Miami’s Coral Gables City Commission voted to direct $15 million from new development impact fees towards construction of the linear park.
The proposal would allow developers adjacent to The Underline to make contributions to the public benefits trust in exchange for bonus building capacity. The funds would be used for construction and maintenance of the 10-mile linear park.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, building a more resilient Miami will involve a concentrated effort to facilitate transit-oriented development, new housing, and employment centers in key districts including Grand Central Station and Brickell Backyard, and the first phase of The Underline.
The 10-mile linear park will be a transportation solution for many Miami residents—connecting southern neighborhoods to downtown Miami and creating a regional network of trails, as well as an urban oasis and living art destination.
Miami’s Metrorail transit system, the majority of which runs above ground, stretches 24 miles from south to north in the city. But the areas underneath the metro’s two lines, covered in dirt, grass, and asphalt, are unused by residents.
On a Sunday morning about a year ago, Robert Lansburgh rode his bike across the MacArthur Causeway. The longtime cyclist was stunned by the view along the way — but also a bit shaken by the cars rushing past him.
Talk of “infrastructure” may be one of the few things—if not the only thing—that comes close to uniting Democrats and Republicans at the moment.
The trend toward urban living may be here to stay, but as residential towers rise higher and the amenities in buildings become more elaborate, people moving into cities are putting increased emphasis on connecting with the environment.
The Rickenbacker Causeway makes an apt symbol for Miami’s potential as a city for bike enthusiasts.
Municipalities across Miami-Dade County are considering “active design” guidelines that encourage exercising, socializing and other elements of a healthy lifestyle.
