Underdeck 33-acre park under signature bridge underfunded

Final negotiations for design of the Underdeck are in progress and the signature I-395 bridge above is on track to be finished in late 2027, but Underdeck costs have risen significantly and the city is still searching for funding.

During a virtual information meeting Feb. 13, David Hoot, the City of Miami’s consultant working on the project, provided an update on the 33-acre green space that is to be built under the I-395 signature bridge that is under construction.

He stated the consultants who work for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are in final negotiations for the design efforts, which are expected to begin soon. However, the project’s cost has escalated and the endeavor lacks full funding.

“We were hoping to start in January, but I think they’re still getting buy-ins and going through the fine points of the cost for the design. The design will take approximately 15-plus months, at least as we understand or know at this point from the city standpoint,” said Mr. Hoot.

He also said the project’s price tag increased from initial expectations. “I don’t have the actual number here in front of me, but it’s not $50 million or $54 million anymore. It’s more in the 60s-plus at the moment,” Mr. Hoot said.

The city is pursuing additional funding opportunities to make the Underdeck a reality. Mr. Hoot said the city applied for a community grant as well as a RAISE grant last year, which is more transportation-oriented, but didn’t succeed.

“The city did get debriefs from both of those, so they’ll be in a better position to understand and maybe hone the response as we go forward for additional funding. But they’re looking at any and all funding opportunities … and moving forward with as many grants as possible,” said Mr. Hoot.

Additionally, on Jan. 11, the city commission unanimously urged Gov. Ron DeSantis, the legislature as well as federal and local officials, entities and instrumentalities to make funding available to support the I-395 Underdeck project. The resolution also made the finding of available federal, state and local funding a city legislative priority.

The virtual meeting was hosted by the Underdeck Committee, a group formed in 2018 composed of civic, business and philanthropic leaders as well as adjacent landowners, small business owners, nonprofit organizations and residents who united to advocate for the future of the Underdeck.

Over the past four years, they have worked closely with Miami’s administration to advocate for state-level funding for the project and contributed to the development of the concept design submitted by the city to FDOT through their community engagement.

“We have recently entered into the next chapter of our work, which is moving forward with the establishment of a friends-of organization to make sure that we’re advocating for the future of this public space with the recommendations that were submitted as the guiding principles, as the North Star, of our work,” said Lisa Martinez, Underdeck Committee manager and facilitator.

“New working groups are being established to make sure that we’re most informed in our advocacy efforts and beginning to reach out to the city again for updates and to FDOT,” she said. “That’s going to be part of our strategy, reaching out to all those that are part of the planning and implementation of this public space to be able to know what’s coming next.”

The Underdeck is the current working name for the 33-acre public open space under the reconstructed I-395 bridge that is to be a multi-purpose green space connecting Overtown in the west to Biscayne Bay in the east. The project is a partnership between the FDOT and the City of Miami.

Oscar Gonzalez, an FDOT representative who attended the virtual meeting, also confirmed the signature bridge above the green space is on track for completion in late 2027.