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Friday, May 18, 2012

Talk of "cafe parklets" downtown, but we did it first

parking-day
A press release went out recently about Grand Central Park in downtown Miami spearheading Florida's first "Pavement to Parks" pilot program, where they are going to install "cafe parklets in metered parking spots."

We actually have done that here more than once in Coconut Grove, as shown above.


From the press release: "Three local Downtown businesses, Elwoods Gastropub, The Corner, and Grand Central are participating in the program, which will involve renting two metered spaces in front of each business and placing a wooden deck with railing and planters to increase the outdoor seating area and allow people, rather than cars to occupy the public right of way."


“We are excited to continue the implementation of low cost, high impact urban redevelopment programs such as parklets and pop-up parks that have been extremely successful in major Cities around the country” said Bradley Knoefler, Founder and President of the Omni Parkwest Redevelopment Association Inc.


Here's
what we did in Coconut Grove on one of our Parking Days, which is a National Day that happens in September usually. How about giving us some credit guys for doing it all in one day -- setting it all up, including all the sod laying, etc. and then having it all removed by rush hour.

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4 Comments:

Anonymous Chris said...

They did in September as well. The difference is this time, the businesses are renting the parking spots themselves.

May 18, 2012 9:21 AM  
Blogger GroveTreeWatch said...

It was great to have been a part of initiating PARKing Day here in the Grove, as part of the Internatinal effort to promote more green and less pavement. The downtown businesses have a great initiative by creating more outdoor space, which they need.

The wonderful thing about the Grove is that we have ample sidewalks for the most part, which ads to the charm of our outdoor cafes. But we should remember that our trees, and the canopy they provide, play an important part in that perception of charm.

Please do your part to save the trees on Commodore, Fuller, Florida, Virginia and Mary, and soon, Grand and Main. sign the petition http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/treewatch-petition-to-save-the-trees-of-coconut/

May 19, 2012 12:34 PM  
Anonymous Brad K said...

Hey guys we feel you with Parking Day as we did the same thing last September and of course we appreciate anyone who is a pioneer.

The difference with this program is that is is a semi permanent installation that will remain year round so it is the first of its kind in Florida. But its not even our idea - of course they did it first in SF. But we want to implement it here. Once we set up the pilot program, we hope to work with the City to get an ordinance passed. No disrespect - we love anyone who actually does something in Miami, whatever the neighborhood!

May 19, 2012 3:22 PM  
Blogger GroveTreeWatch said...

Brad:

We congratulate you on your idea and think it is a great idea any time people are encouraged to use out door space in ways more creative than just for parking. It has always amazed us, for example that here in Miami, people often feel that if they cannot park exactly in front of, or a few steps down the street from where they are going, they consider parking to be a problem. On the other hand in places such as San Francisco, it is perfectly normal for people to park in a designated garage and then walk several blocks to their destination.

May 21, 2012 11:29 AM  

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