Results

Public Official: Councilman Robert Van Name
December 2004 Session

Final Report

Description of Project

The City of Doral’s downtown industrial land-use pattern is no longer fiscally advantageous. Officials envision the creation of a mixed-use downtown comprised of multiple districts or neighborhoods. Downtown redevelopment will connect into one cohesive core three disparate areas along the city’s 79 th Avenue corridor. In the southernmost section of the corridor existing tile-related industry will anchor a multi-dimensional design district comprised of storefronts, manufacturers, and distributors, as well as live-work residences for interior designers, artists, architects, and other “creatives”. The district would effectively transition with private real estate developer Armando Codina’s plans to redevelopment the corridor’s mid-section (Doral Center Conference Park) into a mixed-use town center comprised of condominiums, restaurants, shops, and a new municipal center. The issue of multiple land ownership has slowed redevelopment plans for the warehouse laden north area.

Key Issues:

1. Create a city-wide vision (through community meetings)

2. Identify public realm and associated components.

3. Integrate industrial base with expanding neighborhood growth.

Recommended Actions:

1. Define community character.

2. Assemble planning/design tools to achieve.

3. Conduct transportation/public realm master plan.

4. Host a seven-day charrette for the Town Center and the 79 th Street corridor.

5. Tie the results to the comprehensive plan.

6. Map prospective civic sites and prioritize them.

7. Tools: Urban code (form based), landscape plan, signage and lighting, architecture.

Results
The Design Institute’s Final Report was formally reviewed by consultants from the Iler Planning Group and Assistant City Manager Purrinos. Design Institute experts Chuck Bohl and Milt Rhodes continued to offer pro bono services to the City and thus participated in that review. Elements of the Final Report will be incorporated into the Doral Vision, Strategic Plan, and the Comprehensive Master Plan presently being developed. The Comprehensive Master Plan will now include provisions for a Downtown Mixed-Use District and a number of Opportunity Districts (Design, Artisan, and Tile) within the study area. Already, two major upscale Downtown Mixed-Use projects are being planned for the study area. In addition several Opportunity District concepts are under review.

City Council was briefed on the Final Report, as well as subsequent changes to the pending Comprehensive Master Plan. Preliminary copies were distributed. The Plan has been well received by residents, businesses, and developers. Upon completion and Council approval, the Comprehensive Master Plan will be submitted to the State’s Department of Community Affairs for review, which is scheduled for July 2005. Final State and Council approval is expected by October 2005.

Additional Contacts

Councilman Robert Van Name

305-593-6725   vannamer@cityofdoral-fl.gov

Sergio Purrinos - Assistant City Manager

305-470-6840   purrinoss@cityofdoral-fl.gov

Henry Iler - ILER PLANNING GROUP

561-626-7067   Henry@ipgplan.com