Watson Island: Difference between revisions
Blazing123 (talk | contribs) m The Island was deeded to the city to be a park in perpetuity |
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Grand plans to develop the island started in 1979, with a planned amusement park, Diplomat World. Residents formed "Save Watson Island, Inc", a neighborhood group opposing the use for anything other than a park. They had public demonstrations and because of the demonstrations and a variety of other reasons, the amusement park was never built. <ref>[http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19791011&id=LawyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_OkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3699,203970] -URL retrieved Aug 17,2013</ref> |
Grand plans to develop the island started in 1979, with a planned amusement park, Diplomat World. Residents formed "Save Watson Island, Inc", a neighborhood group opposing the use for anything other than a park. They had public demonstrations and because of the demonstrations and a variety of other reasons, the amusement park was never built. <ref>[http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19791011&id=LawyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_OkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3699,203970] -URL retrieved Aug 17,2013</ref> |
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Other development plans included one from the late |
Other development plans included one from the late 1990's, culminating in 2003 when [[Jungle Island]] relocated to Watson. There has been continued controversy stemming from Jungle Island's inability to meet the financing terms it had made with the local municipalities when the move was approved. Local elected officials had and continue to bail out Jungle Island with tax dollars. The Miami Children's Museum also relocated to the island, in 2004. The State of Florida offered a site in the Island Gardens project on Watson Island to host the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Permanent Secretariat.<ref>[http://www.ftaa-alca.org/tnc/submissions/tni149p2_e.pdf Proposal to host FTAA Permanent Secretariat] - URL retrieved June 25, 2006</ref> As of March, 2006 the [[Florida Department of Transportation]] was planning to construct a tunnel from the [[Port of Miami]] on Dodge Island under the main shipping channel to the MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island.<ref>[http://www.portofmiamitunnel.com/faq_tech.html FDOT Port of Miami Tunnel Project] - URL retrieved June 25, 2006</ref> On May 24, 2010, construction began on the [[Miami port tunnel|Miami Port Tunnel]] tunnel project.<ref>http://www.justnews.com/traffic/23656213/detail.html#</ref> The tunnel is set to be completed by 2014. |
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== Current public facilities== |
== Current public facilities== |
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'''Jungle Island'''<br> |
'''Jungle Island'''<br> |
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[[Jungle Island]] opened its new facility on Watson Island in 2003. Originally named Parrot Jungle, the popular tourist attraction first opened in the Pinecrest neighborhood of Miami in 1936. Over the years, the attraction |
[[Jungle Island]] opened its new facility on Watson Island in 2003. Originally named Parrot Jungle, the popular tourist attraction first opened in the Pinecrest neighborhood of Miami in 1936. Over the years, the attraction came to be a popular attraction for Miami residents and tourists, but that trend reversed once it moved to the smaller and less natural setting of Watson Island. Jungle Island has many fewer animals, and none of the old growth vegetation the original park was known for. Jungle Island hosts Miami's most popular event venue with its [[Treetop Ballroom]].<ref>[http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/PublicFacilities/pages/WatsonIsland/ParrotJungle.asp Parrot Jungle Island] - URL retrieved June 25, 2006</ref> |
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'''Miami Children's Museum'''<br> |
'''Miami Children's Museum'''<br> |
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There is a Public Boat Ramp with 50 oversized parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers.<ref>[http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/PublicFacilities/pages/WatsonIsland/ParkingFacilities.asp Parking Facilities] - URL retrieved June 25, 2006</ref> |
There is a Public Boat Ramp with 50 oversized parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers.<ref>[http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/PublicFacilities/pages/WatsonIsland/ParkingFacilities.asp Parking Facilities] - URL retrieved June 25, 2006</ref> |
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=Future planning= |
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In 2001, under the pretense of proposing a park for Watson Island, voters approved a bond measure. Many voters later insisted they were tricked by the wording of the measure when they learned the plans were for commercial development and a large marina. After passage, the city signed an agreement with The Flagler Group, to develop the site, called Island Gardens. Flagler never met the terms of the agreement, but the city repeatedly forgave the developer for not meeting its deadlines for development. The city repeatedly extended the deadlines, and ignored severe financial penalties which could have been leveled against The Flagler Group. The proposed project proposed grew in size. |
In 2001, under the pretense of proposing a park for Watson Island, voters approved a bond measure. Many voters later insisted they were tricked by the wording of the measure when they learned the plans were for commercial development and a large marina. After passage, the city signed an agreement with The Flagler Group, to develop the site, called Island Gardens. Flagler never met the terms of the agreement, but the city repeatedly forgave the developer for not meeting its deadlines for development. The city repeatedly extended the deadlines, and ignored severe financial penalties which could have been leveled against The Flagler Group. The proposed project proposed grew in size. |
