Hurricane Ultra: Key Biscayne Braces For Concert

A Miami-Dade County air rescue helicopter lands in Crandon Park March 20, 2019 during one of several drills in preparation for the Ultra Music Festival. Key Biscayne Fire Rescue Lt. Danny Canto, left, assisted the County team in surveying several possible emergency landing zones in case residents need emergency transport during the concert set to start March 29. (Key News/Tony Winton)

It may not be a hurricane exactly, but an “evacuation” is underway on Key Biscayne as the island of 14,000 residents braces for what many are likening to a landfalling storm — the Ultra Music Festival on Virginia Key.  

The concert is expected to jam roadways for residents and visitors alike as 60,000 daily concertgoers take as many as 280 buses and 11 water taxis to the event starting March 29.

As far as Key Biscayne goes, the hurricane analogy is not far off. “We’re doing the same thing now that we were doing for Irma,” said Mayor Mike Davey.

Village Manager Andrea Agha on Friday formally activated the “ICS” — Incident Command System — effectively putting the island on a crisis footing.  Three Key Biscayne private schools are either closing Friday or cutting to limited sessions. Fire Rescue personnel have been conducting marine and helicopter drills to prepare for medical transport off the island, officials said.

Just as tellingly, conversations with dozens of residents indicate many are simply getting out of town if they can, hoping to avoid a litany of unknown impacts. Officials are asking residents to avoid unnecessary travel, just as they would for severe weather.

Workers continue to build the main stage at the Miami Marine Stadium for the Ultra Music Festival on Virginia Key, March 20, 2019. (Key News/Tony Winton)

TRAFFIC: “Absolute Gridlock”

After nine revisions, Miami-Dade County officials approved Ultra’s traffic plans March 15, said Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles Press, who has been participating in multi-agency planning meetings. Traffic, he said, will be at its worst when visitors to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park leave the Key at the park’s 7 p.m. closing time, confronting the traffic arriving for the concert. It is a situation he said could produce “absolute gridlock.”

Pedestrian bridges will help, he said, but they cannot stop inevitable interruptions when vehicles must cross the Rickenbacker Causeway.

“All you have to do is do the math. It just doesn’t work,” Press said.

Press said Ultra officials have agreed to station wrecker trucks on the Causeway to quickly remove disabled vehicles.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: “Amnesty Drug Boxes”

Security and safety at the event site is being handled by about 500 police officers from the City of Miami and other departments who will be stationed on Virginia Key, officials said. The plan includes officers inside the concert, marine patrols, police drones and other live surveillance. Medical triage stations have been established. Press said officials will set up what he called “amnesty drug boxes” to allow people with illegal drugs to deposit them without penalty — a move designed to reduce the need to make drug-related arrests.

Police Chief Charles Press briefs members of the Village Council on plans for Ultra, March 19, 2019. (Key News/Tony Winton)

Miami-Dade Corrections Department buses will be on hand to temporarily incarcerate any individuals who must be placed into custody to limit the need for transport off the island.

In addition to the concert area itself, Press said, his officers will provide extra personnel in Crandon Park and on village beaches.  The Village Green will be kept lit all night during the concert, and roving patrols will monitor concertgoers — number unknown — who are expected to show up in the village.

Fire Rescue Chief Eric Lang said because traffic on the Causeway will likely limit outside help from arriving, a combination of Village, County and City of Miami staff will be pre-positioned to react. “We will have over 200 firefighter-paramedics on this side of the toll booth,” Lang said.  

Lang said 24 first responders will be available on the south side of the Bear Cut Bridge, compared to a normal staffing of eight.

“Is traffic going to be a problem? Yes. Have we planned for it? Yes,” he added.

BUSINESS

The Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce has developed a campaign to encourage residents to enjoy the island if they decide to ride out the concert. Called “Ultra Distraction: Keep It On The Key,” the chamber is promoting restaurants and other businesses that will remain open, said Executive Director Tatyana Chiocchetti.

But not all businesses are staying open, especially because off-island employees may have trouble getting to work, she said.

COSTS

All the extra staffing and planning is costing the Village plenty. Fire-Rescue is anticipating $25,000 for the weekend, said manager Agha. Police overtime is projected to reach $35,000, and other Village staff is logging additional event-related hours as well. Outside of public safety, she said, legal expenses to date are $68,000 and traffic engineering is $28,000. The Village has requested reimbursement from the City, but so far no commitments have been made, Agha said.

MORE TO COME?

The lingering question is whether Ultra will make a permanent home on Virginia Key, which could happen unless the City of Miami decides to exercise its option to cancel.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez, whose district includes Key Biscayne,  says he remains opposed to large events on Virginia Key, but noted the event’s future will really depend on the aftermath of this year’s concert.  

“The City ought to be aware of stepping on too many toes,” Suarez said.

In the Village, officials say they will collect as much evidence as possible to forestall a repeat concert on Virginia Key in 2020,  including the traffic study, environmental impact monitoring, video imaging of traffic and even data from audio decibel meters that code enforcement officers will use at various spots.

Press says he thinks the Village is as ready as it can be, given the size of the event, the limitations of the roadway and the regular weekend traffic that would be expected on a spring weekend.

What else could he do?

Press paused for a second, and then looked up.

“I’m praying for rain,” the chief said.