Sunday: Miami River Day 2011.

People line up for free boat rides down the river.


Cara Capp of Clean Water Action shows off her booth.



Horacio Stuart Aguirre, Head of the Miami River Commission.



The function was crowded at lunchtime.



Here is our own President, Fran Bohnsack pictures at the Miami River Marine Group exhibition.



Fort Dallas in Lummus Park...across the street from the festivities -- approximate age 1840's, used as barracks and then slave quarters.

Fran Bohnsack's Tribute

Frances M. Bohnsack, Ph.D.
Eighteen Years of Service in Support of the Miami River

The City of Miami pays tribute to Dr. Frances M. Bohnsack, honoring her exceptional service and
dedication as Executive Director of the Miami River Marine Group. We value Dr. Bohnsack’s overall knowledge and passion for the advancement of a working waterfront along the Miami River, the Fifth largest port in the state of Florida, a port serving as economic catalyst for the South Florida region and providing vital shipping links -- logistics, food, equipment and household goods-- to the shallow draft ports of the Caribbean and Central and South America. We applaud Dr. Bohnsack’s leadership and legal vigilance that resulted in favorable judicial outcomes for Miami River shipping interests, her critical input and expertise important to this special triumph. It is with genuine respect and gratitude, on behalf of our citizens, that we join her colleagues and friends to honor Dr. Frances M. Bohnsack’s eighteen years of superior work, a tenure representing the hallmark of integrity. As Dr. Bohnsack leaves to accept a well-deserved position with the Federal Maritime Administration,
we extend best wishes for continued success!

Presented on behalf of the City of Miami by
Tomás P. Regalado, Mayor
Wifredo “Willy” Gort, Commissioner
January 13, 2011

News on the Miami River: District Court Affirms "Working River" Opinions

After nearly seven years of litigation brought by the marine industry and neighbors together against the City and developers over three high-rise condominium developments on the Miami River, today the District Court affirmed its earlier opinions that the massive condominiums were approved in violation of the City’s comprehensive plan.

Plaintiffs the Miami River Marine Group, Captain Beau Payne, Ann Stetser and the Durham Park Neighborhood Association retained attorney Andrew Dickman in 2004 when the City approved developments “Hurricane Cove,” Coastal of the River,” and “Brisas Del Rio” in the vicinity of the 22nd Ave Bridge. All together, these project would have changed 25 acres of prime marine industrial property to high-rise residential. After disappointing losses at the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, the plaintiffs and attorney Andrew Dickman appealed to the Third District Court of Appeal. The District Court, in 2007, struck down the approved projects but the developers quickly motioned the District Court for a rehearing. The opinions rendered today deny the developers’ motions.

The three opinions, collectively 302 pages, including dissents, buttress a recent settlement arising from litigation between the Florida Department of Community Affairs and the Miami River Marine Group against the City. The City, under its prior leadership, had attempted to re-write its comprehensive plan to downgrade the Miami River working waterfront by encouraging more residential development that would displace marine uses. The settlement approved by Mayor Regalado and the new City Commission emphasizes preservation of working waterfront properties, promoting the Port of Miami River to expand the City’s employment base, and progressive collaboration among all the Miami River stakeholders, marine and non-marine alike.

The opinions and the settlement now position the Miami River as a world class destination for shallow draft shipping, mega yacht repairs, local marinas, and the host of related businesses that support a working waterfront of this caliber.

American Institute of Architects on the Miami River. By Ernie Martin

The American Institute of Architects team called this waterway to be the Authentic Miami: Their major conclusion was that this incredible resource lacks public access.

One of the most prestigious urban environmental professional organizations in America recently convened their annual meeting in Miami: the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As is their practice, they precede their annual conference with a public service project, which focuses on both the profession and the host City. This year’s conference, held in June, focused the profession on the Miami River.

The AIA convened a panel of experts to take a long and detailed look at one of Miami’s least know resources, and they came away with a number of surprises. First, they recognized that the Miami River is the birthplace of this metropolis, with historic landmarks dating back 2000 years to Tequesta settlements; to the origin of Miami as a tourist venue at Flagler’s Royal Palm Hotel at the River’s mouth; to the Miami River as one of the most vibrant economic engines of this region; and to the Miami River as home to a fast growing population in both historic neighborhoods and new high rise condos. The AIA team called this waterway to be the Authentic Miami.

Their major conclusion was that this incredible resource lacks public access. The Miami River is the waterfront for Overtown, Little Havana, and Allapattah. It is also the waterfront for thousands of new downtown rental and condo units along its edge. It is the waterfront for historic villages like the Miami River Inn, Spring Garden, Historic Overtown, Grove Park and Durham Park. It is the waterfront for a vibrant marine industry, from shipping terminals to boat repair and maintenance facilities. Further, it is the waterfront for a huge drainage basin, including Wagner Creek, one of the most polluted waterways in Florida that feeds into Biscayne Bay, and deserves environmental improvements.

