Dan Paul Park Named and Dedicated June 13th: Doing Away with Parcel B Name. By Geniusofdespair

 A DAY AT DAN PAUL PARK

The young professionals did what the Government couldn't. They took over their parkland and dedicated it with a name: Dan Paul Park. Dan Paul was the one responsible for the park section of our Home Rule Charter. I did a picture post of the day's events. By the way, County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson said she had no problem with the new name.  Parcel B is officially Dan Paul Park on this blog. Following is a pictorial of the festivities:

Of course the Miami Heat paved it over since this rendering, but that is Dan Paul Park on the far side of the FEC slip. Bicentennial Park is in the foreground (the 2  Museums in it call it Museum Park). Why is it everyone wants to take over the people's parkland? Well finally the people have done it!

County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, The Commissioner for the Area of Dan Paul Park was not happy about the park's paving by the Miami Heat but she said she read about the name - Dan Paul Park - and had no problem with that. Sorry I didn't get a better picture.

The heat had a chain link fence at end with a big lock on it, they took it off (at least for the day). Legally they cannot fence off the property from the public because they got public money to do the seawall from the FIND commission. The property was recently re-leased to the Heat by the County. they use it for a parking lot.

The young professionals were out in numbers for the dedication of Dan Paul Park.

County Commissioner Xavier Suarez (looking mighty trim) attended the event. Ralph Rosado on the left.

Some people found the spit of green on the site and took a yoga class.

Others, made the best of the blacktop.

Oops!

What else could you do with all the blacktop the Miami Heat put down on Dan Paul Park. When the Heat got the land in a referendum, this acreage was promised to the people to be a soccer field, not a parking lot.

From the annals of Miami's recent past: a history of Parcel B by Greg Bush, Urban Environment League

BE THERE TOMORROW:
On Saturday, June 13, Emerge Miami, the Urban Environment League, and The New Tropic invite us all to enjoy Miami's newest park!

Here's what they are saying:

"That morning, we'll be inaugurating Dan Paul Park, three-acre waterfront gem next to the American Airlines Arena and Museum Park in downtown Miami. Formerly known as Parcel B, the park has languished behind closed gates for nearly twenty years, sealed off to the public and used instead as a taxpayer-supported parking lot for TV satellite trucks.

We're not exactly sure why our county's leaders have been unable to deliver on their promises for the past two decades to open the park...

Whatever the reason, Emerge Miami, together with The New Tropic and the Urban Environment League are ready to pick up where our elected officials have left off."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be followed by a day of fun and family-friendly events, including a hula-dancing contest and group picnic."

Where: Dan Paul Park, behind the American Airlines Arena at 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
When: Park opening acts at 11:30 a.m., bike ride from Viscaya Metrorail Station at 10 a.m.
Who: Saturday, June 13, open to the public (finally!) and free.
Why: Because when our elected leaders don't deliver on twenty years of promises, it's time to take matters into our own hands --  GOD: Bring some grass seeds and beach umbrella's.

Parcel b History June 2015 by Greg Bush

Mia­­mi’s Newest Park, PARCEL B, More Than Twenty Years In The Making, Opening June 13th. By Geniusofdespair

LOOK WHAT THEY'VE DONE, THOSE RUTHLESS MIAMI HEAT SCAMPS!!! They blacktopped our park!!! So what, we will dedicate it anyway. If you go -- wear a hat. Bring some eggs to fry.

Citizens are taking over...Let's see how that works out.

Press Release:

June 3, 2015 (Miami) - Summer: with the tourist season all but done in South Florida, it’s time for the locals to come out and play. Sure, it’s hot. But who doesn’t look forward to going outside and soaking in our beautiful open spaces… tossing a Frisbee with a few friends, reading a book under a tree, taking a nap in a hammock, maybe getting caught in a passing shower?

On Saturday, June 13, Emerge Miami invites you to do that and more at Miami’s newest park. That morning, we’ll be inaugurating Dan Paul Park, a five-acre waterfront gem next to the American Airlines Arena and Museum Park in downtown Miami. Formerly known as “Parcel B”, the park has languished behind closed gates for nearly twenty years, sealed off to the public and used instead as a taxpayer-supported parking lot for TV satellite trucks.

We’re not exactly sure why our county’s leaders have been unable to deliver on their promises for the past two decades to open the park. We assume that between their busy schedule of meeting with Miami Heat lobbyists and the big developers who want to build up the site, they just haven’t found a good time to have a grand opening. But we also hear that maybe they misplaced the official pair of big ceremonial scissors and are too embarrassed to have a ribbon-cutting for the new park without them.

