HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter - Miami DDAi= MIAMIDIDA
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
21 March 2011
Mr. Nzeribe Ihekwaba, Director
City of Miami Public Works Department
444 SW 2 Avenue, 8th FL
Miami, Florida 33130
305.416.1260
RE: City of Miami Biscayne Boulevard & Miami Arena Vending Districts
Dear Mr. lhekwaba,
The Miami Downtown Development Authority's (DDA) mission is to make Downtown Miami the most
livable urban center in the nation and to strengthen its position as the international center for
commerce, culture, and tourism. As you know, Downtown Miami is a very different place today than it
was since the establishment of the City Vending Districts more than 15 years ago. The days of not being
able to get a quick bite or a soft drink are behind us. Downtown Miami has experienced a
transformative renaissance of new development bringing thousands of new residents, dozens of new
restaurants and a more 24/7 activityy to the area.
In 1995, the DDA partnered with the Downtown Miami Partnership and the City of Miami in developing
and managing the City's Downtown Miami Vending District. Over the past several years we have learned
that only through diligent and consistent supervision and code enforcement (of Section 39-33) can the
program be seen as contributing to the services provided in Downtown. Otherwise, little by little, the
program degenerates and Downtown's streets begin to look like unregulated open free marketplace.
As a follow up to your meeting on March 21, 2011 and as we previously discussed at our July 2010
meeting, the DDA does not have the ability or capacity to manage the Biscayne Boulevard Vending
District. As stated above, management of a vending district requires consistent supervision and we are
not properly staffed on the days and hours that the Biscayne Boulevard vendors are permitted to vend
(after 6PM on days there are events at the American Airlines Arena).
We agree with you and representatives of the Downtown Miami Partnership, the City Code Enforcement
and Miami Police department that proper supervision and code enforcement are necessary to ensure
the success of the Biscayne Boulevard and Miami Arena Vending Districts and without them that the
program should be discontinued.
Sincer
fr-/
Alyce Ro ertson
Executi e Director, DDA
cc: Josie Correa, Downtown Miami Partnership
Sergio Guadix, City of Miami Code Enforcement
Commander David Sanchez, City of Miami Police Department
Haydee Wheeler, City of Miami NET
MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
200 S. Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2929
Wachovia Financial Center
Miami. Florida 33131
Phone. 305.579.6675
Fax: 305.371.2423
Web: www.miamidda.com