Major changes looming for Ocean Drive

Joy Malakoff and Ocean Drive
Joy Malakoff and Ocean Drive

Miami Beach commissioners are mulling changes that would make the city’s Ocean Drive friendlier to pedestrians and allow better visibility of the many Art Deco buildings on the block.

The commission advanced a proposal to widen Ocean Drive’s west sidewalk from 14.5 feet to 21.5 feet during last week’s meeting. Other modifications would include restricting outdoor restaurant space and creating a small sidewalk on the east side of Ocean Drive between Fifth and 14th streets. Future votes on project financing and design elements are necessary before the improvements could begin.

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City leaders cited visitors having to navigate through restaurant tables, umbrellas and oversized menus on Ocean Drive, according to Miami Today. Pedestrians only have five feet of clearance between two sides of tables.

“This is going to enable people who want to enjoy and see the Art Deco buildings, which is what the district was about in the first place,” Commissioner Joy Malakoff said. [Miami Today]Eric Kalis