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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCITY_EXECUTIVE SUMMARY_rev2Virginia Key Master Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Prepared for City of Marni City Commr ssion Prepared By: VIRGINIA KEY MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Prepared for: CITY OF MIAMI, CITY COMMISSION The Concept: Virginia Key is a1000 -acre barrier island that is situated off the eastern shore of the City of Miami just south of Miami Beach and midway between mainland Miami and the Village of Key Biscayne in Biscayne Bay. Unlike its surroundings, Virginia Key has seen relatively little development but remains segmented in its uses. Over the years, the island has also seen degradation in many of its facilities and its once pristine natural areas. Although there are a number of "users" and ownerships on the Key, the island presents a tremendous opportunity for public parks and recreation. The Virginia Key Master Plan reconnects Virginia Key to Miami by enhancing its natural areas and providing for recreational opportunities that range from active sports fields to passive environmental education trails. An island located within the busy urban waters of Biscayne Bay, the Key also offers diverse ways for the user to enjoy and interact with the water. The goal of the Master Plan is to provide for multiple and diverse forms of activity and recreation for the residents of Miami while also instilling a deep appreciation and respect for nature by enhancing the natural areas and providing opportunities for environmental education. The plan, therefore, includes park amenities that range from protected mangrove and wildlife areas, contiguous waterfront promenades and beach trails, an improved public waterfront marina and boat storage system, expanded public aquatic center and pools, a regional - scale sports and wellness complex, mountain biking trails and eco -camping opportunities. A key guiding principal, as stated in the adopted Parks and Public Spaces Master Plan for the City of Miami, references a need for "a national renaissance for America's urban parks, based on the critical role played by urban parks in promoting health, enhancing community and economic development, protecting the environment and educating, protecting and enriching youth." This vision statement in turn helped guide the vision for the revitalization of Virginia Key as the regional park destination for the City of Miami. Virginia Key has the opportunity to truly be the Central Park of Miami, or the "lungs" of a city that would provide refuge and vitally needed open space in a burgeoning and crowded metropolis. Three major themes evolved through the process of analysis and feedback from the community and stakeholders. These themes helped to create a framework for the vision plan for Virginia Key and guide the steps for implementation of an undertaking of this magnitude. 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com LCC000001 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA The Guiding Themes: 1. Diversity in Recreation: Stretched over hundreds of acres, the Master Plan for Virginia Key offers a wide variety of recreational activities that range from the more dynamic sports fields to the boating amenities, and to the more passive waterfront parks, beaches, and natural areas. The variety of waterfront and recreational areas offer a platform for community building, health and wellness awareness, youth group activities, as well as adult recreation and entertainment. The parks of Virginia Key create a nexus of opportunities that encourage a return to the fundamental benefits of recreation within an open parks environment. 2. Waterfront Access and Use: With the rapid urbanization of the mainland and communities in the vicinity, many of the waterfront parks and recreation areas have become less accessible to the residents of the region. Virginia Key is unique in that it offers unrestricted access to waterfront areas that are underutilized currently. The Master Plan also proposes a renovation and expansion to the existing boat storage facilities and marina to allow for a more user-friendly system that accommodates the growing demand for boat storage within the greater Miami area. Finally, the plan also makes recommendations for the clean-up and revitalization of the existing beach areas which have been severely diminished due to poor maintenance and storm damage and provides for better access to these coastal areas. 