Miami-Beach-Activates-Rue-Vendome-Pop-Up-Plaza
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2018
City of Miami Beach Activates Rue Vendome Pop-Up Plaza
— Encouraging an Active, Vibrant Place to Serve Residents and Businesses —
Miami Beach, FL – Inspired by the welcoming public spaces in major metropolises across
Europe, the City of Miami Beach has transformed the area surrounding Normandy Fountain at
72 Street and Rue Vendome into a pedestrian-oriented public plaza as part of a pilot program to
explore the future use of the major corridor.
“While our Capital Improvements team works with an engineering firm to create a construction
plan for the plaza, we wanted to foster a community conversation around the future use of the
space,” expressed Commissioner Ricky Arriola. “We spoke with area residents, businesses and
stakeholders about the future of Normandy Isle and based on their feedback, we launched the
pop-up plaza at Rue Vendome.”
Previously operated as a City-owned surface parking lot, the City worked with tactical urban
design team, Street Plans, to close off the street and create an Art Deco sunburst in an effort to
hide the once defined parking spaces and bring life to the area. Using art as a catalyst, the
neighborhood provides a safe space for people to express themselves and create shared
cultural experiences with neighbors, friends, family and even strangers – breaking down barriers
that keep people from engaging with one another. Further opening up the space, additional
elements include innovative seating structures, added lightening and life-size games.
“We wanted to create a vibrant space that allows for both active and passive uses while
encouraging play for all ages,” added Arriola. “By creating a focal point of activity, we hope
people will continue to explore out and around the fountain as they stumble upon the gems in
the area that make North Beach unique.”
“From yoga, meditation and other exciting activations — I look forward to participating and
seeing many residents at these temporary, free programed happenings,” noted Commissioner
Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
As one of the key measures identified in the North Beach Master Plan, the pop-up pilot program
will stay active from now through September 2018.
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