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FEATURES
8 And the Survey Says...
Results are in for the 2007 community survey
12 Hurrican Tips
Preparing Your Home • Important Phone Numbers
COLUMNS
14 Safety First
Cooking with Fire • Kitchen Safety Tips
16 Your Space
Live Nation at the Gleason • Buildfax
• More shade in Parks • Free Events • July 4th
18 Health/Fitness
Aquatic Fitness for All Levels
22 Greenspace
An Inside Look at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens
ON THE COVER/EN LA PORTADA
Enter a drawing for a Miami Beach gift bag by
submitting the name of the building or address 32 Cultural Corner
featured on the cover, via E-mail, to mbmagazine@ The Wolfsonian-FIU
miamibeachfl.gov. The answer and winner will be
featured in the next issue on page 46.
Somete el lugar y el nombre del arte presentado
34 Since You Asked
el la portada a mbmagazine@miamibeachfl.gov Frequently Asked Questions on WiFi
para entrar en un sorteo para ganarse un regalo
de la ciudad. La correcta repuesta y el ganador
se presentaran en la próxima edición.
36 Planned Progress
Neighborhood Right-of-Way Projects
To request this material in accessible format, sign language interpreters, information on access
for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate
in any city-sponsored proceeding, please contact 305.604.2489 (voice) or 305.673.7218
(TTY) five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay
Service). • Para solicitar esta publicación en un formato accesible, pida intérpretes de lenguaje
de signos, solicite información sobre acceso para personas discapacitadas, si requiere cualquier
ayuda para revisar cualquier documento y/o para participar en cualquier proceso patrocinado por
la ciudad, comuníquese con el Centro de Informacion de la Ciudad por teléfono, 305.604.2489
(voz), o 305.673.7218 (TTY) de ser posible con 5 días de anticipación. También al 711 para
comunicarse con el Servicio de Relay de La Florida.
cleaner
The United States was born of these three words, resources in the budget process,” said Budget and
“We the People.” When governments lose sight Performance Improvement Director Kathie Brooks in
of their citizens’ needs, it can create distrust and explaining why the surveys are important. “It lets us
misunderstanding. Governments use several know where we can put additional dollars or where
common methods to seek input from citizens, such perhaps things are not as important.”
as public meetings, elections and various forms
of correspondence. But do they really know the Overall results show that residents have a favorable
sentiment of the community or are they just getting opinion of the City and/or City services across a
the opinions from those who speak up? number of survey items, and public satisfaction with
some services has improved further. Improvement
Community participation is instrumental to the success in ratings by businesses was even more dramatic
of a democratic society. In an effort to engage the – almost half of comparable questions from
community in developing the goals for the future 2005 improved by more than five points – now
of the city, the City of Miami Beach conducted a approaching the high level of resident satisfaction.
community survey in 2005. The results were used to
safer develop the City’s first citywide Strategic Plan. “I am pleased with the progress that we have been
making. We can see results in many of the areas
Earlier this year, the City of Miami Beach, in that we focused on over the last two years. For
collaboration with the Hay Group, conducted a example, cleanliness and landscape maintenance
second set of community surveys with residents in business areas, recreation programs, handling
and businesses (in both English and Spanish), to special events, and improving communications with
continue to assist the City in developing, improving the community,” said Miami Beach City Manager
and implementing strategic priorities for the future Jorge M. Gonzalez.
of the community.
Quality of life continues to be highly rated – over three
The main objectives of the 2007 Community fourths of Miami Beach residents rate the quality of
Satisfaction Survey were to understand satisfaction life in Miami Beach as excellent or good and would
among City of Miami Beach residents and recommend the City to family and friends as a place
businesses with quality of life in the City, services to live -- and the majority see it as getting better. Two
received, City government, and recent initiatives; thirds of residents surveyed continue to see Miami
measure change since the 2005 Community Beach government as meeting their needs.
safer Satisfaction Survey; benchmark Miami Beach
to similar cities/jurisdictions; determine areas of Areas that improved in resident satisfaction were
strength and opportunities for improvement; utilize the cleanliness of neighborhoods and waterways,
community input to support the budget process; particularly in mid-beach and the Condo corridor,
and provide actionable data to make decisions. and the rating of the amount of information
received from the City. Those using Miami Beach
Phone surveys were administered in January of media as their primary source of information were
2007. There was a strong response from residents, the most satisfied (i.e. MB magazine, CityPage,
businesses and community organizations including MBTV, etc.).
