In response to pleas from Washington Avenue merchants and property owners, please place on the October 19, 2016 City Commission Agenda a discussion item to consider carrying out a six-month streetscape enhancement pilot project from 14th Street to 16th Street on Washington Avenue. The scope would include installing “charm lighting” and painting the eastern side of the sidewalk on Washington Avenue between 14th Street and 16th Street.

Aesthetic problems with regards to the aging of the red concrete sidewalks exist throughout Miami Beach’s commercial and historic districts. The problem is exacerbated and becomes a focal point when coupled with an economically challenged area as can be noted in portions of the Washington Avenue corridor.

Recognizing that there are very limited remedies to the problem short of replacing the concrete sidewalks in their entirety, I would like to propose the pilot application of different commercially available stains, paints, or epoxies in an attempt to produce a single colored sidewalk that would not create the need for significant additional maintenance costs beyond the initial application.

It would therefore be important that the pilot area be developed over one or two city blocks, namely 14th Street through 16th Street, and to do so in concurrence with the abutting property owners and/or business operators.

Furthermore, in an effort to create a more vibrant atmosphere after dark, the installation of charm lighting should be considered, with several concepts already having been contemplated. To minimize the opportunity for vandalism, a first option would include installing “rope” lighting in a spiral fashion around the palm tree trunks located on the existing medians. A second possibility could be to string lights across the roadway, making sure to do so with enough height to avoid interference with trucks and buses and to be fully out of reach of potential vandalism. To demonstrate the concept, here again a two block pilot project should be considered. The estimated cost is approximately $20,000.

The southern end of Washington Avenue was considered, however as those blocks are under construction and currently unoccupied by retailers on the east side, the northern end of Washington Avenue is preferred. The pilot should also complement the in-progress Española Way renovation project.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call our office at ext. 6437.