4/2002
GLATTING Nm. '
JACKSON
KERCHER
ANGLIN
Street LOPEZ
Suite 200 RINEHART
Palm Beach
Florida
33401 COMMUNITY
1.659.6552 PLANNING
1.833.1790
Meeting Minutes
LrE
West
Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Project: TPL Overtown
GJ # 16280
Location: Lyric Theatre
819 NW 2°d Avenue
Purpose: Neighborhood Workshop
Upstairs Breakout Group Notes
Compiled By: David Kutner, Glatting Jackson
Date: May 1, 2002
EXISTING PARKS
a
• Gibson
• Reeves
z • Dorsey
• Williams
• Range # 1
• Rainbow Village
• 11 th Street/2°d Avenue Mini Park
GREENPRINT EXERCISE
1. Verify "sacred places" — parks
centers, etc
2. Discuss/Map new pla
sports, etc and say (writ
3. Discuss/Map ideal bike/p
TM
civil buildings, community
.ing, socializing, special events,
NOTES FROM THE UPSTAIRS GROUP
• 5th and 7th crime problem
• YWCA should expand to vacant land or space behind the current building to be used
for greenspace
• Range Park should be improved (current place to play dominos)
• Domino club established 1930 on Good Bread Alley. The Alley was within the route
for I-95 and when the interstate was constructed this community recreation area was
eliminated SEOPW / CRA
02- 181
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-23 workshop notes group 1.doc 12/4/2002
Overtown Ouw6nprint
4-23 Neighborhood Workshop Meeting Minutes
• City seems to discourage homeowners — it disregards residents needs and desires, as
evidenced through its location decisions for homeless shelters
• There are 30 brownfield sites in Overtown
• Gibson Park was previously occupied by laundries and dry cleaners and some
residents believe the site is contaminated with cleaning chemicals
• Should create a historic center in Overtown and relocate and concentrate all historic
structures that still exist throughout the community in one area
• Question: when were requirements for notification for development on UMTA
(Urban Mass Transit Administration) lands changed, evidently the neighborhood
residents are no longer advised when development is proposed on UMTA sites in
Overtown
• People's BBQ is an important community gathering place
• All streets need to be made safe for pedestrian and public gathering activity
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-23 workshop notes group 1.doc 12/4/2002
GLATTING -
7ACKSON
KERCHER
ANGLIN
Suite 200 RINEHART
Beach
Florida
33401 COMMUNITY
1.659.6552 PLANNING
1.833.1790
Meeting Minutes
222 Clem
atis Street LOPEZ
West Pa
lm
P 56
F 56
Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Project: TPL Overtown
GJ # 16280
Location: Lyric Theatre
819 NW 2"d Avenue
Purpose: Neighborhood Workshop
On -Stage Breakout Group
Compiled By: David Kutner, Glatting Jackson
Date: May 1, 2002
EXISTING PARKS
• Gibson
• Reeves
• Dorsey
• Williams
• Range # 1
• Rainbow Village
• I 1 th Street/2"d Avenue Mini Park
GREENPRINT EXERCISE
1. Verify "sacred places" — parks schools, churches, civil buildings, community
centers, etc
2. Discuss/Map new places: Gathering, play, gardening, socializing, special events,
sports, etc. and say (write) why (criteria)
3. Discuss/Map ideal bike/pedestrian connections
NOTES FROM THE ON STAGE GROUP
• Vacant lots by 9th Street mall should be residential and/or Commercial
• Lots by Dorsey House should be permanent green space with structure for outdoor
lectures — education area
• Focus where the people are gathering, space - concerts, etc. by Lyric
• Community gardens —jobs & beautification
• Already have 7 parks. Need to enhance -each has 2 basketball courts — nee ft�riiil1YWW, /CRA
features - tropical shade for older people
• r 181
More public art projects
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-23 workshop notes group 2.doc 12/4/2002
Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Project: TPL Overtown