Whatever the reason, Emerge Miami, together with The New Tropic and the Urban Environment League is ready to pick up where our elected officials have left off.

We invite you to join us on June 13 at 11:30 a.m. for the official park opening acts. Prior to the ceremony, we’ll be meeting at 10 a.m. at the Viscaya Metrorail Station for a bike ride to the new park. Both events are open to all.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be followed by a day of fun and family-friendly events, including a hula-dancing contest and group picnic.

We hope you’ll be able to join us.

Where: Dan Paul Park, behind the American Airlines Arena at 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
When: Park opening acts at 11:30 a.m., bike ride from Viscaya Metrorail Station at 10 a.m.
Who: Saturday, June 13, open to the public (finally!) and free.
Why: Because when our elected leaders don’t deliver on twenty years of promises, it’s time to take matters into our own hands.


OTHER EVENTS COMING UP

County Civic Engagement 101:

Learn about lobbying for nonprofts as well as how to be effective in communicating your positions to the County. The meeting will be held June 9th at the South Dade Government Center, 6-7:30 p.m.

Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Moss Host South Dade Solutions Summit

South Dade has unique economic, transportation and environmental challenges and opportunities. Many believe South Dade does not receive its fair share of local, state and federal resources. To build on our assets and resolve our challenges, Commissioner Levine Cava and Commissioner Dennis Moss will host the first South Dade Solutions Summit at the Palmetto Bay Village Center on June 6th, 11-5 p.m.

Elected officials and community leaders will come together to discuss the following topics: fueling the economy, transportation connectivity and parks and the environment. We will also welcome keynote speaker Assistant Secretary Carlos Monje of the Department of Transportation. Space is limited and pre-registration is required! A special thanks to our nonprofit partner, the Economic Development Council of South Dade.

A Note to Audrey Edmonson: Who Put the Blacktop on your Park, Parcel B? By Geniusofdespair

Commissioner Audrey Edmonson: Since it is your District, who gave the Miami Heat permission to pave over Parcel B.  (see Michael Lewis editorial and my previous blog on this parcel).

Blacktop is new -- Parcel B NOW!!!! The only part not blacktopped is where they want to put the Cuban Museum.  Now it is a parking lot on the waterfront.

Parcel B Before (on Right) - Grass and Palms

Before

Angry at Audrey: We didn't elect a Queen! By Geniusofdespair

Audrey Edmonson thinks she is queen of her district. Juan Zapata had a resolution to increase the rent on Parcel B and she balked that he should not be doing things in HER district. It was determined by a consultant that the rent was 1/3 of what it should be.

Wow now I am glad Audrey Edmonson did not get elected Chair of the County Commission. She might go back on our Unreformable list just when I was getting to like her.

AUDREY WE ARE ONE COUNTY NOT 13 DISTRICTS. When it comes to the Miami Heat, Parcel B and MONEY you do not reign supreme. Commissioner Juan Zapata is soooo right. Even if it is not a Countywide issue you are wrong. Last time I checked Parcel B was a county property. It was not purchased by District 3 was it? Look at the Money Audrey. Look at the money.

We didn't elect commissioners as overlords of Fiefdoms. YOU DO NOT OWN YOUR DISTRICT and you don't control all the issues within it. We don't have a Feudal regime in downtown.  Everything you vote on is for the good of the people, all of the people. Isn't the money in one big pot called the general funds? Isn't that where rent on this property would go?

How could you possibly threaten the other commissioners with your vote:

"If this goes through, then I think every single one of us will now have to worry about each others crossings the lines and coming in and just doing what they want to do in everybody's district"

That is what they SHOULD BE DOING Audrey. As long as there is one money pot,  everyone has a stake in everything in your district.

 When we have 13 separate accounts, go for it Audrey.  Your district will be a rich district. You should vote for 13 accounts. I would love to either cut the County cord or for you all to do the job you were voted to do:

Govern us all equally.

I don't mind subsidizing some districts if my Commissioner has an equal say to EVERYTHING in that district.  We should not need an at large commissioner, you all should be at large commissioners. Juan Zapata doesn't own the UDB line because a lot of it is in his district.  Moss doesn't own the Zoo. STOP the nonsense and govern in the best interest of the whole community: Which means you should have gotten more money from the Heat for the VIP Parking lot for all of us.

P.S. All the rest of you that voted with her: You are dickheads. You should have gotten the COUNTY more money.

