Background

With the incredible support of you – my fellow City Commissioners – I have been able to advance over the past year several items to support the future of our iconic Lincoln Road.

Most notably, as a City Commission we agreed to enter into a public-private partnership to make urgent improvements to the to 100, 200, and 300 of Lincoln Road. Additionally, this body agreed to the terms of a financial plan that that would allow the City to invest $4 million yet receive the benefits of a $12 million investment that addresses traffic, functionality, aesthetics, and safety of the area as well as updating the underground infrastructure of this area of Lincoln Road to mitigate flooding and potential sanitary issues. This investment is listed in the proposed FY 24 budget as one-time enhancements funded through the Capital PayGo Fund and the City’s utility fund.

Beautifying Lincoln Road and improving its conditions to make it safer has been a significant objective of our collective work as a City Commission. For example, through my proposal, we agreed to the installation of “Morris Lappidus Arch” aesthetic design feature at the eastern end edge of the Lincoln Road right of way. Additionally, the concepts call for the construction of a green amenity at the intersection of Lincoln Road with the Beachwalk.

Through the vision for the future of Lincoln Road, that each of you – my fellow commissioners – played an integral role in advancing, pedestrians would additionally benefit from a new and safer sidewalk on the 100 block of Lincoln Road while the 200 and 300 blocks of Lincoln Road would be pedestrianized through the removal of vehicular travel lanes and the installation of landscaping features along the pedestrian path. Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from Miami-Dade County, the existing bus stops along the 300 block of Lincoln Road would be replaced with the installation of two new bus shelters on Washington Avenue with soft costs, planning, design, and architectural fees being paid for by the private partner. Additionally, should Miami-Dade County approve the pedestrianization of the 300 block of Lincoln Road and the relocation of the existing bus stop, city staff is studying the feasibility of an asphalt art project as an immediate aesthetic enhancement.

This City Commission has understood how crucial it is to invest in the remaining areas of Lincoln Road. With your support, my resolution to replace the existing concrete jersey barriers at the Washington Avenue and Alton Road intersections of Lincoln Road was passed unanimously. Soon, the existing unsightly jersey barriers will be replaced with more aesthetically pleasing planters with live plants. Additionally, on the 400 block of Lincoln Road, we prioritized the purchase and installation of new landscaping including the planting of new date palms trees.

The goal of these investments is to ensure that Lincoln Road remains a beautiful, safe, and enjoyable destination for all – and most importantly, our residents. Therefore, like the allocations made for programming at the Ocean Drive Promenade and the Normandy Fountain, consistent with my request and our prior directives as a City Commission to the Administration, today we will also consider an additional modest budget enhancement of $38,000 requested at the July FERC meeting for programming to support positive activations on Lincoln Road.

New Funding Requests

Last week, I met with the Lincoln Road Busines Improvement District regarding two additional funding requests they have for Fiscal Year 2024:

-          $29,644.35 for the purchase of an iconic “Lincoln Road” sign to be placed at the 400 block; and,

-          $139,121.50 for year-round holiday lighting along the 400, 500, 700, 800, 900, 1000, and 1100 blocks of Lincoln Road.

I trust that the Lincoln Road BID has briefed you on these requests. While we look forward to the completion of the Lincoln Road capital renovations within the next three to 3.5 years, these additional allocations are modest investments we can make as a City Commission to improve this important pedestrian promenade and help sustain the resurgence of quality businesses opening on Lincoln Road.

I want to thank this body and the City Administration for the teamwork towards improving Lincoln Road.

Thank you.