Have you heard about the Underline? It’s a fabulous new project that will redevelop a 10-mile path along the MetroRail from Dadeland to Brickell. The plan is to redesign the space underneath the MetroRail and make it into a linear park with an urban trail. The Underline is especially meant to connect communities with a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly way of getting around, while making the park into usable spaces for everyone. The idea is to add exercise equipment, native vegetation, bike kiosks, pop-up shops, playgrounds and art. There are also plans to improve all the stations and intersections along the MetroRail.
Founded by Meg Daly, this project is not only going to improve the space underneath the MetroRail, but it will also have great economic impact in the surrounding areas. There will be new development along the corridor, creating new jobs and real estate appreciation. Their studies indicate up to 25% increase in the value of properties adjacent to the corridor and up to a 5% increase in property values up to 1/3 a mile away.
The Master Plan was designed by New York’s James Corner Field Operations, and the University of Miami School of Architecture Studies – under the Dean of the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, Rodolphe el Khoury – received valuable input from student and faculty resources. Professor Rocco Ceo led a class of 10 students to create a concept design for park space, trail and intersection improvements.
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he Master Plan is fully funded, while construction funding is up to $5 million. The rest of the funding will come from public and private donations, while the trail and intersection improvements will be funded by private sources. The Friends of the Underline is a non-profit organization responsible for getting this project going and seeing it through to it’s completion. Similar projects have taken about 10 years to complete, so the Underline could take that long to complete. If you would like to help with ideas or donations, you can do so by joining the Friends of the Underline.
Thank you to Friends of the Underline for sharing their images, renderings and statistics with the Restivo Hechtman Team. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this wonderful project will have on the community.
