Thousands Flock to Key Biscayne
Cape Florida State Park was deluged with traffic at 7:30 a.m., last Sunday morning, as beachgoers hurried to find space for the day. Records show that approximately 13,000 people poured into Cape Florida on Sunday, and 20,000 more were recorded to have entered Crandon Park. Each park was closed early due to overcrowded conditions.
Police training facility suggested for Virginia Key
In April 1982, Virginia Key was used to train police to respond quicker in times of emergencies. Virginia Key is presently under study for possible construction of a permanent police training facility.
Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo recommended that a permanent police training facility be constructed on Virginia Key. Virginia Key is an area of approximately 1,000 acres located between Miami and Key Biscayne on the Rickenbacker Causeway.
In the past, the city has used the area to train police for high-speed chases and handling of firearms. Preparedness drills were held there to improve police response time during riots, hurricanes and plane crashes.
A recent report by the Dade County Grand Jury criticized police training procedures as inadequate. Environmentalists have long opposed hard use of the sensitive areas of Virginia Key where bird life, mangroves and coastal hammocks exist. Key Biscayne residents and park officials are presently discussing their ideas on how to use Virginia Key as a nature-oriented park.
Virginia Key is also presently under study by a city-appointed planning firm, Synterra Ltd., based in Philadelphia. The city gave the firm $135,000 to develop a detailed plan for construction of a major park and recreation area.
Stands still shifting on stadium use
A blue-ribbon committee, assigned by the City of Miami to propose alternate uses for the 400 acres of the Miami Marine Stadium property, failed to come up with a proposal acceptable to citizens attending a meeting on the topic.
The same schematic plan, prepared by committee member Jimmie Allen of Ronald Frazier and Associates for an April meeting, was presented. The plan calls for construction of a mooring area with 1,800 boat slips, a 300-room hotel and world-class yacht club on the stadium property. Key Biscayne Property Taxpayers’ Association, Inc. (KBPTAI) members contested the use of the city property for commercial use. In November 1982, the committee was given the task of studying how to make the stadium more profitable for the City.
Key Biscayne C-1 tennis team captures championship
The South Florida Women’s Doubles League Championship was won by the Key Biscayne C-1 Tennis Team, pictured above. Pictured (left to right) are, front row: Captain Jeannie Yanessa, co-captain Rachel Rottenberg, Maxine Garfinkel and Inge Michaels. Second row: Jean Schiller, Olga Robbin, Shirley Schrager, Christina Pesant, Polly Brandon, Joan McCaughn, Pat Shaw, Dorothy Malinin, Dietlinde Coleman, Morella Valentini, and Lenore Ferkin.
Athletic Club t-ball season opens
Alex Larrea shows great style as he stoops to stop the ball in the T-Ball games played at the Key Biscayne Community School.
Students’ anti-litter campaign poster
In an effort to help keep Key Biscayne clean, sixth graders at the Key Biscayne Community School began an anti-litter campaign designing posters that will be displayed in local business windows. Seen above are (from left) Yamileth Marin, Maria Somarriba, Irene Ulivi, Dania Guthrie, Suzanne Egan, Maurice Perkins and Jorge Cabrero. This project was in cooperation with local garden clubs and students were awarded with a pizza lunch on Monday, May 9.
Island fitness
The Island Fitness Center members could be seen in force last week on location at the Rickenbacker Causeway toll booth. The group was being photographed for their summer print ad campaign. Bruce Beattie of Key Productions directed the shooting. Pictured are (from left) back row Bruce Beattie, Debbie Fishbein and Marc Kaiser. Seated in second row Karin Kruger, Dwight Hewett and Donnatella. First row standing Bo Prince, Tim Beattie and Patty Surell.
Spring weather brings traffic tie-ups
Lines of traffic formed outside of Cape Florida State Park this past weekend. On Sunday, park officials reported that 5,980 people entered the park, making an early closing necessary.
Sales effort changes tune for Le Rivage project
The unexpected delay of condominium sales for the Le Rivage project on Key Biscayne, ended when the sales center re-opened to the real estate market.
This time, however, a new concept has come along with the sales plan. Apartments may be offered for as low as $85,000 and a large percent will be less than $140,000, unheard of numbers to the present Key Biscayne luxury condominium real estate market.
Two years ago, the average price for an apartment at Le Rivage was $250,000. The project is being developed by Key Biscayne Development Associates, headed by Eduardo Arellano. The site is located east of Crandon Blvd., between East Enid Drive and Seaview Drive, including the Key Biscayne Hotel and Villas property. Fewer than 1,100 apartments, down from the original 1,450, will be constructed on the site. New plans for the Le Rivage project also include the sale of the 100 rooms and 75 villas of the Key Biscayne Hotel to investors as condominium units.
Sunday traffic
A familiar, if not heartwarming, sight is the ever-increasing traffic back-ups on the Rickenbacker Causeway. This picture was taken Sunday, May 1.
Developers request zoning variance for future apartment complex
Plans are being made for a 49-unit apartment building to be built at 700 Ocean Drive, the vacant lot on the west side of Ocean Drive between East Wood Drive and East Enid Drive. Planners are Eldred Development N.V. Plans are to architecturally complement the Le Rivage project which is being planned for the remainder of that same property.
A spokesperson said construction of the apartment building would most likely not begin until next year. Eldred Development is also the planner of the Ocean Lane Plaza condominium on Ocean Lane Drive. The developers applied for a nonuse variance of zoning restrictions to permit a swimming pool and deck to be built in front of the planned apartment building rather than behind the building as zoning requires. The variance requests also that the swimming pool/deck area be allowed a setback of 25 feet, rather than the required 75 feet.
Islander Named to Citizens Board
Carlos M. de la Cruz.
Key Biscayne resident Carlos M. de la Cruz, president of Miami National Bank, has become a member of the Citizens Board of the University of Miami, a group of 200 South Florida professional and business leaders who volunteer to work with various development programs at the university. Membership on the Citizens Board is by invitation only.
“Since Miami is rapidly blossoming into an international commerce center and gateway, I look forward to working with students (who are the area’s leaders of tomorrow) and faculty of one of Miami’s prominent universities to help ensure that a solid foundation for the continued growth of South Florida is secured,” said de la Cruz.
Boats Collide in Bay, Nine Injuries Reported
This 40-foot Corsa was one of two power boats that collided near the Miami Seaquarium on Virginia Beach. The accident involved 11 people and took place in waters near the Miami Seaquarium. The victims were transported to Mercy Hospital for examination and treatment of injuries ranging from a possible dislocated jaw to multiple cuts and abrasions.
Jazz night
Key Biscayner Bonnie Craiglow had a great time at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club’s Jazz Night held on Saturday.
Chamber party
Tony and Elia Tarafa (left) had a great time with Alina and Juan Portuondo (right) at the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce party held on Friday evening.
Fernwood zoning request denied
A residential zoning change application, made by Key Biscayne resident Joseph Bottieri for his property located at 544 Fernwood Road, was denied. It was a unanimous decision made by Dade County Commissioners.
The request was for a zoning change, from the present RU2 code to RU3, for the purpose of constructing four townhouse units. This RU2 zoned strip is made up of single-family homes and the Dade County Planning Department had recommended denial of Mr. Bottieri’s application before it went to a public hearing. Some members-of the Key Biscayne Property Taxpayers’ Association, Inc. (KBPTAI) attended last week’s hearing to oppose the zoning request.
For the last Islander throwback, click here.