3. Celebration of Natural and Cultural History: The Master Plan celebrates the distinguished physical and cultural history of Virginia Key by enhancing and protecting historic areas, such as the Virginia Key Beach Park, and through the augmentation of existing circulation networks (including vehicular, bike, and pedestrian trails) to the historic areas. As a result of providing additional interpretive signage and informational kiosks at gateways and in key areas along the miles of trails proposed in the plan, a literal record of historic events and places is put into place. In addition, many of the sensitive environmental areas that are integral pieces to the key's geological history as a barrier island are protected and enhanced in some areas with opportunities for environmental education. In many areas, boardwalks and green trails create occasions for not only expanding environmental education opportunities across the Key, but also to advertise the efforts by the different institutions and education facilities on the key (i.e. UM's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, NOAA's Atlantic and Oceanic Meteorological Laboratory, etc) to restore and research the unique biodiversity of Virginia Key. 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com LCC000001 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA The Process: During the Master Planning Process, the consultant team engaged community input through multiple forums that included Public Meetings and Workshops, stakeholder meetings, presentation meetings, and a dedicated website with feedback forms. While there are no residents on the Key, due to the complex ownership and diverse users that operate on the Key, the team conducted a series of meetings that began with the collection of information and input and progressed into update and feedback meetings during the different stages of the design process. Key meetings were also held with public officials and City and County staff to regularly gather input and feedback. In addition, changes to the original scope and community input process also resulted in extensions to the schedule and additional meetings and presentations. The following schedule lists the major milestones within the duration of the project: • PROJECT SCOPING • DATA COLLECTION AND REVIEW • SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS • STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEW PROCESS (January 2007) • PUBLIC MEETING #1: SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS March 29, 2007 at UM's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science • PUBLIC MEETING #2: COMMUNITY WORKSHOP June 2011, 2007 at La Salle High School • PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL LAND USE PLANNING AND DESIGN • PUBLIC MEETING #3: PRELIMINARY MASTER PLANNING August 2611, 2008 at Miami City Hall • FINAL MASTER PLANNING • PUBLIC MEETING #4: PREVIEW OF FINAL MASTER PLAN PRESENTATION May 20, 2009 at Miami Science Museum • WATERFRONT ADVISORY BOARD PRESENTATION: PUBLIC HEARING June 9, 2009 at City of Miami City Hall Chambers • PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD PRESENTATION: PUBLIC HEARING June, 2009 at City of Miami City Hall Chambers • CITY COMMISSION PRESENTATION: PUBLIC HEARING June, 2009 at City of Miami City Hall Chambers • COUNTY COMMISSION PRESENTATION: (Date TBD) 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com 3 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA Over the span of the project, multiple venues for receiving public comment were made available to encourage and gather feedback to the various aspects of the project. After the first Public Presentation in March 2007, feedback was received via the Virginia Key Master Plan webpage as well as through e-mails, faxes, and letters addressed to the City of Miami. Public comments received during public forums and feedback received throughout the process has been thoroughly reviewed and summarized during the Public Presentations and Meetings. Comments and feedback will be further documented in the final Virginia Key Master Plan Report. Master Plan Vision: Goals and Objectives In order to restore its cultural and ecological integrity, the City of Miami hired EDSA and a team of consultants in 2006 to develop a Master Plan for Virginia Key that created a unified vision for the Key's future. The Master Plan builds upon the revitalization efforts started by the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust for the Historic African-American Beach through its designation on the National Historic Register. The City of Miami expressed its vision as a series of goals that integrated multiple opportunities for improvement across the 1000 -acre barrier island. Goals and Objectives: The goals for the Master Planning process are to: • develop a viable waterfront with public open space areas; • develop policies for the use of the waterfront • provide for the protection and enhancement of the natural resources with the necessary infrastructure and traffic flow to serve future improvements to the island. The EDSA team, in conjunction with the City of Miami, developed a Master Planning Process that consists of the following steps: • Research and Data Collection • Community Information Meetings • Preliminary Master Planning • Final Master Planning • Project Documentation and Administration 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com 