More Sidewalk Talk
We all have to agree that the brick sidwalks are a true signature of the Grove, along with the old-style gas lights.Expanding sidewalks width on Main Highway was discussed by the BID Capital and Infrastructure Committee. One area of concern is where Main Highway meets Grand Avenue.
According to the report done by Scott Silver, chairman of the sub-committee, "By eliminating the merge lane and adding this to the public sidewalk it dramatically improves this area. It is extremely difficult to navigate between the existing tree and building. In undertaking this expansion, we can decide whether to replace that tree, as well as the tree to the south. We may not have to do this, as we will now have at least five to six feet of sidewalk on the other side of the tree. We would also recommend expanding the sidewalk by continuing this closing of the merge lane and by eliminating the left turn center lane on Main Highway all the way down to Commodore Plaza."
He went on to say: "We can still preserve approximately six on street parking spaces where 8 exist now. Further, we suggest eliminating the first four parking spaces on both sides of Commodore Plaza as you enter off of Main Highway. We would line each side with planter boxes to create very dramatic entry and a lively public scene with broad dining areas on both sides. In order to accommodate short-term pickup and drop-off we would then take the next two spaces on the sector eight side of Commodore Plaza and designate those as short-term (15 minute) parking."
"We also suggest removal of the two parking spaces outside of Jaguar and on one side of Fuller."
Putting powerlines underground was discussed in the Center Grove, but of course, that always ends up costing more than anyone is willing to pay.
posted by Tom Falco at 12:01 PM
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6 Comments:
" In undertaking this expansion, we can decide whether to replace that tree, as well as the tree to the south. We may not have to do this, as we will now have at least five to six feet of sidewalk on the other side of the tree."
Dear BID Capital and Infrastucture Committee:
Please keep in mind that part of the charm of Coconut Grove, in addition to its proximity to the water, crooked streets, brick pavers and gas-light style lamps (which I hope at least remain as a prop of sorts, maybe to hang those flower baskets), TREES and canopy play an important role in defining the Grove's unique character.
We should always be wary of "redecorating plans" that call for the removal of trees, particularly mature trees. The same for plans involving a "dramatic entry (in order to create) a lively public scene with board dining areas on both sides" on Commodore Plaza.
Dramatic entries are not the stuff of a "charming sailing community," as the Grove self-describes. There is already an impromptu "lively public scene" there with ample sidewalk cafes on either corner, which have existed for a long time, and are certainly fine now. So why mess with it?
I fear the "Miznerization" of the Grove. Lately, it seems there is a lot of emphasis on redesigning Coconut Grove to look like other, newer areas of Miami (Bird, 27 Ave), and with every plan unfurled, there is a little more character and charm lost.
Why are we so eager to fashion the place in which we live into a "Baby Boomer" just like us-- going for the nip and tuck and the shiny red sports car to stave off the "Golden Years" as long as possible?
Don't spend that BID Capital and infrastructure money on new "regulation-imitation brick" sidewalks, or dramatic entrances and other forced uniformity.
Keep the Grove in its Golden Glory, with its character lines and wrinkles here and there. Less cosmetic procedures and more preservation should be called for. More attention to cleanliness by providing more trash cans, adding on doggy-doody bag dispensers (such as the ones which actually have advertising on the bags -- which could be sold by the BID and thus they pay for themselves), and more cleaning crews.
More maintenance and better care of what we do have: The bike racks were a welcome addition. Build on that by refurbishing existing planters - many of us were out there as volunteers about a year and half ago planting ferns and flowers along the existing planters on Commodore. With the exception of a few maintained my store owners, they were never kept up. Most planters now have nothing but weeds and the green chain link fences that were placed around them after the fact complete an institutional look which I am sure was never intended.
I hope that if the BID does move with its plans to "redecorate" that there are opportunities for residents to provide input beyond attending the Subcommittee and BID meetings during the hours of the work week. -- Liliana Dones
I did a science experiment with my daughter. We found that red brick raises the surrounding area temperature much more than white pavers. I will never understand the red brick thing. I would rather stay cool. The very idea of walking around the Grove in the summer hear with the red bricks causes me to sweat just thinking about it. I love the white fake keystone down at Dinner Key. Much cooler!
Don't they have better places or endeavors to spend the tax payers' money? Leave the traditional bricks alone! actually, why not installing some more elsewhere in this Village, founded in 1873, if memory serves. CI
"Lighten" up -- it really would be MUCH cooler! And those bricks are not level. Look at how nice the light walkways appear at Cocowalk.
The look of CocoWalk was certainly improved by PMAT. CocoWalk it much nicer to look at than Mary Brickell Village or Sunset Place. The white stone walkways work well there because they are one element of design working in combination with the other details of its overall design scheme - awnings, big planters and such. They are all befitting of an outdoor mall.
But if you extend that entire look to all of Coconut Grove you would end up with rather loud-looking sidewalks. Like somebody who got carried away with too much teeth whitening product-- fake.
The architecture in the Grove is varied, as is common with an older part of a city, with older buildings residing along new ones. The beauty of the pink bricks is that they are not uniform and vary in color, just like the buildings above it, so they are an easy fit.
As to the pink or red being hotter than white sidewalks, if we let our tree canopy be, that will take care of the problem.
I still remember when the bricks were extended along McFarlane to the Woman's Club and on Grand to the corner of Mary, where they look particularly nice with the shady oak trees. It was not that long ago. Let them be. -- Liliana Dones
AHHHHH, there is not enough parking as it is!!! Please don't take away more spots!!!
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