Please place on the May 4, 2022 City Commission meeting a referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (the “Committee”) to consider expanding the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Open/Slow Streets Pilot Project into one or more neighborhoods in the City.

The Flamingo Park Neighborhood Slow Streets Pilot Program (the “Program” or “Slow Streets”) was deployed in October 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to re-balance the mobility needs of the community, and provide an opportunity for safe walking and cycling during the pandemic.  

Slow Streets, also known as Open Streets, are defined by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) as streets with low vehicle volume and low to moderate speeds, where vehicle volumes have dropped, or serve redundant through-traffic role during major environmental disruptions.  

Similar to other communities throughout the country, the City initially deployed its Slow Streets program in the Flamingo Park neighborhood utilizing construction zone signs and barricades to discourage drivers from using local residential streets as cut-through, and to encourage local pedestrians and cyclists to use the streets for outdoor activities, including exercising.

Following concerns from the neighborhood regarding the aesthetics of the temporary construction signs, the City transitioned the Program using contextual/informative pedestal-mounted slim signs and flexible landscaped planters strategically placed in the center of each slow street, and slow street textured pavement markings painted along various streets.

While the Program was effective in lowering vehicle speeds and increasing walking and cycling activities during the pandemic, it was ultimately determined to be unsustainable from a long-term maintenance perspective and, as such, the slim signs and planters were removed. 

At the April 6, 2022 City Commission meeting, the City Commission directed the Administration to explore an evolution of the program with the goal of improving its aesthetic qualities and sustainability (i.e. Slow Streets 2.0).  

As the City’s Slow Streets pilot program continues to evolve, it is worth exploring the potential expansion of the program to other neighborhoods in the City.  Any expansion of the program will require working with Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works as the agency with jurisdictional authority over traffic control devices, including slow streets.   

I would recommend that as part of the referral, the Committee should direct the City Administration to research the availability of funds for Slow Streets 2.0 for which the City may be eligible, including municipal grant funds, funds through Commissioner Higgins’ discretionary budget dedicated for bicycle-pedestrian projects, and funds available through the Board of County Commissioners during their annual budget cycle.