Voice your support for the Underdeck project
Voice your support for the Underdeck project

THE UNDERDECK

THE
UNDERDECK

Bringing Miami Together

Bringing Miami Together

We Did It!

The Underdeck Committee and the City of Miami have a significant milestone to celebrate. After more than a year of intentional and insightful community engagement, a 400-page comprehensive report chronicling community-based recommendations for the future development, management, and operation of The Underdeck was submitted to the Miami City Commission on December 5, 2022.

While The Underdeck itself is positioned to be a legacy greenspace that brings Miami together, the spirit and impact of collaboration between the City of Miami and communities within Miami, make this a project truly inspired by the active involvement of Miami residents, business owners, and community leaders.

Made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) enacted in 2021, The Underdeck Committee entered a formal partnership with the City of Miami, committing to provide community-driven recommendations for how The Underdeck should be designed, operated, governed, programmed, and maintained. This rare, if not unprecedented, agreement also facilitated a collaborative commitment to secure state and federal funding to advance The Underdeck project.

Through this productive City and Community partnership, a diverse cross section of community members took a proactive role in attending public forums where voices were heard, insights were shared, and recommendations were made. Community engagement also included active participation in Working Groups, community meetings, the naming and branding process, our recommended governance structure, small business outreach eff­orts and other valuable areas of impact in the development of The Underdeck

We celebrate and are profoundly appreciative to the City of Miami for empowering The Underdeck Committee to activate our communities as valued participants in this process, and we invite you to view both the full report to the Miami City Commission and the condensed Year in Review version by visiting the links available below.

With the City of Miami Commission set to vote later this year on the recommendations presented by The Underdeck Committee, we encourage you to add your name and comments  to a Letter of Appreciation to the City of Miami for their intentional and impactful engagement with our community on this project.

Please click here to voice your appreciation to the City of Miami Commission

Underdeck Committee Report Click here

Year In Review 2022 Click here

Voice Your Support for The Underdeck!


Greetings and Many Thanks,

It is not often that a municipal project with the scale and scope of the Underdeck, is developed with the intentional and valued participation from members of the community. The City of Miami is to be celebrated and commended for empowering the people of Miami through its sanctioning of the Underdeck Committee to provide community-driven recommendations about how the Underdeck should be designed, named, branded, programmed, operated, governed, and maintained.

In 2022, 124 members of the community served on five Underdeck working groups focused on Stakeholder Awareness and Engagement, Operations and Maintenance, Traffic and Mobility, Funding, and Governance. A total of 129 working group meetings were held during the year. More than 35 community in person and virtual meetings were held in Overtown and Downtown to engage residents, along with survey respondents providing feedback for the Underdeck Naming totaling more than 2000. In addition, two special interest groups were created for Economic Development and Youth Engagement, further expanding the Underdeck Committee’s outreach.

The anticipation of this 33-acre public multi-purpose green space is enhanced by knowing that the recommendations for development through this community engagement have been submitted for your review and will soon be voted upon. With a vote of “Yes” to these recommendations, the Underdeck will truly be a project of the people, by the people, for the people.

As a public space positioned to reconnect communities and serve as a destination for families and friends to engage with one another, it is greatly appreciated that the City of Miami has and will continue to value the voices, insights, and recommendations that will ultimately make the Underdeck we can authentically call our own.

Consensus Design

Creating an authentically community-focused urban greenspace has been the focus of the Underdeck project from its very inception. Amenities and features that will make the Underdeck a popular and valuable public space to Miami residents and visitors alike, will also contribute to its potential as a legacy project that brings Miami together. 

The “Consensus Design” is the most recent iteration of the City’s plans for the Underdeck, bringing together the public’s call to maximize natural green areas, create safe crossings, showcase the culture and history of the area, and provide spaces for community gatherings.

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Underdeck Committee in your Community

As we continue our efforts to meet members of the Miami community where they are, you can expect us to supplement our roster of formal community meetings with informational “Drop Ins” at neighborhood events and community activities. By connecting with our community at various locations and events throughout the city, we will be spreading the word and further details about the Underdeck and ways in which members of our community can get involved. You can also join us for our in-person and virtual Community Update meetings. Details of dates and locations can be found below.

Community Meetings

The Underdeck Committee will
continue to be in your Community.

  • March 29th at 9:00 am
    Location: Frost Science
    1101 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33132
  • April 25th at 6:00 pm
    Location: Brightline
    600 NW 1st Avenue, FL 33136
  • April. 25th at 6:00pm - Location TBD
  • May 30th. 25th at 6:00pm - Location TBD
  • June. 27th at 6:00pm - Location TBD

Join our Virtual Meetings

Previous Meetings:

Your cloud recording is now available.

Topic: Underdeck Community Meeting Update (Option #2 Virtual)

– Dec. 20, 5:56 am Pacific Time (US and Canada)

View Detail  |  Share

You can copy the recording information below and share with others https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/I4GX3gw50LmEkmXP-h9qJVh1h-RUaxLeSfFxuBeVLfHMTvK9sMVouGCHg7hp-i9D.BH_QDlAlgYAyX8OU

Passcode: +0*Pcp7i

Your cloud recording is now available.