a willingness to participate in the survey, with more
than 1,000 residents and over 500 businesses Other improvements in ratings included: improvement
participating. in cleanliness of waterways and streets in business
areas; landscape maintenance in rights of way
“Understanding areas of strength as well as areas and public areas; and the overall experience when
for improvement is a big help in helping us allocate contacting the City.
cleaner
The survey results reflect that the impact of construction, especially
traffic and mobility impacts, continues to be a challenge, as it is
Y LAS ENCUESTAS DICEN QUE…
in many urban areas. But the City does have unique opportunities Las encuestas son favorables y
because so many of its residents do not use a car as their primary demuestran mejoras
mode of transportation. As a result, in addition to focusing on the
more difficult traffic flow improvements, the City is also focusing on Estados Unidos nació de estas tres palabras: “Nosotros, la
more bike paths and pedestrian trails, and continuing to work with Gente”. Cuando los gobiernos pierden de vista las necesidades
Miami-Dade County on transit improvements. de sus ciudadanos, se genera desconfianza y surgen equívocos.
Los gobiernos emplean diversos métodos comunes para conocer
Other areas for improvement continue to be: 1) improving the las opiniones de los ciudadanos, bien sea mediante reuniones
infrastructure (road conditions, sidewalks and storm drainage) – públicas, elecciones y varias formas de correspondencia. ¿Pero
while underway, there is still much to catch up for the deterioration conocen realmente el sentimiento de la comunidad o simplemente
that accumulated over many decades; and 2) the availability of están conociendo las opiniones de quienes hablan?
museums/theatres and family-friendly activities. The city is making
good progress with the availability of family-friendly activities La participación de la comunidad es decisiva para el éxito de
since introducing its Arts in the Parks program. There were 20 una sociedad democrática. En un esfuerzo por involucrar a la
attendees the first month and the April event had approximately comunidad en el desarrollo de metas para el futuro de la Ciudad,
700 attendees. la Ciudad de Miami Beach hizo una encuesta a la comunidad en
2005. Los resultados se utilizaron para desarrollar el primer Plan
“It is important for us to know whether we are meeting our
Estratégico de la Ciudad.
community’s needs and wants and whether our current vision and
strategic plan are indeed the right ones based on the feedback we
A principios de este año, la Ciudad de Miami Beach, en
get back from this process,” continued Gonzalez. “The results will
colaboración con Hay Group, realizó una segunda serie de
be used to identify areas that can be further improved and update
encuestas a la comunidad, entrevistando a residentes y personas
our strategic plan and supporting annual work plans to address
de los negocios (tanto en inglés como en español) para seguir
them. And of course, we need to continue to do the things we’re
ayudando a la Ciudad a fin de desarrollar, mejorar e implementar
doing right, but even better.”
prioridades estratégicas para el futuro de la Ciudad.
Miami Beach continues to be in many cases above the satisfaction
levels received by other communities. Overall, resident results Kathie Brooks, Directora de Mejoramiento del Presupuesto y de
remain quite favorable across a number of items as compared to los Resultados explicó por qué es importante la encuesta: “Saber
the 2005 survey results. The results of the 2007 community survey en qué áreas se tienen fortalezas y en qué áreas se debe mejorar
will be used to further shape the City’s strategic priorities. Not es una gran ayuda para asignar en mejor forma los recursos en
all areas can be addressed immediately; however, over the next el proceso de presupuesto”, dijo ella. “Esto nos permite saber en
couple of years, the City will focus on key areas for improvement dónde podemos poner dineros adicionales o en dónde hay cosas
that will have the most impact. que quizá no son tan importantes”.
Miami Beach hurricane guides are avilable at City Hall and online at miamibeachfl.gov
12 | MB magazine | summer 2007
summer 2007 | MB magazine | 13
safetyfirst seguridadantetodo
Live Nation will invest $3.5 million to make improvements to the venue,
which will include the addition of food and beverage facilities and a VIP
seating and lounge area. In addition, wood flooring will be installed in
the main music hall, giving the venue a variable configuration of general
admission and reserved seating. An overhaul will be made to the sound
and lighting equipment. The renovations will begin immediately and it is
expected that the theater will re-open for business in the fall of 2007.
