Miami-Dade County DTPW sets a critical Virtual Public Meeting regarding the 87th Avenue bridge - set for December 15, 2021, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Miami-Dade County has scheduled the meeting Palmetto Bay officials have declined to have –a detailed public meeting on the 87 Avenue bridge. The advertisement is posted below. Miami Herald subscribers can view this Miami-Dade County advertisement on Page 12A, Miami Herald, Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

This meeting didn’t just pop up overnight. I am not sure why it was not discussed by the current mayor and council members at the Palmetto Bay Special Council meetings held Monday, November 29. Perhaps they were caught by surprise at the public notice in the Wednesday paper (although advertisement deadlines required that this advertisement be submitted days prior to the Monday meetings). Unfortunately, the current Palmetto Bay administration appears to prefer to restrict information rather than promote robust public discussions.

Regardless – who should attend? (I bet you, the reader, meets at list one of those listed below):

·       Those concerned (for and/or against) the bridge. 
· Cyclists who want input as to the planned dedicated bike lanes (including, not just for the bridge, but for all of 87 avenue). 
·       Those interested in connectivity for golf carts.
·       Pedestrians (who plan on walking this section – to see what protective walking areas the County has planned as they are not included in ‘dedicated’ bike lanes).
·       Those interested in ensuring that drought resistant native plants will be used for landscaping.
·       Those interested in this project adding value to the area (more than ‘just a bridge’ – the additional amenities).

Note the project will include lighting, fencing and landscaping - all of which will impact the immediate area.

Also note: This is a Miami-Dade County planned project, so we want to watch this project to ensure that it does not become another 136th Street MEGA sidewalk fiasco as planned by Palmetto Bay officials.

Also note - the planned amenities are those planned by Miami-Dade County and were never mentioned or sought by Palmetto Bay Officials during the many months of negotiations were held on the proposed Interlocal A

More information (for those who truly want to be ‘in the loop’ on this matter: email: DTPWOutreach@miamidade.gov