HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-00626 06-27-2011 Bayfront Park Trust Letter Regarding FEC SlipJune 21, 201 1
I-Ionorable Dennis C. Moss
Miami Dade Board of County Commissioners
District 9
Stephen P. Clark Center
1 1 I N.W. 1st Street, Suite 320
ivl iam i, Florida 33128
Dear Commissioner Moss,
Via email and US mail
The Bayfront Park Management Trust (Trust), created in 1987 by the Miami City Commission, is a
limited agency of the city, directed to operate, manage and monitor Bayfront Park for the purpose of
maximum community utilization ancl enjoyment, The Trust consists of nine members appointed by the
Miami City Commission and the board is chaired by City Commission Vice -Chair, Commissioner Frank
Carollo. In 1994, the commission directed the Trust to assume control of Bicentennial Park and take
responsibility for its operation and maintenance. On December 14, 2006, the City Commission further
awarded the Trust responsibility for the FEC slip between Bicentennial Park and the American Airlines
Arena. It is from that authority this letter is written.
The Trust met this afternoon and was made aware of your proposed feasibility study to fill the deep water
slip. The Trust views the deep water slip as a community resource not a liability. Its position, relative to
Biscayne Boulevard, brings the Bay into the city and provides programming opportunities that are uniquely
Miami. Visiting tall ships, military vessels, `round the world sailboat races, water taxi operators and the
Miami Boat Show International, have all recognized the slip's value and expressed an interest in using the
space. The City of Miami, recognizing the value of this resource, invested over $15 million in the seawall
project, $1.7 million in the bollard installation and $1 million plus in design fees for the surrounding park,
totaling a $17 million plus investment. Filling the slip might require repayment to granting agencies,
funders and bondholders.
One cannot overlook the unique artistic setting the slip brings to the Miami waterfront — it currently serves
as host site to the monumental John Henry sculpture "Je souhaite" and there are plans for additional
monumental art installations in the future.
Filling the deep slip is not an answer to any perceived obstacles we may encounter. The slip is an
opportunity to celebrate yet another uniquely Miami quality — there are no circumstances under which
filling it makes sense.
Thank you in advance for recognizing and addressing our concerns.
Respectfully,
�J
Timothy'F. Schmand
Executive Director
Cc: Bayfront Park Management Trust
file
BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST
301 North Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33132 (305) 358-7550