GJ # 16280
Location: Lyric Theatre
819 NW 2"d Avenue
Purpose: Neighborhood Workshop
On -Stage Breakout Group
Compiled By: David Kutner, Glatting Jackson
Date: May 1, 2002
EXISTING PARKS
• Gibson
• Reeves
• Dorsey
• Williams
• Range # 1
• Rainbow Village
• I 1 th Street/2"d Avenue Mini Park
GREENPRINT EXERCISE
1. Verify "sacred places" — parks schools, churches, civil buildings, community
centers, etc
2. Discuss/Map new places: Gathering, play, gardening, socializing, special events,
sports, etc. and say (write) why (criteria)
3. Discuss/Map ideal bike/pedestrian connections
NOTES FROM THE ON STAGE GROUP
• Vacant lots by 9th Street mall should be residential and/or Commercial
• Lots by Dorsey House should be permanent green space with structure for outdoor
lectures — education area
• Focus where the people are gathering, space - concerts, etc. by Lyric
• Community gardens —jobs & beautification
• Already have 7 parks. Need to enhance -each has 2 basketball courts — nee ft�riiil1YWW, /CRA
features - tropical shade for older people
• r 181
More public art projects
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-23 workshop notes group 2.doc 12/4/2002
Overtown 6wanprint
4-23 Neighborhood Workshop Meeting Minutes
• Need signage and lighting "Overtown Historical Village"
• Old building at off -ramp - put green space — across from people's gateway - add
commercial and residential
• Vacant lots - 8th Street west of I-95 — Great green space
• Community support for safety, people other than police
• Plaza across from Overtown shopping center Jitney and bus stop - hang out, shelter,
seating, drug store
• Culmer Center
• Vacant lots on 20tb - paved and ugly - put commercial residential manufacturing?
• Royal Bakery Training Institute
• Lots/small Parks every 2 blocks
• Farming?
• Enough playgrounds — enhance the ones that already exist
• Walking distance! Playgrounds every 2 blocks or so
• 20th Street by Phillis Wheatley School
• Places to just sit - Neighborhood greens where there are residents to take care of it
and watch them
• 14 Street and North Miami Avenue - Old Miami skills center?? Great building
• Technical assistance
• Old firehouse on 14th
• Linkages:
o 10 Commercial gardens to Performing Arts Center
o 2nd Avenue vacant lots at end
0 91— good
o 20th to Margaret Pace
o to Miami Circle?
• Most Important:
o Housing Put parks where the people are
0 Variety —Not all parks the same
0 Folk Life Village — Move historical buildings there — create tourism
o Beautify Streets — fountains fit in with downtown beach architecture
o Jobs — Beautification in community
o Image — Public Art Spirit of Overtown
o "Culture and Commerce"
o Strength and Survival
o Use greenscaping, bring park onto streets
o Mural on concrete SEOPW/CRA
o Embankment 14th Street and 3rd Avenue 0 2_ 181
o Native trees!
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-23 workshop notes group 2.doc 12/4/2002
I
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
APPENDIX B
4.24.02 Focus Group Meeting Minutes
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
GLATTING 1-, -,
JACKSON
KERCHER
ANGLIN
Street LOPEZ
Suite 200 RINEHART
Palm Beach
Florida
33401 COMMUNITY
].659.6552 PLANNING
1.833.1790
Meeting Minutes
Lrm
West
Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2002
Project: TPL Overtown
GJ # 16280
Location: Park Place by the Bay
915 NW 1 st Avenue
Purpose: Focus Group Meetings
I, Compiled By: David Kutner, Glatting Jackson
Date: May 1, 2002
UDA INTRODUCTION — Ray Gindroz
• "One Boat Rowing in the Same Direction"
• Overtown was self-contained by tracks to east & west and then roads through
neighborhood beat it up
• Consider ositive + Ideas 4 Principles 4 Criteri
• Not redeveloping Overtown, you're creating a new community.
