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Update Newsletter - February 2007
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Commissioner Sarnoff has requested public input on Biscayne Boulevard’s re-landscaping controversy. State
Representative Brise has requested (from FDOT) all information passed between FDOT and the public on this issue.
Let them know that you favor royal palms on Biscayne Boulevard, and are against their continued removal.
It is imperative that everyone receiving this update e-mail these two elected officials immediately. Also, please forward
this information to anyone you know who is interested in this issue:
> E-mail Claudia Miro (for Commissioner Sarnoff)
> E-mail State Representative Brise
Suggested text: I am in favor of keeping royal palms on Biscayne Boulevard and request that FDOT re-landscaping
plan keep the iconic royal palms, a tropical symbol of our South Florida landscape, as a defining element of the
boulevard's design. Historically, Biscayne Boulevard has played the role of gateway to the city of Miami and should be
protected for future generations of Miamians and visitors alike (similar to the protected landscape of Coral Way).
Boulevard Landscape Issue Receives Attention from City and State
In attendance at the last of two planned Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) public input meetings, on
1/31/07, was City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Florida State Representative Ronald Brise. Both
expressed concern with the lack of public input leading up to the controversial re-landscaping project of Biscayne
Boulevard. The presence of these elected officials significantly altered the direction of the plan. This new direction, a
prompt for public input, may help restore the boulevard’s historic landscape.
Commissioner Sarnoff Calls For A "Blank Slate" - Wants Public Input
After listening to opinions from all sides, Commissioner Sarnoff called for the FDOT landscape plan to be considered
"a blank slate". He wants to hear from the public on the re-landscaping of Biscayne Boulevard. Block-by-block, he
would like to restore as many trees as possible. Contact Claudia Miro to provide your input: cmiro@miamigov.com.
State Representative Brise To Review History Of Project
Having heard of the controversy surrounding the re-landscaping issue, Representative Brise requested from FDOT
an opportunity to review all information which has passed between that state agency and the public pertaining to the
removal of the boulevard’s historic palm-lined landscape. Representative Brise, should be informed of any
unsatisfactory communication you have experienced with FDOT through this issue: ronald.brise@myfloridahouse.gov.
New Landscape Plan Offers 75 Less Trees
Through Commissioner Sarnoff’s review of the new landscape plan, it became apparent that, in total, there are 75
less trees planned than were removed. In addition, 9 blocks are to be left without any trees whatsoever. In some
locations three or less sapling oaks are planned where many full-grown royal palms once stood. It is important to
note that the lack of a study on the historic significance of Biscayne Boulevard and its landscape (by FDOT) has
resulted in the boulevard renovation project being handled as a "new roadway"; thus, involving current planting
regulations.
As a matter of reference, historic, banyan tree-covered Coral Way could not be built today. Prior to an FDOT
roadway renovation, the street was declared a Scenic Transportation Corridor in order to protect its landscape for
future generations of Miamians. Similar to Biscayne Boulevard, it’s landscape was also designed and planted in the
1920s.
Click here a detailed map of where the royals were removed from Biscayne Boulevard (between NE 38th and NE 67th
Streets): http://www.savepalms.com/palmsplot.html
Two-Thirds of Royal Palms Did Not Survive Transplanting
More than 130 full-grown royal palms have been removed from Biscayne Boulevard since the project began in
January 2006. As disclosed at the 1/31 landscape meeting, two-thirds did not survive the relocation process. You
may remember that many were stacked in a city staging yard for weeks, through the Winter of 2006: http://www.
savepalms.com/ditchedpalms.html
Summary of 1/31 FDOT Landscape Meeting
The 1/31 FDOT public input meeting (the last of two planned meetings) involved input from nine public speakers and
two elected officials in attendance and changed the direction of the re-landscaping plan; which, as a result, may
potentially bring back the royal palms to Biscayne Boulevard through the Upper Eastside of Miami.
Elected Officials In Attendance
Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff (District 2)
Florida State Representative Ronald Brise (District 108)
Both appeared concerned with the lack of public input for the landscape project. State Rep. Brise stated that he had
requested all information and communication between FDOT and the public on this issue. Commissioner Sarnoff has
requested the public’s input on their vision of Biscayne Boulevard through the Upper Eastside, including the MiMo
Historic District.
7 out of 9 Speakers Favored Return of Royal Palms
>Sean-Paul Melito, representing a petition for landscape preservation (including 16 boulevard businesses) and citing
Miami’s City Ordinance requiring royal palms on Biscayne Boulevard;
>Henry Patel, Owner King Motel;
>Elvis Cruz, Upper Eastside Activist;
>Eric Silverman, Owner Vagabond Motel;
>Bob Powers, President Palm Grove Neighborhood Association
>Steve Hagen, Co-Chair, Parks & Public Space Ctte. of Miami Neighborhoods United
>A Belle Meade Resident (name not currently available)
2 out of 9 Speakers Favored the New Landscape Plan
> David Treece, Co-Founder, UEMC (FDOT Design Partner)
> Alice Robertson, Miami-Dade Community Image Officer
Who Does County Community Image Office Represent?
As a sideline issue, out of approximately 50 people in attendance, only one expressed their support of the Victorian
Street Lighting being installed through the MiMo Historic District. That was Ms. Robertson, the County Community
Immage Officer.
None of the attention that the palms are now receiving could have be possible without your support!
Thank you.
Sean-Paul Melito
www.SavePalms.com
working to save the boulevard palms
Commissioner Sarnoff has requested public input on Biscayne Boulevard’s re-landscaping controversy. State
Representative Brise has requested (from FDOT) all information passed between FDOT and the public on this issue.
