"The Harbour" Plan: A Waterfront For Us All
Grove Bay's "The Harbour" project (The Harbour, for short)
will maintain the historic structures and enhance the boat
services that exist there today. The proposed project includes restaurants and retail establishments, consolidate parking and reclaim surface lots for green space.
2. Introduction to the Waterfront
This presentation is an effort to better
inform the public about the
implementation of the Sasaki Waterfront
Master Plan that was put together through
a public charrette and approved in 2008 by
your elected officials on the City of Miami
Commission.
More commonly known as “The Sasaki
Plan,” it is the culmination of 40 public
meetings and input from hundreds of
residents, businesses, civic groups and
experts in Coconut Grove and throughout
theCity.
After years of delays, the final phases of
The Sasaki Plan that City of Miami
residents approved are on the verge of
becoming a reality.
Intro to the Sasaki Waterfront Master Plan
A Look AtThe Site: Yesterday &Today
The Harbour Plan: A Waterfront ForUs All
FAQs vs. Fiction
Regatta Park: Sasaki Plan People’s Park
Endorsements & Stakeholders
3.
4. Sasaki’s core objectives:
Green the waterfront
Capitalize water views
Enhancepedestrianconnections
Extend the baywalk
Strengthen the Center Grove
Thevision for theCoconutGrove waterfront is a human-scaled coastal recreational park with
public open space, strong pedestrian connectivity,inviting waterfront promenades, diverse open
spaces,and environmentally sensitive connections to theSpoil Islands.
Theplan strives to transform the underutilized waterfront into more cohesive and vibrant public
spaces and reorganize the ExpoCenter and Dinner Key Marina areas into a concentrated working
waterfront for recreation, education, and live-aboards.
5.
6. TheSasaki Plan for our waterfront would create a catalyst
for the urban revitalization of CoconutGrove by
redefining the urban context: connect distinct places by
strengtheningthepedestrian experience; create
comfortable experiences along the water’s edge, in part
by replacing vehicles with human activity; and
accommodate a multitude of activities by institutinga
community vision for the area.
7. Theeconomic vitality ofCoconutGrove will be achieved as more residents and visitors are drawn to the
waterfront and enticed to explore the surrounding area through enhanced green spaces and increased multi-
modal connectivity to theCenter Grove. Complementary retail establishments and consolidated parking were
always contemplated underTheSasaki Plan.
8.
9. Many years ago,
Coconut Grove
was a major
maritime center
that afforded
boaters the
opportunity to
provisiontheir
boats and have
dinner on the
water, an activity
that was
gradually lost,
but which we
have now the
chance to bring
back.
10. Scotty’s
restaurant
Chart House
restaurant
We know that
maintainingthe local
character of Coconut
Grove’s waterfront,
while increasing access
and water views, and
revitalizing this
precious, underutilized
natural resource, is a
priority for us all.
For the benefit of those
who have not visited the
waterfront, or those
who have concerns
about why theCity of
Miami is embarking on
this comprehensive
revamp of the
waterfront, let’s take a
brief look at what is
exists there today.
11. The Sasaki Plan calls for maintaining the boating services
necessary for a vibrant waterfront while increasing public
access and views to the water.
But as you can see, the current boatyard
blocks both views and access.
12. Working boatyardsare by
definitionmessy. But
they don’t have to be.
And boatersand water
enthusiastscan be served
by renovating and
MOVINGthe boatyard
awayfrom the water so
that a cleanup can occur.
13. Scotty’sandTheChart House –
thetwo restaurants currently
operating– haven’t had
makeovers in a decade as you
can see from their outdated
facades and insufficient
facilities.Also important: the
existingrestaurants block water
views to a large extent. New
optionsnear the water that
maintain the mix of low-cost,
casual and upscale dining were
always part ofThe Sasaki Plan.
14.
15. The hangers on the site are historic
treasures protected under law. But sadly
they are in need of repair and could be
better utilized for public space. Adaptive
re-use of historic buildings was
successfully done with Fresh Market just
north of this site. Future plans call for the
restoration of these hangers.
16.
17. The Harbour: The vision for a new waterfront
As required by law, a transparent and competitive
request for proposal (RFP) process was launched in
January 2013, and in May 2013 a plan was chosen to
enhancethe commercial portion of waterfront.
Grove Bay’s “The Harbour” project (The Harbour,
for short) will maintain the historic structures and
enhancethe boat services that exist there today.The
proposedproject includes restaurants and retail
establishments,consolidate parking and reclaim
surface lots for green space.
The following slides show how The Harbour will achieve The Sasaki Plan’s objectives.
18. This rendering
shows the
proposed
placement of retail
and restaurant
space, parking, and
the relocation of
the boat racks.The
Harbour will
replace the current
failing asphalt lots
and rusted boat
racks.
The net effect is 7
times more green
space than exists
there today plus a
new Banyan Park.
20. Residentsand visitors will be
ableto walk or bicycle from the
CenterGrove and points beyond
through the enhanced walkways
beingproposed. Once on the
waterfront,they will be ableto
enjoy casual dining and
spectacularviews of the water,
as is shown in the rendering
belowof the proposed
Hanger42 restaurant.
21. For the first time
in decades, people
will have clear
views to the water
from Bayshore Dr.
and be able to
enjoy green space
leading to the
waterfront.
This rendering
shows the new
green view from
Bayshore Dr. to
the water – a view
that today is
completely
obstructed by the
boatyard.
22. The proposed Hangar 42 restaurant will maintain the open-air, casual dining there
now but will also enhance water views, the baywalk and pier. Hanger 42 will sit
slightly higher and will be set back 50 feet to create a new “front yard” to the water’s
edge and allow for better, more dramatic views of the water.