Buildfax is a source for the construction and Tots Have it Made in the Shade
remodeling history of your home and helps potential Due to the loss of many shade trees in city parks following
home and property buyers make informed decisions recent storms, Miami Beach residents have requested the
by equipping them with a free Property History Report. installation of shade structures over the playgrounds and tot
The Property History Report, generated by entering an lots in their neighborhoods. The City listened and budgeted
address and the click of a mouse, helps you access $300,000 for the 2006-07 fiscal year for the installation of
information such as new construction permits, specific shade structures in several city parks. Currently, the City has
dates of completed work (know how long it’s been installed shade structures in Muss and Normandy Parks, and
since the update or repair); find out which contractors there are many more to come. Palm Island Park, Marjory
performed the work (learn who worked in a home Stoneman Douglas Park and the new tot lots at 46th and
and how long they have been working in the area); 53rd streets are slated to receive the shade structures soon.
read detailed descriptions of permitted work (see the The shade and reduction of direct sunlight has been the
in-depth information listed on each permit); and get focus of national parks and recreation professionals for
other valuable tools helpful in getting the best deal on your purchase. years. Shade structures are being erected at major park
facilities throughout the nation, and can be seen at many
To access Buildfax, go online to: www.miamibeachfl.gov/newcity/depts/ of the county’s and other city’s playgrounds throughout
building/bldgdept.asp. For those without internet access, an computer South Florida. In addition to preventing skin cancer,
kiosk is located on the second floor of City Hall in the Building Department shade structures reduce the potential for heat stroke and
to use for free. other heat-related illnesses during some of the hottest
summer months.
Obtenga información real sobre
propiedades en Miami Beach Protección del sol en áreas
EN FORMA GRATUITA Y AHORA DISPONIBLE EN INTERNET de juegos para niños
El Departamento de Construcciones de la Ciudad de Miami Beach es el Debido a la pérdida de muchos árboles de sombra en
primero en la Florida en lanzar Buildfax en su sitio en Internet. Buildfax es parques de la Ciudad, los residentes de Miami Beach han
similar a CarFax, pero para propiedades residenciales y comerciales. El nuevo solicitado la instalación de estructuras de sombra en sus
sistema permitirá que los dueños de propiedades investiguen en los registros de vecindarios, en las áreas de juego de los niños. La Ciudad
construcción de cualquier propiedad en Miami Beach desde junio de 1989 tomó nota de esta solicitud y presupuestó $300,000 para
hasta el presente. el año fiscal 2006-2007, para instalar estructuras de
sombra en diversos parques de la Ciudad. Actualmente
Buildfax es una fuente de información sobre el historial de construcción y la Ciudad ha instalado estructuras de sombra en Muss
remodelación de su casa y ayudará a los compradores potenciales de Park y Normandy Park, y hay muchas otras instalaciones
propiedades y casas a tomar decisiones bien documentadas, al estar equipados programadas. Pronto se recibirán estructuras de sombra en
con un Informe gratuito del Historial de la Propiedad. El Informe del Historial Palm Island Park, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park y en los
de la Propiedad, que se genera escribiendo la dirección y haciendo clic con nuevos sitios de juegos infantiles en las calles 46 y 53.
