The City of Miami Beach just sent a list of their capital improvement projects for the summer months, and the list is quite amazing…
WHAT DID WE DO OVER THE SUMMER?
Vacation? Not for the Capital Improvement Projects Office!
Even in the heat of the summer months, Miami Beach CIP continued working “full-steam-ahead” towards completion of several significant projects.
COLLINS PARK EAST PARKING LOT
It’s Not Just a Parking Lot, It’s a Park Within a Parking Lot!
The Capital Improvement Projects Office embarked on a complete renovation of the park which includes the green space and parking on both sides of the street. This phase of the project was completed in just over 90 days! In early October, the east side of Collins Park will be re-opened to the public. The City had two important elements to consider. First of all, the intention was always to return as much green space as possible to the site. But this is an urban center, after all, and the second consideration was to maintain sufficient parking for the area. The new design results in nearly 300 parking spaces. The total amount of greenery and park space included is impressive. The eastern park has over 200 new trees, and approximately 13,000 plants and groundcover. This is in addition to the existing palms and sea grape trees that have stood on the site for decades. Over 135 new light fixtures for parking and pedestrian lighting are not only attractive, but meet all codes for turtle-safe lighting because of the park’s proximity to the beach. Stay tuned for more improvements in Collins Park.
BEACH PATROL HEADQUARTERS
A Life Safety Landmark Gets a Facelift.
This historic and recognizable building (remember the open to “Miami Vice” in the 1980’s?) is being restored. The original building was designed by architect Robert Taylor, most famous for his Mediterranean Revival architecture, such as the Little Stage Theatre building and Espanola Way. This Art Deco landmark at the 10th Street entrance to Lummus Park originally served as the Coast Guard station. When the building re-opens in the fall, it will serve again as the new and improved Beach Patrol Headquarters. The 3,639 sq. foot facility holds a reception area office space and storage for the Ocean Rescue Lifeguards on duty every day.
10th STREET AUDITORIUM
A new sense of place and space
Just a few steps to the west — but an aesthetic leap of several decades –from the Beach Patrol Headquarters building, stands the 10th Street Auditorium. Designed in the 1950’s by MiMo architect Leonard Glaser, The new design, by STA Architectural Group, separates the buildings – literally, providing a 24-foot wide pathway between the two buildings, and a view of the west facade of the Beach Patrol Building that had not been seen since 1954. The 17,000 sq. foot auditorium building now features an assembly hall and an exhibit space enveloped by a two-story wall of glass. This is a building to be enjoyed from the outside as well as the inside.
NORMANDY ISLE RIGHT-OF-WAY
Mini-parks enhance this neighborhood by the Bay
After two years of construction, the residents in Normandy Isle and Normandie Sud are seeing the improvements they asked for. Sidewalks wrap around the block to provide safe passage for strollers, wheelchairs and pedestrians. The streets have been resurfaced. New lighting and new landscaping also enhances the area. At the street end on the south side, residents can enjoy bay vistas from mini-parks, most notably at Trouville Esplanade.
