LTC 541-2021 RE-OPENING OF OCEAN DRIVEMIAMI BEACH
NO. LTC# 541-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Man
DATE: December 28, 2021
SUBJECT: RE-OPENING OF OCEAN DRIVE
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide you with an update on the re-opening of
Ocean Drive to southbound traffic.
Multiple City departments have been working closely to implement the re-opening of southbound
traffic on Ocean Drive from 5th Street to 13th Street. Additionally, a pedestrian only plaza is being
implemented between 13th Street to 14th Place. The purpose of this letter is to update the
Commission on the status of the project.
Ocean Drive from 5th Street to 13th Street: The contractor has completed all the directional
white striping for southbound vehicles and is currently completing all necessary signage. In
addition, all bike lane pavement markings for the northbound and southbound bike lanes,
including the yellow divider stripe have been completed . The only item remaining is the green
bike lane paint. This work will commence the week of January 3rd, 2022 and will be completed
within a maximum timeframe of 12 working days. The delay in completing the green paint is due
to bonding insurance requirements and the specialty contractor's personnel not being available
during the holidays. Given that the Administration committed to opening a fully functional project
to the Residents, Mayor and Commission, we will open Ocean Drive to southbound traffic on
Monday, January 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM EST.
Ocean Drive Pedestrian Plaza from 13th Street to 14th Place:
As per the update provided by the Administration at the December 8, 2021 City Commission
Meeting, staff completed the design and commenced the Miami-Dade County approval process
for temporary pedestrian plaza on Ocean Drive between 13th Street and 14th Place. The signage
and devices necessary for the creation of the plaza are currently in production and will be
installed the week of January 3rd to ensure that the plaza is active on January 24, 2022. The City
has hosted various meetings with area stakeholders to share the temporary concept and details
on the operations.
As part of the implementation of the plaza, the City will be reversing the flow of Ocean Court
(alleyway) between 14th Place and 13th Street. The City will be posting regulatory signage and
wayfinding signage to ensure that drivers follow the new traffic pattern.
Pursuant to the City Commission direction at the October 27, 2021 City Commission Meeting,
City staff is also working on finalizing the planning analysis for the interim plaza . The interim
plaza planning analysis is evaluating improvements to emergency vehicle access, improvements
to fire suppression infrastructure, pavement murals, and other aesthetic/tactical urbanism
features to ensure the success of the project. Additionally, the Tourism and Culture staff has
initiated high-level conversations with the Chair of the Art Deco Cultural District, Jonathan
Plutznik, regarding future opportunities to activate the plaza. Following these initial
conversations, staff will be meeting in early January with members of the Ocean Drive
Association and neighborhood stakeholders to discuss further the willingness to have
thoughtfully curated programming to enhance the neighborhood for the community. This analysis
is scheduled to conclude in January 2022. The interim plaza design and aesthetic features will
be shared with area stakeholders to obtain input.
If you have any questions, please reach out to either Joe Gomez, Public Works Director at
JoeGom · mibeachfl.gov or Jose Gonzalez, Transportation Director at
JoseGon miamibeachfl. av.