el mouse, incluye información sobre aspectos tales como permisos para una La sombra y la reducción de la exposición directa a los
nueva construcción, fechas específicas de culminación de trabajos (permitiendo rayos del sol ha sido un tema fundamental durante años
saber cuánto tiempo tomaron desde la fecha de actualización o reparación); para los profesionales de Parques y Recreación Nacional
cuál contratista llevó a cabo el trabajo (quién trabajó en la casa y durante y este asunto se lo están tomando muy en serio. Por esta
cuánto tiempo ha estado trabajando en el área); descripciones detalladas del razón, estas estructuras se están instalando en todos los
trabajo permitido (lista de información detallada sobre cada permiso); y otras grandes parques de la nación y se pueden ver en muchas
herramientas valiosas para tener la mejor negociación al hacer su compra. de las áreas de juegos y recreación del Condado y de
la Ciudad en el sector del Sur de la Florida. Además de
Para tener acceso a Buildfax, visite por Internet el sitio: www.miamibeachfl.gov/ prevenir el cáncer de piel, otro aspecto de las estructuras
newcity/depts/building/bldgdept.asp. Quienes no tienen acceso a Internet, de sombra es que reducen el potencial de casos de
pueden utilizar en forma gratuita un kiosco de computadores del Departamento insolación y otras afecciones relacionadas con el calor
de Construcciones, localizado en el segundo piso del Ayuntamiento. durante algunos de los meses más calientes en el verano.
Getting your feet wet should be the first and last thing you do for any workout, and water
workouts are no exception. Depending on the exercises you plan to
Summer is here and temperatures are hot. Exercising outdoors in do, grab all your necessary equipment ahead of time. If you plan on
extreme temperatures can put a strain on your health. But there is an putting your head under water, be sure to use goggles – chlorine can
outdoor oasis of exercise that you may not always consider when dry out your eyes and cause irritation.
thinking about working out. We’re talking about the pool, of course. Step into the pool using the stairs – never dive into a pool head first.
The pool is more than a place for kids to squirt water guns at each Identify the depth marking on the pool to know where you can stand
other and adults to lounge in a floating chair. The benefits of exercising and where you need to tread water. Make sure there is someone else
in the pool are far greater than most other exercises. While walking, near the pool in the event of an emergency. Once you are in the water,
jogging, and playing tennis are all excellent ways to burn calories, swim around to acclimate your body to the change in temperature.
they all create an impact on the body. Water exercise is a low-to- Now, depending on your skill level, begin your workout.
no-impact way to reduce the possibility of sprains and other workout-
related injuries, also giving the body complete mobility and utilizing
every muscle group. Con los pies en el agua
Whether you are swimming laps or treading water, you are burning Ya llegó el verano y las temperaturas son calientes, de tal manera
calories and building muscle tone. In just 30 minutes, you can burn que el ejercicio fuera de la casa puede llegar a ocasionar un
almost 260 calories – double what you would by walking. serio riesgo para su salud; pero hay un oasis subutilizado para
hacer ejercicio, una opción que usted no siempre tiene en cuenta
Don’t worry if you do not have your own pool in your backyard; you cuando piensa en ejercitarse afuera. Por supuesto, nos referimos
can use one of Miami Beach’s pools -- which are free for residents. The a las piscinas. Durante años las piscinas han sido vistas como un
city facilities offer open swim throughout the day, and water aerobics lugar para que los niños jueguen y se mojen con sus pistolas de
classes as well as other aquatic education classes are offered to further agua y los adultos se instalen a sus anchas en sillas flotadoras,
enhance your workout and water knowledge. There are also swim pero los beneficios de hacer ejercicio en las piscinas son muy
classes for kids to either learn to swim or join a competitive team. superiores a los de la mayoría de los demás ejercicios. Caminar,
trotar, jugar tenis, son actividades excelentes para quemar calorías,
“You should always stretch before getting in the water,” said Gladys pero ejercen un impacto en el cuerpo y se centran en acciones
Dixon, pool guard at the Scott Rakow Youth Center Pool. Stretching
By Laura Jamieson
Beneficios de las plantas nativas Las especies no nativas a veces se vuelven invasoras, desplazando a
las especies nativas en ecosistemas naturales. La melaleuca, el pino
en jardines y zonas verdes australiano y el pimiento brasileño son ejemplos de especies no nativas
que se han convertido en problemas grandes y costosos en el Sur de
Las plantas nativas han crecido exitosamente sin la ayuda del hombre en Florida. Estas tres plantas ahora están prohibidas por las leyes de Florida,
el Sur de Florida durante miles de años, adaptándose a nuestro clima. el Condado de Miami-Dade y la Ciudad de Miami Beach.