4 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA The Virginia Key Master Plan in Brief: Due to the complexity of ownership and size of the Master Plan areas, the Plan has been broken down into different parts that allowed for a more detailed design approach. Following is a brief description of each area with a more detailed description in the Virginia Key Master Plan report. • Fishing Pier: The area called the Fishing Pier is actually the old and abandoned Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge that is now used on occasion by fishing enthusiasts. However, due to the lack of maintenance and security, the bridge is in a state of disrepair and is often host to vagrants which deter potential users. Despite some of its troubles, the bridge offers spectacular views to Biscayne Bay, southern Miami, and Coconut Grove. It also is one of the few places where one can enjoy the colorful Hobie Cats set sail during races in the Bay. The Master Plan proposes to refurbish the pier through paving and landscape improvements to encourage better use and upkeep of the area. The Master Plan also proposes to create a gateway statement that welcomes users to Virginia Key through the use of lighted sculptural icon elements and to provide an under -bridge connection (under the current Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge) to the marina side of the Key. • Basin Area Properties: Named for the large basin of water that this area is adjacent to, the plan for the Basin Area Properties includes renovation and expansion to the existing marina and dry -stack boat storage facilities. The Virginia Key Master Plan proposes a 15.5% increase in marine facilities capacity over the existing Rickenbacker Marina and Marine Stadium Marina, providing dedicated dockage for nearly 1,000 boats (206 wetslips, 750 drystack racks, and 40 moorings). The redeveloped facilities will also include over 6,000 linear feet of flexible side -tie and day -use dockage. The redevelopment of the marine facilities will improve and increase access to the waterfront for the general public, improve access to the waterways and waterfront amenities for boaters, upgrade the facilities to modern design standards, and upgrade revenue potential while enhancing convenience and safety for all boaters. The plan connects to existing structures such as the Rusty Pelican Restaurant and Marine Stadium while enhancing the lands around them to allow for public access to the waterfront and increased public gathering nodes and spaces. Within the plan, a new parking framework is presented through the use of multi -storied parking garages and defined vehicular circulation patterns. During a meeting with a diverse array of groups that use the Marine Stadium Lagoon, questions were raised about how the lagoon could be programmed to allow for various forms of water -related activity. In addition, problems with the current facility used by the Miami Rowing Club, Dragon Boating Club, and the Swim -Gym brought about the need to plan for an expanded facility that would allow for more public use and involvement. The new building for the aquatic center accommodates current users and allows for the addition of similar users into one facility that also houses indoor and outdoor pools, and the plan proposes a layout that allows multiple users access to the lagoon with the aid of proper programming. The waterfront promenade baywalk allows for public access to the waterfront and to vantage points for viewing the Miami skyline while also providing a connecting thread tying together the different segments of the Basin Area properties. 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com LCC000001 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA • Bill Sadowski Critical Wildlife Area Educational Trails: One of the greatest natural treasures on Virginia Key is the Bill Sadowski Critical Wildlife Area, a protected sanctuary that consists of hundreds of acres of mangroves and pristine wetland areas that are home to many threatened species such as shorebirds, herons, egrets, and many others. The area is also part of the manatee protection zone and is restricted to access due to its vulnerable location within close proximity to a very urban environment. The Master Plan respects the sanctity of this pristine area by preserving the natural boundaries and limiting access into the protected lands. The plan shows improvements to an existing roadway around the lagoon that allows for access to the point where views of the Miami Skyline can be enjoyed from a natural setting. Along the lagoon trails, a wildlife viewing tower and pavilion on an existing spoils pile also provides opportunities for environmental education without hindering onto the protected mangrove areas. Limited drive access along the improved roadway also makes the tower more available to the public in an otherwise remote location. • Roadway Corridor Improvements: Rickenbacker Causeway