Brickell Avenue Surface:The Final Word is Not Good

Brickell Homeowner directors got the latest news on the Brickell Avenue pavement resurfacing job. It was not good.

While bad news may not surprise most who have been following the ongoing saga of the new checkerboard roadway, a glimmer of hope remained in our last report in November that something could be done to improve the patchwork appearance of Brickell.

The hope rested with Dr. Jamshid Armaghani, state pavement evaluation engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation in Gainesville.

Dr. Armaghani responded to Brickell residents' pleas to search for possible remedies to the mismatched cement. The aggregate for the new concrete slabs was not matched to the pinkish hue of the weathered Brickell Avenue cement when repairs were made last year, leaving most mistakenly thinking that the job was not done, that surely "finishing touches" remained. Dr. Armaghani researched paints, bleaches, acrylic toppings and chemicals that could create a uniform appearance.

No Solution
In a memo dated Jan. 17, 1996, to Jose Gomez, director of operations for FDOT District VI, Dr. Armaghani wrote that his national search for remedies used elsewhere found no potential solutions for Brickell Avenue.

"These surface treatments may be suitable for sidewalks and driveways of homes and office buildings," he wrote. "However, their use on city streets will be disastrous with respect to pavement color, longevity of these applications, and most importantly, safety of driving public.

"Our test records show that the frictional resistance of pavement surfaces is reduced drastically to an unsafe level whenever paints or thermoplastic lane markings are used on pavements along the wheel paths," Dr. Armaghani wrote.

The only thing Brickell area residents can hope for is a blending over time. Dr. Armaghani estimates that time to be between two and five years. In the meantime, it's checkerboard square.

Abreu's Response Leaves Questions Unanswered

Readers may recall that a letter published in the last newsletter from BHA president Tory Jacobs asked several specific questions. The letter was sent to the FDOT's District Secretary Jose Abreu, and dealt with aesthetic considerations, communication between FDOT and the association, and the schedule for additional repair work.

Abreu's response is not specific to BHA concerns but rather sets forth the broad scope of FDOT's responsibilities. (See letter that follows.)

"Inevitable?"
In a response that directly addresses Brickell residents' displeasure with the job, the FDOT chief in Tallahassee, Secretary Ben. G. Watts, said that the "mismatch in color between the new and the old pavements was inevitable and could not have been avoided."

Previously, FDOT officials had said that they did not even consider color matching as a factor in the planning of the job and admitted at least they should have tried.

The Bottom Line
The only viable solution is to repave the entire street, both the old sections and the newly replaced slabs. Not only would it be extremely difficult to induce the Sate to fund the project, discussions with BHA members suggest that the majority haven't the tolerance to go through the mess, inconvenience and increased traffic accident rate.

Parks Get New Manager/Advocate

"People need to take ownership of their parks."

That's the message of a new park manager at Si xotics," which translates into taking out nonnative, fast-growing invasive plants, what a layperson might call "weeds." These unwanted flora inhibit the trees and plants that have a rightful place there.

Community Involvement Makes the Difference

A crew from Hands-On Miami came in and cleared a pond at the park that had been overgrown for years, Quintana told BHA directors. Snake plants and air potatoes were removed.

The park manager wants and needs more volunteers since she is also organizing crews to work at Alice Wainwright Park, an environmentally protected, rare hammock. Its 23 acres also need attention, she says.

If It Were Only the Weeds
Nonnative plants are not the only unwanted intruders in parks, unfortunately. Both parks, as well as many others throughout Miami, suffer from society's "bad elements" that use parks for illegal drug activity, prostitution and a number of other undesirable pursuits.

Things got so bad at one time with gangs and drug activity at Simpson Park that it was nearly completely overrun.

Quintana's philosophy, also shared by the Cliff Hammock Association neighbors who look after Wainwright Park, is that the more positive, family-oriented activity going on in parks, the more likely the criminal element will stay away.

"Create a lot of activity and they don't want to be there," she said. "We've done an about-face on that problem so that now people can come to Simpson Park and feel confident that they won't be approached by any negative element. I would pretty much stake my life on that."

A Longer View: Education Critical
Part of the new activity of the park includes taking advantage of its unique environmental and educational surroundings. Quintana is bringing students in for programs about the park and Brickell area history.

