Consulting firm charged with finding solution to open space deficiency (and use of open lot at 530 Crandon Blvd.)
Published in The Islander News July 10, 2008
kjosephsen@islanderews.com (read printed version)
Solving Key Biscayne's open space shortage is no small task, but the firm hired to help do so hopes its experience with park planning and design — as well as with conducting public charrettes — will put the community on the right track.
The Village Council selected Wellington-based IBI Group this spring as Key Biscayne's recreation and open space consultant. The firm is charged with proposing solutions to the community's 3.75-acre open space shortage as well as helping decide the future of Village-owned land at 530 Crandon Boulevard.
In his proposal to the Village, IBI project manager Richard Dun said his firm's experience — they have conducted countless public charrettes and specialize in park master plans — will prove valuable.
"IBI Group is uniquely qualified to assist you in all aspects of this project. We feel our background can help us to deliver a project that is truly a reflection of the citizens' collective vision," Dun remarked.
The firm is already in the process of planning a public charrette, which will likely be in fall. It is also meeting with residents and Village officials, as well as researching the current situation.
Ultimately, IBI will produce a report on possible ways to fill the shortage, as well as a conceptual plan for 530 Crandon. Those will be the subject of several public presentations.
Experience
Local leaders are confident IBI Group is the right firm to complete those challenging tasks. As Council member Pat Weinman commented when the firm was selected in April, "I think the IBI Group is very impressive and an excellent choice. I look forward to a blue ribbon public planning process."
The firm has had experience with such processes in the past, according to Dun. "Our past performance of parks master planning, design and implementation projects has been a hallmark of our firm for decades. Many of our award-winning parks projects are signature projects that continue to add value to communities throughout the state," he remarked.
Dun has spent the past 15 years working on such projects, going through processes that include public participation and workshop facilitation, landscape and hardscape design, public presentations, etc.
Some of his dozens of South Florida products include the Coral Gables Parks and Open Space Master Plan, Palm Beach Gardens Parks Improvement Master Plan, Atlantic Greenway Network Master Plan for Miami Beach and the Hollywood Beach Streetscape Master Plan. The other members of IBI's Key Biscayne team provide equally long lists of experience in park and open space design.
Key Biscayne specifics
IBI's proposal to the Village offers insight as to how it will apply that experience to the local project.
Dun and company are meeting with Village staff to refine the scope of work, set a schedule and make plans for public participation. Ultimately, the firm plans to document land that has already been acquired for park purposes and land that has been considered for acquisition and then develop a list of options for how the Village can meet the shortage. The list will include options inside and outside the Village, as well as funding sources.
The public charrette is the next step in the process. Village officials have said they expect to schedule the charrette for September, and residents who attend can expect a "highly structured event," according to IBI — good news for Council mem become dominated by special interests or devolve into the same arguments that have marked open space discussions so far.
During the charrette, IBI will provide a "virtual tour" of 530 Crandon, along with a video presentation on the overall state of park and open space in the Village. They'll break residents into small discussion groups to generate ideas and hopefully reach a consensus on a number of issues.
Indeed, a number of ideas are already swirling around — public high school facilities, a cultural center, a Calusa Playhouse replica, a Mackie house preservation site, a new post office and a passive park.
IBI is confident it can overcome the Council's worries and reach a consensus. As Durr wrote, "The key to the successful facilitation of the charrette is in our thoughtful and patient approach in working with the public. We lead focused, directed meetings which have measurable objectives and outcomes.
"Our approach is to lead an unbiased meeting ... and allow each individual the chance to be heard."
Final product
Once all the study and input-gathering is done, IBI will generate several products for the Village.
It will prepare several conceptual site plan options for "recreation activity zones" and for 530 Crandon, as well as a summary report that recommends specific actions to expand open space.
Dun noted he expects the plans to include not only a list of sites, but information on related issues like landscaping and other amenities. With that in mind, "We can then generate the appropriate development program for the park that responds to a broad spectrum of user/client requirements."
Also, through the use of 3-D modeling software, IBI will give Village officials and residents a chance to "pre-visualize" the concepts it has in mind.
The firm will present all its products in a public workshop and before the Village Council. By the time that happens, Dun noted, he hopes everyone with an interest in parks and open space will have had a chance to make their opinions known. "It is important to involve the major park constituencies in this process to obtain consensus and commitment to the final product," he pointed out.
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