C4D - West Lots Park

Committee Referrals - C4 D

C4 D REFERRAL TO THE LAND USE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DEVELOPING ALL OF THE WEST LOTS, LYING ALONG COLLINS AVENUE BETWEEN 79TH STREET AND 87TH STREET, INTO A PLANNED CITY PARK IN NORTH BEACH. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

Please place the above item on the October 29, 2025 City Commission meeting agenda as a referral to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee (“LUSC”).

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

The West Lots consist of eight City-owned development parcels, totaling approximately 9.43 acres, fronting Collins Avenue between 79th Street and 87th Street in North Beach. These parcels are situated between the North Shore Historic District to the West (designated in January 2018) and the North Beach Oceanside Park and Altos Del Mar Historic District (designated in 1987) to the East, along the oceanfront. The West Lots currently hold three parking lots, the North Beach Public Skate Park, a Miami Beach Ocean Rescue facility, and the SoBe Cats Kitty Campus; there is also the possibility of relocating the recreated Log Cabin facility to its original site near 81st Street and Collins Avenue.

In 2018, as part of the Plan NoBe master planning initiative, the City’s consultants, Dover, Kohl & Partners, developed a detailed West Lots Master Plan identifying opportunities to activate the area with park amenities. In LTC 476-2019, dated August 28, 2019, the City Manager summarized previously considered and approved uses for the West Lots, including a hydroponic farming partnership, a food and entertainment yard, and parking. None of this has come to fruition and the West Lots remain underutilized. Subsequently, at the October 16, 2019, City Commission meeting, at the request of Commissioner Micky Steinberg, the Commission referred a discussion of the West Lots to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (the “NCAC”), but the NCAC did not subsequently forward any recommendations to the City Commission.

At the September 11, 2024 City Commission meeting, at the request of Commissioner David Suarez, the Commission referred a discussion on the future programming of the West Lots to the LUSC. At its December 17, 2024, meeting, the LUSC directed the Parks and Recreation Department to survey North Beach residents regarding their preferred recreational uses for the West Lots. At the July 10, 2025, LUSC meeting, the LUSC directed Parks and Recreation Department staff to return in September with a refined concept plan based on the survey results.

Since then, the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (the “PSNQLC”) at its May 14, 2025 meeting recommended that the Administration host monthly community activations for residents at Lot Four of the West Lots (located between 82nd and 83rd Streets). Pursuant to Resolution No. 2025-33725 adopted at the June 25, 2025 City Commission meeting, which was sponsored by Commissioners Alex J. Fernandez and Laura Dominguez and co-sponsored by

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt, the Commission accepted the PSNQLC’s recommendation and directed Parks and Recreation staff to host monthly neighborhood events at the West Lots, which have been well-received and well-attended. However, the LUSC West Lots item has been deferred by the sponsor until at least the January 2026 LUSC meeting, so once again, a key amenity in North Beach is not getting the attention it deserves.

ANALYSIS

I would like to take a different, proactive, and holistic approach to how to envision this open space. Instead of the status quo, let’s give this remarkable green space in our North Beach neighborhood the respect it deserves to unlock its fullest potential. Bayshore Park has attracted residents from all over the Beach, and from beyond our municipal borders, to delight in its rare offerings. While the land mass in North Beach isn’t as large, nor is there an as-yet identified source of funding for this project, let us start working on what we would like to see there, including but not limited to: • The functionalities/amenities articulated by neighbors in the survey conducted a few months ago; • Closing off some of the side streets so they can be incorporated into the park – it has been made clear that they are used primarily for circling for parking, and so we can work with Transportation to do this wisely; • Reimaging how and where some of the larger “fixed” functions can go, and how they can be integrated, or at least reconfigured, in a less obtrusive way so that they maintain functionality but their impact is ideally minimized; • Investigating whether the alley to the west of the West Lots can include a bicycle boulevard for improved micromobility connectivity; • Reimagining how to best protect parking availability for residents without sacrificing spaces that are underutilized except on weekend/holiday beach days. The first step would be to imagine what could be, using a qualified team—perhaps Savino/Miller again, who have worked so well with the City before—to turn this land into something special. Creating a vision is a small cost; once the concept and a possible timeline are identified, we can identify possible funding sources. We do not need the entirety of the project costs to be fully funded at this time, as it will take months at best before we would be ready for anything more than a conceptual conversation. Therefore, I am referring to this matter to LUSC to discuss a comprehensive transformation of all West Lots into a fully integrated public park. The goal is to develop a park that is as transformative and forward-thinking as Bayshore Park, recently inaugurated by the City, while incorporating and expanding on existing public input and visioning for the area. The West Lots present a unique opportunity to create a similarly visionary public space for North Beach.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

N/A

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

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

Office of Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Ref: LUSC - Develop West Lots into Planned City Park. (Bhatt)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)