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An update from the Anthony James Catanese Center for Urban & Environmental
Solutions (CUES) at Florida Atlantic University
February 2006
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| CUES North welcomes Scripps to Abacoa |
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The CUES North office welcomes the Scripps Research Institute to FAU’s Jupiter campus housed in Abacoa, a new urbanist community. Thanks to the outreach work of Candy Walker and others at Scripps Florida, the research institute was making valuable contributions to the Abacoa area even before the decision to locate its new home here was announced. Scripps has conducted educational programs for students and teachers at all levels, and provided valuable internship experience to fledgling scientists. For example, at a recent “Science Saturday” event, 30 students from South Fork High School in Martin County came to Scripps Florida to learn about forensic DNA fingerprinting.
For the people of Palm Beach, Martin and other nearby counties, having Scripps Florida in Abacoa will bring some changes. The research institute’s presence will stretch the community and it will require greater and greater excellence from area schools. In the long run, Scripps will bring value to Abacoa and its neighbors well beyond the already burgeoning home sales, for Abacoa, with its on-site university campus and four public schools, is a community centered on education. The addition of the Scripps Research Institute will affirm Abacoa’s role as a place directed toward a better future – for both its denizens and their neighbors in south Florida.
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| Technical Review Committee finishes work |
On February 14, CUES convened the seventh and final meeting of the Technical Review Committee (TRC) for the South Miami-Dade Watershed Study. The study concludes this year with a recommended plan to guide land use planning in South Miami-Dade County for the next fifty years. The TRC focused their comments on three main items:
- Assessment of three test alternative future scenarios
- The components of the draft preferred scenario
- Strategies to implement the preferred scenario
A highlight of the day was the presentation of TRC certificates of appreciation by Miami Mayor Carlos Alvarez. In his comments, Mayor Alvarez emphasized the TRC’s important role in the watershed study process, especially when working on the complex set of issues addressed by the watershed study.
The TRC brought an independent professional perspective to the planning process and an additional level of review from experts in their fields. The TRC members evaluated and made recommendations designed to refine and improve the planning products and policies, and provided strategic guidance and information about best practices and lessons learned from other areas.
The Watershed Study is a project of the Miami-Dade County Department of Planning and Zoning and is managed by the South Florida Regional Planning Council. For information on CUES’ use of technical peer review processes to help strengthen public and private planning processes and products, contact Jim Murley at jmurley@fau.edu.
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| Abacoa Anniversary Approaching |
The CUES North office is working collaboratively to plan “Abacoa: Then & Now,” a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the mixed-use community’s groundbreaking. The event will be held Saturday, April 22, 2006, from 4:00 – 6:30 PM in the Abacoa Town Center Theater Green, with addresses by George deGuardiola, Nader Salour and other special guest speakers, music by the Fabulons, food provided by local restaurants. Informational displays throughout Abacoa and a booklet to be distributed at the event will offer insights into the development’s history, its role as an exemplar of the principles or new urbanism, and its impact on the south Florida region. On the morning of the groundbreaking event, a special Great American Clean-up walk through the Abacoa Greenway will take place, with trail beautification activities and a small group field science study.
In addition to the CUES, the “Abacoa: Then and Now” planning group comprises representatives from the Abacoa Development Company, the Abacoa Partnership for Community, Abacoa Town Center, Bristol Management, deGuardiola Development, DiVosta Homes, Florida Atlantic University’s MacArthur Campus, Roger Dean Stadium, and the Town of Jupiter. Please contact Ed Maietta at (561) 799-8526 or emaietta@fau.edu for more information.
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| SFRRC Maps the Region’s Communities & Connections |
| The South Florida Regional Resource Center (SFRRC), a partnership between CUES and the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils and the Collins Center for Public Policy, is spearheading the development of a seven-county map to include long-range transportation, transit, and land use planning initiatives and existing and proposed regional centers. Lead by its partner, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the map will attempt to include vignettes of current and proposed land uses throughout the region and will allow citizens, community leaders, and regional thinkers to envision a network of successful corridors and centers and the opportunity to explore regional resources in greater depth. The project integrates national best practices in regional mapping efforts to develop a final product that will be available electronically on the SFRRC’s website in addition to print.
In addition to the regional image depicted on the map, other appropriate data layers considered include:
- Regional transportation network (including roads, rail, transit, ports, airports)
- Educational network (universities, community colleges, key educational centers)
- Urban/Suburban relationships
- Centers of commerce, industry, and workplaces, and
- Natural systems (greenways, blueways, major preserve areas)
For more information contact Kim Delaney at kdelaney@tcrpc.org or George Gadson at ggadson@fau.edu.
