Update on MDFR Station 62 - Public celebration of opening is 10:00 AM, Sat., Nov. 9 - more public works infrastructure coming to area!

What are you doing this Saturday, November 9? The Grand Opening Ceremony for Palmetto Bay's new MDFR Station 62 will be this Saturday, November 9th at 10 am. The public is invited to attend and celebrate the opening of MDFR Station 62. Come one, come all.  There will be music and demonstrations/exhibits put on by Miami-Dade Fire.

BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY:

• LIFE SAFETY.  The station brings our County Fire Responders into our community in an area previously identified as having a need for increased service (Check and done!)
• COUNTY WATER. The MDFR graciously agreed to bring county water to the immediate neighborhood (SW 142nd) as part of this station 62 construction. Not just to the station, but station plus neighborhood (Check and done!), and ...
• TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR THE 142 / OLD CUTLER ROAD INTERSECTION - see below:

TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR THE 142 / OLD CUTLER ROAD INTERSECTION:
I was advised that Miami-Dade County Public Works (DTPW) has approved a traffic signal for the intersection of SW 142 and Old Cutler Road. MDFR vehicles will have preemption of the signal as it will aid/allow easy of left turns in and out of Station 62. I am told that this traffic signal should be of benefit to the residents of SW 142 in turning left in and out of their street as well.  This traffic signal was just approved very recently. It will needs to go through design and installation.  Patience.

Circle marks where the 142/OCR traffic signal will be placed.

TIME FRAME FOR SIGNAL:  I am told that the signal will be a project that will take from 6 months to a year for realization.

STATION 62: Station 62 has been a long time project, but patience (and persistence) pays.  CLICK HERE to view some prior related posts on Fire Safety in Palmetto Bay.  I'd love to sit down and tell all on this history of the efforts undertaken by Palmetto Bay with its partner, Miami-Dade County. Many, many people have been involved. Many will look back and be thankful for their hard work.

Remember, we still have the Southeast station to go.  We are part way there, but we need to get this station revitalized as well. 

I have been privileged to serve as Mayor of Palmetto Bay for much of the time that this Station has been in the works. It is my pleasure to see it delivered and operational for our South Miami-Dade Community.  

EUGENE FLINN

Photo credit: Miami-Dade County

Update on Fire Station No.: 62. ROW Permit resolved. Main driveway nearly complete

The pictures tell the story. We are getting close to the permanent Station 62 being completed and opening to serve our community. This has been a very long process that has involved so many members of our community. 

The Right of Way permit was finally resolved and construction/completion of the driveway took place during the week of September 23-28, 2019.

PRIOR RELATED POSTS - CLICK HERE to view prior posts documenting the efforts and the progress of life safety in Palmetto Bay. There are more than a dozen articles related to this topic. There is a photo archive and background on the history of the fire station issues.

I look forward to the grand opening!

Eugene Flinn

A beautiful day for life safety - as the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Station 62 continues to take shape in Palmetto Bay

Photos of the day - all taken on the morning of Monday, August 12, 2019, to provide a photo update on this Fire Station.  MDFR Station 62 continues to take shape. Click on any of the photos to view in a larger size on screen. 

We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel; when the station will open for use by the MDFR Teams Engine 62.  See photos below.

Front of Station - showing the driveway that was waiting on a right of way permit

Photos above demonstrate the use of native pines and underbrush

allowed to remain and flourish as part of this station. Beautiful. 

Side right of way has landscaping installed and is being watered in.

PRIOR RELATED POST - Click the headline to view a prior post of February 1, 2019, MDFR Station 62 continues to take shape. Photo update regarding ongoing construction of MDFR Station 62 - photos taken Jan. 27, 2019. (with links to addition resources).

A bike rack? What is this, a bike rack at a Fire Station? (circled in red in the photo). Outstanding. 

Apparently anyone will be able to ride their bike to the fire station in order to tour or get your blood pressure check (yes, cool down and relax on a nice, scenic bike ride down Old Cutler Road - before checking your blood pressure!). 

This is very much in keeping with Palmetto Bay being one of the leading areas for bicycling activity.

