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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-00333 BackupI i F URBAN MIAVII G.REENWAY 11 t In 111 tl y.. Investments, INC. — 697 N. Miami Avenue #2, Miami, FL 33136 ;1 .w��. • • • f / URBAN MIAMI+:=hl f Ni`\ \t /3-2009 The FEC corridor has been a continual source of slum and blight in downtown Miami for years. The decline of the Railroad industry and falling revenues has resulted in bare minimum maintenance and an unsightful scar dividing Overtown from Park West and the Central Business District. Analysis of historical photos has shown that little has changed since the founding of the City. The City of Miami Police department is supporting our efforts of improving the FEC corridor as it will substan- tially crime, thereby improving upon their efforts to support the community and those in need and allowing the City of Miami to reduce enforcement costs. This project may pay for itself in 5 years in reduced costs.. NMA Investments has completed a small pilot project to improve the area behind their property. A legal agreement with Florida East Coast Railway, LLC has been executed for this purpose which since has been extended to cover the project area. The design build team has invested hundreds of hours over the past four months, with the FEC various County and City agencies to understand their requirements, sort out legal and liability issues, thereby allowing us to present an A+ project, a previously requested at CRA Board meetings The concept is to create a visual park that can be used as a pedestrian and bicycle greenway along the tracks. The park is not a gathering place but rather an urban passageway. The project has been designed with deterrent land- scaping and bright lighting to deter crime and we have coordinated with the Miami Police Department for their input. Weed mats will be placed under crushed rock to prevent vegetation growth and stones will deter walking. Caribbean agave (as deterrent landscaping) will be placed in comers and crossings to prevent access and decorative bollards and fencing will be made out of historic railroad ties to prevent vehicle access and guide pedestrians. At the same time, with the intent of reconnecting Overtown with Park West and improving the area for those who live near the tracks, sidewalks, gutters and curbing will be constructed along the right of way where it does not exist. Overtown residents living near the RR tracks will have proper sidewalks and drainage for the first time in history. In addition, two properly marked and ADA compliant pedestrian crossings will allow east / west access; 13th street (under I-395), and 17th street. The project can be divided into three separate sections 1) Biscayne Boulevard to NW 1st ave: Remove large amount of debris and vegetation; Install weed mat and cover with of stone ; pedestrian / bike pathway; repair and install retaining walls; deterrent land- scaping and curbing; Decorative bollards and cable. TOTAL COST: $405,000.00 2) NW 8th street to NW 14th street. Remove large amount of debris, vegetation and chain link fence; Install weed mat and cover with stone ; pedestrian / bike pathway; deterrent landscaping and curb- ing; Decorative bollards and cable on perimeter of each block; code compliant sidewalk, curbs and gutter where none; pedestrian crossing at lath street. TOTAL COST: $684,591.00 3) NW 14th street to 19th street. Remove debris and vegetation; Install weed mat and cover with stone ; pedestrian / bike pathway; deterrent landscaping and curbing; Decorative bollards and cable at entrances and crossings; pedestrian crossing at 17th street. TOTAL COST: $185,602.00 Disclaimer: the ideas and images contained in this document are the exclusive intellectual property of NMA Investments, INC. Any utilization of the ideas and images without the express written permission or NMA Investments, [NC is prohibited. HISTORY & CONTEXT / 697 Miami Ave_ / URBAN MIIAMI t NMA Investments, Inc .acquired 697 Miami Avenue from Armand Shoes in 2001. Origi- nally built in 1926 the building functioned as an integral component of downtown Miami's original development in the 1920's. The FEC corridor was one of the primary sources of commerce and distribution for the entire area. As the function and need for distribution dirnished on the EEC corridor fell into physical dispre.pair demonstrative of blight and slum. Pesentley, the building has undergone is an adaptive reuse and remodeling involving the entire 20,000 slf. The property is nearly fully leased and 35-40 jobs have been cre- ated due to the hiring of employees by new tenants. The years of neglect & overgrown vegeta- tion over 30-40 years motivated the owner to contact the FEC & GRA. Pedestrian crossings are not code compliant and in some areas, proper sidewalks curbs and gutters have never been built. This effects the safety and qulity of neighborhood and community. The initial pilot project addressed the above mentioned concerns as demonstrated in the images to the right. We believe the proposal will assist in deterring crime and continue to encourage the area's growth & development. BEFORE AFTER l l'r t11_t ., ..r .1•,11' 1 1{ 1\ / URBAN MIAMI t. EE 4WA / 3-2009 Project Description and Scope The concept is to create a visual park that can be used as a pedestrian and bicycle greenway along the tracks. The park is not a gathering place but rather au urban passageway. The project has been designed with deter- rent landscaping and bright lighting to deter crime and we have coordinated with the lvliami Police Depart- ment for their input. Weed mats will be placed under crushed rock to prevent vegetation growth and stones will deter walking. Caribbean agave (as deterrent landscaping) will be placed in corners and crossings to prevent access and decorative bollards and fencing will be made out of historic railroad ties to prevent vehicle access and guide pedestrians. At the same time, with the intent of reconnecting Overtown with Park West and irnproving the area for those who live near the tracks, sidewalks, gutters and curbing will be constructed along the right of way where it does not exist. Overtown residents living near the RR tracks will have proper sidewalks and drainage for the first time in history. In addition, two properly marked and ADA compliant pedestrian crossings will allow east / west access; lath street (under I-395), and 17th street. The design build tears, which is comprised of Brad Knoefler, Heavy Civil Group, Vincent Fillgenzi Architectural Landscape Design, have invested hundreds of hours over