Miami Dade Waterfront Only for the Wealthy? Guest Blog by Gregory Bush

Late one night in December 1902, after returning to his home overlooking Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, Judge George Worley was shocked to see that Henry Flagler’s FEC company had constructed a large barbed wire fence for several blocks along the waterfront. He was so upset at his lost access to what he considered to be the public’s waterfront that he went to Budges hardware store, got a barbed wire cutter and tore down the fence. The FEC promptly put it up again and Worley cut it again and again until he was arrested. His case eventually wound its way up to the state Supreme Court that ruled in 1905 that the original plat dictated a public park along the waterfront. He won - but in recent decades battles for the public waterfront have gotten far more complex and the public understanding of the issues has gotten far more cloudy as wealth trumps public access.

Today, waterfront development in Miami has generally been forged through manufactured crises devoid of coherent long term planning. Miami Dade residents face multiple threats to what is left of our public waterfront. The issues remain complex and obscure to most residents. Yet this is a critical hour.

Look around our beautiful Biscayne Bay (if you can): Watson Island, Skyrise and Parcel B (waterfront of the American Airlines Arena) as well as the Marine Stadium basin at Virginia Key are all in the throws of complex development schemes that are taking away public waterfront land and access to beautiful Biscayne Bay – each to benefit a narrow set of wealthy or favored interests. Multiple lawsuits have been filed in the name of the public interest but the issue of standing by plaintiffs has been repeatedly used to thwart challenges towards government actions.

The loss of our public waterfront has been due, in large part, to the power of varied commercial interests – and their legions of consultants - who seize the initiative for land deals behind closed doors alongside government officials. Campaign contributions follow, public cynicism ensues, and public space is effectively lost. Years ago, for example, Miami passed the Carrolo Amendment, mandating public referenda on waterfront leases, but city officials established elaborate patterns of evasion such as using the Miami Exhibition and Sports Authority and “licensing” agreements.

The Marine Stadium area is a classic case in point.

Investigative Report: County gets a slap from the FIND Commission on Parcel B. By Geniusofdespair

Parcel B

This is the famous Parcel B owned by the County (The City of Miami sold it to them), always zoned parks. In a referendum to get the Heat Arena property, multi-billionaire Micky Arison promised it would be a soccer field. The County went to the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) to get a matching grant to do seawall work. Everyone pays a small fee on their tax bill to the FIND Commission. The grant money is given contingent on the project being of public interest and must remain open to the public.  FIND's mission is to encourage public access to the waterfront and keep the Florida intracoastal waterway operational.

 The City owns the sliver of land on the North Side of the American Airlines Arena. They too got FIND money but the Baywalk is public as you can see.  The American Airlines Arena, built on public land, put up a fence to block the public coming from Bayfront Park/Bayside Marketplace.

Lester Sola said the City put up this fence and installed the cement barricades. The City said not true.

On the North East corner of the Parcel B Property, the County put up a fence and concrete barriers even though they got money, more than $2 Million dollars, from Find in 2006 and 2007.  In the letter below the FIND Commission is calling them out for not giving the area public access. Remember they got the money OVER 8 YEARS AGO. See fence above. In fact, Parcel B has fencing and locks on all side.

The letter is careful NOT to say Parcel B is public, only the Baywalk even though the people promised it would be in a referendum. We were lied to?

Here is the County's response. Note Lester Sola is writing the letter, the Mayor's new tool, who is head of Water and Sewer, which this appears to have nothing to do with. Since when are seawalls and bay walks Water and Sewer projects. Is he misrepresenting himself?  Sola wrote it on Internal Services Director's Office letterhead. Was that his former job  (if so he should have said so) or has he  that position also?? 

The inaccuracies of the Sola letter. If the County was concerned with the Cities unfinished baywalk they would have put the fence on THE OTHER CORNER. Parcel B is completely okay for public access.  The FIND Commission wanted a sign erected. In 7 or 8 years they couldn't put up a sign?  Now Sola says they will install one...in a few months. A few months to install a sign? 

The City of Miami claims they did not put up the fence or place the concrete barricades. In fact the City doesn't have the equipment to move those concrete barriers. Sola blames the city for the fence. Sola doesn't say in the letter that Parcel B isn't open and hasn't been open all these years. He fudges the question saying the City put the fence up on their own property (which would have opened the site if it weren't there) and he doesn't really say the  entire property is available to the public anywhere in the letter. Once again, the City says they DID NOT put the fence up. I would look to whomever put up that other fence along the American Airlines venue.  Note: Lester Sola says the BAYWALK will always be public, not the property.

