The city banned vehicle traffic from the popular street during the pandemic. Now, transportation planners hope to make the change permanent as part of a new plan to prioritize pedestrians and improve transportation in the Entertainment District.
After a temporary experiment earlier this year, the city of Miami Beach is considering making Ocean Drive a permanent pedestrian promenade. A rendering by Chris Ritter shows the street as a single-level, pedestrian-only avenue lined with outdoor seating and green spaces. After seeing the importance of outdoor public spaces during the pandemic, the city hopes to "activate the area in a positive way" and promote increased foot traffic to local businesses, according to Jose Gonzales, the city's Transportation Director.
Even before the temporary closure to cars, pedestrians made up 62% of Ocean Drive's users. The new plan to eliminate car traffic and level the street to allow for more outdoor seating areas will enhance existing uses and move forward the city's 2016 Transportation Master Plan, which called for prioritizing pedestrian traffic on Ocean Drive and moving freight and transit to Collins and Washington Avenues. The plan also looks at long-term solutions for emergency vehicle access, delivery and valet services, and improved bike and transit infrastructure on adjacent streets.
FULL STORY: Rendering Show How Ocean Drive Would Look If It Was Rebuilt As A Pedestrianized Street
Miami Beach to Reopen Ocean Drive to Cars
The famous cruising strip was off-limits to cars during the pandemic. Now, the city is letting vehicles return with some pedestrian-oriented compromises.
Pedestrians Briefly Take Back Miami Beach's Ocean Drive
Miami Beach reopened Ocean Drive to vehicles earlier this year at the request of hotel owners. So many pedestrians showed up to the famous street on a weekend earlier this month, however, that cars were blocked once again.
Cars Retake Their Place on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach
Ocean Drive in South Beach is the site of an ongoing pilot project in making space for pedestrians and businesses in space previously devoted to cars. Advocates and some local politicians don't like the direction that the experiment is headed.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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