| These photos show the Phase One transformation of Biscayne Boulevard in 2006/2007 A local neighborhood group was appointed as design partner to this State project. According to their document A Decade of Planning, a team of tree experts (and Federal law) agreed that royal palms were no longer wanted, nor appropriate, along Biscayne Boulevard. In addition to being a danger to drivers, they were reported to be "out-of-scale," did not provide shade and looked like concrete light poles. "Pedestrian Friendly" - Vision or Soundbyte? Pedestrian friendly is a perspective term. Designers promised a safer, shade covered, pedestrian friendly thoroughfare with smaller palms and oak trees. Without today's protective ordinance, our historic show street was transformed into a modern speedway with hot concrete shoulders for sidewalks. Pedestrian friendly? You decide; let us know what you think. Note: these "before" palms are recovering from the effects of Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma (2005 was the busiest Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history) |
Before Upgrade - January 2006
Many of these royal palms were reportedly ripped out of the ground - certainly not a
good practice for relocating these beautiful specimens.
Many of these royal palms were reportedly ripped out of the ground - certainly not a
good practice for relocating these beautiful specimens.
SavePalms
Protecting Miami's living history
DESIGNATION OF BISCAYNE BOULEVARD as a
Scenic Transportation Corridor (from the Miami River to NE 36th Street)
Scenic Transportation Corridor (from the Miami River to NE 36th Street)
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Biscayne Boulevard 4900 Block
Same location in January 2010
Notations: street has narrowed; grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy
median added between traffic. 15 royal palms removed one tree planted.
Notations: street has narrowed; grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy
median added between traffic. 15 royal palms removed one tree planted.
Before Upgrade - Taking their final bow in 2006
These royals were removed for the installation of a drainage system; that seemed
unfortunate by logical. In actuality, the system went down the middle of the street.
These royals were removed for the installation of a drainage system; that seemed
unfortunate by logical. In actuality, the system went down the middle of the street.
Biscayne Boulevard at NE 63rd Street
Same location in January 2010
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk; huge signs and trees block the
pedestrian right-of-way. 10 royal palms removed six trees planted.
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk; huge signs and trees block the
pedestrian right-of-way. 10 royal palms removed six trees planted.
Same location in January 2010
The new "walking city". Trees and poles block the pedestrian right-of-way.
The new "walking city". Trees and poles block the pedestrian right-of-way.
Before Upgrade in 2007
Sidewalk was cool, green and away from traffic.
Sidewalk was cool, green and away from traffic.
Before Upgrade - Shade under the royals in 2007
For months, businesses, activists and neighborhood groups demanded that
the palm-flanked landscape be spared during renovation of the roadway.
For months, businesses, activists and neighborhood groups demanded that
the palm-flanked landscape be spared during renovation of the roadway.
Biscayne Boulevard at NE 72nd Street
Same location in January 2010 - brought up to "code"
3 royal palms removed, one tree apparently planned.
3 royal palms removed, one tree apparently planned.
Before Upgrade - shade under the royals in 2007
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier and away from traffic.
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier and away from traffic.
Biscayne Boulevard at NE 58th Street
Same location in October 2009
Notations: grassy swale removed; poles and trees block pedestrian right-of-way.
11 royal palms removed five trees planted.
Notations: grassy swale removed; poles and trees block pedestrian right-of-way.
11 royal palms removed five trees planted.
Before Upgrade - protection from the scorching sun in 2006
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
Biscayne Boulevard 4800 Block
Same site, January 2010
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy median added between
traffic lanes. 2 huge shade trees removed one pole planted.
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy median added between
traffic lanes. 2 huge shade trees removed one pole planted.
Before Upgrade in January 2006
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
Biscayne Boulevard at NE 39th Street (westside)
Same site, January 2010
9 royal palms removed one pole and few sapling oaks planted.
9 royal palms removed one pole and few sapling oaks planted.
Before Upgrade in January 2006
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
Biscayne Boulevard at NE 39th Street (eastside)
Same site, January 2010
5 royal palms removed one sapling tree planted.
5 royal palms removed one sapling tree planted.
Before Upgrade - January 2006
A typical boulevard landscape including a grassy swayle and row of stately royal
palms separating pedestrians from the roadway heat and possible danger.
A typical boulevard landscape including a grassy swayle and row of stately royal
palms separating pedestrians from the roadway heat and possible danger.
Biscayne Boulevard 4900 Block
Same location in January 2010
Notations: street has narrowed; grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy
median added between traffic. 15 royal palms removed one tree planted.
Notations: street has narrowed; grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy
median added between traffic. 15 royal palms removed one tree planted.
Same perspective looking north from NE 39th Street
Before Upgrade in January 2006
Even the garbage cans showed their pride.
Even the garbage cans showed their pride.
Biscayne Boulevard 3900 Block (eastside)
Same site, January 2010
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk, trash recepticle removed.
4 royal palms removed, 0 trees planted.
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk, trash recepticle removed.
4 royal palms removed, 0 trees planted.
Biscayne Boulevard 3900 Block (westside)
Before Upgrade - two huge shade trees similar to those below
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
This sidewalk was safer, greener, cooler, shadier.
Same site, January 2010
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy median added between
traffic lanes. 2 huge shade trees removed one pole 2 saplings planted.
Notations: grassy swale removed from sidewalk; grassy median added between
traffic lanes. 2 huge shade trees removed one pole 2 saplings planted.
