This is a news report from the St. Pete Times of two women who persevered and used the system to their advantage. It shows that citizens in Florida can make a difference! Their efforts stopped an 800 home development in Marion County and yesterday Governor Crist and the Florida Cabinet agreed with the women: There was no need for the development in Marion County.

We, at the UEL, looked at the City of Miami’s Master Plan for Virginia Key — with a half dozen parking garages and we said to ourselves: WE CAN DO BETTER!! But we need your help!

Please let your friends know about this event so that we have a large turnout. For further information, contact the UEL at uelinfo@bellsouth.net
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, to volunteer for this event please contact j-garcia18@hotmail.com

We, at the UEL, looked at the City of Miami’s Master Plan for Virginia Key — with a half dozen parking garages and we said to ourselves: WE CAN DO BETTER!! But we need your help!

Please let your friends know about this event so that we have a large turnout. For further information, contact the UEL at uelinfo@bellsouth.net
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, to volunteer for this event please contact j-garcia18@hotmail.com

We, at the UEL, looked at the City of Miami’s Master Plan for Virginia Key — with a half dozen parking garages and we said to ourselves: WE CAN DO BETTER!! But we need your help!

Please let your friends know about this event so that we have a large turnout. For further information, contact the UEL at uelinfo@bellsouth.net
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, to volunteer for this event please contact j-garcia18@hotmail.com

In a stunning victory for public access, the Flamingo Condominium has agreed to provide access to its baywalk. Miami Herald reporter Andres Viglucci said:

What does it take to open a two-block stretch of public baywalk in Miami Beach? Apparently a battalion of attorneys, a convoluted and costly court case that alleges fibbing by a well-known architect and a prominent lawyer, and a peeved federal judge.

Twelve years after the developers of the Flamingo South Beach residential complex on Biscayne Bay seemingly promised Beach residents a public baywalk in exchange for permits to build a massive tower, they have finally agreed to open it.

But it took more than a year of litigation, with at least seven lawyers on each side, after the developers balked at opening the baywalk, contending they thought the city wanted a private promenade. The Flamingo then failed to produce the documents that would have cleared up the question in court, claiming they were missing.

Only some of the records weren’t really lost, prompting U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga to call the developers and their attorneys “obstructionist and careless” in a strongly worded order.

The case put Flamingo architect Bernard Zyscovich and lawyer Lucia Dougherty under the microscope. The city found e-mails between Zyscovich and Dougherty that its attorneys contend show the two concocting a scheme to avoid acknowledging they knew the baywalk was to be public.

We at the Urban Environment League thank the City of Miami Beach for pursuing this on behalf of the public.

In a stunning victory for public access, the Flamingo Condominium has agreed to provide access to its baywalk. Miami Herald reporter Andres Viglucci said:

What does it take to open a two-block stretch of public baywalk in Miami Beach? Apparently a battalion of attorneys, a convoluted and costly court case that alleges fibbing by a well-known architect and a prominent lawyer, and a peeved federal judge.

Twelve years after the developers of the Flamingo South Beach residential complex on Biscayne Bay seemingly promised Beach residents a public baywalk in exchange for permits to build a massive tower, they have finally agreed to open it.

But it took more than a year of litigation, with at least seven lawyers on each side, after the developers balked at opening the baywalk, contending they thought the city wanted a private promenade. The Flamingo then failed to produce the documents that would have cleared up the question in court, claiming they were missing.

Only some of the records weren’t really lost, prompting U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga to call the developers and their attorneys “obstructionist and careless” in a strongly worded order.

The case put Flamingo architect Bernard Zyscovich and lawyer Lucia Dougherty under the microscope. The city found e-mails between Zyscovich and Dougherty that its attorneys contend show the two concocting a scheme to avoid acknowledging they knew the baywalk was to be public.

We at the Urban Environment League thank the City of Miami Beach for pursuing this on behalf of the public.

In a stunning victory for public access, the Flamingo Condominium has agreed to provide access to its baywalk. Miami Herald reporter Andres Viglucci said:

What does it take to open a two-block stretch of public baywalk in Miami Beach? Apparently a battalion of attorneys, a convoluted and costly court case that alleges fibbing by a well-known architect and a prominent lawyer, and a peeved federal judge.

Twelve years after the developers of the Flamingo South Beach residential complex on Biscayne Bay seemingly promised Beach residents a public baywalk in exchange for permits to build a massive tower, they have finally agreed to open it.

But it took more than a year of litigation, with at least seven lawyers on each side, after the developers balked at opening the baywalk, contending they thought the city wanted a private promenade. The Flamingo then failed to produce the documents that would have cleared up the question in court, claiming they were missing.

Only some of the records weren’t really lost, prompting U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga to call the developers and their attorneys “obstructionist and careless” in a strongly worded order.

The case put Flamingo architect Bernard Zyscovich and lawyer Lucia Dougherty under the microscope. The city found e-mails between Zyscovich and Dougherty that its attorneys contend show the two concocting a scheme to avoid acknowledging they knew the baywalk was to be public.

We at the Urban Environment League thank the City of Miami Beach for pursuing this on behalf of the public.

Monday September 14, 7-9PM, Mayoral Candidate Forum
Friday October 9, 7-9PM, Commission District 3 and District 4 Candidate Forum
All events will take place at Shenandoah Park Clubhouse 1800 SW 21st Ave.

Miami Shenandoah Neighborhood Association is sponsoring the event. They say:

Come to hear our prospective new leaders’ plans to enhance the quality of life in our City and in OUR neighborhood. You can ask the candidates questions relevant to what is most important to you…your home and your community.