is the arterial corridor that provides vehicular connections between the City of Miami and Virginia Key. The Causeway also serves as the only access roadway and hurricane evacuation route for the residents of the Village of Key Biscayne. The Master Plan proposes landscape improvements and safer pedestrian crossings along the Causeway as well as additional signalized intersections which reorganize traffic patterns to allow access into the improved areas on the Key. More significant improvements are proposed on the interior roads on the Key with the addition of bike lanes on roadways and a wide multi -use trail along the entire length of the roadways. This trail provides access and connectivity to the various segments of the island where proposed improvements are shown and where existing uses have been preserved. Measuring over 8 miles in distance, the trails form the connective tissue that binds the various parts of Virginia Key into one cohesive experience. (Traffic Study Summary on Page 9) • Active Recreation and Wellness Regional Park: According to a recent Parks and Public Spaces Master Plan study completed by Goody Clancy and Associates, the citizens of Miami want "more parks and more access to water." Commitment from Miami -Dade County to provide closure to the 110 -acre landfill on Virginia Key provided the impetus for creating a premier regional park for the City of Miami that catered to the needs of the many residents of the City, from the young to the old. The Active Recreation and Wellness Regional Park features different sizes and types of sports fields as well as a sports and wellness campus that also provides opportunities to provide wellness education to the users. Based on the premise that parks and recreation provide lifestyle alternatives and opportunities for community members and also provide the younger generation of Miami's citizens to refocus on outdoor play and activity became the driving forces for creating the plan for this area. Another focus of the Regional Park is also to become a landmark for the City of Miami and its efforts to become a sustainable and greener city. By example, the reuse of the old landfill site incorporates best management practices and brown field redevelopment incentives while the proximity to the Sewage Treatment Plant makes the reuse of gray water a possibility for the development and maintenance of sports 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com LCC000001 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA fields and green spaces. These efforts along with the use of other sustainable practices that protect the different eco -systems, flora and fauna of Virginia Key play an integral role in the greening of the City of Miami. • Shrimper's Lagoon: Public Beach and Coastal Hardwood Hammock Restoration: As the Master Plan progresses north towards the more remote parts of the Key, enhancement of natural areas and protection of areas such as the Shrimper's Lagoon and Coastal Hardwood Hammock become dominant efforts. However, opportunities to integrate environmental educational trails and provide beach area improvements along with the clean-up of old and underutilized facilities increase access potential for the community. "Virginia Key encompasses three South Florida ecosystems- coastal, dune, and mangrove"' and this is most evident within the areas of the Shrimpers Lagoon and the Coastal Hardwood Hammock where efforts by the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County's Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) have already been put into place to protect and enhance these valuable ecosystems. The Shrimper's Lagoon also offers a unique experience into the history of Virginia Key and its distinctive mangrove ecosystem, flora, and fauna around the lagoon through the use of elevated boardwalks that extend to the waters edge and opportunities to have passive boating activity within a protected and natural waterway. • North Point Recreational Park: The final master plan area on Virginia Key, the North Point offers a rare opportunity for recreation through its varied topography created by the deposition of fill from historic dredging operations in Government Cut. Also, with its remote location and proximity to restored wetland areas as well as beach front, the North Point offers occasion for eco -campers looking for camping retreats in close proximity to the City. The plan for the North Point offers a diverse and different caliber of recreation through the establishment of mountain biking courses on the varied topography, as well as a BMX biking course, renewed beach and picnic areas, eco -camping sites, trails for pedestrians and bikers, and a small retreat center along with a ropes course for retreats and outward bound activities. During the Master Plan Process, the consultant team also worked with Miami -Dade County to look at proposals to locate the National Parks Service Visitor's Center along Rickenbacker