Palms Plot
Watch as we watch: Phase 2
Where they stood Phase 1
Historic Biscayne Boulevard
For 83 years it has stood as a
living memorial to our city's
veterans.  We bring you many
historic articles, vintage
images and recent media
coverage.
South Florida's
Tropical Gateways
Other Florida cities are proud
of their gateway boulevards.
Two local examples in Miami-
Dade  are Arthur Godfrey Road
in Miami Beach and Kane
Concourse in Bay Harbor.
SavePalms
Who We Are
Learn the Issues Leading
Up To Palms Removal in
Phase 1
Why save the Biscayne
Boulevard palms?  Where
did they go?   What's to
come?  Are we acting in the
best interest for our past
and our future or simply on
someone's whim for  
"shade"?
SavePalms is a collaborative
effort of citizens, local
boulevard businesses and
local area organizations
striving for the preservation
of Biscayne Boulevard's  
historic landscape.

Biscayne Boulevard was
one of the most beautiful
boulevards in America.
More importantly, it was
once the Gateway to
Miami. Since renovations
began in 2006, much of the
boulevard's landscaping has
been destroyed. With
growing support, we took
our case to City Hall. The
landscape could (and
should) be protected as a
"Scenic Transportation
Corridor".

Biscayne Boulevard's design
and landscape has a
purpose. Its royal palms
stand as a living memorial
to Miami's veterans of all
wars, past and future. We
too have a purpose. To
preserve that design for
future generations to enjoy.
Protecting Miami's living history
A major renovation of Biscyane Boulevard, by
Florida's Department of Transportation
(FDOT), was completed in mid-2011.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
DESIGNATION OF BISCAYNE BOULEVARD as a Scenic Transportation Corridor
It was shortly after the deadly category 4
hurricane of 1926, that Miami embarked on a
city-wide reconstruction and greening project
including the planting of hundreds of royal
palm trees along Biscyane Boulevard.
This project would have destroyed its historic
palm-lined landscape forever, by removing
many of the majestic royal palms that have
lined this world famous  thoroughfare, since
the 1920s.
Under national fanfare, Biscayne Boulevard
was dedicated to veterans of all wars, past
and future, on Armistice Day, 1926.
Chainsaws on Biscayne
On February 2, 2007,
chainsaws came out with
horrific results (Phase 1)
Miami show street will retain its palms
On December 10, 2009, the Miami City Commission voted in favor of protecting Biscayne Boulevard's world famous, palm-lined
landscape. Soon after that vote, the State Department of Traffic agreed to adjust its plan in favor of landscape preservation.
_.Victory for Biscayne Boulevard's royal palms - and for historic preservation!
December 10, 2009
Miami City Commission
VOTES YES:
Protect Biscayne
Boulevard as a Scenic
Transportation  Corridor.
Ordinance
video minutes (jump to PZ.6)
This is the last of Biscayne Boulevard's original landscape design. Located in Miami's
downtown Edgewater neighborhood, it is now protected as a scenic corridor.
Without protection,
State's plan would have
forever changed
Miami's famous Gateway
BEFORE and AFTER  -  What Miami Lost in Phase One of the "Upgrade"
See the State's transformation of Biscayne Boulevard north of 36th Street.
Miamians were promised a new, pedestrian-friendly, shade-covered
boulevard. In reality, sidewalks that were once separated from busy US-1
traffic by a stretch of green and a majestic "wall" of royal palm trees was
transformed into
, well, anything but.    You decide
Before Upgrade in 2006
After (2009)
- click the pic for your own commemorative computer wallpaper -