They found a solution
I had gone out to check the sidewalk situation on Commodore Plaza again because I was told by Ron Nelson, from the Commissioner's office that the weird island things are staying. I still don't get it.
A few of the local businesses who are right near the island told me that they have seen ladies fall and mothers with strollers and even bickers have had problems navigating the space between the islands and the sidewalk. The project isn't even done yet and lawsuits are on the horizon. And this is the solution, "Walking the plank," I assume for now. They are either going to cement in the whole thing or put a grate, I think it will be some sort of grate. In the meantime, welcome to Tacky Town.
There is a new concept coming to the United States which started in the Netherlands. It's called "shared space" and there are no posted regulations, signs or regulations. Bicycles co-exist with pedestrians and cars. Here's the story. It almost seems as if the sidewalks would work perfectly if they were the same level as the street itself. The City likes these fake bricks so much, perhaps they can brick up all of Commodore Plaza and make it a real plaza. The tables would even come out and possibly be part of the street.
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| Commodore Plaza block party, July 2010. |
Cars use the streets as recreational places when cars aren't around. It allows parking spaces as well as the street itself to be a community area. Reminds me a little of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where it shuts down every night for debauchery and then in the morning it's opened to traffic for the day. I know we tried something with the Saturday night block parties a few years back. Maybe with all the problems on Commodore Plaza that could be a solution in the future, for as we all know, the street will be ripped up and redone in a matter of years as is always the case here.
Chicago, Seattle and New York City may be getting in the act, soon.
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11 Comments:
Have you seen how people drive here? I'm afraid of them jumping the curb and hitting me as is. It is an empirical fact that Miami has the worst drivers in America. Not the place to play with that idea.
Also, everyone that falls on the horrible sidewalk should sue. That's the only way it will be fixed. I understand the drainage concern, but it's simply classic miami planning.
Love this town for all its warts, but man, is it warty. It's like a logic and reason desert.
I would love to see it "shared space" and it would be beautiful - charming - business friendly because it would cause the people to park and walk to another anchor destination. Should be closed to cars in the evenings also... I dont think Bourbon street would sell it but see it more Lincon Mall or Barconlona ambiance.
Anon 8:01 You didn't vote last election did you?
Tacky Town -- yep...have you seen those awnings on the Engle Building? Not Grovey at all! Down right hideous, one would think Arquitectonica would have better taste. Who approved those monstrosities?
Not to mention galleries being run out for shoe stores?! A SHOE store? give me a break, whoever is calling the shots here has no idea what the Grove is about.
YOU CALL THAT A SOLUTION??? SOLUTION TO WHAT? We still lost lots of parking spaces; debris will collect under the planks, or grates, and how will they clean it out? Women wearing heels will get stuck in a grate - oops, another lawsuit! It's still a handicap for emergency vehicles. And, it's ugly, ugly, ugly. THE OLNY SOLUTION IS TOTAL REMOVAL.
Come on people....aren't you ever happy with our wonderful improvements? The moat bridges we built look beautiful, organic and natural. They fit in perfectly with the grove. The grove loves trees, so we covered the moats with wood. We were considering adding a mini drawbridges so that the wood planks will go up every hour on the hour to let ducks and debris go by with the rain. Of course, you'll have the handicapped waiting in line (like traffic) for the bridge to go down, but that's a minor issue. Maybe we can paint them pastel colors, so they fit in with the "Republic" idea. Even better, lets paint them yellow so they fit in with the "Banana Republic" we really are.
Yours truly,
Grove BID and M. Sarnoff
"Planning for our future...not yours"
PS> This is written with utmost sarcasm (In case you didn't get it)
City elected officials and their staff need to start dealing with public as partners rather than adversaries throughout local projects. Otherwise final outcomes will always be as bizarre as the side walk islands, wasteful and low quality.
I love how the only posts that get comments are Tom's whiny posts. If Tom posts a neutral news item, or especially a positive one like Eileen's painting of the info booths - it's crickets from the Coconut Grove Whiner's Club out there.
Yes, but as an avid life long member of the "Coconut Grove Whiner's Club", we managed to push the City to do something about those dangerous moats. Although, not perfect, and obviously a temporary fix, its a step in the right direction.
On behalf of all the whiners out there, I plan on whining a lot more if it gets results.
I am AM a Center Grove Resident and I care!
Wide, ugly, useless gutters everywhere: every poor bowler's worst nightmare. Thus, humble Grove tax payers must conclude that their elected politicians are all great bowlers or, at the very least, intrepid Bocci players.
I'm shocked about the whole thing! The gutter, the extension, the lost parking spaces and now this! Did anyone at City of Miami review the plans for this? That's who we need to go after. Who approved this??? Forget the commissioners, who in Building and Zoning approved this madness? What a waste of money and time!
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