Causeway adjacent to the Seaquarium property. The team also explored several options for reorganizing current parking facilities within Seaquarium's leased lands to allow for greater capacity within their current property. Although these general concepts are not included in the proposed master plan drawings, the EDSA Master Planning Team recommends strongly that any parking expansion for the Seaquarium be accommodated within their existing leased property, south of Rickenbacker Causeway. For safety reasons as well as overall Master Planning objectives, the EDSA team strongly recommends that the Seaquarium not be allowed to expand their parking facilities across the Causeway. ' Goody Clancy and Associates, `Miami Parks and Public Spaces Master Plan ; May 2007 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com LCC000001 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA Market Analysis: A market analysis was prepared to understand opportunities for a range of land uses in the Virginia Key Master Plan study area. The analysis consisted of an examination of opportunities for mixed-use waterfront improvements integrated with recreation, public parks and beaches, conservation areas, and existing institutional uses. Although the initial scope included analysis of a broad range of potential uses, current and anticipated zoning prohibits residential and lodging uses on Virginia Key. Also, long-term lease agreements, public, institutional, and private infrastructure restricts the full range of mixed -uses that may be accommodated on Virginia Key. Although there are no current residents on Virginia Key, the market analysis examined household spending and growth potential relating to the Brickell and Key Biscayne markets which are adjacent to understand opportunities for similar developments on Virginia Key. Traffic counts for the Rickenbacker Causeway were compared to counts for Key Biscayne to understand the number of Virginia Key only trips. The populations of Key Biscayne and Brickell are projected to grow 1.3% and 2.0% respectively over the next five years. The population of Key Biscayne is approximately 11,300 and the population in Brickell is about 6,550. Both areas have significant under 20 aged populations, with an equal distribution of adults aged 30 to sixty-nine. In Key Biscayne median household income is approximately $110,000 with an average income greater than $165,000; Spending potentials represented by local area residents and Virginia Key's existing attractions and uses (marina, beach, Seaquarium, government facilities, University of Miami, and Mast Academy, etc.) are not sufficient to carry (support) significant retail and restaurant space alone, but would require regional and visitor market support. Greatest market support is for destination retail and restaurants, and entertainment. Destination retail and restaurant operators will need to drive sufficient traffic and spending potential for substantially expanded facilities. Virginia Key faces significant regional competition from many locations ranging from South Beach to South Miami, as well as Coconut Grove. In combination, these issues—and the results of the market analysis—suggest careful consideration of a merchandising and tenant recruitment strategy. The market analysis suggests that any new development scenario should include wet and dry marina facilities, as there is considerable market demand for both. Related water -oriented concessions such as sailboard or sea kayak rentals could also be supported. Any such concessions would need to be aware of sensitive environmental issues relating to the surrounding area. The analysis also provided details on space and layout requirements for a variety of sports and recreation facilities, including baseball/softball diamonds, soccer, football and lacrosse fields, basketball and volleyball facilities and a golf range. The athletic facilities study included detailed information about swimming and aquatic sports facilities requirements, and case studies for multiple field facilities and comparable facilities costs. 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com LCC000001 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA Implementation: Implementation of the Virginia Key Master Plan development program could occur within several development structures: • Private development via ground leases • Public/Private development joint venture • Public development with private concessions agreements, or • All public development The implementation strategies assume that all publicly -owned lands on Virginia Key will not be sold to private development and that the goal is to leverage private investment to reduce public costs and provide public amenities. The public costs and revenues vary depending upon which development option is taken. Generally, the lower the public investment, the lower the net public revenues and the lower the required public cost over time. Development