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Home My WebLink AboutItem #04 - Discussion Item.i .- 1.-iI. t... :!t!')A Joseph R. Grassie City Manager Richard L. FosmoenDirector Planning Department September 28, 1977 Jefferson Street/Washington Avenue Neighborhood Analysis It has been recommended by the City Administration that Jefferson Street be closed between Grand Avenue Park and the new park at the incinerator property, to join the two sites as one recreational complex. This proposed street closure has raised questions as to potential traffic and environmental impact on residences along Washington Avenue specifically, and the three -block neighborhood south of Grand Avenue in general. This report summarizes a study of these problems with alterna- tive solutions identified. It is recommended that Jefferson Street be closed, conditional on housing and street improve- ments in the area. The Problem Specifically,the critical question is; will a closure of Jefferson Street redirect dangerous or burdensome amounts of traffic onto Washington Avenue thereby creating unsuitable living conditions for existing residences? In addition, will automobile parking needs for the park create problems for nearby residential streets where park users may leave their autos? Two additional factors complicate these problems: (1) the widening of Grand Avenue leaving_ homes on Washington Avenue with a back yard of only 10 to 20 feet, and (2) the existing housing conditions along Washington Avenue which affect the stability of the neighborhood. Analysis Washington Avenue Parking and Traffic Daytime use of Grand Avenue Park is limited to adjoining elementary and junior high students and neighborhood children. Traffic and parking needs are negli- gible at these times. Only during weekends and occasional week day evenings, when little league baseball or football games are scheduled, do parking and traffic demands become significant, when up to 100 vehicles will park along Jefferson and adjoining side streets. At present, seventy parking spaces exist at the south end of Jefferson Street on the Junior High School property, and 35 more spaces are to be built adjacent to the incinerator as a part of that park improvement. Page 1 of 4 Joseph R. Grassie City Manager September 28, 1977 Park administrators at Grand Avenue Park point out than an equal number of users during major scheduled events enter the Park by Charles Terrace off of Douglas Road as do by Jefferson Street at Grand Avenue. Therefore the dual parking facilities at the school and at the incinerator would serve both access routes quite well, and the total number of spaces would be sufficient for even major events. As for additional traffic on Washington Avenue, with parking available at the corner of Jefferson and Washington, there would be no reason for vehicles to use Brooker and Washington Avenue. There is no accurate way to project traffic volumes on Washington Avenue as they are presently so low (200-300 vehicles per day -- DOTT estimate) and the use of the Park will be primarily by local residents who will come by foot and bicycle. However, a parallel can be drawn with Virrick Park that has a community swimming pool, recreation courts and a health center but has created no ad- verse traffic problems for surrounding single family homes. Although Washing- ton Avenue is relatively narrow, (15-18 feet of pavement width) east of Brooker, the frontage along the Park is 25 feet of street width, which is adequate for the small volumes anticipated. Grand Avenue Widening Of more concern than increases in traffic on Washington Avenue is the effect of widening Grand Avenue in 1978 from Douglas to Dixie Highway. This action will leave the homes on Washington Avenue with already shallow 70' foot lots exposed along the rear yard to a major arterial (9000 + vehicles per day). In some cases, homes are left with only 10 to 20 feet of rear yard area sep- arating them from the new Grand Avenue improvement. Housing Condition A third problem is the poor condition of several homes along Washington Ave- nue. This is balanced against the fact that over half of the homes are owner occupied and 1/3 of them in good to excellent condition. This mixed situation demands caution in dealing with blighted properties to protect much needed stable owner -occupied single family residences. Alternative Solutions (see maps) Alternative 1) - Residential uses on Washington between Jefferson and Brooker Streets would be eliminated to remove poor structural conditions and environmental conflicts. With the residential uses removed, both Washington and Jefferson would be closed and incorporated into the Park. - Remaining local streets would be improved with stabilized shoulders and landscaping. Page 2 of 4 3oseph R. Grassie September 28, 1977 City Manager Alternative 2) Remaining residential uses between Brooker and Douglas would be included in a rehabilitation, selective clear- ance and redevelopment program. Residential properties along Washington Avenue would remain but a program of selective clearance, rehabilita- tion and new development of housing would be instituted, between Jefferson and Douglas. - Local street rights -of -way would be improved with stabil- ized shoulders and landscaping. • The design of Grand Avenue would be modified to allow the development of 9 feet of right-of-way as a landscaped yard area adjacent to the rear yards of Washington Avenue properties. - Jefferson Street would remain open and the park design adjusted accordingly. Alternative 3) Recommended - Jefferson Street would be closed. - A program of rehabilitation, selective acquisition and redevelopment would be applied throughout the residential area from Jefferson to Douglas. The design of Grand Avenue would be modified to allow the development of 9 feet of right-of-way as a landscaped yard adjacent to the rear yards of Washington Avenue properties. - Local street rights -of -way would be improved. Basis for Recommendation - A modification of the Grand Avenue improvement to add 9 feet adjacent to the rear yard area of Washington Avenue properties would make them more suitable for low density residential uses. The need for preserving as much low density residential property (even if some structures must be redeveloped) in the Black Grove neighborhood argues against total clearance projects that entirely eliminate residential uses. Page 3 of 4 Joseph R. Grassie City Manager Implementation September 28, 1977 The substantial need for more recreation facilities requires that Jefferson Street be closed to avoid losing the hardball field and splitting game court areas from the school children. With shoulder improvements and landscaping along Washington Avenue, anticipated traffic from the Park could be easily handled. - The high percentage of homeownership and excellent 'condition of several homes along Washington Avenue bids well for a rehabilitation and spot redevelopment program in the area. The following agencies and actions will be necessary to implement recommendations of this study: - Closure of Jefferson Street will require City Commission approval with the Miami Department of Public Works ad- ministering the subsequent contract for pavement removal. - Street improvements and landscaping of Washington, Brooker and Thomas Avenues are proposed to he funded through the 4th Year Community Development Program upon recommendation of the CD Task Force and the approval of the City Commission, and the subsequent contract to be administered by the Miami Department of Public Works. - Removal of parking on Grand Avenue will require an agree- ment between the City of Miami and the Dade County Depart- ment of Public Works to remove parking and substitute a landscaped yard area along the southern 9 feet of the widened Grand Avenue right-of-way. - Residential rehabilitation clearance and redevelopment are proposed to be funded through the 4th or 5th Year Community Development Programs (approximately $400,000 for the 3-block area south of Grand Avenue) and upon the recommendation of the CD Task Force and approval by the City Commission, will be implemented by an agreement with the Dade County Department of Housing and Urban Development to manage the program. - Use of the Carver Junior High parking lot on Jefferson Street during weekends and evenings will require an agree- ment between the Carver Community School Program Director and the City. 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