Bill Bird became Director of Miami-Dade County’s Park and Recreation Department in 1977.  During his tenure, he managed to increase the acreage of the County’s public parkland turning it into one of the largest and most diverse urban park systems in the United States.  He was recognized as a champion of conservation in 1965 after winning the Bronze Everly Award, presented to him by Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson.  He won other numerous awards for his career, as well as leading the Parks Department to receiving several company awards, including the prestigious Gold Medal Award for Outstanding Park and Recreation Management both in 1979 and 1987, and many others.  

The concept for the marina’s breakwater and expansion project that is currently mid way through to completion, was the concept of Bill Bird, which is why the re-naming ceremony will coincide with the groundbreaking for the dockmaster building and the start of construction for the remaining portion of the marina expansion project which began last year at the South end portion of the marina and is now moving into the north section of the marina.  The expansion project also includes the installation of lighting throughout the marina, in the parking lot and along the walkways; construction of new driveways and parking areas; construction of an ADA-accessible dock with ramp; and any and all necessary work to complete construction including dredging, excavation and utilities.

The dockmaster building will be built in the Miami Moderne (MiMo) architectural design style and will feature design elements found on ships such as windows resembling a ship’s porthole, a front façade fixture resembling a lighthouse, and other features, and will be painted in a blue pastel color.  The building is two stories tall with an elevator.  The first floor will have a laundry room, restrooms, showers, vending machine/snack room, and a multi-purpose room which will be available for meetings and marine-related classes.  The second floor will have four park manager offices, one dockmaster office with a balcony to overlook the entire marina, a storage room, and a lobby area.

Total project cost for the dockmaster building is $3.706 million, funded by the Building Better Communities Bond Program (GOB), the Marina MOU Capital Improvements, a Sunshine Loan, and a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Total project cost for the marina expansion is $11.395 million funded by the Capital Outlay Reserve Fund, the Building Better Communities Bond Program (GOB), the Florida Boating Improvement Program, a Sunshine Loan, and a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). 

As part of the morning’s ceremonies, a representative from the Florida Inland Navigation District, Waterways Assistance Program, will be on site to present a check in the amount of $1.135 million to the Director of Miami-Dade Parks.

“We’re excited about the wonderful improvements taking place at Haulover Marina at such a rapid pace,” said Jack Kardys, Director of Miami-Dade Parks.  “Meeting with Bill Bird once again, after having worked under his tutelage for so many years, and to officially re-name this marina after him will be one of the greatest pleasures of my career.”

Completion of the dockmaster building is expected to be December 2009, and the North end marina expansion project should be completed by August 2009.

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