City of Miami Manager Open Letter to Community:
Posted on Wednesday, 07.01.09
Virginia Key plan will reflect community wishes
Re the June 25 editorial Virginia Key plan is a dud: Virginia Key is an island consisting of approximately 1,030 acres. Of that, the Virginia Key Master Plan proposes improvements to only 257 acres -- 25 percent of the total area -- and reclaims more than 60 acres of inaccessible dredge fill and 116 acres of polluted landfill to provide recreational opportunities.
The master plan respects the existing 491 acres of conservation areas, improves beaches and coastal hammock areas and recommends improvements to the North Point area to include a recreational center, eco-campgrounds, nature trails for pedestrians and biking trails for all ages.
The administration has remained committed to obtaining public participation and input in the development of the Virginia Key Master Plan. Its concepts are being revised to reflect comments made by the public while continuing the goal of providing access to more than 200 acres of new parks and open spaces. Specifically, as a result of recent input from the Waterfront Advisory Board and Planning Advisory Board, the administration is considering the following revisions:
• Reorganize the existing marina and dry stacks.
• Move wet slips and moorings westward out of the lagoon/basin.
• Significantly reduce the number of parking garages.
• Incorporate an island circulator and potential water-taxi service to create greater connectivity.
• Reduce retail space along the basin.
• Increase visual prominence to Marine Stadium.
I hope that the Editorial Board and the public have a greater understanding of the city's vision for Virginia Key.
PEDRO G. HERNANDEZ, city manager, Miami
Testing the Thin Blue Line
4 years ago
JUST A REMINDER THAT THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ORIGINAL VISION & NOW IT'S TWEAKED WATER-DOWN VISION OF VIRGINIA KEY IS AN ABOMINATION & FAR FROM THE PUBLIC'S VISION OF AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY NATURAL PARK LIKE THAT OF BILL BAGGS CAPE FLORIDA & OLETA RIVER STATE PARKS WITH A TOTALLY RESTORED & FUNCTIONING MIAMI MARINE STADIUM. DON’T LET THEM TRY TO SELL US ON ANOTHER MARLIN STADIUM FIASCO.
ReplyDeletePLEASE SEE VIRGINIA KEY MASTER PLAN WEB SITE;
www.virginiakeymasterplan.com/public_meeting_3.html
Virginia Key Preliminary Master Plan Alternatives Presentation- 08/26/08 (12.6MB)
HARRY EMILIO GOTTLIEB
I agree with Harry. The last line of the Manager's letter says it all: " a greater understanding of the City's vision." What about the public's vision? These things listed in the Manager's letter represent slight improvements, but what about the over-the-top sports complex and the money losing aquatic center? That one costs the city of Ft. Lauderdale $1 million each year. The Swimming Hall of Fame folks only want to move if they can get a moneymaking hotel in the deal. Is that part of the "conceptual" Virginia Key Plan?
ReplyDeleteThe City's first and only concern should be cleaning up the contaminated center of the island on the closed landfill, which continues to pollute bay waters. The City manager acts like they already cleaned up the contaminated landfill (plan "reclaims" 116 acres of polluted landfill). The city hasn't been begun testing the area, the first step in developing a clean up plan. Give us a break.
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