MDFR Station 62 continues to take shape. Projected to open in June. Possible grand opening April 8. Photo update.

Photo update regarding ongoing construction of MDFR Station 62 - photos taken Jan. 27, 2019.

I continue to get inquiries as to the status of this station. As Many can view from traveling along Old Cutler Road, Station 62 continues to take shape.  The value to the life-safety of this area is immeasurable.  The Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest Communities are made safer through this enhanced life-safety service in the area. 

The composite photo (to the right) demonstrates how the action construction (top - right) is tracking, faithful to original renderings (bottom of composite - right). 

A source advised me that Station 62 structure is scheduled to be complete in May. Outfitting/furniture comes next. The permanent station is on schedule to be operational in June.

Thank you MDFR! I am looking forward to the completion of Station 62 in Palmetto Bay, a grass roots started in our earliest years of incorporation, which was grass roots and official efforts. It involved an original village safety committee, a couple of mayors & Village Councils and several County Commissioners.  Thank you Commissioner Katy Sorenson for the original support and Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava for support for MDFR to bring it to close. 

The Fire Station was not immune to court contest. The original approval was made after a zoning hearing held in October, 2014, resulting in resolution 2014-075 (links below).  

A lawsuit was filed in circuit court on November 24, 2014, to contest this 3-2 decision (CLICK HERE to view the entire 17 page complaint), filed under Case No.: 2014-029993-CA-01, Gary Pastorella v Village of Palmetto Bay, OCPC & Miami-Dade County. The case was filed on November 24, 2014, and languished with no substantive activity for nearly two years (11/24/14 - 11/14/16), before it was ultimately DISMISSED for lack of prosecution by order rendered November 14, 2016 (CLICK HERE). The official court docket posted online does NOT list a settlement agreement. I never saw any formal agreement, but was told that Miami-Dade County agreed to run a waterline to their property line with the Pastorellas (which is interesting as the Defendants were holding some information back, as discussed below).  

Thank you Miami-Dade County officials who actually determined that the ENTIRE street should have benefit of this water line. Miami-Dade officials made the right choice to bringing much needed County infrastructure to everyone on this street.  The timing, opportunity, was there. It makes little sense to bring water to a County property, using county taxpayer dollars, and not bring the line to an area long in need. 

The Ground Breaking for the Fire Station was held February 5, 2018.  The original estimate for completion remains at 400 days from start of construction.  There have been rain days (built in to the schedule).  The project currently remains on schedule, so we are beginning to see the date when there will be a ribbon cutting / grand opening soon in 2019. I am told by Commissioner Cava that April 8th is the tentative date.

Please look carefully at the front of the station. Did you notice the second bay bay door (2 big read garage style doors)? One bay is for Engine 62. Once completed, Palmetto Bay can look forward to the eventual increase of life safety service. The station is built in anticipation of a future Rescue 62, which should not be too far distant future to complement the service of Engine 62.

There are two main zoning developmental orders that involve Station 62 (click the links provided below for both resolutions 2014-075 and 2015-086 to view the complete resolutions):

Reso 2014-075 -                This was the hearing where the Village council, serving 2010-2014, APPROVED the location on the present location: the southeast corner of Old Cutler Road and SW 142nd Terrace. The site plan was approved. The zoning development order was narrowly approved by a slim 3-2 margin. (Vote was 3-2 with Current council members - Vice Mayor John DuBois and Council Member Patrick Fiore voting in favor along with then Council Member Tim Schaffer. The 2 NO votes were cast by then Council Member Joan Lindsay and Mayor Shelley Stanczyk.)   

Reso 2015-086 -               This updated development order impacted the following: Requiring compliance with recent Public Works Department conditions (a letter dated 9/24/2015 is attached to the resolution) and 2. Fire Station staff will not use the ringing of bells or other alarms in the exterior for notification of emergencies.

(Vote was 4-0 to approve, after public hearing, with then council member Cunningham absent for the hearing and vote)

Click onto the label for “Fire Station” to see prior posts.