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| 2005 Florida Guidebook to New Urbanism now available |
 The 2005 A Guidebook to New Urbanism in Florida commemorates and celebrates Florida’s 120 plus New Urbanist developments and plans – over twice as many as the 2002 Guidebook that was developed by CUES.
The new Guidebook features:
- Locations and essential facts about projects and plans
- Best practices from our state’s successful historic urbanism
- Articles by leading practitioners and observers of the movement
- Florida New Urbanism resource list organized for easy reference
Order your guidebook today or contact guidebook editor, Jean Scott, at 561-620-3815
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| Abacoa Celebrates Culture |
 The fifth annual Fiesta Maya, held Sunday, February 5, 2006 at FAU in Abacoa, brought together over 1,000 persons to celebrate the Rich Culture of Jupiter’s Mayan community, and the Hispanic world. CUES worked with Corn Maya and others to plan the event, and the MacArthur Campus community came together to make the festival’s participants feel welcome.
The following week, close to 400 participants came to the FAU Mac Arthur Campus for SHARIKA! (together in community, from Swahili) a multi-cultural celebration of African-American History. Events on Saturday, February 11, 2006, included musicians, choral and dance groups and educational speakers and honored the contributions of African-Americans to our nation. CUES worked with the West Jupiter Community Group, the FAU MacArthur Campus and others to plan the event.
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| Coastal and Ocean Policy Initiative Update |
Beach Restoration – Under contract with the Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, CUES has been examining the economics of beaches. Dr. William B. Stronge of FAU’s Department of Economics is serving as consultant. CUES is in the third phase of the project, which involves analyzing the economics of restored versus non-restored beaches in the wake of the 2004 Hurricane Season. A report is due in March 2006.
Coastal High Hazards – At the request of the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA), CUES conducted an analysis and compiled a report on state law related to such coastal issues as comprehensive planning for hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness and response. The report is one of DCA’s deliverables under Executive Order Number 05-178, which created the Coastal High Hazard Study Committee in September 2005. The committee is charged with formulating recommendations for managing growth in Coastal High Hazard Areas, defined as the Category 1 Hurricane Evacuation Zones.
Manatee Protection – CUES is finalizing the third draft of the Manatee Protection Plan for Palm Beach County, responding to state- and federal-agency review comments. Another public workshop will be held following release of this third draft in early Spring 2006.
Statewide Boating Study – CUES is finalizing the Lee County Pilot Project, one part of our work under a two-year contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to prepare a Boating Access Facilities Inventory. CUES is compiling a comprehensive database of information on marine facilities throughout the State of Florida. The Urban Harbors Institute at the University of Massachusetts – Boston is the key partner on this project. Phase Two will involve an economic study of the marine industry by Michigan State University.
Working Waterfronts and Public Access – In collaboration with the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC), CUES has completed the Marine Management Strategic Plan to address working-waterfront issues in Monroe County, FL. The plan provides guiding principles, strategies, and action steps aimed at preserving and enhancing both public water access and the working waterfront throughout the Florida Keys. The compendium incorporates an economic analysis, a legal overview, an analysis of key stakeholder interviews, a literature review, information on waterfront preservation efforts in other areas, and a map atlas. CUES Director Jim Murley and SFRPC Executive Director Carolyn Dekle presented the plan to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at its December 21st meeting.
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| News and Notes |
On February 1, CUES convened an interdepartmental meeting with Dr. James C. Cato, director of Florida Sea Grant and a member of the Florida Ocean Alliance (hosted by CUES), to determine areas of mutual research interest and to discuss funding opportunities (scholarships, fellowships, grants) for students and faculty. The meeting was held at FAU’s Downtown Fort Lauderdale Campus with representatives from SeaTech and the College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs, as well as CUES staff and graduate research assistants, in attendance.
Dr. Lenore Alpert, CUES Assistant Director, Research, and Richard Ogburn of the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) participated in a February 16th stakeholders meeting in Marathon to discuss the Monroe County Marine Management Strategic Plan. As a result, minor edits were made in two of the plan appendices prepared by CUES, and other changes were made in the Demographic and Economic Analysis section written by the SFRPC.
At the invitation of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Dr. Lenore Alpert attended a press conference announcing the release of a new economic study on the value of the marine industry to the region and the state. The February 27th event was held at the Lauderdale Marine Center on the New River in Fort Lauderdale.