Han soportado nuestras condiciones de suelos, pestes, patógenos y
Para obtener más información sobre zonas verdes y jardines con plantas
otras especies de plantas y animales, afrontando además tormentas
nativas, verifique en los siguientes enlaces:
tropicales y huracanes. Son las que han sabido sobrevivir; al usar estas
especies ayudamos a preservar la vegetación nativa y las mariposas, • Árboles nativos del Sur de Florida
abejas, pájaros y otros animales que coexisten con estas plantas. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EH157
• Plantas para jardines y zonas verdes en el Sur de Florida
Para obtener el máximo de beneficios de las especies nativas, seleccione http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP222
una planta que tenga un futuro promisorio bajo las condiciones que • Plantas de bajo mantenimiento para
encontrará en el lugar donde usted la piensa plantar. Antes de seleccionar jardines y zonas verdes en el Sur de Florida
una planta para su jardín, verifique los requisitos de esa especie en http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP107
cuanto a humedad, suelo y luz. Son más eficientes con respecto a la • Plantas invasoras y prohibidas en el Condado de Miami Dade
energía porque están adaptadas a nuestro ambiente y necesitan menos http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/Programs/urbanhort/
irrigación, fertilización y pesticidas. publications/PDF/Miami-Dade-County-Invasive-Plants.pdf
En el subsuelo de Miami Beach hay tres sistemas diferentes de MEJORAS DEL SISTEMA DE ACUEDUCTO
tuberías: acueducto, aguas residuales y aguas lluvias, cuyos fluidos • nstalación de nuevos tanques de concreto preforzado en reemplazo
son impulsados mediante un delicado equilibrio entre presión, de los cuatro tanques de almacenamiento de acero soldado
gravedad y mecanismos de bombeo. Con la palabra Acueducto instalados en tierra. Dos de ellos en el Complejo de Obras Públicas
nos referimos al agua fresca, potable que sale de su grifo para sus de la Calle 25 y otros dos en la Calle 75.
fregaderos, duchas y bañeras, y que se utiliza incluso para descargar • Construcción de la estación de impulsión de agua en el Complejo
sus inodoros. Aguas residuales son las que salen del drenaje o de los de Obras Públicas de la Calle 25 (culminada).
inodoros, llamadas también aguas de alcantarillas o aguas cloacales. • Construcción de una estación de impulsión en Terminal Island
Las Aguas lluvias son las que caen en las precipitaciones pluviales y (completada).
se escurren por las calles de la Ciudad y en última instancia son • Mejoras para corregir problemas de presión y flujo o para alcanzar
drenadas hacia pozos de drenaje y/o hacia la bahía. el flujo requerido para contrarrestar incendios, incluyendo reemplazos
de tuberías maestras, interconexiones entre las tuberías maestras
Combinados, estos sistemas –cuya mayor parte es subterránea existentes y construcción de nuevas tuberías maestras.
– constan aproximadamente de 400 millas de tuberías, 23,000 • Reemplazo de tuberías maestras de hierro galvanizado y reemplazo
válvulas, 700 tuberías para bomberos, 1,000 hidrantes para de las viejas y deterioradas tuberías maestras.
incendios, miles de bocas de alcantarillado, dos estaciones de
bombas de impulsión de agua, 23 estaciones de bombeo de
aguas residuales, cuatro tanques de almacenamiento de agua cuya
MEJORAS EN EL SISTEMA DE ALCANTARILLADO
• La nueva estación principal de impulsión de aguas residuales estará
capacidad total es de 12 millones de galones, 172 cisternas de
localizada en el área de South Pointe, cuya construcción se iniciará
drenaje, 6,000 tomas y más de 12,000 contadores de agua. Esto
dentro de poco.
implica muchos equipos por monitorear y mantener diariamente, y por
eso la División de Acueducto, Alcantarillado y Aguas Lluvias cuenta • Rehabilitación y/o reemplazo del actual sistema de alcantarillado
con 112 empleados. basado en la gravedad, para evitar la indebida afluencia de agua
continuado en la página 30
POLLUTANTS
Pollutants that enter stormwater system through intentional and unintentional acts include:
• Kitchen grease (including illegal dumping from restaurants);
• Concrete, construction debris, and paints; gasoline, motor oil and other engine fluids (from
car accidents and illegal dumping);
• Cleaners, detergents, and solvents (from washing equipment outside, washing cars and
hosing down sidewalks, etc.);
• Trash and litter (paper, plastic, metal, Styrofoam, many recyclable materials and most are
not biodegradable);
• Pesticide, fertilizer and herbicide run off; grass clippings and landscaping debris (while
biodegradable, do not belong floating in the Bay);
IMPACTS
Stormwater pollution impacts the chemistry of the receiving water – Biscayne Bay – which
can impair the aquatic habitat from flourishing.