• "Nostalgia isn't what it used to be" Yogi Berra
DISCUSSION OF GREENPRINT
• Community Parks
o Neighborhood Plaza
o Greens
o Parks
o Gardens
o Streets
DEVELOPERS FOCUS GROUP
• Ted Weitzel, New Urban Works — firm does small infill projects
• NAP is occupied by content media companies — 27 companies — currently one retail
space ?�SEOPW/CRA
• Provide for green space is front of the NAP and police station 0 2 — 181
• How do you deal with trucks traffic on NE 2°d Ave. (traffic in and out of port)
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-24 focus group meetings.doc 12/4/2002
Overtown**o6enprint
4-24 Focus Groups Meeting Minutes
• Camillus House — greenspaces will provide homeless with more places to congregate
• Perception of crime
• FDOT is doing traffic stuffy to re-route traffic along 61h with new ramp in center of I-
95 to divert truck traffic down to 836
• Bicentennial Park: Propose $1.2 — 2.5 billion to develop, anticipate completion in
October 2004, located near performing arts center
• Need to segment Overtown; different themes
• Nothing worth keeping in Overtown — there is no theme place is Miami Afro-cuban
Dominican
• Need introduction themes (e.g. Columbus Plaza) centers around culture that will keep
people here
• "Cultural Urbanism" (Washington Post article) how do you celebrate culture of
place- carve out public space based upon specific dimensions -raised plazas in Cuban
culture, cultural architecture (i.e. Wynwood Neighborhood)
• African Diaspora
• Civic Art -uses architecture from South Africa (kinte paving, lamp posts, etc) Afro -
hispanic -(Don't just look to the past, also look to current cultural references)
i
• Theme — i.e. Ybor Cty but upgraded and reflecting current culture
• Zoning around performing arts center limits height to 4 stories (not enough). Zoning
in Overtown will have to change to permit higher density to achieve economies of
scale attractive to developers
• Hotel wants to spend $9 to $10,000 per room for construction costs how does that
relate to density/land values
• Current zoning inhibits Overtown's ability to brand and theme
• Not going to go back to old Overtown — historic elements should be reinforced but
economics will drive redevelopment
• It will be a different Overtown multi -racial, multi -ethnic
• Design standards may need to be directed to promote cultural connections
• The time is right to put a plan in place to guide growth
• Get a block or so — do a pilot project, develop semi art culture center, e.g. Lyric
Village along 10 between 3`d and 2nd
• Where do people currently reside in Overtown — build on that — how to connect assets
• Communal housing — tend to have very low turn -over rates — stable
• Address fundamentals (zoning, infrastructure, etc) before you address theme. Need to
attract people to live in Overtown or you won't create economic development.
Priority should be:
1. Land use
2. 2nd Street grid
3. slow down & improve traffic circulation SEOPW/CR9
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p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-24 focus group meetings.doc 12/4/2002
Overtown IbWenprint ,.4e
4-24 Focus Groups Meeting Minutes
• Regional Activity Center allows mixed use zoning- tied to comprehensive plan
concurrency
• Create an Illustration Board for Semi -Private Spaces, add to menu of urban parks in
Greenprint
CITY/COUNTY/POLITICIANs FOCUS GROUP
• What are the shared elements that can be reflected in a project that demonstrates
possibilities — need to determine what the goals are.
• Provide mixed incentive opportunities and allow a place for current residents
• Jackson Center is located only 1 mile outside Overtown
• Arena Blvd. presently goes nowhere now but could be a new front door to this
community — This event traffic could be an economic stimulus
• Re-route truck traffic from port — has too much of an impact, needs to be separated
• More neighborhood Parks opening to community parks
• Try and get open spaces to'connect new residential to new commercial
• Try and expand existing facilities to meet current needs as well meeting anticipated
future growth
• Fences keep people out — why was Overtown fenced in
• Fenced in parks can be used after hours
• Parisian parks are fenced but the message is not the fence, their parks operate from
Sam to 1 1pm
• Partnerships — other government agencies that are responsible for utilities
• Metrorail is a link throughout the community
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\4-24 focus group meetings.doc 5 �nn-9.
i "�wV 1�1
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
APPENDIX C
5.06.02 Interview Minutes
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
GLATTING '
JACKSON
KERCHER
ANGL
Street LOPEZ
Suite 200 RINEHART
Beach
Florida
33401 COMMUNITY
1.659.6552 PLANNING
1.833.1790
Meeting Minutes
LrE
Meeting Date: Monday, May 6 2002
Project: TPL Overtown
GJ # 16280
Purpose: Stakeholder Interview
Compiled By: David Kutner, Glatting Jackson
Date: May 7, 2002
There are Four Overtown CDCs
• St. John
• St. Agnes
• Black Archives
• BAME
Im
The project team conducted interviews with key community stakeholders to obtain
critical input regarding the status of various community projects currently underway in
Overtown and to evaluate how a Greenprint plan could be effective in addressing issues
in the neighborhood. Following is a summary of the comments received during the
interview sessions held on May 6`h, 2002.
The St. John Community Development Corporation is engaged in several projects in the
Overtown Neighborhood including:
• Lyric Village: the CDC plans to construct 96 units of affordable housing on the lot
just south of the Lyric Theatre (81h Street and 2nd Avenue, now used for parking).