Let them know that you favor royal palms on Biscayne Boulevard, and are against their continued removal.
It is imperative that everyone receiving this update e-mail these two elected officials immediately. Also, please forward
this information to anyone you know who is interested in this issue:
> E-mail Claudia Miro (for Commissioner Sarnoff)
> E-mail State Representative Brise
Suggested text: I am in favor of keeping royal palms on Biscayne Boulevard and request that FDOT re-landscaping
plan keep the iconic royal palms, a tropical symbol of our South Florida landscape, as a defining element of the
boulevard's design. Historically, Biscayne Boulevard has played the role of gateway to the city of Miami and should be
protected for future generations of Miamians and visitors alike (similar to the protected landscape of Coral Way).
Boulevard Landscape Issue Receives Attention from City and State
In attendance at the last of two planned Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) public input meetings, on
1/31/07, was City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Florida State Representative Ronald Brise. Both
expressed concern with the lack of public input leading up to the controversial re-landscaping project of Biscayne
Boulevard. The presence of these elected officials significantly altered the direction of the plan. This new direction, a
prompt for public input, may help restore the boulevard’s historic landscape.
Commissioner Sarnoff Calls For A "Blank Slate" - Wants Public Input
After listening to opinions from all sides, Commissioner Sarnoff called for the FDOT landscape plan to be considered
"a blank slate". He wants to hear from the public on the re-landscaping of Biscayne Boulevard. Block-by-block, he
would like to restore as many trees as possible. Contact Claudia Miro to provide your input: cmiro@miamigov.com.
State Representative Brise To Review History Of Project
Having heard of the controversy surrounding the re-landscaping issue, Representative Brise requested from FDOT
an opportunity to review all information which has passed between that state agency and the public pertaining to the
removal of the boulevard’s historic palm-lined landscape. Representative Brise, should be informed of any
unsatisfactory communication you have experienced with FDOT through this issue: ronald.brise@myfloridahouse.gov.
New Landscape Plan Offers 75 Less Trees
Through Commissioner Sarnoff’s review of the new landscape plan, it became apparent that, in total, there are 75
less trees planned than were removed. In addition, 9 blocks are to be left without any trees whatsoever. In some
locations three or less sapling oaks are planned where many full-grown royal palms once stood. It is important to
note that the lack of a study on the historic significance of Biscayne Boulevard and its landscape (by FDOT) has
resulted in the boulevard renovation project being handled as a "new roadway"; thus, involving current planting
regulations.
As a matter of reference, historic, banyan tree-covered Coral Way could not be built today. Prior to an FDOT
roadway renovation, the street was declared a Scenic Transportation Corridor in order to protect its landscape for
future generations of Miamians. Similar to Biscayne Boulevard, it’s landscape was also designed and planted in the
1920s.
Click here a detailed map of where the royals were removed from Biscayne Boulevard (between NE 38th and NE 67th
Streets): http://www.savepalms.com/palmsplot.html
Two-Thirds of Royal Palms Did Not Survive Transplanting
More than 130 full-grown royal palms have been removed from Biscayne Boulevard since the project began in
January 2006. As disclosed at the 1/31 landscape meeting, two-thirds did not survive the relocation process. You
may remember that many were stacked in a city staging yard for weeks, through the Winter of 2006: http://www.
savepalms.com/ditchedpalms.html
Summary of 1/31 FDOT Landscape Meeting
The 1/31 FDOT public input meeting (the last of two planned meetings) involved input from nine public speakers and
two elected officials in attendance and changed the direction of the re-landscaping plan; which, as a result, may
potentially bring back the royal palms to Biscayne Boulevard through the Upper Eastside of Miami.
Elected Officials In Attendance
Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff (District 2)
Florida State Representative Ronald Brise (District 108)
Both appeared concerned with the lack of public input for the landscape project. State Rep. Brise stated that he had
requested all information and communication between FDOT and the public on this issue. Commissioner Sarnoff has
requested the public’s input on their vision of Biscayne Boulevard through the Upper Eastside, including the MiMo
Historic District.
7 out of 9 Speakers Favored Return of Royal Palms
>Sean-Paul Melito, representing a petition for landscape preservation (including 16 boulevard businesses) and citing
Miami’s City Ordinance requiring royal palms on Biscayne Boulevard;
>Henry Patel, Owner King Motel;
>Elvis Cruz, Upper Eastside Activist;
>Eric Silverman, Owner Vagabond Motel;
>Bob Powers, President Palm Grove Neighborhood Association
>Steve Hagen, Co-Chair, Parks & Public Space Ctte. of Miami Neighborhoods United
>A Belle Meade Resident (name not currently available)
2 out of 9 Speakers Favored the New Landscape Plan
> David Treece, Co-Founder, UEMC (FDOT Design Partner)
> Alice Robertson, Miami-Dade Community Image Officer
Who Does County Community Image Office Represent?
As a sideline issue, out of approximately 50 people in attendance, only one expressed their support of the Victorian
Street Lighting being installed through the MiMo Historic District. That was Ms. Robertson, the County Community
Immage Officer.
None of the attention that the palms are now receiving could have be possible without your support!
Thank you.
Sean-Paul Melito
www.SavePalms.com
working to save the boulevard palms
"It's not about palms versus shade, it's about preserving
South Florida's rich history and sub-tropical landscape"
South Florida's rich history and sub-tropical landscape"
SavePalms
working to save the boulevard palms
working to save the boulevard palms