FYI Miami: August 6, 2015

DESTINATION DENVER: A delegation of 51 Miami business, political and community leaders is to meet peers in Colorado this week for a first-hand examination of how the Denver-area public transportation agency is creating a comprehensive mass transit system. The two-day summit provides an opportunity for Miami-Dade to learn how the transportation agency that oversees public transportation for eight Colorado counties is executing its FasTracks project that will include 31 park-and-ride facilities, enhanced bus service, 122 miles of commuter and light rail service, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service and 21,000 new parking spaces at light rail and bus stations. The program includes detailed briefings on Denver’s FasTracks, its public-private partnership financing method and tours of some major projects. Upon their return, delegates aim to apply lessons in Miami-Dade so local mass transit projects under consideration can move forward.

HOMES NEAR TRANSIT: The way has been cleared for a developer with plans to build a large mixed-use residential project about a block from Metrorail’s Douglas Road Station. Miami commissioners gave final approval to ordinances that changed the land use for 3650 Bird Road from light industrial to restricted commercial and rezoned the site to “urban core transect zone open.” The triangular property is bordered by Douglas Road (Southwest 37th Avenue) and the Metrorail, just north of US 1, and is home to an auto dealership. Morgan Group plans 359 residential units in two 18-story towers, ground floor retail and a garage to park about 646 vehicles. Documents on file with the city show the project’s tentative name is Pearl at Douglas.

DEGREE IN DISASTER: Florida International University will offer a master’s degree in disaster management starting this fall. The Professional Masters in Disaster Management is the first of its kind in the state, and is designed to prepare a new fleet of emergency management and humanitarian assistance leaders. The degree will be offered through the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs.

MLB ALL-STAR GAME: Major League Baseball’s All-Star game is to take place at the Marlins Park in July 2017. With the looming construction of a soccer stadium next door, Miami Today reached out to MLB to find out if the proposed stadium would affect the league’s event. “We will discuss the timetable for construction and all the relevant details with the Marlins,” the league responded.