"It's Miami's Time to Shine With The Underline."
With New York’s High Line completed in 2014 (and the Lowline by James Ramsey of Raad Studio on its way for 2020), New York has certainly nabbed the spotlight when it comes to unconventional park experiences. It’s Miami’s time to shine with The Underline (James Corner Field Operations’ High Line–esque sibling), an urban trail and living art destination that cruises along the Miami River near bustling Brickell Avenue.The Underline’s forthcoming ten-mile pedestrian and bike path will connect South Miami, Coral Cables and Miami, offering an easy transportation solution for the busy area (and an unmatched new spot for runners and cyclists). Plus, in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places, the path will also become a venue for impressive permanent and temporary outdoor art installations to reflect and support Miami’s thriving art scene. It will ultimately connect South Miami Station, University Station, Douglas Road Station, Coconut Grove Station, Vizcaya Station and Brickell Station.Much like the High Line, The Underline’s design also incorporates planting and habitat designs to reflect the types of native vegetation that once dominated the area—it will protect existing healthy trees while adding hardy plants with the help of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.Things to look out for:
- A small outdoor amphitheater called Rain Garden will be a new spot for performances.
- Ribbon Rink, a winding concrete environment for families and kids (think skateboards, bikes and scooters).
- A new facade for University Station including a freestanding solar panel that provides power to the plaza.
- Brickell Backyard—a series of park-like “rooms” for commuters that are tied together by features like oolite bedrock formed into benches, outcrops and seatwalls (it also just received a hefty donation of $600,000 from Swire Properties!). “The Underline will provide Miamians a sense of place and community,” said Clare Laverty, AVP of Marketing and Public Relations, Swire Properties Inc. “This is why Swire is so passionate about the project and decided to support its growth. As the developers behind Brickell City Centre, it has always been our vision to create connectivity and an urban lifestyle for the Brickell neighborhood.
The Underline is anticipated to bring $50 million in annual economic output after completion, and on an interstate level, The Underline is part of the East Coast Greenway (which runs 2,900 miles in total from Maine to Florida). Construction for the project will begin in 2017.
