Opinion / Real Neighborhood Issues
Open Letter to County Commissioners
Jorge Sánchez
Dear Commissioners:
Residents in buildings adjacent to the Metromover must endure unbearable noise pollution emanating from the abusive loud public address (PA) systems on the Metromover platform. The PA system does not shut-off after hours in violation to current noise statues (Sec. 21–27 & 21–28). The Metro Mover normal operating hours are 5am-11pm.
The recently upgraded PA system has boosted the PA volume, and the new stronger speakers on the station platform make a thunderous bell tone followed by endless squawking announcements. The platforms PA can now be heard nearly a block away at ground level and on the 36-floor building roof.
The PA announcements run nearly all night, at full volume, even while the station is closed. Furthermore, recorded messages exceed by far what may be considered necessary to announce, train arrivals, safety & other pertinent information. Announcements are usually playing, on endless loops, mostly irrelevant and trivial information (don’t run with scissors, wear bubble wrap to avoid injury, don’t throw pets off platform edge, etc.)
These loud and endless announcements so close to resident bedrooms make it difficult to asleep. Several residents at the LOFT 2 have already moved out of the buildings and property values have suffered as many of the units can no longer be rented long term due to this nuisance.
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The Metromover is under the jurisdiction of the Miami Dade County. Hopefully, under the leadership of Eileen Higgins, our new County Commissioner, and downtown resident, this nuisance will be eradicated. Here are simple recommendations:
1. Enforce train noise ordinance for Metro Mover stations near residential buildings as per Sec. 21–27 & 21–28.
2. Reduce daytime Metro Mover Platform P.A. volume so announcements cannot be heard over 30 feet from the station at ground level.
3. Limit announcements to train arrival information only and eliminate endless recording loops of unnecessary & silly recommendations.
Dear Commissioner Higgins, we are counting on your good offices!
Jorge Sánchez, long-time Downtown Miami resident.
