The architecture and planning firm Sasaki
Associates, Inc. was selected through a Request
for Qualifications (RFQ) process to create the
Coconut Grove Waterfront master plan. The
contract was approved by City Commission on July
28, 2005.
Background
The Coconut Grove Waterfront Area and Spoil
Islands (most commonly known as Dinner Key) is a
coastal area that encompasses
Peacock Park, Dinner Key to Kennedy Park, including the
islands and anchorages. This coastal area is the
waterfront heart of Coconut Grove, Miami.
Work for the Coconut Grove Waterfront Master
Plan started in November
2005 with a series of meetings targeted at data
collection from the different stakeholders in
the area including residents, merchants,
restaurateurs and others who have an interest in
the Coconut Grove waterfront area.
The City envisions a Coastal Recreational
Park that emphasizes human scale, public open
spaces, and connectivity for the pedestrian
realm through the creation of waterfront
promenades, diverse open spaces, an active park
with sensitive environmental spoil island
connections that will enhance the water
component and recreational elements of the
Coastal Park’s recreational and environmental
elements.
The master plan area is comprised of the
upland owned by the City, zoned park and
recreation, with some bay bottom including inner
and outer mooring fields under both state and
city deed designation, and several spoil
islands. The existing land side components of
the site include the historic Miami City Hall -
home of the first Pan American Airways
international terminal in the United States; the
Coconut Grove Convention Center facility and
surrounding large parking area for show goers;
the Dinner Key Marina, dock master area and
parking lots restricted to boat owners and
guests; Seminole Dock with a public boat ramp
and trailer parking area administered by Miami
Parking Authority; Myers Park; the Coconut Grove
Sailing Club site with a building, parking area,
boat storage, inner mooring field, and dock
area; Peacock Park, a waterfront park including
a large multi-use open grassy area, a NET
office, and skate park; and Kennedy Park, also
an active waterfront City park.
The Coconut Grove waterfront, mooring areas
and spoil islands are in need of a Plan that
reflects the growth and desires of the
community. The Master Plan must also address the
requirements of the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP) to complete an
overhaul of the inner and outer mooring fields
to comply with an agreement between the City and
FDEP to clean up the bay bottom, mooring fields,
and derelict vessels. The spoil islands included
in the area are in need of rehabilitation. They
need to be cleaned of exotic plants, replanted
with native species and have areas redesigned
for public access. The City has been working
with the Army Corp of Engineers, DERM and FDEP
to formulate this plan.
Any input for the Coconut Grove Master Plan
should be directed to the City of Miami Planning
Department via
email.
Unable to email? Send us a letter or fax
City of Miami, Planning Department
Special Projects Coordinator
P.O. Box 330708
Miami, FL 33233
Fax: (305) 416-2156
