11-29-1983 Workshop MeetingWORKSHOP MEETING - DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL
November 29, 1983, 7:30 p.m.
Present:
Also present:
Mayor Kevin O'Connor
Elspeth Jensen
Robert J. Lodge
Herbert Spahn, Jr.
Terry Cuson
Village Manager Forney
Approximately 20 interested persons including
business property owners, tenants, Chamber
of Commerce and the Property Owners Assoc.
11/29/83
Mayor O'Connor opened the meeting and explained the background of
the proposal for downtown redevelopment as initiated by the Chamber
of Commerce and emphasized the need for upgrading our business
district.
Ms. Fran Farina, President of the Chamber of Commerce, reviewed the
preliminary discussions of the Chamber, highlighting the steps that
need to be taken:
(1) Physical studies, including downtown land use
arrangements and zoning, study of parking and traffic,
condition of streets and sidewalks.
(2) Public improvements - street and sidewalk repairs,
parking and traffic circulation.
(3)
Building improvements - rehabilitation and store front
design.
(4) Strategies for bringing people back to Miami Shores.
Comments from owners and others:
Mr. Arthur Shandloff, owner of 9801 N. E. 2nd Ave., stated he
would like to be helpful but added that if tenants are in
the buildings it appears they must be successful.
Mr. David Fieldstone, owner of 9999 N. E. 2nd Ave., stated
that the area is getting run down, prospective tenants
feel it is deteriorating, that the area is not going anywhere
aesthetically or progressively; the big problem is cosmetics.
11/29/83
-2-
Ms. Honey Jackson of Mr. J's, we need beautification,
store fronts are dark and not pretty.
Ms. Joan Fieldstone, part owner of Shoreview Bldg.,
stated 2nd Avenue needs professional planning, a new
flavor, should be redeveloped on a theme basis.
Mr. Fieldstone thought the merchants should pay for it and
didn't think it would be very expensive.
Mr. Franklin Grau, architect & planner, from a professional
point of view, need for cosmetics, replacement of signs, etc.
Mr. Joe Lodge thought the first premise should be what do we
want, what kind of downtown are we going to be.
Mr. Jim Dixon, speaking on behalf of the Historic Preservation
Board, called attention to the historic value of some of these
buildings.
Mr. Walter Simon, on behalf of the Property Owners Assoc.,
stated there was a divergence of direction between owners and
tenants, thought the property owners would not object to an
increase in millage if there is a comprehensive plan.
Council comments:
Mr. Lodge thought the Council should set up a downtown revelop-
ment board.
Mr. Cuson - get a footpatrolman and get rid of parking meters.
Mrs. Jensen - we should have a foot patrolman.
It was finally agreed by Council that this board could be established
by resolution, for passage at the next meeting, then put together
the board and let them come back with an ordinance outlining
specific redevelopment plans. The consensus of Council was for
a seven member board.
The workshop meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Village Clerk