the past four months designing, engineering and working out logisitcal issues along with sorting out legal and liability issues, property ownership and right of way issues and meeting various times with the FEC Railways representatives to understand railway requirements and concerns. Coordination with various County and City agencies has taken place to understand their requirements, sort out legal and liability issues, thereby allowing us to present an A+ project, a previously requested at CRA Board meetings The project can be divided into three separate sections Biscayne Boulevard to NW 1st avenue : The dirtiest and most complicated section due to the large amount of debris, elevation changes, and retaining wall construction. Deterrent land- scaping and lighting are extremely important for this portion. NW Sth street to NW 14th street: Less dirty but very large square footage to cover. Large lin- ear foot for bollards and fencing. Most visual impact due to proximity to Overtown, the Madi- son, and visible from I-395. Perimeters of each block to have bollards and cable. Will assist in reducing high crime under 1-395 NW 14th street Longest block. Least amount of debris removal required. Less expensive due to existing walls and lower visual impact. Includes 19th street and 14th street entrance to greenway. 1z x Biscayne Boulevard to NW 1st ave: Approx. 1,700 If; 130,000 sif Remove large amount of construction debris, vegetation, and refuse - Spray weed kill over entire area - Install weed mat and cover with 4" of stone to prevent vegetation growth - Install approx 1,500 if of concrete wall; trench, form, and pour concrete footer, concrete block wall, stucco and paint - 10' wide asphalt pedestrian / bike pathway for entire length; - Installation of deterrent landscaping along wall and in corners and recesses to prevent access. - Install decorative RR tie bollards and cable at Biscayne, N Miami Ave, NE 1st avenue and NW 1st avenue intersections. Install 6" curbing at intersections Ground cover and visual park on triangular piece of land at NW 1st Avenue. TOTAL COST: $405,000.00 r- • I'ROIECT DEsd'RICON. / URBAN MIAMI 3-2009 • i 4th Street • NW ST° street to NW 14`Il street. Approx 2,210 if; 796,000 slf 8th Street Remove large amount of construction debris, vegetation and refuse Spray weed kill over entire area Install weed mat and cover with 4" of stone to prevent vegetation growth 10' wide asphalt pedestrian / bike pathway for entire length; Installation of deterrent landscaping along wall and in corners and recesses to prevent access. Install decorative RR tie bollards and cable around perimeter, intersections and at pedestrian crossings. No bollards where existing fence remains (9`b street pedestrian mall) install 6" curbing at intersections and pedestrian crossing install code compliant sidewalk, curbs and gutters where nonexistent (primarily the west side and crossings) Construct pedestrian crossing at I3`h street. TOTAL COST: $684,591.00 • • • PR(),IE("i" I)h4CRIl'UR / URBAN[ MIAMI (REENWAN / 3-2009 19th Street NW 14i° street to 19En street. Approx 2,1001f; 210,000 sif 14th Street Remove large amount of construction debris, vegetation, and refuse - Spray weed idil over entire area Install weed mat and cover with 4" of stone to prevent vegetation growth - 10' wide asphalt pedestrian / bike pathway for entire length; - Installation of deterrent landscaping along wall and in corners and recesses to prevent access. - install decorative RR tie bollards and cable at 14`h street entrance, pedestrian crossing, and le street entrance - Install 6' curbing at intersections and pedestrian crossings Construct pedestrian crossing at 17`h street. TOTAL COST: $185,602.00 i11'lN ti\V 3-2009 • s • / URBAN MIAMI _ ': Outdoor lighting of Greenway / 3-2009 Due to legal and liability limitations from FPL, NMA Investments cannot contract for outdoor lighting along the green - way. The FEC Railways agreement specifically allows for the installation of outdoor lighting along the right of way. Ap- proximately four, 400 watt Metal Halide outdoor lights ttre recommended per block, resulting in 64 lights placed approx 100 feet apart. The cost for these lights (installation maintenance, and electric included) is $1,536.00 per month. The entire two mile long greenway can be lit for less than $20,000 per year. It is recommended that the CRA contract through the City of Miami public works department directly with FPL to facilitate the installation of outdoor lighting Public access and pathway issues In order to allow public access to the Greenway, the City of Miami will need to enter into a legal agreement with FTC Railway, LLC to cover liability and insurance issues. As this agreement is not in the scope of this project, it is rccom- tnended that the City Attorney begin negotiating this agreement and be responsible for its completion to allow the path to be constructed. 9th street Pedestrian Mali Due to the unique design and its inclusion in the CRA Master Plan, the 9th street pedestrian mall extension is not part of the scope of this project. It is recommended that the CRA implement the master plan by continuing the paver crossing across to NW 1st avenue to complete the project. Ongoing Maintenance While the design of the project is such to drastically reduce ongoing maintenance. However, periodic cleanup of trash and debris. It is recommended that the CRA contract with a local Finn for this issue as it will result in permanent job creation from this project. Summary and next steps We feel that the benefits of removing slum and blight over a nearly two pule portion in downtown Miami are enormous. The relatively small cost of the project compared to the immense benefit in crime prevention, and overall quality of life stake this a win J win for the CRA. Contrary to any streetscape improvements, which could take years to plan and execute, this project could be completed in 3-4 months. having an immediate major impact on the neighborhood. Next Steps: l) CRA Board to authorize the executive director to enter into a contract for the implementation of the project 2) City Attorney's office to begin negotiations for public access 3) CRA to place outdoor lighting order with FPL 4) CRA to evaluate the issue of contracting for periodic cleanup of greenway. Project exclusions Legal fees For FTC Railway agreement with City (to be handled by City Attorney Signage crossing modifications at intersections Traffic engineering (if required) for pedestrian ( bike crossings of public right of way Any additional EEC requirements to implement the project.