• Pollution negatively impacts the marine life – plant and animal. This includes federally
endangered and protected manatees and their main food source sea grasses of which
some species are endangered. Pollutants can alter the temperature of the water, smother
plants, cause animals to become entangled, reduce oxygen levels in the water and thereby
limit ability of life to exist.
• In addition, litter and sedimentation (build up of sand and other pollutants in the system)
can block pipes which can contribute to localized flooding during times of intense rains,
not to mention the unsightlyness of litter in the bay.
A lo largo del sistema de distribución se realiza un control de los EDIFICIOS MULTIFAMILIARES (Todas las Direcciones)
niveles de cloro residual. Se toman lecturas diariamente en los cuatro Menos de Cinco Acres: Jueves y Domingos:
tanques de almacenamiento de agua y en los puntos de entrada del de 4:00 a.m. a 8:00 a.m.
agua a la Ciudad, y semanalmente en 32 sitios de distribución. Ocho Más de Cinco Acres: Escoger dos días a la semana
veces al mes se realizan muestreos de rutina del agua para análisis Miércoles, Jueves, Sábados o Domingos: de medianoche a 8:00 a.m.
bacteriológico. La División estudia además quincenalmente muestras
summer 2007 | MB magazine | 31
culturalcorner esquinacultural
permanent exhibit, Art and Design in the Modern Age, provides an Noon – 6:00 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays
intriguing overview Noon – 9:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
of The Wolfsonian’s Closed Wednesdays
exceptional holdings.
For more information on the museum or to schedule a tour, call
Most of the pieces,
305.535.1001 or visit www.wolfsonian.org.
dated from 1885 to
1945, are objects
CALENDARio
nuevos materiales de lectura en la selección de libros de diseño e
historia social, literatura prohibida y periódicos sobre diseño. JULY/AUGUST
El Wolfsonian-FIU está situado en el corazón del distrito Art Deco en For a complete listing of all events go to mbculture.org
Miami Beach, en 1001 Washington Avenue, en la esquina de la Miami Lyric Opera: “Rigoletto” • 7.7.07
Calle 10 y la Avenida Washington. Los residentes de Miami Colony Theatre • 305.674.1040
Beach pueden entrar gratuitamente si presentan un Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Release Party •
7.20.07 • Books & Books • 305.532.3222
documento de identificación válido.
Sandra Bernhard • 7.28.07
Colony Theatre • 305.674.1040
HORARIO Black Girl (La noir de...), Film Series (1966) • 8.2.07
Lunes, martes, sábados y domingos desde el mediodía hasta las Wolfsonian-FIU • 305.535.1001 or 305.535.2644
6:00 p.m. Heritage Africa, Film Series (1989) • 8.9.07
Wolfsonian-FIU • 305.535.1001 or 305.535.2644
Jueves y viernes desde el mediodía hasta las 9:00 p.m.
Mortu Nega, Film Series (1998) • 8.16.07
Los miércoles no hay servicio al público
Wolfsonian-FIU • 305.535.1001 or 305.535.2644
Blood Is Not Fresh Water, Film Series (1998) • 8.23.07
Para obtener más información sobre el museo o para programar Wolfsonian-FIU • 305.535.1001 or 305.535.2644
un recorrido, puede llamar al 305.535.1001 o visite el sitio
African Shorts, Film Series • 8.30.07
web: www.wolfsonian.org. Wolfsonian-FIU • 305.535.1001 or 305.535.2644
Shane
Water
sports
Pardon Our Dust Many of the ROW projects include a stormwater and/or drainage
component. The design starts below the surface of the street and works its
way up, to include such things as the pavement itself, swale restoration,
AS RIGHT-OF-WAY PROJECTS MOVE street lighting, landscaping and features that are included in response to
INTO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD resident input. The design firm presents the City with a Basis-of-Design
Report (BODR) -- a comprehensive design package. Once the BODR is
Right-of-way (ROW) projects, also known as neighborhood improvement approved by the City Commission, the City holds another community
projects, are the big-ticket capital improvement projects that residents meeting where residents are presented with the BODR in order to achieve
approved and have been expecting. They make up a very big chunk consensus from each other on acceptance of the design.