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Miami based architectural and interior design firm Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design, Inc. developed a project for a complex called [[Miapolis]] the centerpiece tower of which at a total height of 3,200 ft (980m), would become the world's tallest building upon its completion.<ref>[http://miapoliscity.com/ Miapolis - official site]</ref> Guillermo Socarras, who proposed the Miapolis development, is currently in talks with the Federal Aviation Administration to approve the project's height and hopefully create a no-fly zone over South Beach and the Port of Miami. There were two developers involved, with Jorge Perez, one of the developers, pulling out of the project in July 2013. The city is also promoting giant "murals", or billboards, which will be able to be seen for miles, for the island. |
Miami based architectural and interior design firm Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design, Inc. developed a project for a complex called [[Miapolis]] the centerpiece tower of which at a total height of 3,200 ft (980m), would become the world's tallest building upon its completion.<ref>[http://miapoliscity.com/ Miapolis - official site]</ref> Guillermo Socarras, who proposed the Miapolis development, is currently in talks with the Federal Aviation Administration to approve the project's height and hopefully create a no-fly zone over South Beach and the Port of Miami. There were two developers involved, with Jorge Perez, one of the developers, pulling out of the project in July 2013. The city is also promoting giant "murals", or billboards, which will be able to be seen for miles, for the island. |
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Watson Island, deeded to the city in 1919, as public open space in perpetuity, is now the most valuable luxury high-rise and marina site awaiting development in South Florida. |
Watson Island, deeded to the city in 1919, as public open space in perpetuity, is now the most valuable luxury high-rise and marina site awaiting development in South Florida. Once only allowed to be controlled by and for the municipality, it seems destined to be a paradise island for the rich. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 18:50, 17 August 2013
Watson Island | |
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 Watson Island and the MacArthur Causeway in the foreground | |
 Map of Miami neighborhoods. Watson Island is the smallest light-blue area, just above the western end of the elongated light-blue Port of Miami area. | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Miami-Dade County |
| City | Miami |
| Government | |
| • City of Miami Commissioner | Marc Sarnoff |
| • Miami-Dade County Commissioners | Bruno Barreiro and Audrey Edmonson |
| • House of Representatives | Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R) and Luis García, Jr. (R) |
| • State Senate | Gwen Margolis (D) |
| • U.S. House | Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.280 sq mi (0.73 km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-05 (EST) |
| ZIP Code | 33132 |
| Area code(s) | 305, 786 |
Watson Island is a neighborhood and man-made island in Biscayne Bay, in Miami, Florida, United States. Immediately east of the Omni neighborhood of Downtown Miami, it is connected to the mainland and South Beach, Miami by the MacArthur Causeway.
History
The island was deeded to the city in 1919 with the restriction that it only be used for public or municipal purposes. The city gave it to the state and the state deeded it back to the city with similar restrictions - both in the 1940's. In 1979 the city attempted to circumvent the prohibition against private development by claiming that the underwater land surrounding the island is a preserve - not Watson Island as the deed made clear.[1] In this way the city circumvented the private-use restriction.
The island had a name change from Causeway Island to Watson Island, named for John W. Watson, Sr., who was Mayor of Miami 1912-1915 and 1917-1919. In 1932 Watson Island was considered for the site of Miami's Pan-American Exposition, a World's Fair and "International Merchandise mart." By the end of the 1940s, however, the site of the Exposition, now called Interama, was moved North to where Oleta River State Park is today.
The Goodyear Blimp base in Florida was located on Watson Island for many years. Vestiges of the old base still remain such as the imprint of the mooring circle and a paved path for a small tram that would transport passengers to the airship.[2]
Grand plans to develop the island started in 1979, with a planned amusement park, Diplomat World. Residents formed "Save Watson Island, Inc", a neighborhood group opposing the use for anything other than a park. They had public demonstrations and because of the demonstrations and a variety of other reasons, the amusement park was never built. [3]
Other development plans included one from the late 1990's, culminating in 2003 when Jungle Island relocated to Watson. There has been continued controversy stemming from Jungle Island's inability to meet the financing terms it had made with the local municipalities when the move was approved. Local elected officials had and continue to bail out Jungle Island with tax dollars. The Miami Children's Museum also relocated to the island, in 2004. The State of Florida offered a site in the Island Gardens project on Watson Island to host the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Permanent Secretariat.[4] As of March, 2006 the Florida Department of Transportation was planning to construct a tunnel from the Port of Miami on Dodge Island under the main shipping channel to the MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island.[5] On May 24, 2010, construction began on the Miami Port Tunnel tunnel project.[6] The tunnel is set to be completed by 2014.