Read this page carefully. Pedestrian access? That is what we get?

The FIND Commission does not write these letters often. The County should not have been a recipient of this letter if the area was truly public.

The Community Heavy Hitters Come Out to Support the Park Against the Soccer Interlopers. By Geniusofdespair

Couldn't find it online so here is the letter from the paper Miami Herald today.

It isn't just us, the rabble, world famous Architects and Planners (such as Liz Plater-Zyberk and Victor Dover) agree this soccer stadium on the waterfront is a super-colossally bad idea. Gimenez what the hell are you supporting? Are stadiums destined to be the downfall of all our Mayors? When these people of stature come out to play, you have a problem, a big problem Mr. mayor. Stay out of our park and leave our FEC slip alone. Now Becham Soccer Stadium on the waterfront is labeled a boondoggle....by me. And David, you might look at the deed, there is a restriction on gambling.

FEC Slip and Parcel B Public Records Search For the Beckham Soccer Crap. By Geniusofdespair

I did a public records request of Parcel B and The Historic FEC Slip.

When you go in for a public records request, you just don't know what you will find. Sometimes it is one page (I wasn't broad enough) sometimes it is this cart (too broad). Well I took a quick look, read a few deeds, got overwhelmed and went home. 

Could it possibly be that the City threw the FEC slip in the deed to the County by mistake? I saw some yellow post-its that said something to that effect. Hmmm. It says on the Property Appraiser's site that city GSA owns it but the truth is buried in a deed description. Why this is important: Only the City votes if the own it. We ALL get to vote if the County owns it.

Beckham Soccer Rebellion in Miami. By Geniusofdespair

Small start, but only one day's notice for this protest! The natives are restless, wanting to preserve their green space and blue space (the historical FEC slip). No Soccer here they say. Parks are for people not just fans of soccer and more cement. Take the stadium off the waterfront. Our waterfront is not on the table, it is not for sale.

Beckham's Soccer Stadium: The Neighbors (VOTERS) Are Pissed Off! By Geniusofdespair

Historic Boat Slip From the 1920's (Then the Port) - David Beckham's Group Wants to Fill It In. By the way, the green in the background is the Everglades.

I went to a meeting of the neighbors around Bicentennial Park and the Downtown Neighbor Alliance. Apparently it is not just me and environmentalists who do not want the slip filled in. And, by the way, that article in the Miami Herald today was a total insult to PEOPLE IN MIAMI. They had the nerve to say they were taking our Chevy and giving us a Cadillac (In their distorted view). We want our Chevy and we don't think it is a Chevy, it is a Rolls Royce to us! This is not a nimby thing. It is a quality of life question. People want a quiet place to sit and walk by the water. Parcel B is anything but quiet. I have been there, the traffic noise is pretty bad. Let that be our dog park or our soccer field. Someone should tell the Beckham's Group Parcel B is already OUR park and so is the slip. They aren't increasing anything they are decreasing our park space. Fuzzy math doesn't work here. They are stealing our park space for their 10 story stadium (and I still think it will turn into gambling on that first level). People scoff but just wait. Adelson of the Sands was in partnership with Beckham on other deals.

Coconut Grove, Brickell, the upper East Side and the new building inhabitants across the street from the park want their park space...all of it. And they want the historical boat slip to be kept as water (duh moment). They don't want about 10,000 truckloads of fill. These are voters, pissed voters. Marc Sarnoff you had better be listening if your lovely wife is following in your footsteps to the commission and Francis Suarez, if you want to be mayor, you had better be listening too.  This is such a colossal bad idea I can't even comprehend it and neither can the people of district 2 and 5. Keon Hardemon's constituents also benefit from this park where they can picnic and fish by the water.

Everyone is talking to David Beckhams, the interloper, maybe they should take some time to listen to the voters who think the stadium should be inland. There are thousands of voters against this bad idea. They say put it somewhere else. It is not just Royal Caribbean that has a voice. People do too. LISTEN TO THEM! You will be hearing from them Miami! Their message: Don't mess with parks and our green and blue space!

It is not just the thousands of people in these building that are mad. There is now a coalition. Also note the buildings on the right side of photo. This is quite a lot of people. If you go in the other direction there are thousands more.

This is where they want the stadium (historic slip on the right). The park has been closed for renovation, it is just getting ready to open. Of course no one was using it during the work being done. Bicentennial Park is not that big (29 acres) they want to take a big chunk of a small park with two museums already on it.

