R9Q - Discuss Viability of Installing Security Bollards

Discussion Items - R9 Q

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends the City Commission discuss and provide policy direction on the various projects presented herein, addressing the installation of security bollards in designated areas of the City.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

On February 3, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2025-33472, sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine, directing the Administration to explore the viability of installing metal security bollards in designated areas of the City, including, but not limited to, the North end of Ocean Drive, the Beachwalk along Mid-Beach, and Lincoln Road. The Resolution further directed the Administration to present its findings and recommendations at the April 23, 2025, City Commission meeting, including any costs associated with this initiative.

ANALYSIS

Beachwalk Along Mid-Beach

The Miami Beach Recreational Corridor, commonly referred to as the Beachwalk, runs parallel to the oceanfront from South Pointe Park to 87th Terrace. Currently, Section 70-67 of the City Code prohibits the use of any motorized means of transportation along the length of the Beachwalk. However, over the years, there have been several discussions about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on the Beachwalk. Different user groups including the Mid-Beach Neighborhood Association (“MBNA”) have voiced concerns about unauthorized vehicles potentially breaching the Beachwalk and causing harm to pedestrians or cyclists.

In October 2020, the Facilities Management Division (the “Division”) was charged with developing a project to design and deploy protective bollards at vulnerable areas along the length of the Beachwalk (the Beachwalk Bollards Project). The Division engaged Gannett Fleming, a safety and security consultant, and independent third-party firm that has provided similar bollard studies in other areas of the City. Phase I of the project, Assessment and Basis of Design Report, provided various Beachwalk access points ranked on their vulnerability using a Design Basis Threat (“DBT”) methodology and recommendations were made for vehicle barriers and/or alternate mitigation measures for each access point.

Accordingly, the Beachwalk Bollards Project was developed based on the consultant’s assessment report and funding requested. The Beachwalk Bollards Project will address the entire Beachwalk access citywide, from South Pointe to 87th Street as indicated below:

• • •

South (Streets 1-34): 53% of total scope Mid (Street 34-63): 15% of total scope North (Streets 63-87): 32% of total scope

The Project is currently in Phase II, at 30% in the design phase and progressing toward 60% completion. The estimated total project cost is approximately $11,000,000, with the following breakdown:

• • •

South: $5,860,000 Mid: $1,660,000 North: $3,480,000

The Project is a multi-phase, multi-year project that is currently funded at $2,740,000. Additionally, the City received grant funding in the amount of $850,000 (FM454886-1-54-01 Miami Beach Intersection and Beachwalk Safety) from the Florida Department of Transportation, that will address a portion of this Project. Additional funding for the balance of the Project’s cost has been requested for future years.

Lincoln Road

The 2018 General Obligation (“GO”) Bond Project #53, Security for Public Spaces, includes a project that addresses a portion of Lincoln Road (Project #22123) with security bollards. Of the total GO Bond funding for this project, approximately $2.4 million was identified for Lincoln Road, and will be incorporated as part of the Lincoln Road Improvements Project. Contracts for Phase II of that project, improvements to Meridian and Drexel Avenues, have been awarded, are being executed and are anticipated to commence construction activities in the next 60 to 90 days. Phase II includes safety bollards at Drexel Avenue approaching Lincoln Road. Phase III, improvements to Lincoln Road from Washington Avenue to Lenox Avenue, is in the permitting stage and is scheduled to commence procurement in June 2025 and commence construction at the end of the year. Phase III includes traffic bollards at the Washington Avenue and Alton Road ends of Lincoln Road.

North End Ocean Drive

The Office of Capital Improvement Projects (“CIP”) is currently designing the Ocean Drive Corridor Project, currently funded at $20 million. Options for the reconfiguration of Ocean Drive will be presented at the July City Commission meeting for discussion.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

TBD

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

Based on the foregoing the City Commission should discuss and provide policy direction on the various projects addressing installing security bollards in designated areas of the City.

Applicable Area

Citywide

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

Facilities and Fleet Management

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Joseph Magazine

Co-sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Condensed Title

Disc Installing Security Bollards, N. End of Ocean Dr/Mid-Bch Beachwalk/Linc Rd. (JM/TB) FF

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

Not reached on 5/21/2025 - R9 AB