requiring greater private investment will require longer ground lease terms. The implementation strategy provides a method for preparing developer criteria and deal -structuring and for soliciting and awarding developer involvement. The implementation strategy also provides an ongoing organizational recommendation for an entity to coordinate, manage and advocate for the development of Virginia Key. Traffic Summary: Carter & Burgess, Inc. is a member of the team retained by the City of Miami to prepare a Master Plan for Virginia Key. The firm has been contracted to provide traffic consulting services for the Master Plan, which includes analyzing existing and future transportation conditions on the island. Figure 1 illustrates the traffic study area for the Master Plan. The existing conditions analysis focused on documenting the existing roadway, pedestrian and bicycle networks, internal site circulation, as well as the existing traffic volumes and level of service of the transportation network during a typical weekday and a typical Saturday. The future conditions analysis determined the trip generation associated with future land uses planned within Virginia Key, the traffic impacts created by future traffic growth as well as the future land uses contained in the Master Plan, and recommendations intended to mitigate future traffic impacts and enhance other modes of transportation (pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation) within the island. The Master Plan developed by EDSA for Virginia Key has three distinct areas consisting of athletic -fields area, the beach area, and the basin area. The athletic -fields area includes sports facilities such as soccer fields, baseball fields, softball fields, batting cages, tennis courts, etc. The beach recreational area includes approximately 32 acres of beach front. The basin area includes marina -related uses, a stadium, and an amphitheater. The three areas of the Master Plan affecting traffic flow are graphically depicted in Figure 2. 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com 9 Rickenbac Ar� BISCAYNE BAY t MIAMI MARINE '�•' STADIUM LAGOON PROPOSED NPS VISITOR CENTER LOCATION BILL SADOWSKI CRITICAL WILDLIFE AREA FISHER ISLAND (ORRIS CUT . c � -< LAGOON � r �l! r r t J All HISTORIC VIRGINIA KEY „= BEACH PARK (WRT MASTER PLAN) L i �. Figure 2 li PThree Areas Within Master Plan ft BEAR CUT com Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA The overall Master Plan is projected to increase Saturday peak hour traffic loads by approximately 1,154 vehicles. Approximately 75% of the new trips generated by the land uses located within the Master Plan are anticipated to arrive/depart to and from Miami -Dade County (the remaining 25% is projected to originate from Key Biscayne). Based on the results of the traffic study, the following conclusions were reached: 1. Rickenbacker Causeway is functioning adequately within Virginia Key 2. The additional traffic generated by proposed land uses within the Virginia Key Master Plan will be mitigated with the following recommended improvements: Marina Driveway Intersection 0 Provide two southbound approach lanes (one for left -turning vehicles and one for right -turning traffic). 0 Modify the existing eastbound left -turn lane to include 50 feet of taper length + 340 feet of standard -width turn lane. Stadium Driveway Intersection 0 The Stadium Driveway intersection should be monitored in order to determine when signalization is required in the future (once the Basin Area land uses are built and operational). With a traffic signal installed at this location, traffic speeds are likely to decrease along Rickenbacker Causeway which is desirable. Mast Academy Driveway 0 Future traffic volumes do not appear warrant a traffic signal at this location and therefore, the signal located at this intersection should be reevaluated in order to determine if this traffic signal should be eliminated. 0 If feasible, the existing east -west circulation roadway located along the beach located south of Rickenbacker Causeway should be improved in order to better accommodate two-way traffic between the Mast Academy Driveway and the Stadium Driveway. With a potential future signal at the Stadium Driveway, beach access will be improved once the east -west circulation roadway is enhanced. Arthur Lamb Jr. Road Intersection 0 During peak event -days at the athletic fields, the intersection of Rickenbacker Causeway and Arthur Lamb Jr. Road should be controlled by police officers. 0 Modify the existing eastbound left -turn lane to include 50 feet of taper length + 390 feet of standard -width turn lane. 0 Even though the southbound approach of the Arthur Lamb Jr. Road intersection has two lanes, the two lanes should be well defined (pavement markings are in poor conditions) for a distance of approximately 150 feet. Minor roadway improvements (widening) on Arthur Lamb Jr. Road may be required. 