At the Neighborhoods and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) meeting of October 19, 2020 staff provided an update on the proposed four-prong approach to address the parking shortages which will occur during the construction of the parking garage at the 72nd street lot and the Ocean Terrace Development Project, which are expected to overlap. At the meeting staff was provided with direction to:
1. Continue with due diligence, including conducting additional outreach that includes business partners
2. Provide timelines and updates on all 4 items
3. Provide an update on the development of the Hawthorne parking lot
4. Provide information of revenue generated by 72nd street lot.
Outreach
On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, with the assistance of Mr. Veitia, the City held a virtual meeting with the purpose of reaching out to North Beach business partners. While the meeting was attended by only a handful of business partners, the City was well represented as members of the CIP, Economic Development, Transportation and Mobility, Communications, Planning and Parking departments were present. A productive discussion was held.
Mr. Veitia advised the group of a lot that had recently become available on 72nd street between Byron and Carlyle Avenues. The cost of upgrading a lot for provisional use was discussed and was estimated at $1 to $1.5 million. Also discussed was the need for Commission action to allow for the use of provisional lots.
The lot at 72nd street and Harding Avenue and the garage at 67th street were deemed as unlikely to be available for private-public partnership. The timeline, which is estimated to be at least three (3) years (1 year for contracting and pre-construction activity and 2 years of construction) complicates contracting ability and cost. Ultimately, it was determined that the City’s vacant lots were still the better options. However, efforts toward other options will continue.
Another suggestion was to pursue conversion of the easternmost traffic lane on Collins between 65th and 72nd streets into a parking lane during the construction period.
Angle Parking – Efficiencies
The NQLC committee recommended going forward with the angle parking initiative and this recommendation was accepted by the City Commission at its October 14, 2020 meeting. Timeline for completion is 6 months which includes design, contract documents, and permitting.
Potential Share Use Agreement – Private Parking Facilities
With the CVS lot at 74th street and Collins Avenue not being available, City staff continues its efforts to identify alternatives to the use of the vacant lots. There are currently no identified underutilized lots.
Valet Parking Option
In addition to providing affordable resident rate valet service, at the outreach meeting it was discussed this service can be made more attractive by placing stands in key locations to better serve businesses.
Vacant Municipal Land – Parking - the City’s vacant parcels on Collins Avenue between 84th and 86th Streets
This alternative continues to be challenging. The use of the vacant lots would be temporary, and lots would be restored to its original condition, except that invasive vegetation in the lots would be removed. To promote employee park and ride as an attractive alternative, freeing up curbside parking for customer use, the City would work with businesses on employee parking permits and provide trolley service that would operate with short headways, 7-days per week, on a schedule to cover at a minimum 8:00 a.m. to midnight.
Hawthorne Parking Lot at Biscayne Beach
The construction contract for the lot at 8100 Hawthorne Avenue is fully executed and Notice to Proceed #1 was issued. Notice to proceed #2 to begin construction is projected to be issued in the next couple of weeks. Anticipated construction completion is Fall of 2021.
72nd street lot Revenue