of the overall $760 million “Planned Progress” capital projects planned
throughout Miami Beach. When the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) “This may seem like a long process, and, in fact, it is a more inclusive
or Planned Progress program began in 2001, the first projects rolled process than almost any other city goes through. The City Manager has
out by the City involved the construction of new facilities, such as the specifically asked that our projects move forward only with consensus
new ice rink at the Scott Rakow Youth Center, Flamingo Park pool and from residents. In some cases, the City has held several meetings over
tot lot, North Shore Park and Youth Center, and small street resurfacing several years until that agreement is reached. There have been instances
and streetscape projects like 42 Street and major renovations like where the residents have asked CIP to go back to the drawing board
Washington Avenue. with projects, even after a BODR was approved,” said Chartrand.
Now, Planned Progress has moved into the neighborhoods. For many of Review and completion of construction documents can take as long
the ROW projects, the City is now in or nearing the construction phase. as nine months to a year. If certain regulatory agencies find elements
Lummus, Belle Isle and Normandy Shores neighborhoods are already they decide require changes, this process can take over a year. “This
under construction. This year, construction will begin in the Orchard partially explains why some of our projects, presented over three years
Park, Nautilus, Bayshore and North Shore neighborhoods. Construction ago, are just now approaching construction,” explained Shari Holbert
is expected to begin early next year, if not sooner, in Normandy Isles, Lipner, community information coordinator for the CIP office.
followed by work in the Flamingo neighborhood.
PHASING AND SEQUENCING
The City-hired contractors are expected and required by contract to be
THE PROCESS courteous, clean and to adhere to the noise ordinance. Also, rather
“Government projects are subject to more oversight, regulation and,
than tear up an entire neighborhood at once, projects are phased and
in some cases, stricter standards than private construction,” said
sequenced so that, in most cases, there will be sufficient access to
Director Jorge Chartrand, City of Miami Beach capital improvements
streets; very rarely will an entire street be blocked off. If a street closure
projects office.
is necessitated during construction, local traffic will likely be allowed
All of the City’s capital improvement projects follow the same process. to pass when deemed safe. Ample notice will be given to residents so
The initial planning phase is the step that involves the most resident input. that they can make alternative parking or access arrangements. As often
Once an initial set of design overview plans are prepared, the City and as is possible, the construction crews will work on part of a block at a
the consultants meet with residents at Community Design Workshops time, and only on one side of the street. If there is drilling or other loud
(CDW) – where residents offer their suggestions for above-ground construction to be done, the contractors are directed to do so between
redesign, such as landscaping and traffic calming devices. They can the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. These guidelines are stricter than
also use this time to create a “wish list” of features they would like to the City noise ordinance mandates.
see on their street. “Of course, there is a set budget for each ROW
project, but reasonable requests are always considered, and if they fit ENCROACHMENTS
into the scope and budget, there is a good chance they will happen,” Work on the ROW projects include work in the swales. The swale is
continued Chartrand. The consultants incorporate all of the suggestions that patch of ground that homeowners are responsible to maintain, but
from residents into the design phase. is still technically in the public right of way. This is the area in front of a
Nike
siempre fresca, dice el sargento.
Aparte de la comida que haya
quedado (la cual no dura mucho)
él nunca cocina con demasiada
anticipación para guardar la
comida preparada. ¿Qué ocurre
Store
entonces cuando hay un llamado
mientras está cocinando? Bien,
el deber llama, así que tiene
que suspender su preparación y
continuar a su regreso.
Fuera de la gran estufa de
acero inoxidable, también es
de gran importancia la hilera de
neveras. De las cuatro neveras,
tres de ellas tienen llave, una
para cada turno. El sargento
Johnson dice que simplemente
no se puede dejar comida por
ahí, porque probablemente no
estará cuando regrese.
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community.