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com 12 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA Rosenstiel Marine School and Beach Driveway 0 Modify the existing eastbound left -turn lane to include 50 feet of taper length + 340 feet of standard -width turn lane. Athletic Fields Intersection 0 In order to ensure that the intersection located at the southwest corner of the athletic -fields area functions safely, the westbound approach should intersect with Arthur Lamb Jr. Road as close as feasible to 90 degrees. Athletic Fields Roadways 0 All roadways surrounding the roadway fields, accessing the Shrimpers Lagoon area, and providing access to the mountain bike trails are projected to operate adequately as two-lane roadways (one lane in each direction). Furthermore, no turn lanes are needed at the internal intersections or at the access points to the future garage structures. Infrequent Congestion (bumper -to -bumper traffic) within Virginia Key is caused by bottlenecks that occur outside of the study area, such as: - At Entrances to Crandon Park During Peak Event Days - At Toll Plaza including Brickell Avenue Intersection and 1-95 Entrance Ramp - Transition from 6 to 4 Lanes (from Virginia Key to Crandon Park) The traffic problems that occur outside Virginia Key (affecting traffic flow within the island) could be improved by implementing a parking management plan for Crandon Park during peak event -days (i.e. variable message signs). Additionally, Sunpass should be incorporated at the toll plaza in order to increase the processing capacity at the entrance to Rickenbacker Causeway. Finally, improvements intended to improve the discharge capacity of the signalized intersection of Brickell Avenue and Rickenbacker Causeway, including the entrance ramp onto Interstate 95, should also be explored in order to improve regional traffic resulting in improved traffic conditions within Virginia Key. As shown in the Virginia Key Master Plan, parking garages are planned for the Basin Area including a pedestrian overpass bridge linking the subject parking garages with Hobie Beach. These future vehicle and pedestrian facilities will significantly enhance access to Hobie Beach, and will improve traffic flow and enhance safety along Rickenbacker Causeway. 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com 13 Virginia Key Master Plan Executive Summary EDSA In order to improve non -auto mobility within Virginia Key, the following features should be considered as part of the Master Plan: 0 Provide a pedestrian path along the north side of Rickenbacker Causeway 0 If feasible, provide a pedestrian connection under the Rickenbacker Bridge at the west end of Virginia Key. This new connection will link the existing pedestrian path located on the south side of the roadway with the new recommended pedestrian path planned for the north side of the causeway. 0 Similarly, link the north and south sides of Rickenbacker Causeway under the west end of the bridge located just east of the Rosenstiel Marine School signalized intersection. This new connection will link the existing pedestrian path located on the south side of the roadway with the new recommended pedestrian path planned for the north side of the causeway. 0 Provide a pedestrian path/sidewalk on both sides of Arthur Lamb Jr. Road in order to link the athletic -fields area with Rickenbacker Causeway. 0 A pedestrian connection should also be provided between the beach area and Rickenbacker Causeway. 0 Provide bicycle lanes along Arthur Lamb Jr. Road. 0 Provide bicycle lanes along the Beach Driveway to access the beach area. 0 If feasible, the two recommended pedestrian connections under the bridges located at both ends of the island should allow bicycle traffic as well in order to complete the loop along Rickenbacker Causeway within Virginia Key. 0 Provide an additional bus stop on the north side of Rickenbacker Causeway at Arthur Lamb Jr. Road. 0 The new recommended pedestrian path along the north side of Rickenbacker Causeway should include connections to the existing bus stops located along the westbound lanes of the causeway. The recommended traffic -related improvements are graphically shown in Figures 3 and 4 1512 E. BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 110, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 USA TEL: 954.524.3330 FAX: 954.524.0177 www.edsaplan.com 14 Traffic Improvements Marina Driveway J/ � — TO MIAMI Stadium/Beach Driveway Athletic Field Intersection e,. Re -Align ' Intersection-;_ l..t-AA�.z11{n J1 if1.w..aA�a..JJJ.-J.: �y YYg i Mast Academy Drivewa Monitor Traffic Signal Arthur Lamb Jr. { 4 ,, Police Control ` 1 r, FISHEr ISLAND NORMS CUT v H NMPE'. LAGOON J f� v� Virginia Beach Dr. j HISTORIC VIRGINIA K ®EACH PARK / {WRT MASTER PLAN} BEAR CUT Figure 3 15 Traffic Improvements _ - TO MIAMI lot Ca er t Improve Beach Access Road Between Mast Academy and Stadium Driveways 77 PROPOSED NPS VISITOR -- CENTER LOCATION FISHER ISLAND Figure 4 16