I added these for this idiot in comments.... go to the link

When will the Marlin's deal be dead? by gimleteye

We're all having to cut back. Here's how I would spend $600 million of tourism-based tax dollars: first, I'd lobby the Florida legislature to expand the definition of projects that can received funding from tourism tax dollars. Look: we've pretty much destroyed the natural attractions of the state of Florida that lured so many millions of people to the state in the first place. Isn't it time we invested in neighborhoods in urban areas to improve our quality of life, to build and fund parks where parks don't exist? How about community "Victory" gardens? Have you noticed how you are spending the same amount in grocery stores for food, that keeps coming in smaller and smaller packages? The time for Miamians to be growing our own food is NOW.

And who could use Victory Gardens more than the poor people in Michelle Spence Jones' district? I don't blame the city commissioner at all, for wanting as much for her district as the Marlins want to take out of the public pockets, for their shareholders. And I hope she doesn't cut a deal.

The same principles of fairness and equity should have been applied to the Performing Arsht Center: local communities should have received, dollar for dollar, funding for school programs for the arts as went into concrete there.

Misplaced public priorities have cost Floridians dearly, lining the pockets of private corporations/ campaign contributors and their teams of lobbyists. (Parcel B, anyone?) Maybe, what we are seeing with the obstruction of a new professional baseball stadium is a public acknowledgment of economic reality. And maybe it is time for cart to stop driving the horses, and for the needs of taxpayers to be better represented by public investments in our quality of life and the public commons.

Parcel B: I Found a copy of The Dec. 1, 2004 Placemaking Workshop Report. By Geniusofdespair

The site wanted for the Bay of Pigs museum -- parcel B -- has had a planning session which was well attended by people from the community. The Placemaking Workshop report for Parcel B is 21 pages long and the draft was submitted Dec. 21st, 2004...here is the concluding paragraph:

"There was widespread support among workshop participants of keeping this space well programmed but not overbuilt, with park like features and amenities, such a shade trees, benches and eating paces to picnic or barbecue, and things to do but in a more casual way (pick-up soccer rather than scheduled leagues). There seems to be interest and support for turning parcel B into more of a neighborhood park, with a casual feel, that serves the communities that surround it as well as the private sponsors and Miami Heat clientele. This may or may not be possible given the fact that it may be hard to create a neighborhood park next to a major regional entertainment venue and destination. However, it is clear that the people of Miami want a place that is first and foremost designed for their use — not primarily for museums, or tourists, or as a profit making sports facility, but as one of the ten places that makes Miami great and the downtown worth living in."

So, this site, although neglected by the County, was much in the minds of the citizens, who met in good faith to plan their open space.

I wasn't aware that there is a Cuban History museum in the pipeline. Were you? There was a ground-breaking in June and County Bond money is funding it (press release below). Take note of this County Manager George Burgess. Maybe this is the place to house the Bay of Pigs exhibit? That is certainly part of Cuban History. Do we need to have two exhibit venues and the Freedom Tower? That is a lot of exhibition space. (hit on press release to enlarge)

Parcel B Charrette December 2004 By Geniusofdespair

I remember I went. I remember there were a lot of others. What did they do, bury the outcome? That is why the Gutierrez letter irked me. He is a Johnny-come-lately not knowing the long history some of us have had with this site. (see Sunday blog on this subject)

Bay of Pigs Museum on the Waterfront: Gutierrez Letter. by Geniusofdespair

There is a letter in the Miami Herald today - BAY OF PIGS: Museum is `quintessentially American' by Nicholas J. Gutierrez, Jr. He annoys me, always has. Does what he says in his letter annoy you? It does me:

“The museum's detractors like to huff about public access to this bayfront property. But they ignore that for the past 11 years, the public has enjoyed absolutely no access to it.”

We are not museum detractors you dope. Maybe we want what we voted for!! Most people are saying it is the wrong place for the museum celebrating Cuban heritage (you will note by his letter, this is quickly morphing into a Cuban History thing since the Bay of Pigs history alone won’t fly as easily). What is wrong with the Freedom Tower, Nicholas, it is a stone's throw away from the waterfront and could serve the purpose? And, to be accurate Parcel B is 120,485 Sq. ft. that is 2.76 acres according to county records on line. The reason being, the property around the perimeter is not technically counted as part of parcel B. When I hit on this area, nothing shows up for it.

Guiterrez is rude, I heard him on the radio once speaking for the sugar industry and all he did was interrupt everyone. He is on the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board and he is a lawyer for the Sugar Industry. I wish Governor Crist had removed him from the Governing Board.

