Miami focuses on boosting Flagler Street

Since the influx of residential development to downtown Miami hasn’t organically brought along the improvement of Flagler Street, the city is taking matters into its own hands.

With the support of local property owners, the city is planing to gut the once-bustling thoroughfare and replace it with pedestrian friendly, tree-lined streets rife with outdoor cafe tables.

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Further, the city is offering tax credits and other moneteary incentives to property owners that renovate commercial buildings. It has already spent more than $1 million to improve the appearance of retail storefronts, financing the replacement of metal gates with more attractive alternatives.

“Miami is ready for it,’’ said preservationist and developer Tony Goldman. [Miami Herald]