CDC believes that the lot could comfortably accommodate a more aggressive
development program given the current market and land values. 8th street is a high-
volume/high profile corridor. CDC wanted to do a mixed-use/mixed income project.
Two lots in the area were worth $480,000 in 1996 are now reportedly worth
$7,000,000. CDC wants to do a project with a return that is more consistent with the
perceived land value. CRA argues that the CDC is obligated to construct a project
consistent with the original RFP for the site. Dispute is in court.
• CDC property on 14th Street and 3rd Avenue, just east of CDC office. CDC wants to
build mixed use/elderly housing with neighborhood retail/commercial. Some loft
apartments. LISC will develop a pre -development analysis. University of Miami
students created the design concept. CDC is using Ron Frazier to assist with the
project
• 1600 NW lst Avenue, between 16th and 17th Streets. Fourteen units of for -sale
housing, the RFP for development has been released with bids due to the CDC by�
5.9.02. CDC wants to be under construction by the end of 2002. CDC hasSEOPW /eRA
02-- 181
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\5-6 interview summary.doc 12/4/2002
Overtown 'bv6enprint
5-6 Interviews
homeownership training program. The St. John CDC is also doing home ownership
training for BAME.
• The CDC is working with Greater Miami Neighborhoods on three properties for a
phase Il development of 61 low to moderate income rental units:
o 255 NE 20`h Terrace (on 3rd Avenue)
o 1919, 1929 and 1931 2nd Court
o 1731, 1742 NW 0 Court
• The CDC does not believe that mixed income projects are viable in the area at the
present time
• The CDC was going to construct 110 dwellings in Phase 2 but the sites were too
separated to qualify for funding.
• Phase III — maximum of 34 units:
o 185 NW I Ith Terrace (abandoned three 2-story buildings with 6 apartments)
o 1125 and 1135 NW 2nd Avenue
o 1 Ith Terrace between 2nd Avenue and 1 st Avenue: vacant parcel — acquired
north and south ends, attempting to purchase center parcel
o 1445 1" Place (rehabilitation, can't rebuild because of setback requirements
• Gibson Park could be a major player, has good management, a library.
• Dorsey Park is near CDC project, should be improved
• CDC is searching for landscape assistance and funding to do beautification. TECO
(adjacent natural gas company) is willing to improve aesthetics along their property
as other projects come on line, a willing partner.
The BAME Development Corporation of South Florida, Inc. is engaged in several
projects in the Overtown Neighborhood including:
• The Miami River Park Apartment Complex, 447 NW 4`h Street. 211 units, rental, 3
historic houses that were restored, mixed development
• The New Hope: single family detached dwellings to be constructed in four phases.
Bordered by 6`h Street, 5`h Avenue, 8`h Street, 50' Avenue. Will have 40 units (1350 to
1550 s.f.; 30 3-bedroom units, 10 4-bedroom units). First phase has been completed,
infrastructure and site prep.
• Next to Bethel Church on 2°d. Rehab 12 rental units — Bethel Arms Apartments
• Overtown is well served by utilities is accessible and therefore is a good place to
invest in redevelopment
• Can't isolate Overtown any longer
• BAME was promoting a 450,000 s.f, tech hotel by the Miami River on 50' Avenue
• Develop design standards that are based upon the history of the community
• Givens: roadways and utilities dictate how other projects fit into the redevelopment
puzzle
• Definition of what Overtown ought to be - answer: needs housing, job production
(economic development, manufacturing, etc.)
• Should "boulevard" 3rd Avenue and create a tree canopy, slow traffic SEOPW/CRA
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p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\meetings\5-6 interview summary.doc page 2
Overtown `renprint
5-6 Interviews
M
• Build a metro station at 11`t' Street and 7t' Avenue, light it up, generate commercial
activity on the west side of Overtown
• Should consider making the CDCs responsible for construction management of
projects that TPL does in Overtown
Possible Additional interview targets:
• City Parks Department
• Overtown Schools
• Local Politicians
• Planning Department
• Empowerment Trust
• Overtown Collective (CDCs)
• Overtown Collaborative
SEOPW/C.