Here is what is on the SFWMD website so you know what you are up against if you are a soccer field fan:
Professional, Business and Service Affiliations:
• Secretary and Director (9 terms), National Association of Sugar Mill Owners of Cuba
• Chairman, Property Rights Committee of the Cuban-American Bar Association's Cuban Law Project
• Secretary, The Sugar Industry of Cuba Institute
• General Counsel to the Cuban Association of the Tobacco Industry
• Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Cuban Mineral and Petroleum Rights Holders
• Founder and President of the Bridge of Young Cuban Professionals
• Member, Committee for the Liberation of Guantánamo Detainees
• Founder, first President and current Director of South Florida Lawyers' Division of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
• National Vice-President for the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies' E.I. Wiegand International and National Security Law Practice Group
• Bar Memberships: State of Florida, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, United States Supreme Court, Miami-Dade County Bar
• Rated "A-V" by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest professional and legal rating awarded to practicing attorneys
• Winner of Nova Southeastern University and St. Thomas University Hispanic Law Students Association's 1996 and 1999 "Hispanic of the Year Awards"

Bay of Pigs Museum on Biscayne Bay's Parcel B? I'm no lawyer but...by Geniusofdespair

Although never entered into Miami Dade Parks inventory (the Park’s Dept. tells me), Parcel B is still zoned Parks and Recreation.

So legal eagles here is my question and my answer: Am I correct?

If it is county land and it is zoned Parks and Recreation, it must go for a countywide referendum because of Article 7 (The Dan Paul Amendment) of the Home Rule Charter. All County Parks are governed by this Amendment. However, the Amendment says:

"Note: This Article does not apply to municipal property in Coral Gables, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami, Sweetwater and West Miami.”

So if it is County Property it is not constituted as “municipal” property of the the City of Miami although it retains the City Zoning. Thus, if it is County Property subject to the Dan Paul Amendment this section would apply, and a Bay of Pigs Museum and Library atop a parking garage would have to be voted on countywide:

SECTION 7.02. RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
In furtherance of this policy parks shall be used for public park purposes only, and subject to the limited exceptions set forth in this Article, there shall be no permanent structures or private commercial advertising erected in a public park or private commercial use of a public park or renewals, expansions, or extensions of existing leases, licenses, or concessions to private parties of public park property, unless each such structure, lease, license, renewal, expansion, extension, concession or use shall be approved by a majority vote of the voters in a County-wide referendum.

The people of this county did vote once before on this property and the vote was for Soccer Fields (It was part of the American Airlines Arena Referendum). Can the County Commission just cast that vote aside? By the way, City of Miami waterfront property is also subject to a citywide vote (Carollo Amendment). I am including the entire Article for Legal Eagles to look at but I think we would need another countywide vote:

ARTICLE - 7
PARKS, AQUATIC PRESERVES, AND
PRESERVATION LANDS
Note: This Article does not apply to municipal property in Coral Gables, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami, Sweetwater and West Miami. See Section 7.04.
SECTION 7.01. POLICY.
Parks, aquatic preserves, and lands acquired by the County for preservation shall be held in trust for the education, pleasure, and recreation of the public and they shall be used and maintained in a manner which will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations as a part of the public's irreplaceable heritage. They shall be protected from commercial development and exploitation and their natural landscape, flora and fauna, and scenic beauties shall be preserved. In lands acquired by the County for preservation and in parks along the Ocean or the Bay the public's access to and view of the water shall not be obstructed or impaired by buildings or other structures or concessions which are in excess of 1500 square feet each. Adequate maintenance shall be provided.

SECTION 7.02. RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
In furtherance of this policy parks shall be used for public park purposes only, and subject to the limited exceptions set forth in this Article, there shall be no permanent structures or private commercial advertising erected in a public park or private commercial use of a public park or renewals, expansions, or extensions of existing leases, licenses, or concessions to private parties of public park property, unless each such structure, lease, license, renewal, expansion, extension, concession or use shall be approved by a majority vote of the voters in a County-wide referendum. Nothing in this Article shall prevent any contract with federally tax-exempt not-for-profit youth, adult, and senior cultural, conservation and parks and recreation program providers. To ensure aquatic preserves, lands acquired by the County for preservation, and public parks or parts thereof which are nature preserves, beaches, natural forest areas, historic or archeological areas, or otherwise possess unique natural values in their present state, such as Matheson Hammock, Greynolds Park, Redlands Fruit and Spice Park, Castellow Hammock, Crandon Park, Trail Glades Park, Deering Estate Park, Pine Shore Park, Old Cutler Hammock, Chapman Field, Tamiami Pinelands, Wainright Park, Larry and Penny Thompson Park, Whispering Pines Hammock, Mangrove Preserve, Owaissa Bauer Park, Fuchs Hammock, Black Point Marina, Simpson Park, Sewell Park, Barnes Park, Virginia Key, mangrove preserves, and all other natural or historical resource based parks do not lose their natural or historical values, any structure, lease, license, renewal, extension, concession or use in any of this class of public parks or in aquatic preserves and preservation lands must be approved by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voters in a County-wide referendum. No park shall be designed to be used beyond its appropriate carrying capacity and to the extent required by law all parks and facilities and permitted special events and concessions operating in the parks shall be fully accessible to persons with disabilities. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the maintenance of existing facilities, the maintenance, operation, and renovation of existing golf course and marina restaurants at their existing square footage by government agencies or private operators, provided such private operators are chosen as a result of competitive selection and their initial contract terms are limited to no more than ten years, or the construction, operation, maintenance, and repair by government agencies or private operators of or issuance of temporary permits for:

