| | | | | | | |  | New Business and Commission Requests - R9 G
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | | FROM: | Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager | | | DATE: | July 17, 2020 | | | |
| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSS THE PROPOSED TEMPORARY RECONFIGURATION OF WASHINGTON AVENUE FROM 6 STREET TO 16 STREET. |
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| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
| The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the proposed temporary reconfiguration of Washington Avenue from 6 Street to 16 Street to provide for outdoor restaurant expansion opportunities while creating a safe/slow street for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. |
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| | | | | | | | BACKGROUND/HISTORY
| The Administration has been working with the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) since April 2020 to develop a plan to partially close Washington Avenue to vehicular traffic and create a pedestrian and bicycle boulevard that meets the needs of the community, businesses, and tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposed plan came as a result of the Washington Avenue BID’s concern with the City’s initial plan to fully close the street to vehicles. The BID was concerned that too few restaurants would participate in the City’s restaurant expansion pilot program, and, therefore, the street would look empty and uninviting. The new plan proposed by the Administration has the full support of the BID as it enables Washington Avenue restaurants to expand, provides protected bike lanes in both directions, retains on-street parking where needed, and allows for one vehicular travel lane to remain open in each direction. Furthermore, given the requirement to social distance, the proposed street configuration will provide an opportunity for businesses to attract customers and, hopefully, stay afloat during the pandemic.
A drawing of the proposed typical sections (block-by-block) is attached.
The City has received County permit approval for the proposed temporary reconfiguration of Washington Avenue from 6 Street to 16 Street and is prepared to implement the proposed street configuration in short order, if approved by the City Commission.
During this pilot project, Miami-Dade County bus service and Miami Beach Trolley service (once it resumes) will be temporarily relocated to Collins Avenue where parallel bus stops will be created, and bus benches will be provided for passengers.
To assist with funding the implementation of the proposed street reconfiguration, the Transportation and Mobility Department has applied for a National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) grant opportunity.
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION
| | The Administration and the Washington Avenue BID believe that Washington Avenue merchants and the Miami Beach community will benefit from the positive actions taken through this collaboration; and the proposed reconfiguration of Washington Avenue from 6 Street to 16 Street will aid in a faster economic recovery. |
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| | | | | | | | Applicable Area
| | South Beach |
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| | Mobility - Increase multi-modal mobility citywide and connectivity regionally. |
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| | | | | | | | Legislative Tracking
Transportation and Mobility |
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