C7B - Include Children's Park on Lincoln Road in 5-ye...

Resolutions - C7 B

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The City Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (City Commission) accept the recommendation of the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) at its March 26, 2025 meeting, approving the addition of a children’s park on Lincoln Road, south of the Euclid Oval, in the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

On June 26, 2024, at the request of Commissioner David Suarez, the Mayor and City Commission (City Commission) approved the referral of item C4 M to the FERC to discuss the desirability, feasibility, and cost of constructing a children’s park at the Euclid Oval on Lincoln Road.

At the July 26, 2024, meeting of the FERC, the item was deferred to the September meeting. This item was included on the agenda for the September 20, 2024 and October 18, 2024 FERC meetings, but was not heard.

On September 10, 2014, the City Commission awarded an agreement to James Corner Field Operations, LLC (JCFO) to complete the Master Plan for the Lincoln Road District. On March 9, 2016, the City Commission also awarded JCFO the contract for Architectural and Engineering Design Services for the improvement of the Lincoln Road Redevelopment Project. The project limits include Lincoln Road from Washington Avenue to Lenox Avenue and connectors on Drexel Avenue and Meridian Avenue.

The improvements proposed for Lincoln Road include enhancement of pedestrian walkways, café zones, planters, water features, landscape and irrigation, and cosmetic repairs to the historic Lapidus structures, among other things. Improvements to the Euclid Oval were included in the project, however a children’s park was not envisioned as part of this scope.

On June 22, 2022, the City Commission approved Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement with JCFO, for the reduced scope of work, as proposed at the January 13, 2021, City Commission meeting, but included exploring the installation of a children’s park south of the Euclid Oval on the Euclid Avenue right-of-way, contingent on identifying funding. Two (2) concept plans along the Euclid Avenue right-of-way were developed by JCFO.

The Euclid Oval is a raised area measuring approximately 75’ in length by 35’ in width, located on the 600 block of Lincoln Road at the intersection of Euclid Avenue. Currently, the Euclid Oval

is used as a multi-function activity area for such events as Family Game Day on the first Saturday of each month, yoga classes, holiday decoration, and as a viewing area for performances taking place at the adjacent Morris Lapidus shade structure. In the past, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department has also deployed “Imagination Playground”, a portable pop-up playground for young children to use in this area.

On November 8, 2024 at the FERC meeting, the City’s Facilities Management Division presented three (3) options for the development of a children’s park (Exhibit A). Option three (3), implementing the playground structures at Euclid Avenue’s right-of-way was the preferred option. City staff was directed to explore the feasibility of the area taking into consideration existing constraints, the preservation of the existing trees and that it should be designed by JCFO.

ANALYSIS

Following the FERC meeting held on November 8, City staff requested that JCFO re-evaluate possible locations to install a children’s park along Lincoln Road. JCFO prepared an analysis of potential locations, concepts, case studies, and probable costs (Exhibit B). The analysis identified three (3) potential locations within Lincoln Road. The first location is the 900 Block, the second location is the 500 Block, and the third location is the area south of the Euclid Oval, within the Euclid Avenue right-of-way. Two of the potential locations, the 900 Block and the 500 Block, currently host a large number of outdoor cafés, making these locations challenging. The third location, south of the Euclid Oval, remains JCFO’s preferred, recommended location for the children’s park. This location sits in a more secluded, less trafficked area, away from storefronts and outdoor cafés. JCFO also evaluated other areas of Lincoln Road which were found to be too small for a playground and would require the removal of historically designated planters, follies or water features in order to accommodate a playground. JCFO provided two concepts for the children’s park, south of the Euclid Oval, within the Euclid Avenue right-of-way, with an approximate cost estimate ranging between $4.4M and $6M.

At the March 26, 2025, FERC meeting, the Administration presented the analysis prepared by JCFO including the three possible locations to install the children’s park along Lincoln Road as well as concepts and cost estimates. The FERC unanimously recommended to implement a children’s park south of the Euclid Oval within the Euclid Avenue Right-of-Way and directed administration to include the project in the City’s 5-year Capital Plan.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The anticipated cost to develop a children’s park ranges between $4.4M and $6M, with funding to be determined through the 5-Year Capital Plan.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission accept the recommendation of the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee at its March 26, 2025 meeting, approving the addition of a children’s park on Lincoln Road, south of the Euclid Oval, in the City’s 5-year Captial Improvement Plan.

Applicable Area

South Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Capital Improvement Projects

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner David Suarez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Accept Recomm, Include a Children's Park on Lincoln Road. (Suarez) CIP

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)