A. Appropriate access roads, bridges, fences, lighting, flag poles, entrance features, picnic shelters, tables, grills, benches, irrigation systems, walls, erosion control devices, utilities, trash removal, parking and security and fire facilities for the primary use of the park system;
B. Food and concession facilities each not in excess of 1500 square feet of enclosed space, with any complementary outdoor or covered areas needed to service park patrons;
C. User-participation non-spectator recreation and, playground facilities, golf courses and golf-course related facilities, and bandstands and bandshells containing less than 1,000 spectator seats and athletic facilities, sports fields and arenas containing less than 3,000 spectator seats;
D. Facilities for marinas, sightseeing and fishing boats, visiting military vessels, and fishing;
E. Park signage and appropriate plaques and monuments;
F. Rest rooms;
G. Fountains, gardens, and works of art;
H. Park service facilities, senior, day care and pre-school facilities, small nature centers with not more than one classroom;
I. Film permits, temporary fairs, art exhibits, performing arts, concerts, cultural and historic exhibitions, regattas, athletic contests and tournaments, none of which require the erection of permanent structures;
J. Advertising in connection with sponsorship of events or facilities in the park, provided however all such facilities and uses are compatible with the particular park and are scheduled so that such events do not unreasonably impair the public use of the park or damage the park.
K. Programming partnerships with qualified federally tax exempt not-for-profit youth, adult, and senior cultural, conservation, and parks and recreation program providers;
L. Agreements with cable, internet, telephone, electric or similar service providers or utilities, so long as any installations are underground or do not adversely impact natural resources, or parks facilities and uses.
No park facilities, golf courses, or County lands acquired for preservation shall be converted to or used for non-park offices, purposes, or uses. The County, the municipalities, and agencies or groups receiving any public funding shall not expend any public money or provide any publicly funded services in kind to any project which does not comply with this Article. No building permit or certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any structure in violation of this Article. The restrictions applying to parks in this Article shall not apply to the Dade County Youth Fair site, Metro Zoo, Tamiami Stadium, Haulover Fishing Pier, the Dade County Auditorium, the Museum of Science, the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Trail Glade Range, the Orange Bowl, the Commodore Ralph Munroe Marine Stadium, the Seaquarium, Curtis Park track and stadium, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, and mini and neighborhood parks except that no mini or neighborhood park may be leased or disposed of unless a majority of the residents residing in voting precincts any part of which is within 1 mile of the park authorize such sale or lease by majority vote in an election.

SECTION 7.03. ENFORCEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION.
All elections required by this Article shall be held either in conjunction with state primary or general elections or as part of bond issue elections. The provisions of this Article may be enforced in the same manner as provided in Section (C) of the Citizens' Bill of Rights of this Charter. The provisions of this Article shall be liberally construed in favor of the preservation of all park lands, aquatic preserves, and preservation lands. If any provision of this Article shall be declared invalid it shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Article. This Article shall not be construed to illegally impair any previously existing valid written contractual commitments or bids or bonded indebtedness.

SECTION 7.04. JURISDICTION.
Except as otherwise provided herein the provisions of this Article shall apply to all County and municipal parks, aquatic preserves, and lands acquired by the County for preservation now in existence or hereafter acquired, provided that if this Article was not favorably voted upon by a majority of the voters voting in any municipality at the time of the adoption of this Article the municipal parks of such municipality shall be excluded from the provisions of this Article.

You and I are NOT Smart (well maybe NOT crafty)! By Geniusofdespair

Let’s say you are the Miami Heat and you want a parking garage on land owned by the county (Parcel B). That is a very hard sell.

