Miami’s Underline and the Threat of Gentrification

The new linear park will use land under the city’s elevated rail tracks. Worries, however, are emerging about the effects the project will have on surrounding communities, particularly related to affordable housing.

1 minute read

February 11, 2019, 11:00 AM PST

By Camille Fink


The Underline Miami

©2019 James Corner Field Operations, courtesy, Friends of The Underline / The Underline

Adina Solomon reports on the Underline, a new 10-mile linear park project under the Miami Metrorail tracks, which broke ground in November last year and will provide bike and walking trails, open spaces, and other public and art spaces. The first phase of construction, a half-mile stretch in downtown Miami, is underway.

The Underline is facing concerns about gentrification and housing affordability — issues that have challenged similar projects such as the High Line in New York and the Atlanta BeltLine. "Friends of the Underline is about to embark on a study looking at neighborhood connectivity, accessibility and equitable growth, which will also explore a component for workforce and affordable housing," says Solomon.

The Underline’s leadership also plans to hold community meetings as the project continues. In addition, the organization is working with the High Line Network, a group of infrastructure reuse projects using an equitable impact framework.

Thursday, January 31, 2019 in Next City

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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