Current public facilities
Aviation Center
Chalk's International Airlines maintained a seaplane base on Watson Island from 1926 until it ceased operation in 2007. As of 2006, the City of Miami is relocating the Miami Heliport to a site adjacent to Chalk's seaplane base, with the intention of creating an Aviation Center serving corporate and tourism needs.[7]
Ichimura Miami – Japanese Garden
The Ichimura Miami - Japanese Garden grew out of the efforts of Kiyoshi Ichimura, who sent objects, materials and artisans from Tokyo to Miami in the 1950s to construct the San-Ai-An Japanese Garden on Watson Island. The garden opened in 1961. As of 2006, the garden was being redesigned and reconstructed.[8]
Jungle Island
Jungle Island opened its new facility on Watson Island in 2003. Originally named Parrot Jungle, the popular tourist attraction first opened in the Pinecrest neighborhood of Miami in 1936. Over the years, the attraction came to be a popular attraction for Miami residents and tourists, but that trend reversed once it moved to the smaller and less natural setting of Watson Island. Jungle Island has many fewer animals, and none of the old growth vegetation the original park was known for. Jungle Island hosts Miami's most popular event venue with its Treetop Ballroom.[9]
Miami Children's Museum
The Miami Children's Museum opened a new 56,500-square-foot (5,250 m2) facility on Watson Island in 2003. It has ten galleries, classrooms, birthday party rooms, a parent/teacher resource center, an educational gift shop, a 200-seat auditorium and a dining area.[10]
Miami Outboard Club
The Miami Outboard Club has been located on Watson Island since 1948. It is active in conservation and artificial reef programs, and provides social and educational activities. The club has boat slips, dry storage, a boat lift, a ramp for jet skis and other small craft, and a restaurant, bar and internet cafe.[11]
Miami Yacht Club
The Miami Yacht Club has been located on Watson Island since the late 1940s. It offers youth and adult sailing programs, and sponsors races, regattas and a Sea Scout ship. The club has boat slips, dry storage, and a lounge, bar and restaurant.[12]
Public Boat Ramp
There is a Public Boat Ramp with 50 oversized parking spaces for vehicles with boat trailers.[13]
Future planning
In 2001, under the pretense of proposing a park for Watson Island, voters approved a bond measure. Many voters later insisted they were tricked by the wording of the measure when they learned the plans were for commercial development and a large marina. After passage, the city signed an agreement with The Flagler Group, to develop the site, called Island Gardens. Flagler never met the terms of the agreement, but the city repeatedly forgave the developer for not meeting its deadlines for development. The city repeatedly extended the deadlines, and ignored severe financial penalties which could have been leveled against The Flagler Group. The proposed project proposed grew in size.
Island Gardens
In 2004 the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County approved Island Gardens, a hotel and marina development on Watson Island. The development included two hotels with a total of 500 rooms, retail and restaurant space, and a marina serving mega yachts.[14]
Since then, Island Gardens grew again in scope. There have been changes in the mix of who the developers will be. International developer Jorge Perez, who was brought in as a partner, withdrew from the project, citing, in part, potential traffic problems the proposal will cause on an already congested causeway.
Miami based architectural and interior design firm Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design, Inc. developed a project for a complex called Miapolis the centerpiece tower of which at a total height of 3,200 ft (980m), would become the world's tallest building upon its completion.[15] Guillermo Socarras, who proposed the Miapolis development, is currently in talks with the Federal Aviation Administration to approve the project's height and hopefully create a no-fly zone over South Beach and the Port of Miami. There were two developers involved, with Jorge Perez, one of the developers, pulling out of the project in July 2013. The city is also promoting giant "murals", or billboards, which will be able to be seen for miles, for the island.
Watson Island, deeded to the city in 1919, as public open space in perpetuity, is now the most valuable luxury high-rise and marina site awaiting development in South Florida. Once only allowed to be controlled by and for the municipality, it seems destined to be a paradise island for the rich.
See also
References
- ^ [1] -URL retrieved Aug 17,2013
- ^ FYI Miami Island Namesake - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ [2] -URL retrieved Aug 17,2013
- ^ Proposal to host FTAA Permanent Secretariat - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ FDOT Port of Miami Tunnel Project - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ http://www.justnews.com/traffic/23656213/detail.html#
- ^ Aviation & Regional Visitors Center - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Ichimura Miami – Japanese Garden - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Parrot Jungle Island - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Miami Children's Museum - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Miami Outboard Club - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Miami Yacht Club - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Parking Facilities - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Flagstone - Island Gardens - URL retrieved June 25, 2006
- ^ Miapolis - official site
Source
25°47′05.0″N 080°10′33.0″W / 25.784722°N 80.175833°W
Junctions of the MacArthur Causeway | ||||
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