If I were the Heat: I would call in the lobbyists and hatch a hair-brained scheme that will work.

The scheme must be totally impenetrable. For that to happen, you must add a racial or ethnic component to it. This will energize a really vocal group that like Commissioners will pander to and other Commissioners will be afraid not to.

So we now have the hair-brained scheme to get the parking garage: The Bay of Pigs Museum and Library atop of all things (Surprise, surprise) a parking garage. And, the museum people played their part well: When it was suggested the museum could be inland, Bay of Pigs Museum supporters said it has to be on the waterfront because there is so much water involved (??) in the historical event. According to Commissioner Rebecca Sosa: ''It's going to be very close to the water, and the history of Cuba is so close to the water,'' ...Well that makes sense???

I am trying to track down the Lobbyists that hatched this — Brilliant!! I did find one, don't know if she hatched it: Diana M. Gonzalez, registered August 24th for "Development of a Cuban Museum." In the past she lobbied for Richard Zinn, the Rouse company, Pinnacle Housing Group and Peerless. Just was told that Lobbyists Herman Echevarria and Dusty Melton were trolling around during the vote. Dusty was one of the masterminds behind the art museum in Bicentennial Park. Does this one sound similar? For my money, I would bet Dusty's creative mind might be behind the Bay of Pigs/Parking lot deal. He is a lobbyist that out thinks people -- he is always a few moves ahead in a chess match of wits.

Parcel B History: Urban Environment League was there first. By Geniusofdespair

The UEL (Urban Environment League) reminded me they had a history at this Parcel B site that they saved from a 20 story development in 2003. The UEL has been involved with the American Airlines Arena site (Both A & B) since the early 90's when the UEL group formed -- over this issue as a matter of fact.

This Parcel B (a portion of the Arena Site) is the same site that some want to put on a Bay of Pigs Museum and Library. It looks like the UEL needs to be at the table as they want open space. (Hit on the page below to enlarge).

Bay of Pigs Museum at American Airlines Arena is on Sept. 4th County Agenda by Geniusofdespair

Playing shamelessly to their power base, this resolution now is sponsored by two stupid Commissioners instead of one and is on the County Commission Agenda for September 4th. Both dim Bruno Barreiro and the ever cocky Joe Martinez are moving forward File No. 072049 which they are calling "Develop Bay of Pigs Museum & Library at Parcel B of FEC Property." This resolution directs the County Manager to prepare a conceptual study analyzing development of the Bay of Pigs Museum and Library for what we all fondly call Parcel B. The Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee has already forwarded it 7/16 with a favorable recommendation. It was moved by Edmonson, seconded by Moss and Sorenson, Rolle and Souto voted to move it along.

The legislative text goes on to say:

"The County Manager shall include as part of the conceptual study a section which addresses the following: the feasibility of underground parking, the provision of public open space, the development of a baywalk and options to mitigate any material impact to operation of the Arena arising from development of Parcel B. The County Manager shall present the conceptual study to this Board within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this resolution."

Maybe we can incorporate a statue or building celebrating Castro's death as well at the site. It could be like the Mystic Seaport Gallery where you have a different exhibit building/area for each thing. Or, an even better idea, why couldn't this museum/library be incorporated into the Freedom Tower's ample exhibit space? It would make more sense there.

Park Activist Steve Hagen has threatened to stand in front of the bulldozer. You had better get ready Steve, this train is on the track and it is gaining steam! Steve and others are not against the museum and library. They are against the location. People are angry enough because of the two museums slated for Bicentennial Park, this one is just one too many. Think about another location Commissioners, Parcel B is not the right one.

Guest Blogger: Alex Fuentes on Bay of Pigs Museum & Library

The elected officials of the City of Hialeah should be negotiating with this organization and Hialeah Park's ownership to bring the BAY OF PIGS museum to Hialeah. South Florida cannot afford to loose any more precious waterfront. What better place than Hialeah Park for such a museum?

The proceeds from such a deal may be utilized to restore the aging structures that helped make the world renowned Hialeah Park “the most beautiful race course in the world.”

Bestowing such an honor upon the people of Hialeah will also make it much easier for racing to return.

The city of Hialeah is the most Cuban city outside of Havana. It is also the fifth largest population in the State. The park has the beauty, the land, direct metro rail access, and the prestigious history.

Hialeah needs this.

(County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro has proposed putting the museum/library on the waterfront side of the American Airlines Arena - Called Parcel B).