02- 181
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§4:,-
"a.4
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
APPENDIX D
Overtown Greenprint Plan Public Comment Form
SEOPW/CRA
02_ 181
Trust for Public Land
Overlown
M
Z
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
THE OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
PUBLIC COMMENT FORM
A Greenprint is a strategic plan to design and build an interconnected system of urban open spaces -
including parks, greens, gardens, plazas, bikeways and sidewalks - to invigorate the redevelopment of the
neighborhood, as well as to provide the green infrastructure needed to meet residents' daily recreation,
social and living needs. To help us develop this Plan we would like to know what facilities you believe
are needed in Overtown.
1. Out of the facilities listed below, which ones do you believe are needed in Overtown Now, will be
needed in the Future or are Not Needed at all? [Please0as appropriate.]
FACILITY
PRIORITY
NEED
FUTURE
NEED
NOT
NEEDED
1. Small Neighborhood (walk -to) Parks
❑
❑
❑
2. Larger Community Parks (ball fields, etc.)
❑
❑
❑
3. Community Gardens (flower/vegetable garden for
neighborhood use, i.e. 14'h Street, 3rd Avenue Gardens)❑
❑
❑
4. Neighborhood Plazas (a hard -surface public open space)
❑
❑
❑
5. Neighborhood Greens and Greenways (passive open space)
O
❑
❑
6. Community Gathering Spaces
❑
❑
❑
7. Playgrounds
❑
❑
❑
8. Sidewalks
❑
❑
❑
9. Bike Lanes
❑
❑
❑
10. Multipurpose Paths (walking, rollerblading)
❑
❑
❑
11. Other — Please indicate:
❑
❑
❑
2. Which streets in Overtown are the most important to improve for walking and biking?
1111 th Street/ 11 th Terrace
❑ 14th Street
❑ 17th Street
❑ 20th Street
❑ 5th Street
❑ 3 rd Ave.
❑ Others? (Please identify
Over Please b SEOPW / CR'
�,—A)VERTOWN GREENPRINT PL
PUBLIC COMMENT FORM
3. Which of these places within Overtown should be linked together by a Greenway to make walking and
biking to them more comfortable, safer and more enjoyable:
❑ Neighborhoods north and south of 395
❑ Historic sites
❑ Overtown Everglades (wetland areas under 395 interchange)
❑ Schools
❑ Community gardens
❑ Businesses
❑ Parks
❑ Others? (Please identify)
4. Which of these places in Miami should be linked to Overtown by a Greenway to make walking and
biking to them more comfortable, safer and more enjoyable:
❑ The Miami River Greenway
❑ Bicentennial Park
❑ Downtown
❑ Park West
❑ Omni
❑ The Performing Arts Center
❑ Bus and train lines
❑ New employment opportunities
❑ Others? (Please identify)
5. What things should open spaces in Overtown provide?
❑ Places to stroll and meet neighbors
❑ Places to showcase history and art
❑ Places for civic events
❑ Improved appearance of vacant areas
❑ Increased, beautified natural or green areas
❑ Others? (Please identify)
SBOPW/CRA
02-r 181
ppg�.
-.0
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
APPENDIX E
Public Comment Form Response Tabulation
SEOPW/M
02- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
yam,,, TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
THE OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
PUBLIC COMMENT FORM TABULATION
Question 1
Facility
Priority Need
Future Need
Not Needed
N/A
1-1 Small Neighborhood walk -to Parks
53
10
1
3
1-2 Larger Community Parks
41
18
1
7
1-3 Community Gardens
43
17
1
6
1-4 Neighborhood Greenwa s
46
16
1
4
1-5 Nei hborhood Plazas
37
22
2
6
1-6 Neighborhood Greens
32
24
4
7
1-7 Community Gathering Spaces
50.5
10.5
1
5
1-8 Playgrounds
59
6
0
2
1-9 Sidewalks
58
6
2
1
1-10 Bike Lanes
43.5
16.5
3
4
1-11 Other
8
2
1
56
Other Indicated: YMCA, Pool, Maintain clean Neighborhoods, Reach out to people in South, Community
Center, Public Library, Safe place for senior citizens, Slow traffic, No loud music, Well
patrolled. Historical Trail, Supervised playgrounds
Question 2
Multiples Checked
11 th Street/ 11 th Terrace
18
14th Street
26
17th Street
16
20th Street
21
7th Street
17
5th Street
19
7th Avenue
22
5th Avenue
13
3rd Avenue
34
1 st Avenue
18
N/A
8
Other indicated: 2nd Avenue
Question 3
Multiples Checked
Neighborhoods north and south of 395
22
Historic sites
39
Overtown Everglades
9
Schools
38
Community Gardens
22
Business
26
Parks
29
N/A
8
Other Indicated:
Other Indicated: Overtown College, BT Washington and St. Francis Xavier Schools, A major Large
Library.
