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Home My WebLink AboutR-93-0638J-93-610 9/10/93 RESOLUTION NO. 93- 638 A RESOLUTION, WITH ATTACHMENTS, APPROVING THE "FLAGLER CORE AREA ENHANCEMENT STRATEGY" FOR DOWNTOWN MIAMI, DATED JUNE 1993; FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INITIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID PLAN, SUBJECT TO THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CITY COMMISSION PRIOR APPROVAL OF ANY EXPENDITURES, AND REPORT TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS. WHEREAS, Downtown Miami represents a significant percentage of the City of Miami's Tax Base; and WHEREAS, Downtown Miami's future depends on the provision of basic services to improve the environment and quality of life, and a comprehensive, coordinated, publio/private, concerted effort to address maintenance issues and basic improvements is needed to protect and improve the economic viability of Downtown; and WHEREAS, the Flagler Core Area is also in need of additional services and improvements to improve the quality of life and protect the economic viability of Downtown and the City of Miami; and WHEREAS, to address these issues a joint effort has been initiated by Downtown Development Authority, ("DDA"), Downtown NET Office ("NET"), Downtown Business Association and Downtown Miami Incorporated focusing on security, tourist information, CITY COMMMSSION MEETING OF OCT 14 1993 Reeoludon No, 93- 638 code enforcement, sanitation, street vending, sidewalk maintenance, landscape maintenance, signage and management/monitoring of basic services; and WHEREAS, the DDA, NET, Downtown Miami Business Association and Downtown Miami Incorporated have prepared an Enhancement Strategy for the Downtown Miami Flagler Core Area; and WHEREAS, the City Commission now wishes to initiate implementation of the Flagler Core Area Enhancement Strategies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are hereby, adopted by reference thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The City Commission hereby approves the "Flagler Core Area Enhancement Strategy", as set forth on the attachment hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Section 3. The City Commission hereby directs the City Manager to initiate implementation of said Flagler Core Area Enhancement Strategy, identify and direct City resources towards said implementation, subject to the Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors and City Commission prior approval of any expenditures, and report back to the City Commission within ninety (90) days of this date as to what actions have been undertaken. -2- 93- 638 PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of ber, 1993. XAVIER Zj. SUAR Z, MAYOR ATTES RATTY HIRAI CITY CLERK PREPARED AND APPROVED BY: - &-j �p ;�k t-ev L E. MAXWELL C IEF ASSI STANT CITY ATTORNEY APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: A. QTYf N J S, III CITY ATT Y k JEM/mis/ask/M3787 93-- 638 -3- W A Proposal by The Downtown Development Authority & The Downtown NET Service Center In Cooperation with The Downtown Miami Business Association & Downtown Miami Incorporated .tune 1993 93- 638 [it TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 Overview 2 Concept 2 Security 2 Visitor Information Program. 3 Code Enforcement 3 Sanitation 4 Street Vendors 4 Pedestrian System Maintenance 4 Landscape Maintenance 4 Signage 5 Special Management District 5 Summary 5 Downtown Miami Map 6 93— 638 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Downtown Miami's future is tied directly to the ability to provide basic services to improve the quality of life in downtown. The following is a summary of ideas for a comprehensive, coordinated, public/private sector effort to address and resolve maintenance problems and the enhancement of the Flagler Core Area. SECURITY - Increase the number of police officers assigned to downtown during the day. Upgraded security services during the evening hours are provided by the Wackenhut Corporation. Improve the quality and maintenance of lighting throughout the area. TOURIST INFORMATION PROGRAM - Initiate a proactive tourist information and crime prevention program wherein special aides are highly visible, identifiable and immediately accessible to assist visitors. CODE ENFORCEMENT - Implement strict and frequent enforcement by inspectors and police. Inform merchants/property owners about codes and encourage cooperation to achieve strict compliance with the City Ordinances. SANITATION - Schedule sweeping and cleaning of all streets, sidewalks, and designated public pedestrian malls within the District. Assign a minimum of six "white -wings" to sweep throughout the district. STREET VENDORS - Adopt a system to charge street vendors for specific site locations for a specified time period. Educate vendors regarding special district rules and regulations. PEDESTRIAN SYSTEM MAINTENANCE - Monitor the general maintenance, upkeep, and operation for all systems and surfaces within the District. Concentrate on removing all obstructions from the public sidewalk and clustering those items that cannot be removed. LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE - Develop a maintenance plan for the daily care of plant materials, trees, and seasonal color plantings along designated treescape areas. SIGNAGE - Design and implement a comprehensive program for signage including building, storefront, street, parking, public attractions and directional signs. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT COORDINATION - Assign a permanent coordinator to monitor and supervise all district activities and the delivery of services on a daily basis. • r • r 93- 638 If OCT— 7-93 THU i i 1 4 LLH r1 1-11� i - OVERVIEW• ................................... The Downtown Miami's Special Assessment District (SAD) was created with the intent to provide maintenance and management services to public spaces over and above the normal city services and In cooperation with regular property owner maintenance. Additionally, the SAD may periodically undertake limited repairs and improvements where established needs may be met with available assessment dollars. The SAD currently provides security for the area in the evenings. This cooperative effort results in maintaining a pleasant and safer atmosphere In Downtown. The Fiagler Core Area SAD Includes the area bounded approximately by the Miami River, Biscayne Boulevard, N. Third Street, and W. First Avenue, as shown on the attached map. There are other Concerns that affect the quality of life within the district that also need to be addressed. They may be organized Into categories that Include security, a tourist information program, code enforcement, sanitation, street vendors, pedestrian systems maintenance, landscape maintenance and signage Intended to implement a coordinated management district concept, The SAD Is in the "heart' of Downtown. A special effort is required to enhance The Fiagler Core Area. The public and private sectors need to form a team to work together to attack each problem concurrently, identifying short term Improvements and goals and FOLLOW THROUGH to make sure results are achieved. At the same time, long term Improvements need to be addressed, planned and initiated to support, complement and build upon the short term Improvements. Presented herein Is a concept aimed at ways of initiating a program designed to clean-up the FLABLER CORE AREA - art enhancement atWategy focusing on Immediate and achievable goals. CONCEPTr••••...t•a.•.••.•.••r••sees owes* Does SECURITY - Upgraded security services at night are provided by the Wackenhut Corporation, monitored and coordinated through the SAD. With the efforts of the DDA and Downtown NET, an 'innovative' Downtown Security Network (DSN) was established to serve as the Interface between the already In place Association of Security Administration Professionais (ASAP) and the public sector. This allows both ASAP and the other entities to share Information from a common base and enable resources to be shared and enhanced. • increase and Improve vlsibility of downtown police officers. • Continue the practice of downtown police beats from officers posted on corners to a combination of officers walking and being posted on corners at critical times. • Continue utilizing a multi -facet approach of deploying police officers by combining the use of patrol cars, blcycies, and foot patrols. • Special enhanced security should be given to the following four "riot spot" locations where panhandling and window washing Is rampant: - Exit from 1-395 to Biscayne Boulevard - Exit from 1-395 to Miami Avenue - Exit from 1-95 to Biscayne Boulevard/Brickell Avenue - Exit from MacArthur Causeway to Biscayne Boulevard Ii"1 • Continue scheduling Police Impact Teams to target specific problems using both on and off duty officers. v improve the quality and maintenance of existing street tights. 2. 93- 638 • Improve the quality and maintenance of existing street lights. • Monitor the street lights throughout the SAD for the replacement of burned out bulbs as necessary. - restore original street light fixtures along Flagler Street, (Demonstration Block), between Miami Avenue and NE First Avenue. - repair lighting fixtures between NE Third Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard. • Increase the level of street lighting in the area surrounding the New World School of the Arts. • Install lighting on all trees specifically on Flagler Street. • Encourage lighting of all the buildings throughout the SAD. • Continue to utilize the DAP Staff to focus on offering assistance to the homeless in the core area. VISITOR INFORMATION PROGRAM - Initiate a proactive tourist information/crime prevention program wherein special aides are highly visible, identifiable by a unique uniform and immediately accessible to offer assistance to visitors • Reestablish the Downtown Information Officers Program. • Assign specially uniformed aides to offer assistance throughout the district. • Design and clothe visitor aides in an easily recognizable, friendly appearance uniform that is "resort -like". • Provide instructional crime prevention programs and crime alert updates to hotel security forces. • Interact with local hotels and businesses to deter crime. • Aid in the dissemination of information/pamphlets to visitors. • Utilize the NE Second Avenue police mini -station as a Visitor Information Center. CODE ENFORCEMENT - Includes strict and frequent enforcement by inspectors and police. • Educate and encourage cooperation among property owners and merchants to achieve strict compliance with all aspects of City Ordinances including: - Building & Zoning Planning - Sanitation - Vendors Special District Regulations - Public Works - Merchants Code of Ethics • Conduct code enforcement sweeps initially along Flagler Street, focusing on: - Hand -made signage - A -Frame signage - Loud music - Merchandise displayed on sidewalks and in lobbies - Early set -out of garbage • Ensure compliance of new signage to city signage requirements. • Limit loading activities to a maximum of one half hour and strictly enforce by towing. • Implement changes in the Zoning Ordinance that will accomplish the following: - require a minimum standard of maintenance for commercial properties. - require a minimum standard of maintenance for vacant lots. - require store stereo speakers to be located in a manner where sound is not projected directly towards public right-of-way. 93~ 638 SANITATION - includes scheduled sweeping and cleaning of all streets, sidewalks, and designated public pedestrian malls within the District. • Assign a minimum of two white wings to sweep along both sides of Flagler Street. • Assign four additional white wings to sweep throughout the district. • Pressu're clean all sidewalks and streets on a monthly basis using the appropriate machinery to be purchased specifically for these tasks. • Consider changing the pick-up of garbage from evenings to the mornings. • Consider mandating that garbage collection be done exclusively by the City. • Purchase and distribute additional trash receptacles throughout the core area. STREET VENDORS • Establish a special Vending District managed by DDA. Establish a permit fee for designated spaces. Utilize funds collected from vendor permitting fees for increased City services Educate vendors regarding special vending district rules and regulations. • Educate vendors regarding health practices and enforce State Health Department Regulations. • Adopt a system to charge street vendors for specific site locations on a day, three day, month, six month or even a yearly basis. • Utilize funds collected from vendor permitting fees for increased City services. • Require that every vendor provide their own covered trash receptacle. • Require display of a distinctive and consistent type of umbrella and signage. • Adhere to established design guidelines for vendor carts. PEDESTRIAN SYSTEM MAINTENANCE - Includes general maintenance, upkeep, and operation for all systems and surfaces within the District. • Remove obstructions from the public sidewalk and cluster those items that cannot be removed. - locate and cluster newspaper racks - remove incidental racks - remove flyers from poles - remove illegally displayed merchandise • Continue and expand the Commercial Facade Treatment Program. • Continue and extend the Kiosk Program throughout the core area. • Continue the paint -out of graffiti throughout the district. • Repaint street furniture and fixtures throughout the district. • Enhance Gusman Center area by closing the street for theatre events to create a plaza type atmosphere. LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE - Includes maintenance and daily care of plant materials and tree along with seasonal color plantings, along designated treescape areas. �. • Continue to improve the streetscape on the other blocks with landscaping, special lighting, unique trash receptacles. 93- 638 • Continue the Palm Tree Planting Program along Flagler Street between NE Second Avenue Third Avenue. • Trim and prune all trees throughout the district. • Establish a full-time maintenance crew to the District. SIGNAGE • Design and implement a comprehensive program for signage including building, storefront, street and directional signs, parking, and public attractions. • Consider simplicity and uniqueness of design and shape of signs that will provide an identity to the target area. • Encourage the use of colored and/or neon with appropriate signs to maximize the potential for variety and excitement along the street and sidewalk. Extend international signage throughout the SAD. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT COORDINATION - Includes the supervision of all District services and other scheduled special activities relating to the District. • Establish a board elected Management District to oversee all district activities. • Assign a permanent street coordinator to monitor all activities on a daily basis and function a; a liaison between the Management District Board, Block Captains, and the City/Public entities. , • Set up individual "block watch" organizations that would be responsible for seeing that their blocks are policed and clean. • Elect a Block Captain from each organization and establish a SAD Coordinating Council composed of Block Captains who would be responsible for setting universal standards, reporting violations, addressing problems and evaluating alternative solutions for implementation. •Establish a design review committee specifically for merchants! • Identify source of funding (City, County) to approve allocation of parking ticket revenues, less expenses, back to the district. • Issue a quarterly newspaper/pamphlet to merchants and property owners informing them of street issues • Identify funding for the redesign & resurfacing specifically for Flagler Street. Over time, great things have happened in the Flagler Core Area including new sidewalks, landscaped areas, improved streets, banners, kiosks, new