Also see prior post of July 27, 2018, Photo update - progress of construction of permanent Station 62 located off Old Cutler Road and 142nd Street – a photo update of the status of the construction of Station 62 as of Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Photo update - progress of construction of permanent Station 62 located off Old Cutler Road and 142nd Street

The Ground Breaking was held February 5, 2018.  Here is the status of the construction of Station 62.  Thank you Omar "OB" Blanco for the tour provided on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

CLICK HERE to view prior posts and photos relating to Station 62 and life safety in Palmetto Bay.

The original estimate for completion was 400 days from start of construction.  There have been rain days (built in to the schedule).  The project currently remains on schedule. This will be the permanent home for Engine 62 once completed. Engine 62 currently operates out of temporary quarters next door to the new site.

This station is starting to take shape. The value to the life-safety of this area will be immeasurable.  The Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest Communities look forward to enhanced life-safety service in the area.  

Your life, or the life of a friend or loved one, might just be saved by service brought closer by this new station.

Official MDFR Rendering of Station 62 when completed

Thank you for the tour, the update which provides me with this opportunity to update my fellow residents.

Thank you to the Team Members of MDFR for your service to our community.

Very truly yours,

Eugene Flinn, Mayor, Palmetto Bay

Groundbreaking held Monday, 2/5/2018 for Station 62 - 400 days projected to completion.

Congrats and thank you to Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue - the groundbreaking was held Monday, February 5, 2018 for the construction of the permanent Station 62 located off Old Cutler Road and 142nd Street.  It was my honor to join Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey, his senior staff, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine-Cava, Pinecrest Mayor Joe Corradino, and many members of our local Village Councils.  We participated with Local 1403 President Omar Blanco and Station 62's crew. Engine 62 currently operates out of temporary quarters next door to the new site.

 

Good deeds, good things are going on all around us.  Thank you to those who are working hard to bring forward good deeds/good results. It is estimated that construction will take 400 days to completion.  The site does not look like much right now. The value to the life-safety of this area will be immeasurable.  The Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest Communities look forward to enhanced life-safety service in the area.  Your life, or the life of a friend or loved one, might just be saved by service brought closer by this new station.

For Palmetto Bay, this got started under my first term.  The Council worked at establishing levels of service, both municipal and enhancing County – and we worded with County Fire and Government leadership at that time.  We got our residents involved and appointed a Public Safety committee back on November 25, 2002, one of our first resolutions – 02-19. I’d like to thank those members who joined in our vision for a safer Palmetto Bay area.

The locations shifted – delaying this project. We worked with the Feds to put a fire station on the USDA land, federal land, but that would take an act of congress – but we nearly did – twice – it passed the house of Representatives – Sept. 2009 E-Currents : Diaz-Balart Passes Legislation to Provide Land for Fire Station

The U.S. House of Representatives had passed a bill sponsored by Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) that authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to sell two acres located on the east side of SW 67th Ave. between SW 136 St. and SW 144 St., to Miami-Dade County for the purpose of building a fire station. The entire original village council had been to Washington several times.  I want to thank our original sponsor Illeana Ros Lehtinen.  Special thanks to Palmetto Bay Building Official Edward Silva and Olga Cadaval, Assistant to the Manager, the original village council.

That Was then, but the location failed between 2010 and 2013.  New realities set in.  We thank those who focused upon life safety.

A divided former council approved the site plan for this location on a 3-2 vote back in October 2014.  I want to thank Vice Mayor DuBois and council members Fiore and Schaffer for their support of enhanced life safety for this area.

Station 62 - at least the temporary station - become operation as of "1900" on Wednesday, November 16, 2016.  This temporary station is located adjacent to the permanent home off 142 / Old Cutler Road.  I am pleased to have stopped by to witness this local Palmetto Bay history - a project that commenced back with our original village council and members of our Public Safety Committee as one of Palmetto Bay's original priorities.  

Again - Thank you Miami-Dade County, MDFR, Mayor Carlos Gimenez and our commissioner Daniella Levine Cava. 

Welcoming Station 62 to their new (Temporary) home at Old Cutler Road

Station 62 - at least the temporary station - become operation as of "1900" on Wednesday, November 16, 2016.  This temporary station is located adjacent to the permanent home off 142 / Old Cutler Road.  I am pleased to have stopped by to witness this local Palmetto Bay history - a project that commenced back with our original village council and members of our Public Safety Committee as one of Palmetto Bay's original priorities. 