In May, 700 students from Miramar and Southside Elementary Schools will take part in all-day field trips beginning at Simpson, going on to Brickell Park and ending with an historic Miami River boat tour. The day will include a slide presentation and tour of the parks and an old fashioned picnic with folks from the First Presbyterian Church in costume. The transportation costs for these excursions are being underwritten in part by donations, which are still being accepted.

For the general public, Quintana is planning herb gardening and container gardening classes under the direction of a master gardener.

Her education effort usually includes a lesson on Charles Torrey Simpson, after whom the park was named. A naturalist and writer who in 1905 moved to Lemon City, a few miles north of Miami on Biscayne Bay, Simpson explored and wrote about South Florida's unique environment, including the hardwood hammock, for 27 years. "Simpson was the heart of the Brickell hammock," Quintana explains.

While she continues to get more people involved, Quintana has her eye on a longer term plan. She plans to try to raise money for a mini-museum to house the Mary Brickell collection, a fitting location given its proximity to the Brickells' historic beginnings in South Florida.

If You Go
The park is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be open later in the evenings with daylight savings time. All visitors must check in at the Garden Center and present photo ID.

If anyone would like to come out, roll up their sleeves and pull some weeds, Quintana invites calls at her office 856-6801 or on her beeper, 806-1214.

President's Column By T. Sinclair (Tory) Jacobs: Taxation without Representation!

Our forebears started a revolution over this issue. Now, we do complain about our taxes. But, how many of us get involved in the political process of selecting representatives who levy the taxes and allocate the tax revenues?

We are talking city, county, state and federal. We are talking a lot of money. . .the county alone has a $4 billion budget.

Miami has three elections this year, not including runoffs: March 12th, September 3rd and November 5th. BHA will cosponsor with the Miami Roads Neighborhood Civic Association two Candidates Forums this year: one in August, the other in October.

Our participation will not only help elect those who will better fulfill our agendas, but will also improve the delivery of services to our neighborhood.

We can make a difference when we are involved. We owe it to ourselves to do so.

We may not reduce our taxes, but we should get more bang for the buck.

NET Administrator Welcomed

Rafael Rodriguez, a 15-year employee with the City of Miami, took over as the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) Administrator in mid-February.

The former administrator, Margarita Genova-Cordovi, was promoted to assistant director of the City's Department of Building and Zoning to head their Zoning and Permitting Divisions. She has been at the helm of the NET office serving Brickell area residents since the concept was established three-and-a-half years ago. Designed to bring city services and neighborhood policing closer to residents, both Genova-Cordovi and Police Officer Jeff Giordano have kept in close contact with BHA since the beginning, listening to problems and helping to bring about solutions.

Genova-Cordovi, known as "Maggie" to the many residents she served, said the time she led the NET office brought "the most rewarding years of my professional career." She said Brickell Avenue residents and BHA directors were always supportive and cooperative, and she will continue to help serve them in her new position.

Rodriguez said that he plans to continue operations as his predecessor did, and will also have an open door policy for any issues or concerns residents need to bring forth. He too will stay in touch with the needs of the Brickell Homeowners by meeting with directors on a monthly basis.

BHA Officers Elected

At the organization's annual meeting in February, BHA officers were elected for the coming one-year term. All officers were reelected to their positions in a strong show of support from BHA directors.

T. Sinclair ("Tory") Jacobs, chairman of the board of Bankers Financial Corp. and resident of Brickell 25, will continue serving as president as he has done since the association's founding six years ago.

Veena Panjabi, a long-time resident and former officer of The Palace Condominium association was reelected vice president for BHA.

Norman Mininberg, a CPA in private practice and resident of Brickell Place Phase I, will continue as treasurer for the BHA.

Herbert Bailey, a top administrator with the City of Miami and resident of Brickell Forest, was reelected chairperson.

Two Candidates Forums Slated for Fall '96

Residents of BHA and the Miami Roads Neighborhood Civic Association will have two opportunities to get involved and educated about issues with two Candidate Forums in Fall 1996. The two neighborhood groups will come together for the fifth year in a row to host candidates and representatives for the national presidential election and a local election which includes choosing a strong mayor for Dade County.

Janice Jones will represent BHA as cochair of the Candidates Forum working with the Miami Roads Neighborhood Civic Association. Details will be provided in upcoming BHA News issues.

