State seeks input on Brickell Avenue swap
The Florida Department of Transportation is offering citizens an opportunity to request a public hearing regarding Brickell Avenue’s transfer to the City of Miami.
“Typically for transfers we don’t have a public hearing. We only offer one because it’s a significant avenue,” said Neil Lyn, district statistics administrator for the department. “People might have questions and our goal is to answer those questions or concerns, especially for those who might oppose the transfer. But so far we’ve had good feedback.”
In fact, his office hasn’t received any requests for a hearing at this point, he said.
The city is in the process of taking ownership of Brickell Avenue as negotiations to swap roadways are ongoing with the Florida Department of Transportation, as Alice Bravo, assistant city manager and chief of infrastructure, stated last month.
State roadways face more restrictions through statutes, she had said, so by obtaining jurisdiction of the roadway the city would have more flexibility in making changes that citizens request.
Even though the deal isn’t final, the transfer looks very likely to move forward, Mr. Lyn said, and a draft is already in place.
The transportation department doesn’t have a set date for a public hearing if it were to take place, but Dec. 11 is the deadline for those interested in being heard to request the hearing.
“We’ll definitely coordinate a date once we have a request,” Mr. Lyn said.
Details or requests: (305) 470-5373 or Neil.Lyn@dot.state.fl.us
Michael DeFilippi
December 5, 2013 at 11:30 am
Hello,
Depending on how well the city maintains the landscaping and roads this could be a good thing but most importantly these roads absolutely need to be fitted with protected bike lanes. In the next few months Decobike will be launching in Brickell/Downtown and those bikes you see all around South Beach will be all around Brickell. Unfortunately, it’s much more dangerous to ride a bike in those areas so it’s crucial that as Brickell is going through this booming expansion and will look drastically different in the next 2-5 years the safetly and ability for bike riders to get a round is crucial.
Citylover
January 5, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Completely true, Michael. The morons in charge have to realize this is a big city and, FINALLY, citizens are realizing it too, so this city needs to work and act like a big city. We need the city to be urban, PROPER urban, GOOD publics trans, SMART layouts, good bike lanes, more officials near areas where drivers are a holes to pedestrians. Also, drop the name Miami out of Dade already. The Miami area consists of Palm Beach, Broward and Dade, but sadly, its not treated that way sometimes.