23.
24. A: Your vote to approve the referendum on November 5 is important for many reasons:
If not approved, the marina,boatyard and restaurants will at least temporarily remain in their dilapidated
state of disrepair.
Tax payers would have to foot the bill for the $2 million - $8 million investment needed to in order to
maintain the operation of the marina.
The restaurants would likely close because without the ability to offer a long-term lease,most restaurant
owners would be reluctant to operate the spaces occupied by Scotty’s and Chart House.
More important is that Regatta Park would be significantly delayed because without the enhancements to
the northern part of the waterfront – especially the parking garage – the City will be unable to reclaim the
asphalt surface lots and turn them into green space.
Ballot Language for the November 5, 2013 election:
25. A:The citizen-approved Sasaki Plan specifies the need for a modern, efficient parking garage that consolidates
surface parking in order to reclaim green space. The new parking garage adjacent to Bayshore Dr. will be
31 feet high to the roofline plus another 8 feet of green trellis for a total height of 39 feet. To put things
into perspective,the historic hangers already on the site are protected by law and tower at between 41 and
52 feet. The orientation of the garage will allow to create a central promenade and will enhance water views.
41- 42-ft. Historic S. Hangers
39-ft. Parking Garage with Green Trellis
52-ft. Historic N. Hanger
26. A: The Harbour Plan calls for two new restaurants on roughly the same size footprint as the existing
restaurants:Scotty’s and Chart House. Patrons of both restaurants will also access a brand new public pier.
(left) The low-cost concept known as Hanger 42
will sit slightly higher and will be set back 50 feet
to create a new “front yard” to the water’s edge
and allow for better, more dramatic views of the
water.
(right) The higher-end diner will be
able to choose between steak and
seafood all under one roof: Shula’s
Steak House and Oceano will occupy
the same footprint as the Chart House
does now. Additional roof-top seating
will give patrons water views not
currently accessible.
27. A: The Harbour will be a destination site that will draw consumers both to the waterfront and the Center
Grove.The proposed ground-level retail for the garage will be limited to providing goods and services for
marine,outdoor and recreation. Restaurants,too,will be geared toward enjoyment of the water for patrons
who arrive by land or by boat.
One of the goals is to recreate the vibrant waterfront Coconut Grove had in decades past when boaters
could come off the water, enjoy dining and also provision or maintain their boats.
28. A: The citizen-approved Sasaki Plan does call for a 14-acre park to the southwest of the area whereThe
Harbour will be built.Known as Regatta Park, it will begin with the reclaiming of the area where the Expo
Center currently stands as well as much of the surrounding asphalt surface lots.The Expo Center,once
demolished and remediated,will yield acres of green parkland.Below is a concept rendering of the park,
which will be completed once the commercial part of the waterfront is redone.
29.
30. Regatta Park: Aerial comparison of the site
The site today shows the
ExpoCenter, which will be
reclaimed, along with a
significant amount of
surface lots, and turned
into green park space.
The aerial shot to the right
indicates the areas that will
be greened first during the
building of Regatta Park.
35. Letter from Mark Dawson, Managing Principal - SasakiAssociates
To the Office of Marc D. Sarnoff
It has been brought to my attention by our friends in the Grove there appears to be new opposition for the 2008 Coconut Grove
Waterfront Master Plan the community of Coconut Grove and our team developed together over a period 3 years. I am
reminded of the three years of countless community meetings, work sessions and simply meetings with all concerned
parties and competing interests over that period. All that effort led to an understanding and need for balance within the
plan, balance between the competing interests while making the Grove a stronger and more vibrant community and
neighborhood.The evidence of that hard work was recognized by and included approvals and adoption of the Waterfront
Master Plan from the Planning Advisory Board,Waterfront Advisory Board and City Commission.
'The Harbor' plan the for the former Grove Key Marina site was identified as one of the critical economic opportunities within
the master plan. In 2008 the economy was in depressed state and its great to see a renewed interest in the waterfront. In
my initial review I am encouraged by the proposal, it seems to have evolved the thinking and detail beyond the master
plan. It appears to have improved some of the adjacent property relationships, access for both the public and private
interests and tried to optimize the restaurant experience on the water balancing public access. The 2008 Master Plan did
not have the benefit of real program, nor did we have the time to focus in great detail on anyone site as this proposal has
done.We all know the devil is in the detail, and I am in the process of preparing a formal response which I have not had the
time to prepare and intend to do so very soon.
On the surface this proposal appears to improve upon 2008 Master Plan as we would expect. We look forward to taking the time
to review more thoroughly the plan and details for 'The Harbor'. We are encouraged by the wining proposal and believe
overall it respects the 2008 Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan's intent and captures the spirit of the waterfront and
theGrove and could be an amazing contributor to the community and the City of Miami as a whole.
Congratulations !!!!!
Mark O. Dawson, FASLA
Managing Principal
Sasaki Associates
+1.617.923.7225 (D)
+1.617.620.7831 (C)
+1.617.926.3300 (O)
www.sasaki.com
36. Stakeholders:
•Coconut GroveVillageCouncil
•Coconut Grove SailingClub
•U.S.OlympicSailingCenter
• Miami-Dade County Dept. of Environmental Resources Management
• Marine Council
•VillageCouncil’sWaterfront Working Committee
•Coconut Grove Business Improvement Committee
•Shakespeare in the Park
•Coconut Grove Hoteliers
• Dinner Key Marina and itsTenants
• Department of PublicWorks
• Department of Public Facilities
• Department of Parks & Recreation
•City Staff
•The citizens of the City of Miami and residents of Coconut Grove