SEOPW/ CRA
Erg- 181
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\technical\survey tabulation.doc
Overtown Greenprint Plan page 1
3
1%W1 TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND `%of
THE OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
PUBLIC COMMENT FORM TABULATION
Question 4
Multiples Checked
The Miami River Greenway
19
Bicentennial Park
25
Downtown
36
Park West
16
Omni
26
The Performing Arts Center
27
Bus and train lines
35
New employment Opportunities
30
N/A
8
Other Indicated: None
Question 5
Multiples Checked
Places to stroll and meet neighbors
30
Places to showcase history and art
40
Places for civic events
36
Improved appearance of vacant areas
46
Increased, beautiful natural or green areas
36
N/A 1
8
Other Indicated: Outlaw B.B rifles to protect birds & pigeons, No loose or untagged animals, cafeteria, 2-
skating Ring 2-Movie Theater, Theme Park (like Wet N' Wild), 2-Overtown Community
College, Family Health Center, Improved appearance of housing, Build Facilities to
{ improve living conditions(like New Businesses, apartments & homes, Historic Sites,
Musical Arenas.)
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
p:\16\16280 - overtown greenprint\technical\survey tabulation.doc
Overtown Greenprint Plan
page 2
M2
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
OVERTOWN GREENPRINT PLAN
APPENDIX F
Greenprint Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
SEOPW/CRA
02- 181
Trust for Public Land
Overtown
GREENPRINT STEERING COMMITTEE
WORKSHOP
June 19, 2002
YWCA
351 NW 5t" Street
Miami, Florida
AGENDA
6:00 — 6:10 ....... Welcome, Introductions
6:10 — 6:20 ....... Preliminary Greenprint Plan Review
(Glatting Jackson)
6:20 — 6:45 ....... Priority Improvements
(Glatting Jackson)
6:45 — 7:00 Greenway Corridor Alignment Review
(Wallace Roberts & Todd)
i
7:00- 7:15 Greenway Implementation
7:15 — 7:30 General Discussion
SEOPW/CRA
012— t8l.
I'j:'1:0 - J'•:c�iO,'.'C! Qirc StcErr-P, lHee -., nc,"a, 2t _...,_
GLATTING w,,�e
JACKSON
KERCHER
ANGLIN
Street LOPEZ
Suite 200 RINEHART
Beach
Florida
33401 COMMUNITY
1.659.6552 PLANNING
1.833.1790
Meeting Minutes
Lro
Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Project: TPL Overtown
GJ # 16280
Location: YWCA
351 NW 50'Street
Purpose: Greenprint Steering Committee
Compiled By: David Kutner, Glatting Jackson
Date: June 22, 2002
Community Park in Overtown is one that serves everyone throughout the neighborhood.
Community gathering space — African straw park at the foot of bridge on 14`h Street (started by
Dr. Dunn). —
Who will program the market space and mar
CRA & FDOT are working to build parking
Avenue.
-Should there be someone else who will take
est and on Miami
for maintenance?
-Community gathering spaces — what land is available and what is affordable?
Overtown Collective (St. John's, BAME, Black Archives)
-Overtown Assembly
-Jefferson Reeves Hospital
-Overtown Design Center — Phil Bacon, Director of Design Center
-Get City to maintain paves?
-Do central park lyric folk life = how do you do it?
List — Local initiative support corp.
Issues —
-Safe stores
-Access to schools
-Access to residents
Brian Finney — Empowerment trust & Office of Economic Development (Home, CDBG, etc.)
SEOPW / CM
u2-- 181
N%
GREENPRINT STEERING COMMITTEE
WORKSHOP
August 8, 2002
YWCA
351 NW 5 1h Street
Miami, Florida
AGENDA
Welcome, Introductions
Review the Greenprint Plan
Review the Greenprint Survey
Comments/Discussion
Next Steps
Endorsement of the Plan
SF,OPW/CRk
0 20 - 181
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