Police Report Crime Rate Down

A City of Miami Police Department report comparing Calls for Service and Part One Crimes for 1994 versus 1995 shows a nine percent decrease in calls and an 11 percent decrease in crimes for the Coral Way area. Coral Way is one of five broad areas of the South District, which encompasses Brickell Avenue.

BHA Attorney Named Judge

Attorney John G. Fletcher, described by the Miami Herald as a "champion for the causes of neighborhood groups against developers," was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to the appellate court last week. Fletcher represented the Brickell Homeowners Association among many other homeowner groups and has argued cases to this same court.

Fletcher's appointment, coming on the heels of a disappointing loss in which he represented the BHA on a zoning issue, assured BHA directors that at least they had the best attorney possible on their case! The BHA congratulates John Fletcher on this high honor.

Median Landscaping: "Let's Take Care!"

Now that the Brickell Avenue medians are finished with more trees and other additions advocated by the BHA landscaping ad hoc committee, several residents have expressed alarm at the level of maintenance the medians seem to be getting (or not getting). They are worried that all the money and effort spent will go to waste if maintenance does not improve.

"Tremendous amonts of money were spent and now it's going to waste," Giusette Leveroni, a Brickell East resident who also has his office on Brickell, said.

"Maintenance is not difficult if you do it regularly," he said. "But if it gets overrun, it can be too late."

Who is Responsible?
BHA directors investigated who is now responsible for the maintenance. FDOT explained that its landscaping subcontractor has finished the job but guarantees the trees for one year from completion, through Jan. 1997. If any die during that time, the original landscaper is obligated to replace them. FDOT said they have now turned over the maintenance to the City of Miami, per their original agreement. (Previous issues of BHA News discuss the City's committment to maintain the landscaping once completed.)

The City reported they will be subcontracting out landscaping work, however it was unclear after the February BHA directors' meeting if City Public Works crews will be responsible for the mowing, or if the subcontractor will be handling all the landscaping work.

Leveroni said that if BHA cannot trust the City to do the maintenance, Brickell Avenue residents should contract the job out themselves.

Magnets for Trash
Another problem in the medians is the trash they collect from the roadway, especially heavy after weekends. BHA directors looked into the Adopt-a-Highway program as a possible solution for keeping Brickell clean. (Brickell Avenue is officially part of U.S. Highway 1.) The BHA concluded that the program, run by the Florida Department of Transportation, would not be adequate for the heavily traveled Brickell Avenue. A volunteer organization "adopting" a highway section is expected to bring out a cleanup crew only once a quarter. BHA directors see Brickell Avenue cleanup as a weekly job.

Directors also considered each condo association lending its maintenance crew for a few hours a month for a joint effort. Just as this idea was being tossed about, an FDOT representative said that residents can simply call her office for cleanup whenever the roadway looks bad. The person to call is Sandy, and her number is 256-6390. BHA directors said they are certainly willing to try this solution.

Some medians were mowed soon after the BHA February meeting, but directors will remain vigilant on maintaining the median appearance.

A Solution for Sidewalk Congestion?

BHA Directors considered and quickly put aside an idea to alleviate what are often congested, sometimes dangerous, conditions on Brickell Avenue sidewalks.

Between the walkers, roller bladers, joggers, cyclists and dog walkers, the sidewalks often fill up with activity. The problem is, folks are all going at different speeds and in different directions, depending on their purpose for being out there and their transportation of choice. Some walkers say that roller bladers and cyclists make conditions hazardous, often speeding by and catching them unaware. But for cyclists and skaters, the roadway itself is not an option, with cars blazing by at sometimes 50 and 60 m.p.h.

A solution? Make the sidewalks one-way. Depending on whether you're heading north or south, you use either the east or west side of Brickell Avenue.

The idea came up at the January BHA Directors meeting and initially sounded okay. Then questions came up. What governmental body would enact such a regulation? Who would enforce it? Would it even be possible, let alone enforceable? Constitutional? How would everyone find out about the rule? Who would pay for signage? Would it really be worth it?

BHA Directors quickly agreed that taking such an action would be impossible. Residents are going to have to rely on good, old fashioned courtesy and consideration when taking to their sidewalks. And hope for the best.

Column: Brickell Area Historically the Center of Activity, Full of Natural Beauty

By Historian Paul S. George, Ph.D.