construction, renovations and other improvements. However, many of the improvements and programs that have taken place have been fragmented, under -staffed, and often, under -funded. This enhancement strategy is doable in the short term and provides a framework for both public and private efforts to work synergistically to make the "heart" of Downtown Miami cleaner, safer, and the place to work, shop, dine, and to do business. da .. I 93- 638 1� S. 93-- 638 This Implementation plan is a supplementary document to the June 190 Flagler Core Enhancement Strategy. The plan outlines the actions required to implement the strategy prepar the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Downtown NET Service Center in coope with the Downtown Miami Business Associati•3n (DMBA) and Downtown Miami Incorporated (Dh The implementation plan assigns responsibilities for achieving immediate goals, includes proposals, if available, to accomplish specific items, and provides a framework for the use of Year Community Development Block Grant Funds allocated to the Downtown Area. The Flagler Core Area Enhancement Strategy sets immediate goals improvements. At the same time, long term improvements need to b initiated. This includes the redesign and reconstruction of Flagler Street. Below is a legend to help identify the agencies involved. City City of Miami BOA Downtown Development Authority DMBA Downtown Miami Business Association DMI Downtown Miami incorporated NET Downtown Neighborhood Enhancement Team NRO Neighborhood Resource Officer PIC Property Owner e and identifies short addressed, planner 93- 638 / r e and identifies short addressed, planner 93- 638 / r Increase and improve visibility of downtown police officers. .1 Consider changing practice of downtown police beats from officers posted on corners to a combination of officers walking and being posted on comers at critical times. Utilize a multi -facet approach of deploying police officers by combining the use of patrol cars, golf carts, bicycles, and foot patrols. Assign one Public Service Aide (PSA) to be posted at each of the following four "hot spot" locations where panhandling and window washing is rampant: - Exit from 1-395 to Biscayne Boulevard - Exit from 1-395 to Miami Avenue - Exit from 1-95 to Biscayne BoulevardBrickell Avenue - Exit from MacArthur Causeway to Biscayne Boulevard ' Continue scheduling Police Impact Teams to target specific problems using both on and off duty officers. Improve the quality and maintenance of existing street lights. Monitor the street lights throughout the SAD for the replacement of burned out bulbs as necessary. - restore original street light fixtures along Flagler Street, (Demonstration Block), between Mlaml Avenue and NE First Avenue. - repair lighting fixtures between NE Third Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard. Increase the level of street lighting in the area surrounding the New World School of the Arts. Install lighting on all trees specifically on Flagler Street. Encourage lighting of all the buildings throughout the SAD. Continue to utilize the DAP Staff to focus on offering assistance to the homeless to the core area. Reestablish the Downtown Information Officers Program. Assign specially uniformed aides to offer assistance / throughout the district. ` • w Lead Support Cost A enc A enc 9 Y 9 Y city NET/NR City NET/NRO City NET/NRO City NET/NRO City NET/NRO City NET DDA NET DDA City City NET DMI P/O DDA DDA MDCC $20,000 DDA DMBA 93- 638 ISITORINFORMATION PROGRAM _-' �7=7 Design and clothe visitor aides in an easily recognizable, friendly appearance. uniform that is "resort -like". Provide instructional crime prevention programs and crime alert updates to hotel security forces. Interact with local hotels and businesses to deter crime. Aid in the dissemination of infonnation/pamphiets to visitors. Utilize the NE Second Avenue police mini -station as a Visitor Information Center. BODE ENFORCEMENT Educate and encourage cooperation among property owners and merchants to achieve strict compliance with all aspects of City Ordinances including: - Building & Zoning - Planning - Sanitation - Vendors Special District Regulations - Public Works - Merchants Code of Ethics Conduct code enforcement sweeps Initially along Flagler Street, focusing on: - Hand -made signage - A -Frame signage - Loud music - Merchandise displayed on sidewalks and in lobbies - Early set -out of garbage Ensure compliance of new signage to city signage requirements. Limit loading activities to a maximum of one halt hour and strictly enforce by towing. Implement changes In the Zoning Ordinance that will accomplish the following: - require a minimum standard of maintenance for commercial properties. - require a minimum standard of maintenance for vacant lots. - require store stereo speakers to be located in a manner where sound is not projected directly towards public right-of-way. DDA DMBA NET City NET/NRO DMI DDA NET NET DMI/DMBA DMI DMBA/NET P/O NET DDA NET DMBA/DMI City NET/NRO City DDA P7 93- 638 I Lead Support Agency Agency Cost Assign a minimum of two white wings to sweep along both sides of Flagier Street. Assign four additional white wings to sweep throughout the district. Pressure clean all sidewalks and streets on a monthly basis using the appropriate machinery to be purchased specifically for these