two more opportunities to speak in support of the Ludlam Trail

South Miami neighbors are invited to come speak out in favor of the Ludlam Trail at two upcoming meetings. On Monday, October 20, the county Planning Advisory Board will discuss the value of transforming the old railway right of way into a six-mile linear park. That meeting begins at 2 p.m.

On November 19, the Board of County Commissioners will take up the subject at their meeting. Both events will be held in the County Commission Chamber at 111 NW 1 Street, Miami.

Come speak up in favor of the Ludlam Trail

Friends of the Ludlam Trail, the grass roots organization working toward turning the old FEC right of way into a beautiful linear park stretching from Dadeland to Miami International Airport, has let us know about an attempt by the railroad's parent company to change the zoning on the right of way to allow for residential development. This would all but eliminate the possibility of creating a new park.

Friends of the Ludlam Trail encourages South Miami residents to attend the three upcoming Community Council hearings to learn more about FECI’s proposal for mixed-use development with a trail component within the Ludlam Trail corridor:

·         Kendall Community Council: (12): Tuesday, September 23, 2014; 6 p.m.Kendall Village Center Civic Pavilion8625 SW 124 Ave.Miami, FL 33183

·         North Central Community Council (8): Monday, September 29, 2014; 6 p.m.MLK Plaza,2525 NW 62 St.Miami, FL 33147

·         Westchester Community Council (10): Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 6 p.m.Ruben Dario Middle School350 NW 97 Ave.Miami, FL 33172

MDC Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) Planning department advertises in the Miami-Herald Neighbors section and also sends out postcards or notice cards in the mail ½ mile from the subject corridor. While the meeting public hearing locations are not close to the Ludlam corridor it is still within Community Council boundaries.   Those residents who would be affected the most near the Ludlam Trail corridor are especially encouraged to attend these hearings.

Comment on the South Miami Intermodal Transportation plan tonight!

George Puig and Stewart Robinson of Kimley-Horn will present an update for the South Miami Intermodal Transportation Plan (encompasses bicycle and pedestrian route plans)  this evening for the Green Taskforce Meeting. Please come by to give your comments if you can. This will likely be one of the last chances for public comment. The meeting is at 6pm at City Hall.

Murray Park Aquatic Center opens August 6!

The Murray Park Aquatic Center opens Wednesday, August 6, with a ribbon cutting celebration at 10am. Come see this wonderful new addition to our community!

Friends of the Ludlam Trail

The Friends of the Ludlam Trail is reaching out to South Miami residents who are interested in environmental conservation and expanding our bicycle and pedestrian networks. A number of South Miami residents serve on the board of the Friends of the Ludlam Trail, and they invite your participation in their efforts. They have a number of ways of getting involved.

As their web site explains, "The Friends of the Ludlam Trail is a non-profit coalition dedicated to the implementation of the Ludlam Trail, a 6.2-mile linear park through the heart of Miami-Dade County within the partially abandoned Florida East Coast railway right-of-way. The park will contain community gardens and a trail that will provide a safe dedicated and direct route for cyclists and pedestrians to schools, parks, work and shopping. The trail will connect more than 34,000 people within a half-mile, walkable service area to five greenways, five schools, four parks and two transit hubs.

"The Friends of the Ludlam Trail represents the thousands of Miami-Dade County residents who want to see the Ludlam trail become an asset for the community as a running, biking, and walking trail. We see the Ludlam Trail project as a way of spurring job creation in our community, realizing immediate value increases for adjacent properties, and achieving a major transportation and recreation connection across the heart of the county. Please join us!"

City aims to build "great streets," invites comments on new plan

The city invites residents to comment on the draft intermodal transportation plan, prepared by planning consultants Kimley-Horn. The plan includes improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access throughout the city, with links to all of our parks and public spaces.

Please take some time to look over the plan and send your thoughts in an email to info@southmiamineighbors.com.

After the jump, the complete text of Kimley-Horn's Vision, Goals and Objectives document, along with drawings of proposed street configurations...

City Commission meeting includes major issues

We encourage you to attend tomorrow (Tuesday) evening's City Commission meeting, which will include several significant agenda items. The commission will consider a series of changes to the city charter - including changing the date of municipal elections - and will discuss utilizing a private contractor to handle trash collection.