MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION
RECEIVES AWARD FROM 1000 FRIENDS OF FLORIDA



Members of the Miami River Commission, including Chairwoman Irela Bague, receive 2005 Community Steward Award from Charles Pattison of 1000 Friends.

The Miami River Commission received a 2005 Community Steward Award from 1000 Friends of Florida, the statewide nonprofit growth management advocacy group. The award was presented at the July 11 meeting of the Commission.

"The Miami River Commission is being honored for its exceptional leadership in developing and helping to implement the highly successful Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan," says Pattison. "This plan has already brought impressive on-the-ground results since its adoption in 2002."

Several major mixed use developments are under construction on former brownfields directly adjacent to the downtown central business district. Additionally, the Commission was a driving force behind a $74 million dredging project, begun last year, which will help restore the river's natural environment.

"1000 Friends was particularly impressed by the amount of citizen input that went into developing the plan," notes Pattison. The Commission deliberated for two years and held 42 public hearings. "We also were impressed that in only a few short years nearly half of the plan's 'implementation steps' have been brought to fruition."

"The Miami River Commission is honored to receive this award for the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. The plan is a testament to sensible planning for corridors as challenging as the Miami River," stated Irela Bagué, chair of the Miami River Commission. "We accept this award on behalf of all our public and private sector partners, which supported the implementation of the Infill Plan."

Brett Bibeau, the Commission's Managing Director, stated, "The Miami River Commission would like to thank Jim Murley, Chair of the Urban Infill Subcommittee, who led the creation of the Plan, in addition to the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, river corridor residents and business owners, who participated in developing the plan, and its current implementation."

The Miami River Commission, formed by the Florida Legislature in 1998, is the official clearinghouse for all public policy and projects related to the Miami River. Goals of the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan include: promoting public and private investment; encouraging appropriate mixed-use infill development; supporting the use of the river as a multi-modal transportation corridor and maintaining a balance of uses on the river; protecting multicultural neighborhoods, their historic resources and fabric, and the River's Marine Industry, which generates thousands of local jobs in providing International trade with over 100 Caribbean Ports of Call; creating new parks, green space, and increased tree canopy; and creating a wonderful place to trade, work, visit, live and play.

Sixteen nominations were submitted to 1000 Friends for consideration this year; four awards are being presented. Award recipients must reflect an innovative approach resulting in major, tangible accomplishments that can be replicated elsewhere in Florida.

In addition to the Miami River Commission, two other groups were selected to receive community steward awards: Apalachicola Riverkeeper, for its sustained grassroots advocacy for more effective planning in Franklin County; and West Palm Beach's Northwood Renaissance, for its outstanding citizen planning efforts resulting in successful neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing. The Collier County Rural Lands Stewardship Plan, which provides innovative incentives to privatize the protection of natural and agricultural lands, received the Better Community Award.

A statewide nonprofit organization, 1000 Friends was founded in 1986 to serve as Florida's growth management watchdog. It has been presenting awards for innovative growth management efforts since 1990.