Captain Bond, Mayor Flinn, Comm Levine Cava & team

Thank you Miami-Dade County, MDFR, Mayor Carlos Gimenez and our commissioner Daniella Levine Cava. 

My pleasure to welcome station 62 to the temp home on Old Cutler Road

Feel free to click on the "Fire Station" Label to view previous posts concerning the fire service efforts in our Palmetto Bay. 

Photos of the Day - good news in our village.

Two examples of good news in our Village.  The first is a village tweet documenting a random act of kindness from our residents expressed to our MDPD/Village Policing Unit.

As indicated in this above screen shot, we thank residents Elizabeth Schmekel & Jennifer Skelton who baked and delivered cookies to our village police.  

We join Elizabeth & Jennifer in thanking our officers.  Good deeds.

The second photo (below) is a welcomed sign of increased fire safety soon to located at the temporary fire station to be opened at 142 and Old Cutler Road (immediately adjacent to the planned permanent station 62). 

Good deeds, good things are going on all around us.  Thank you to those who are working hard to bring forward good deeds/good results.'

Keeping it positive!  Thank you,

Eugene Flinn, Mayor
Village of Palmetto Bay

Is your life, or the life of a friend or loved one more important than poltics? I think so - here are the facts.

Sometime politics goes too far.  While there are some in our community that we expect no better than to continue to yell fire in a crowded movie house, we, as your elected officials, must conform to a higher standard.

Life-safety is one of the most important services provided by government.  The safety of the community is not to be trifled with.  It should be off the table for elections (unless the campaign is to INCREASE life-safety).  I would be less than candid if I failed to disclose that I am most put off by the ongoing politicization of location of fire service.

So here are some facts - facts in the form of two response time maps - prepared by MDFR, not Palmetto Bay.  These maps are #1 Response time without Station No. 62 and #2 Response Time WITH Station 62.

I am always available to discuses your concerns. For now, please review the response time and think about what it would be like to have a life-threatening emergency and be located in an area with response time >= 8:00 Minutes.  And note - that the times posted above are the AVERAGE times.

Photo update - MDC is one big step closer to an operational fire station at 142 and Old Cutler Road

North Fire Station location update - (from my July 6 post)
 
The temporary trailers are being delivered and set up as I post! (Wednesday, 7/13/16).  This is great news for the residents of South Pinecrest and East Palmetto Bay as we are one big step closer to an operational Fire Station on Old Cutler Road and SW 142 street.
 
Photos taken on Wednesday, July 13, 2016:

Thank you again to Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue, Mayor Carlos Gimenez and our County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava for championing this Fire Station; increasing County services here in Palmetto Bay. 

Should you have any questions feel free to contact my office - eflinn@palmettobay-fl.gov or my cell (305) 302-3713.

Here is a map to where the permanent fire station is being built:

Exciting updates on the South Fire Station location - new site.

We are moving closer to closing on a South end Palmetto Bay Fire Station!

I had a very productive meeting today at Village Hall.  I continue to work hard to close on the efforts started back in the earliest days of Palmetto Bay. ‪#‎TeamPalmettoBay‬.

Thank you Mayor Carlos Gimenez, County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and the hard working reps of MDFR. Working together will result in increased life safety service in the Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay & Cutler Bay areas.

The map shared with me today on the proposed new location for the fire station in the southeast region of our Village. This location is situated on the west side of Old Cutler Road directly North of SW 184th Street. They are in the process of selecting an appraisal firm to continue negotiations to purchase the property. With this location we will have complete coverage of the entire Village within the guidelines established by the fire department for acceptable response times.

Here are the maps shared with the village council earlier today:

Update on the north station:  Additionally, MDFR has indicated that the temporary trailers for the station on Old Cutler Road and SW 142 street should be delivered to the site within one week.

Should you have any questions feel free to contact my office - eflinn@palmettobay-fl.gov or my cell (305) 302-3713.