At its March 27, 2023 meeting, the City Commission approved a  referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) to discuss ownership, repairing broken sidewalks, and address flooding issues on Miami Beach Drive (MBD) between 24^th and 29^th Streets, and options for the City to assume the responsibilities for these services for the entirety of MBD. 

The discussion originates from a Mid-Beach Neighborhood Association meeting, where residents expressed a desire to work with the City to improve the area.  Improvements requested included litter collection, pressure cleaning, additional landscape installation, repairs and replacement of brick pavers and concrete walkways, and bollard replacement. 

Public Safety and Quality of Life Committee (PSNQL) meetings regarding improvements along Miami Beach Drive have taken place on February 28, 2023, March 22, 2023, April 18, 2023 and May 23, 2023, all sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez, where potential short and long-term initiatives have been discussed and have taken place, including: trimming of lower limbs of trees and minor plant in-fills at the Beachwalk entrances from 24th Street to 27th Streets, installation of 2 Victor Stanley trash cans and 2 doggie bag dispensers on Miami Beach Drive (serviced 7 days a week), pressure washing of all beach entrances from 24th through 29th Streets, lighting, ordering of bollards (currently in back order), and repairing/replacing of brick pavers and concrete walkways that have cracked through daily use.

At its May 23, 2023 PSNQLC meeting, Public Works provided several updates related to Miami Beach Drive as requested by Commissioner Fernandez:

• Ownership of Club Atlantis: Through extensive research, it has been determined that all of Miami Beach Drive with the exception of the property behind Club Atlantis is owned by the City.
• Status update on brick pavers, lighting, bollards, pressure washing of the beach entrances from 24th to 29th Streets, including the area of Club Atlantis
• Negotiations regarding the transfer of a portion of land by Club Atlantis back to the City, either via a transfer of an easement (as recommended by the City Attorney's Office) or alternate ownership.

Long-term, permanent flooding solutions for Miami Beach Drive will need to be identified as a City project, and as such, have a funding request submitted through the regular Capital Budget process.  Additionally, the hiring of a consultant (currently not funded,) to initiate a drainage study to determine preliminary project costs will be required.  In addition, several Commissioners have indicated an interest in working with Club Atlantis, who currently owns the segment of Miami Beach Drive between their east and west properties, with an easement granted to the City, to determine if there is a willingness to have the City perform similar services on their segment, as those that are being proposed for the rest of Miami Beach Drive.

Public Works is currently taking action in addressing the cleanliness and aesthetics of Miami Beach Drive from 24^th to 29^th Streets.  However, long-term solutions (including addressing flooding,) will require that the item be identified as a City Project, and as such, have a funding request submitted and approved through the regular Capital Budget process.  The Administration recommends further discussing long-term needs and funding direction for Miami Beach Drive.