With so much at stake, and so many populations affected, the AIA concluded that the Miami River Greenway and River walks needed renewed attention from the Miami River Commission, the State, City and County, as well as the private property owners along the River. In particular, they called for strengthened governance to keep all the parties working together for the shared vision as already promulgated and endorsed by the Miami River Commission, and the approved Greenways Action Plan of the City and County. It calls for a continuous public walkway and bike path from the mouth of the River to the new Miami Intermodal Center at Miami International Airport. When possible on public land, it will be a River Walk, and when it needs to go around private water dependent property it will be an on-road landscaped walk on North or South River Drive paralleling the River. The AIA endorsed the plan but pointed out that enforcement of its provisions has been often lacking by the City, and implementation is slow. They called for renewed commitment for public access and utilization of the Miami River, pointing out its potential as an urban destination similar to revitalized urban rivers across the nation and planet, with fisherman wharf type amenities, as well as healthful opportunities for walking, jogging and biking. The AIA’s findings are worthy of UEL’s support and ongoing public education efforts.

Miami River Catalyst Plan: Events open to the public

The first is on Monday, June 7 at noon, in the Robert King High New Board Room at 1407 NW 7 Street. AIA will make a presentation and then stick around to answer questions. This is a good opportunity to get a idea of what’s going on with the Catalyst Plan.

Next, the AIA is holding a Public Charrette at the Hyatt Regency, 400 SE 2nd Avenue in the Stanford Meeting Room on Monday, June 7th at 6:00 pm. This will be the meeting where AIA launches its “visioning process,” and if you’d like to be a part of this process please join!

And finally, on Wednesday June 9th at 6:00 pm in the Ashe Auditorium of the Hyatt Regency, 400 SE 2nd Avenue, AIA will “unveil the vison/goals” that were formed with YOUR input at the charrette on June 7.


These community-wide events will truly decide the future of the Miami River Corridor, please come and make changes for the better in your community.


For more information about the event, or to schedule interviews with team members, contact Joel Mills at (202) 280-9040, or at joelmills@aia.org.

image from Critical Miami

Herald: Miami River as a working waterway could be ensured

In the Miami Herald today:

Years of pitched battles over the future of a significant chunk of the Miami River could be drawing to an end under a pact between activists and the city that would preserve the working waterway while making it harder to build condos on its banks.

If approved by the state and adopted by the city commission, the agreement would mark a sharp turnaround from years of policy under former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, whose administration aggressively sought to transform the gritty river into a high-rise residential corridor within city boundaries.

Under the agreement -- which the city commission gave a preliminary green light to on Thursday -- the city would enact explicit protections in its comprehensive development plan for existing maritime businesses along the river with a goal of protecting and expanding its marine and industrial economy.

The language would significantly raise the bar for rezoning remaining industrial parcels while requiring the city to foster creation of new maritime businesses and jobs.

Read more.

Miami River Day at Lummus Park Was a Big Success

Saturday's 14 Annual Miami Riverday was a big success. Four boats, the Pearson Pontoon Boat, the Island Queen, Friendship and Celebration took over a 1,000 people for free down the Miami River. The four boats went continuously from 11 am till 3:30 pm.

Besides the educational river cruises there were booths manned by environmental groups and others that educated children on various issues such as water use, the Everglades, safe boating and even the Masons offered information and tours of the neighboring Scottish Temple. The children participated in a brief lecture at each booth and collected a star for their participation. When they had enough stars they earned an olympic type medallion that hangs around their neck. It says: "Go Green." One mother said:

"My children have been to 4 Riverday Celebrations in row and they have a collection of all the medals hanging in their room, they are so proud of them."

The Miami River Commission, Bunnell Foundation, Island Queen Cruises, Robert L. Parks Law offices, The City of Miami, The South Florida Water Management District and Miami Dade County were among the many sponsoring organizations that made this event possible and for the 1,000 boat trips down the river to be offered FREE to the public!

Miami River Day at Lummus Park - April 10th

Celebrate the Miami River at Lummus Park, 11 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 10th.

"Miami Today" on Miami River

"Miami Today's" headline said that "Miami, marine industry seek compromise on Miami River's future":

The newly proposed compromise aims to "create an active and vibrant riverfront through mixed-uses," preserve recreational and commercial working waterfronts, allow flexibility in compatible uses, stimulate economic growth and promote viable marine uses, according to her presentation.

The new version would put the word "port" back into the comprehensive plan, addressing one of the more controversial lingering river issues.

But, it would take the river element out of the ports section of the plan and put it under the Coastal Management Element.

The marine industry takes issue with the move, says attorney Andrew Dickman, who represents the Miami River Marine Group.

Mr Dickman said:

The industry isn't opposed to the concept of setting up criteria and a procedure for land-use changes, so long as there's "no net loss" to industrial properties.

Merrill-Stevens Drydock & Repair Co. Will Be Closing Its Doors Today

The company was incorporated in 1885 in Jacksonville, Florida by James Eugene Merrill. The company is closing operation by the end of today according to reports.