The City of Miami Beach held its first public input meeting regarding the master plan for North Beach. At the meeting, town planning agency Dover, Kohl & Partners presented their preliminary plans to over 100 residents in attendance and stressed the importance of collecting public feedback when creating a comprehensive vision and master plan.

“Dover Kohl, was selected because they have a team with specialists in all of the key areas we need for the job: historic preservation, sustainability, engineering and urban planning, to name a few. Additionally, they are a world class firm that is based in South Miami.” said City of Miami Beach Economic Development Division Director Jeffrey L. Oris.

Oris and his team are conducting a trolley tour for the consultants with the elected and appointed officials as well as key City staff.  They will make various predetermined stops throughout North Beach with the goal of interacting with the public to gather feedback. Below is the schedule showing tour dates.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• On Thursday, February 11^th: An initial input meeting will be held in North Shore Park Youth Center at 501 72nd Street in Miami Beach

• From February 12^th – 17^th between 9am – 5pm each day: The Consultants will open up a design studio at the Byron Carlyle Theater (O Cinema). Drop in and provide your input during this time period.

• On Thursday, February 18^th: A final presentation on the input gathered will be made at the North Shore Park Youth Center.  Comments will be collected on the efforts to date at this meeting.

“The master plan represents a pivotal moment for North Beach’s development. Many refer to North Beach as an unpolished gem but I fully expect Dover Kohl to bring out the luster this community is capable of exhibiting,” said Commissioner Ricky Arriola, who is also the Chairperson of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on North Beach.

Though other North Beach master plans have been attempted in the past, this plan has been touted to be all encompassing and take into account the urban direction in which North Beach is headed. The challenge will be how to balance the development of North Beach while keeping its historical significance.

“This plan will be more comprehensive than any previous effort taking in all of North Beach, not just the Town Center, and it will go deeper into the issues than have been previously done,” Oris said.

Oris expects the master plan to be completed by November 2016, though they are hoping to have it complete by this summer.

A website has been set up to engage the public, www.PlanNoBe.org. This site serves as a source for on-going updates and allows anyone to email or contact Dover Kohl with any thoughts or additional input they might have.

The following previous studies and gathered information will be taken into consideration when designing the Master Plan:

Blueways Master Plan (2015)

City of Miami Beach Transportation and Bicycle Master Plan (2015)

Town Center Master Plan (2007)

Coastal Communities Transportation Study (2006)

Oceanfront Parks Master Plan (2006)

71st Street Livable Community Study (2003)

National Registry District

History of Zoning in North Beach

North Beach Revitalization Action Plan