Frank Schnidman, Senior Fellow, continues to lecture on the ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London where the Court upheld the use of eminent domain to take private property solely for the purpose of economic development. He spoke on January 21 at the Introduction to Real Estate Law seminar at the University of Miami School of Architecture, on February 8 to a group of Fort Lauderdale property owners facing relocation as redevelopment comes to their Northwest Fort Lauderdale neighborhood, will address a League of Women Voters forum March 15th in Delray Beach, and with Sarah Shannon of the CUES Institute of Government, is planning the June 23 one-year Kelo anniversary seminar.
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| Activities & Events |
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ULI Florida Symposium: Building Florida’s Future, State Strategies for Regional Cooperation
March 17, 2006
This symposium will showcase the work of a committee chaired by Peter Rummell, Chairman and CEO of the St. Joe Company, and Nathaniel Reed, former Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and National Parks, US Department of the Interior. The symposium will also feature keynote speaker, Governor Jeb Bush. The program will include:
• Principles and recommendations of regional cooperation
• Showcase of Florida best practices
• Moderated discussion with state agency leaders
For more information.
Broward Section, American Planning Association
LUNCHTIME SPEAKER SERIES
Friday, March 31, 2006
12-2 p.m.
Tower Club
One Financial Plaza, 28th Floor, Fort Lauderdale
(southeast corner of Broward Boulevard & SE 3 Avenue)
Lunch provided - $20 BAPA members / $25 Non-Members
Scott Seeburger with the Florida Department of Transportation will discuss two important transportation projects that will impact Broward County. These include the study to add passenger rail service to the Florida East Coast (FEC) rail corridor that runs through many of the region’s eastern cities, and the east-west I-595 corridor study. Come to learn more about these projects and how they will impact transportation options in Broward County.
Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, March 28 to Sue Henderson at shenderson@broward.org. Payment accepted at the door. PLEASE NOTE: SHORTS/JEANS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE TOWER CLUB.
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HOT TOPICS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: LAND USE AND ZONING ISSUES AND
THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL
April 6, 2006
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
FAU Commercial Boulevard Campus, Fort Lauderdale
This one-day workshop will explore the nuts and bolts of the key land use and planning issues that are crucial in shaping your community. The program is designed to help you understand the issues, ask the right questions, and make appropriate decisions that can be effectively implemented. Our experienced speakers will present an informative and interesting program that will be invaluable to seasoned and new public officials alike.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AND OTHER PROGRAMS, please contact the John Scott Dailey FL Institute of Government at FAU: 954/229-4104 or jdolson@fau.edu. The brochures and online registration are available at www.fau.edu/fiog.
2006 REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
April 6 & 7, 2006
Regionalism: What's in it for me?
Join National and Local Leaders from Southeast Florida as we discuss common issues and work towards regional solutions. This event brings together every major leadership group, public organization and private business leader throughout the region for a pro-active conference and incredible networking opportunity.
April 6th - Network Opening Reception
6:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Coconut Creek Community Center
1100 Lyons Road
Keynote Speaker Alex Marshall, author of How Cities Work: Suburbs, Sprawl and Roads Not Taken- How Cities, Towns and Neighborhoods have developed around transportation systems.
April 7th - Full day conference
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Signature Grand in Davie
Why Attend?
Regional leaders from all over the area are coming together to discuss regional issues and plan for the future of South Florida. If you are a community, government or business leader we encourage you to participate in this dynamic regional event.
Click here for more information or to register online
NEW URBANISM SHORT COURSE: TRANSPORTATION AND THE NEW URBANISM
Sponsored by the City of Port St. Lucie, Florida Chapter of the Congress for New Urbanism, and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
This event, to take place on April 20, 2006 at the Port St. Lucie Community Center, features designers, transportation engineers and developers weighing in on transportation and the new urbanism. More information on this event.
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SAVE THE DATE:
2006 Growth Management Summit
May 18-19, 2006
The Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Regional Councils Association announce the 2006 Growth Management Summit to be held on May 18-19, 2006, at the Rosen Plaza in Orlando. The registration brochure and program will be distributed in March. Please check website for additional information.
2006 ALI-ABA Land Use Institute
Thursday, August 17, 2006 – Saturday, August 19, 2006
Location: TBD – Chicago, IL
Senior Fellow Frank Schnidman, Esq., is already planning the next American Law Institute – American Bar Association Land Use Institute. This annual program is designed to provide an effective and efficient review of current issues in land use for attorneys, planners, public officials, developers, and academics. For more information on the Institute or to suggest a specific topic, please contact Frank at schnidma@fau.edu.
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