North Beach Recreational Corridor (NBRC), Florida
The North Beach Recreational Corridor (NBRC) Project will incorporate 15 blocks of existing neighborhoods and business areas in the North Beach District of the City of Miami Beach. The $6M corridor will serve as a connection to businesses, residential areas, schools, parks and beaches. It will create a multi-purpose public access corridor within a public easement, which traverses along the western edge (upland side) of the sand dunes. The project will energize the coastal development areas between 64th Street and 79th Street by encompassing 15 blocks:
- 3 open-space parks (Allison, Band Shell and North Shore) Ocean Terrace Business District.
- Private Residences in the Altos Del Mar portion of the project.
- 2 miles of coastal dune improvements and controlled beach access point.
- Connections to businesses through street improvements to Collins Avenue.
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Coastal Systems International Inc. is responsible for the planning, design, and coastal regulatory permitting for the project, along with EDAW, a subconsultant for landscape architecture and urban planning. Preliminary designs were completed with renderings and public meetings held to present design concepts. The project team worked with the City, property owners, and other interested parties to establish a "vision" for the project. A Basis of Design Report (BODR) was prepared to document the envisioning and goals for the project.
A coastal engineering analysis was conducted to evaluate erosional impacts to the entire path based on Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements. A new path material consisting of concrete was developed along with new light fixtures that meet the stringent marine turtle lighting restrictions but also meet public safety requirements and ease of maintenance concerns. Vegetation plans were developed to remove exotic species such as scavoli, and provide native dune vegetation. The plan introduces Coconut Palms, Sea Grape trees and Silver Buttonwood trees at certain locations along the path to provide shade and to act as a wind buffer. Temporary and permanent irrigation will be provided.
Coastal construction permits from the DEP for the path and dune enhancements will be obtained due to the proximity of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) and the Erosion Control Line (ECL). The DEP requirements that have to be addressed in accordance with Chapter 62B-33, Florida Administrative Code include structural design adequacy, potential impacts to the beach/dune system, adjacent properties, native salt-tolerant vegetation, and marine turtles as well as public beach access.
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