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Landscape Beautification Advisory Board Meeting of November 13, 2008
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MIRACLE MILE AND GIRALDA RESTAURANT ROW STREETSCAPE DESIGN PROJECT: Mari Molina reviewed the history of the project handing out an informative brochure on the proposed project. She stated that the BID team looked at great cities around the country and the world for ideas to use. Burton Hersh informed the board that looking at Giralda Avenue and Miracle Mile, 80% is for cars and 20% is for people. They would like it to be 50/50 and have ways to do this and make these streets destinations. He noted that 12' is gained on each side when parallel parking with bump-outs is installed. To mitigate the parking that is lost, there are parking garages already in place or planned.
For Giralda Avenue, the idea is to have a shared street where sometimes the majority is for vehicles, sometimes it is completely for people, and sometimes for both. Problems come with funding and parking. Connections to stores and parking garages need to be updated and spruced up. It was suggested that parking meters be raised by .25 per hour along with limiting the time. This would be followed by lowering the price for parking in the garages. Maricris Longo asked if it is known who is actually coming to the area and if it is known how the public perceives the area.
For Miracle Mile, they would like to see the trolley expanded to come from the University of Miami. Members agreed that expanding the trolley routes would boost potential ridership. Dan Keys asked if private industry had been contacted as an alternative trolley service. Burton Hersh noted that the final plans for Miracle Mile includes a double canopy of trees. George Blet asked how the property owners on the Mile and Giralda feel about the project. It was noted that the owners on Miracle Mile approve of the vision but are not sure how to pay for it.
Discussion was held on the pros and cons of having no curb on Miracle Mile as well as the use of bollards. Robert Parsley described issues he has seen involved with using bollards, indicating some difficulties with their use.
Burton Hersh noted that the BID's team of volunteer's created a conceptual design that is more detailed, in addition to the presentation booklet provided. This plan will be presented to the City Commission on Tuesday. Maricris Longo asked if the team will have review ability on the plans. He explained that the BID will, but they will not be hired to do the designing. The City's Public Works Dept. will hire someone to do the design based on the team's design.
Robert Parsley moved "That the Landscape Beautification Advisory Board supports the conceptual BID design for Miracle Mile and the 100 block of Giralda Avenue in principle and encourage them in their pursuit." The motion was seconded by George Blet, voted upon and was adopted with a unanimous vote. Board members were excited with the plan and are looking forward to the results.