MIAMI RIVER

[Roark]

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[Endeavor305]

Originally Posted by Roark

See post #56.
Don't mess around with the beauracrats. Talk directly to the commissioner where the issue is located. They love to have a great district, and to respond to their constituents.
The commish just received my e-mail, I'll report back on the turnaround time in gettting the matter resolved.

It probably is a waste of time trying to phone the city. You will probably just talk to a government employee that is getting paid by the hour and powerless to help you. Good idea to go straight to the commissioner. They do listen and have the authority to tell the beauracrats to remove the fence. Let us know when you get word from the commish. Now I'm gonna be on the lookout in my community to see what my commissioner can do to improve it .

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by spellbound

I just want to know why nobody here took even a single photo of some hapless, underdressed tourist being all grumpy about the 35-degree night and desperately trying to look unfazed while they search for a sweater/coat/car heater, etc.

C'mon. Every true Miamian has had a rare, guilty snicker or two at the expense of stunned, freezing tourists. It's part of being a local.

Anyway, whether you loved or hated the recent cold snap I hope you fellas at least had some fun with it---maybe got to wear some clothes you forgot you owned or snuggled with a space heater (or maybe something livelier) or whatever. Back in the 70's it was pretty routine to have that type of weather down there---at least on a semi-regular basis---but now it's become VERY rare...just like it hardly ever snows up here anymore.

It's January. A little cold weather never hurt anyone, and girls in sweaters have their own charms.

Here's a picture from the News@FIU website taken in FIU's Green Library. This is the morning that it was 38 degrees with windchills in the 20's! So cold. There were a lot of people walking around campus with scarves, gloves, parkas, you name it. It's funny because it's not something you normally see, but it was really cold that morning lol.

[Endeavor305]

that looks like a school up in Michigan or something lol. Never would guess it was in Miami!

[mileageman]

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[spellbound]

Well, not long ago I saw data that showed a large majority of South Florida's warmest years on record to be in the last 15 years or so (along with many other places) so I think there's definitely been a warming trend (obviously with some exceptions) and a lesser frequency of cold snaps than was evident in the 70's and into the 80's. I certainly notice a difference (I'm down there virtually every month lately) and frankly every relative and friend I have down there has remarked on it as well.

No big deal either way...just saying my experience has been different.

[spellbound]

Thanks for the pic, kevin!

When I used to work at my dad's boats at Haulover, I remember one VERY cold morning years ago when absolutely nobody wanted to go out fishing and up sauntered this French-Canadian couple freezing their asses off (the fat husband wearing Speedos---ick!) who proceeded to go into a tirade about the weather and how they should have been "warned" ahead of time. Not being able to help myself, I responded by telling them that snow was expected that evening (a total lie) just to see their horrified expressions.

[Exploratus]

I think a lock cutter would do it. All that is needed is to cut one lock, and the gate under the brickell bridge will be open and the riverwalk will be ONE!

[Endeavor305]

Originally Posted by Exploratus

I think a lock cutter would do it. All that is needed is to cut one lock, and the gate under the brickell bridge will be open and the riverwalk will be ONE!

I thought about that, but some people are saying it's a fence that runs across blocking the walkway. I haven't seen it yet, but if it's a fence it wouldn't be so easy (or quick) to remove.

[mileageman]

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[Roark]

Originally Posted by mileageman

I am wondering if Ugo Colombo put the chain link fence there himself to keep people off the site during construction.

Not a chance. You would have to see it.
The fence is on government property, not only that, but it is on the far west of the bridge.

Originally Posted by mileageman

Also, I wonder if that last segment of river walk behind Epic east will be completed now, it will make construction of the east tower much more difficult, and I don't see what the incentive is for him to build it.

Of course it will. The Miami River Greenway is. The set back is.
If UC or any other developer wants to develop that site, they will be required to have a 50ft setback and a riverwalk. The only incentive is that the government has confiscated his land, and if he doesn't agree then the site is shut down. Developer's don't have a choice.
It is very generous to have that wonderful dock there in the meantime.

[Exploratus]

The fence I am talking about is directly under the brickell bridge. Its a door fence with one chain and one lock. It splits the competed part of epic and the hyatt/convention center. Very easy to open, just needs a key or a lock cutter. There is already a completed (older ) path under the bridge, the bridge has an opening for the riverwalk in it, and the walkway is completed on both sides...

[Exploratus]

Well. I just got a reply to my emai about the fence. The gentelman at the river commision forwarded my email to about 10 city people. He even went to take a picture of it so that it could be forwarded to the right person. He said the fence is a FDOT fence and he requested that it be opened in the email. Keeping my fingers crossed..

[Roark]

Originally Posted by Exploratus

Well. I just got a reply to my emai about the fence. The gentelman at the river commision forwarded my email to about 10 city people. He even went to take a picture of it so that it could be forwarded to the right person. He said the fence is a FDOT fence and he requested that it be opened in the email. Keeping my fingers crossed..

I love it!!!!!
Don't just cross you fingers and hope for change! Take charge, make it happen! Keep up the good work Exploratus!

[Endeavor305]

Good job exploratus. Now we know it's a FDOT issue. That was pretty cool of the guy to take a photo of it. Roark, any replies from the e-mail you sent the commish?

[Roark]

Originally Posted by Endeavor305

Good job exploratus. Now we know it's a FDOT issue. That was pretty cool of the guy to take a photo of it. Roark, any replies from the e-mail you sent the commish?

You just have to look at it, it's under the bridge. The bridge, the land under the bridge and the air rights above the bridge belong to Florida Department of Transportation. Read: Government bureaucracy. The advocate for that district is the City Commish, or the State Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Likely, the Miami River Commission director, Bret Bilbeau (one of the most passionate people you may ever meet) would have passed the note on to one of those people.
Commish did not respond directly, but a follow up from his Chief of Staff is that he is working on it.

[Roark]

That was the guy, Brett Bilbeau is on the case (along with the all of the commishes office!).
FDOT is now catching the barrage of e-mails to unlock the fence!
Good show Exploratus.

[Exploratus]

Thanks.

Yeah, I checked the email and it was him.

[mileageman]

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[Roark]

Originally Posted by mileageman

The city should have required the developers at Wind/Mint/Ivy to complete the build out under the miami ave bridge.

They did, in conjuction with the County. Although they are only required to enhance their setback as they complete contruction, I'm sure the Mint/Ivy guys will carry the torch for the Cima developer. Otherwise, I'll take up a collection from you cats and do it myself.

It isn't as easy as you would think though, you have to get permissions to do anything on the bridge. I think Miami Avenue is a county road, and should be easy to deal with than the padlock under the FDOT bridge.

It's a work in progress.