NEW BUSINESS  19.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

HISTORY:

On July 31, 2018, the Committee discussed and adopted the 41st Street Urban Design Vision Plan. The final design report is a culmination of a 4-week process which included several Committee brainstorm sessions, stakeholder meetings, and a public charrette. The report provides an assessment and analysis of the 41^st Street corridor, with proposed recommendations guided by core principles/strategies based upon resident feedback as well as the design team's analysis of the street. The full report can be accessed here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dw9cflnz4qn5gw5/20180705_Miami%20Beach%20Vision_Gehl_Final%20Report.pdf?dl=0 

Below are the proposed strategies outlined in the final report:

• Make More Room for Life: Widen sidewalks, make designated bus lanes, shorten pedestrian crossings, create hangout spots
• Make Life More Comfortable: Provide shade, increase seating, calm traffic
• Provide Meaningful Shade: Increase tree canopy, increase awning coverage, provide shade at bus stops
• Introduce Human Scale Green: Utilize hanging plants/vines, increase tree canopy, introduce planters, create bio-swales and planters that can support climate adaptation and activity
• Bridge the Gaps: Shorten crossing distances, increase pedestrian walk times, remove sidewalk clutter, increase mid-block crossings, improve pavement quality
• Create World-class Bus Stops: Protect riders from rain and sun, provide seating, leverage bus shelters as places that can also provide neighborhood amenities such as bike parking, bike pumps or vending
• Welcome to 41^st: Increase public art along the street, provide playful and clear wayfinding, promote local businesses
• Take a Seat: Add more space for both public and commercial seating
• Light the Night: Orient lighting to the human scale
• Create More Invitation for People to Stay: Provide creative programming, incentivize business owners to “spill out into the street”, increase permits for outdoor drinking
• Create More Opportunities for People to Connect: Convert street spaces to people space, increase people space in front of stores and restaurants

The main focus of the design plan is the reconfiguration of the street to allow for more public space. The report makes recommendations for three (3) proposed designs which would allow for wider sidewalks, increased tree canopy and better human-scale lighting, and the 41st Street Committee and FCWPC selected to reduce lane widths, remove sidewalk clutter, reprogram on-street parking. Keep four travel lanes with one turn lane. This will allow the sidewalk space to go from 10 feet to 23 feet.

While this long-term vision of 41^st Street will require longer-term capital investment and redesign of the street, the report provides recommendations for short-term pilot projects and activations to test different concepts before accepting/implementing a final design. The design brief suggests several pilot projects, including: green zones, enhanced pedestrian crossings, play zones, and dedicated zones for bicyclists on 41^st Street.

In addition to adopting the Alta Planning/Gehl Studio Design Plan recommendations as the vision for the 41st Street corridor, the Committee also recommended the following pilot projects be made a priority for future implementation:

• parklets
• temporary shade structures
• increased lighting
• programming
• a pilot bicycle lane on 41^st Street

The Committee continues to meet to discuss specific sites for pilot projects and evaluate costs and next steps.

During the September 2018 City Commission meeting the review of the plan was referred to the Land Use and Development Committee for review.

On November 18, 2018 the Land Use and Development Committee reviewed the plan with Gehl Studios and members of the 41st Street Committee and recommended (1)  approving Option #1 and (2) developing a multi-year work plan and referring to Finance and Citywide Projects Committee the review of the work plan and  prioritize budgeted funds. 

On December 12, 2018, the Mayor and City Commission accepted the recommendation of the Land Use and development Committee recommending (1) Option 1 of the 41^st Street Design and Vision Plan, and (2) referred the item to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee to review and implementation work plan to prioritize budgeted funds.

ANALYSIS:

The Economic Development, Transportation, Public Works, Parking, Tourism & Culture, Environment and Sustainability, Greenspace, Communications, Police, Housing and Community Services and Planning department have met over the last few months to flush out the Alta/Gehl plan and outline the steps, funding and time needed to accomplish the vision plan.  

The attached plan (see Exhibit A) is a work in progress as the team continues to finalize an achievable plan and potential funding.

In addition to the $100,000 in Mid-Beach Quality of Life funds, which has been earmarked for the implementation of a pilot parklet, lighting, and an artistic installation.

The GO Bond timeline for 41st Street projects is:

Tranche 1 - $1.5 million - available in April 2019 once plan and specific projects are finalized and approved.

Tranche 2, 3 an 4 -$13.5  million for shade structures, lighting, bike lanes, widening of sidewalks, replacement parking

Based on the draft implementation plan, the initial $1.5 million could be used for, but not limited to, the following:

• Design of the street reconfiguration: Estimated cost $1 million

• Development of the preferred alternative for bike lanes: Estimated cost $150,000

• Implementing the bike lane pilot project: Estimated cost $90,000

• Short Term Shade Structures: $150,000

• Short Term Lighting Bike Lanes at Night: $150,000

• Creative Placemeking Lighting:$125,000

 These total up to $1.665 million.  In addition, the 41st Street Committee has requested that the trees along 41st Street be lit up.  This item has been referred to Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee.  The Property Management Department is evaluating alternatives but has provided preliminary estimates between $120,000 and $600,000, resulting in a total for potential Tranche 1 GOB projects of $2.265 million.

As a result, the funding needs have to be prioritized and , projects not funded from Tranche 1 could either be pursued through the FY 2019/20 budget development process or funded in future tranches.

In addition, there are $100,000 in FY 2018/19 Quality of Life Funds appropriated for 41st Street Short Term improvements.  The Commission has approved $50,000 for temporary artistic installation and a Call to Artists has been issued., and the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee is discussing use of the funds for a pilot parklet project (estimated at $9,000 to $20,000).using these funds.In addition the 41st Street Committee has identified vacant storefront covers (for which designs are currently being considered) as a potential use of these funds.

CONCLUSION:

The Administration welcomes the Committee's feedback and input allowing Staff continue to revise/update on the plan, activate short-term funded projects and continue to identify and plan for long-term funding and execution of the projects within the plan.