HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Greg Bush-Letter of SupportVIRGINIA KEY
BEACH PARK
4020 Virginia Beach Drive, tliami. Florida 33149 • T 305.960.4600 F 305.960.4620 • ni w.tiirginfake)beachpark.net
Submitted into the public
record for items) 1�
an 17 } 1 D I'J . City Clerk
December 8, 2015
The Hon. Wifredo "Willy" Gort, Chairman
Commissioner, District 1
City of Miami Commission
Miami City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
Dear Chairman Gort:
This letter comes to express the enthusiastic support of the Virginia Key Beach Park
Trust for the proposed Virginia Key Steering Committee (Ordinance FR.6), which is to
be discussed on First Reading at the Thursday, December 10th Commission meeting.
The Steering Committee will be empowered to advise and make recommendations to
the City Commission regarding island wide strategic planning, restoration and operation
of the Miami Marine Stadium and implementation of the 2010 Virginia Key Master Plan.
That Master Plan process galvanized local stakeholders and provided a clear vision for
public use and future restoration and preservation of the nature, beauty, and rich
cultural and historic sites on Virginia Key.
The creation of a Steering Committee would give the community a defined place and
process for public engagement in the overall visioning, planning, and future
development of Virginia Key for the greatest benefit to Miami residents and visitors
alike.
As you know, the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust has played an important role in the
restoration of Virginia Key through its successful efforts to re -open Historic Virginia Key
Beach Park to the public in 2008, as an increasingly popular historic and environmental
landmark (listed on the National Register of Historic Places and with Historic
designation by the City), and venue for a wide diversity of special events. Its leadership
in the environmental rehabilitation of the Historic Beach Park and surrounding areas
and its participation in the Virginia Key Master Plan are well established.
In that light, we are equally appreciative of the contributions of other stakeholders on the
island and in the community, and of the impressive list of participants who would be at
the table through their Steering Committee membership and through the appointment
power of the Mayor and Commissioners.
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, once called 'Bears Cut'. was frequented In the early 1900's by Black settlers arrhing on the island by ferry
from a dock at the end of Fifth Street. In downtown Miami. Established on August I. 1945 as 'The Colored Beach'.
M. .thane Range. Founding Chair
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Submitted into the public
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The proposed 11-Member committee is manageable size and can bring a great deal of
institutional knowledge, expertise and community involvement to the Virginia Key
planning process.
The Trust discussed the Ordinance at our monthly Board meeting this week and
unanimously supports the establishment of the Virginia Key Steering Committee, and is
ready to work with the Virginia Key Steering Committee if it is approved by the
Commission as it is currently proposed.
With best regards from the Virginia Key Beach Park Trustees and staff,
Gene Tinnie, Chairman
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust