At its November 16, 2022 meeting, the City Commission approved a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQL) to discuss improving landscaping, cleanliness, and aesthetics of Miami Beach Drive (MBD) from 24th to 29th Streets.
Additionally, on March 27, 2023, the City Commission approved a referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) meeting, to discuss ownership, repairing broken sidewalks, and address flooding issues on MBD, between 24th and 29th Streets, and options for the City to assume the responsibilities for these services for the entirety of MBD.
These discussions originate 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 meeting discussions sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez have taken place on February 28, 2023, March 22, 2023, April 18, 2023, May 23, 2023, and June 21, 2023, regarding short term improvements and enhancements that have taken place along Miami Beach Drive.
Public Works provided the PSNQL its latest update on June 21, 2023, including: 1) The ownership of Club Atlantis (all of Miami Beach Drive was determined to belong to the City, with the exception of the property behind Club Atlantis); 2) Brick pavers, lighting, bollards, and pressure washing of the beach entrances from 24th to 29th Streets, including the area by Club Atlantis; 3) Negotiations regarding the transfer of a portion of land by Club Atlantis back to the City. Recent update: The Miami Beach Drive Street ends have been fully landscaped. The City's Landscape Inspectors and maintenance contractors are consistently monitoring the sites and will replace plant materials should they decline in the future.
Public Works continued its FERC Miami Beach Drive progress updates on June 23, 2023, and October 16, 2023, and a long-term, holistic master plan (a vision), for Miami Beach Drive that would address some of the infrastructure needs, such as storm drains (contingent upon capital funding approval). A motion was made, to have the Administration start a 5-year capital budget plan request, to be submitted during the next budget cycle in 2024, efforts to be led by the Capital Improvement Projects Department.