tasks. Consider changing the pick-up of garbage from evenings to the mornings. Consider mandating that garbage collection be done exclusively by the City. Purchase and distribute additional trash receptacles throughout the core area. Establish a Keep Clean Public Relations Program Establish a special Vending District managed by DDA. Establish a permit fee for designated spaces. Utilize funds collected from vendor permitting fees for increased City f services. Educate vendors regarding special vending district rules and regulations. Educate vendors regarding health practices and enforce State Health Department Regulations. Adopt a system to charge street vendors for specific site locations on a day, three day, month, six month or even a yearty basis. - Require that every vendor provide their own covered trash receptacle. Require display of a distinctive and consistent type of umbrella and signage. Adhere to established design guidelines for vendor carts. City City City DMBA DDA/City DMBA DDA/City City ' DDA DMBA/DMI DDA City i DDA NET DDA NET DDA City DDA City DDA NET DDA NET 93-� PEDESTRIAN STREET MAINTENANCE, �' � .' �' Remove obstructions from the public sidewalk and cluster those items that cannot be removed. - locate and cluster newspaper racks - remove incidental racks - remove flyers from poles - remove illegally displayed merchandise Continue and expand the Commercial Facade Treatment Program. Continue and extend the Kiosk Program throughout the core area. Continue the paint -out of graffiti throughout the district. Repaint street furniture and fixtures throughout the district. Enhance Gusman Center area by closing the street for theatre events to create a plaza type atmosphere Continue to improve the streetscape on the other blocks with landscaping, special lighting, unique trash receptacles. Continue the Palm Tree Planting Program along Flagler Street between NE Second Avenue Third Avenue. Trim and prune all trees throughout the distrkc. Estabrish a full-time maintenance crew to the District. Design and Implement a comprehensive program for signage including, building, storefront, street and directional signs, parking, and public attractions. Consider simplicity and uniqueness of design and shape of signs that will provide an identity to the target area. Encourage the use of colored and/or neon with appropriate signs to maximize the potential for variety and excitement along the street and sidewalk. Extend International signage throughout the SAD. Establish a board elected Management District to oversee all district activities. District responsibilities include maintenance, security, public information, and marketing. Assign a permanent street coordinator to monitor all activities on a daily basis and function as a liaison between the Management District Board, Block Captains, and the City/Public entities. Set up individual "block watch" organizations that would be responsible for seeing that their blocks are policed and clean. Elect a Block Captain from each organization and establish j a SAD Coordinating Council composed of Block Captains who would be responsible for setting universal standards, reporting violations, addressing problems and evaluating alternative solutions for implementation. I Establish a design review committee specifically for merchants. Identify source of funding (City, County) to approve allocation of parking ticket revenues, less expenses, back to the district. Issue a quarterly newspaper/pamphlet to merchants and property owners informing them of street issues Identify funding for the redesign & resurfacing specirrcally for Flagler Street. Lead Support Cost Agency Agency DDA DMVDMBA DDA DMI/NET DMBA DDA DMI/NET , DMBA/P/Q DDA DMI/DMBA DMI DMBA City DDA . DDA NET City DDA/DMV iNET 93- 638 A CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA 13 INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM The Honorable Mayor and TO : Members of the City Commission DATE : ��' I� rJ FILE Downtown Miami Flagler SUBJECT: Core Area Enhancement ' Strategy FROM : C e s d i o REFERENCES Cit Pager For September 23, 1993 ENCLOSURES:City Commission Meeting Recommendation It is respectfully requested that the City Commission approve the attached Resolution approving a proposed Enhancement Strategy for the Downtown Miami Flagler Core Area. Background The DDA, Downtown NET Office, Downtown Miami Business Association and Downtown Miami Incorporated have prepared an Enhancement Strategy for the Downtown Miami Flagler Core Area (See Attached). Downtown Miami's future depends on the provision of basic services to improve the environment and quality of life. A comprehensive, coordinated, public/private, concerted effort to address maintenance issues and basic improvements is needed to protect and improve the economic viability of Downtown. To address the problem, a joint effort has been initiated by the above groups focusing on security, tourist information, code enforcement, sanitation, street vending, sidewalk 'maintenance, landscape maintenance, signage and management/monitoring of basic services. It is respectfully requested that the City Commission approve the attached Resolution in support of the Flagler Core Area Enhancement Strategy and direct the City Manager to initiate its implementation in conjunction with the Downtown Development Authority. CHO/MDS/jt encl 33- 638 13,f