Long before the creation of Brickell Avenue and even before Miami emerged as an urban center, this area, located hard by Biscayne Bay, was covered by a thickly-wooded hammock, an Indian term for a high, dry shady area. The trees found in this preserve included such subtropical stalwarts as ficus, mahogany, black olive, gumbo limbo and live oak.

The neighborhood of homes at the lower end of residential Brickell Avenue rests on a ridge that in some areas rose to about 12 feet above sea level. The warm, shallow waters of Biscayne Bay south of the ridge lapped at a rocky shoreline. Freshwater springs near the shoreline attracted mariners to the region.

The most famous spring was the fabled Devil's Punch Bowl, which sat at water's edge no more than several hundred feet south of Casa Abril, the Italian Renaissance style home at 2838 Brickell Avenue. It is believed that the Devil's Punch Bowl attracted mariners in quest of freshwater for hundreds of years.

For a few thousand years, the area was home to the Tequesta Indians, native southeast Floridians so named by the Spanish after the latter's entrada in 1513. At the time, Florida claimed several hundred thousand natives. Their numbers thinned rapidly after the Spanish arrival, due primarily to diseases introduced by the latter. Consequently, southeast Florida was bereft of residents by the late 1700s.

During the Second Spanish Period, Spain reversed an earlier exclusionary policy and began encouraging settlement of the beautiful, but desolate colony; accordingly, by the early 1800s, several white Bahamian families had taken possession of broad swaths of land both north and south of the Miami River, including the region of today's Brickell Avenue.

An archaeological excavation conducted in 1994 by Robert Carr, Dade County archaeologist, indicates that the Surles and Frankee Lewis families, white Bahamians, had settled in the subtropical wilderness on the site of the Santa Maria estate between Biscayne Bay and Brickell Avenue near Eighteenth Terrace in the first decade of the nineteenth century. (The 51-story Santa Maria Condominium tower is currently under construction on the site.) They farmed in that area, which rests on a high ridge. A visitor noted in 1829, a "luxuriant" lime grove, a garden and Indians tilling the soil.

In 1832, Richard Fitzpatrick, who was raised on a large slave plantation in South Carolina, purchased this property. Jonathon Lewis, who lived on the site with his five children, then left the area for Key West. The property was damaged by a hurricane in 1835, and later destroyed by angry Seminoles during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842, the longest Indian war in American history).

Fitzpatrick, in the meantime, obtained, in the early 1830s, other tracts of land in and around downtown Miami and established a slave plantation on both banks of the Miami River near the mouth of the stream. Slaves cleared several hundred acres of hammock land and planted surgarcane, sweet potatoes, corn and pumpkins.

The Second Seminole War, and the danger it held out to all of southeast Florida, prompted Fitzpatrick to abandon his slave plantation.

At the end of the war, William and Harriett English, Fitzpatricks's nephew and sister, respectively, purchased the property that includes the Flagler-Mary Brickell 5-44 subdivision. English reconstituted the slave plantation before abandoning Miami for California at the end of the 1840s; several years later, he died there following an unsuccessful search for gold.

In the meantime, the presence of the Cape Florida Lighthouse at the southern tip of Key Biscayne brought other activity to the region. Built in 1825, the light served as a beacon for mariners plying the reef-filled waters around it. The lighthouse suffered severe damage during the Second Seminole War, and it was forced to close for more than one decade before it was repaired and relighted.

Lighthouse employees often visited the waterfront area of today's Brickell Avenue. They were especially attracted to the bubbling waters of the Devil's Punch Bowl, described in a report filed in 1837, as providing a "most delicious spring water."

Indeed, the spring had assumed celebrity status by the late 1800s, attracting Seminole and Miccosukee Indians, who adopted the Everglades as their home during the Indian wars, and white settlers, including Ralph Monroe and several other denizens of Cocoanut Grove, a vibrant community south of the Brickell region.

Even today, Seminole Indians make annual pilgrimages to the Punch Bowl as part of a ritualistic relationship with nature. However, the waters of the Devil's Punch Bowl no longer bubble up beyond the orifice of the spring because the water table of the entire region dropped significantly following Everglades Reclamation (drainage) in the early part of the 1900s.

Paul S. George, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of History at Miami-Dade Community College. The author of numerous books and scholarly articles on his hometown's history, Dr. George is perhaps best know as Miami's Walking Historian, leading hundreds on neighborhood walking and boat tours each year.