Topic: Underdeck Community Meeting Update (Option #1 Virtual)

– Dec. 19, 3:27 pm Pacific Time (US and Canada)

View Detail  |  Share

You can copy the recording information below and share with others https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/M2idSwKCqW_M73wnrhZwoMHeSO2aWlA_esMXPbYAiH9cSI7fmItCZ08PwCuRoYUW.RL0v-DLix2RO3hGthttps://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/I4GX3gw50LmEkmXP-h9qJVh1h-RUaxLeSfFxuBeVLfHMTvK9sMVouGCHg7hp-i9D.BH_QDlAlgYAyX8OU

Passcode: #vf0pjmE

  • Economic Development Special Interest Group
    December 20, 2022
    meeting link is pending

– Community Update Meeting
Thursday, October 20th at 6:30 pm via Zoom

–  Economic Development Special Interest Group 
for Business Owners, Employers and Employees
Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 6:30 pm

– A Youth Engagement Special Interest Group meeting was held on October 4, 2022 serving young people ages 14-24. Over 30 youth and young adults from Overtown and Downtown came together at Urgent Inc. to learn more about and provide feedback on the public space, currently called The Underdeck.

– Wednesday, September 7th, Overtown Performing Arts Center (OPAC), 1074 NW 3rd Ave

– Thursday, September 8th, Temple Israel of Greater Miami, 137 NE 19th St

Thursday, August 25th, 6:30pm

View meeting at the link below: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/rCzjeFmIoC19-U3doCPGERngd3J5YjrB-l0Dv1Nxnvy59rX9CDQ3EzM-lrUFDViP.KckuFPR3Ou9XajqZ

Password: u=EZ9keX

__________________________

Wednesday, July 13th, 6:30 pm

View meeting at the link below: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X9PO43jiN8yEq4GbMkD3_efrsonBYMEG/view?usp=sharing

__________________________

Wednesday, June 1st, 6 pm
(Doors open at 5 pm)
900 Biscayne Bay
900 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33132

View meeting at the link below: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/
Passcode: 28u^7cIs

__________________________

Tuesday, May 31st, 6 pm
(Doors open at 5 pm)
Overtown, The Urban
1000 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33136

View meeting at the link below: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/YEc8rrEyVxLSG_5aVK5QMFgB3bx9F-Jn27L_fUtcOwDbN2gArWuJ0hW1Bd9PNKyS.xroMwSjns66ao6mb
Passcode: w0X$x8mm

__________________________

Tuesday, April 19th, 6 pm
(Doors open at 5 pm)
Center for Black Innovation
937 NW 3rd Ave
Miami FL 33136

View meeting at the link below: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/1IfUnXkeoopwDHj7UM32_fiE5rTOmZ-6lUxy9xqovO9ThLZa9qBoPmS6ro-lW7Oa.ftv01G5deIGGA2Hc
Passcode: $G.5Kk6G

__________________________

Wednesday, April 20th 6 pm
(Doors open at 5 pm)
Biscayne Neighborhoods Association, Aria on the Bay
488 N.E. 18th Street
Miami, FL 33132Tuesday

View meeting at the link below: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/1IfUnXkeoopwDHj7UM32_fiE5rTOmZ-6lUxy9xqovO9ThLZa9qBoPmS6ro-lW7Oa.ftv01G5deIGGA2Hc
Passcode: $G.5Kk6G

It’s never too late to stay informed and get involved

For questions regarding the Underdeck Project or Underdeck Committee,

Contact Lisa Martinez LM Genuine Solutions lisa@lmgenuinesolutions.com

Quick Links

Follow our Youth Engagement

Instagram

Voice Your Support for The Underdeck!


Greetings and Many Thanks,

It is not often that a municipal project with the scale and scope of the Underdeck, is developed with the intentional and valued participation from members of the community. The City of Miami is to be celebrated and commended for empowering the people of Miami through its sanctioning of the Underdeck Committee to provide community-driven recommendations about how the Underdeck should be designed, named, branded, programmed, operated, governed, and maintained.

In 2022, 124 members of the community served on five Underdeck working groups focused on Stakeholder Awareness and Engagement, Operations and Maintenance, Traffic and Mobility, Funding, and Governance. A total of 129 working group meetings were held during the year. More than 35 community in person and virtual meetings were held in Overtown and Downtown to engage residents, along with survey respondents providing feedback for the Underdeck Naming totaling more than 2000. In addition, two special interest groups were created for Economic Development and Youth Engagement, further expanding the Underdeck Committee’s outreach.

The anticipation of this 33-acre public multi-purpose green space is enhanced by knowing that the recommendations for development through this community engagement have been submitted for your review and will soon be voted upon. With a vote of “Yes” to these recommendations, the Underdeck will truly be a project of the people, by the people, for the people.

As a public space positioned to reconnect communities and serve as a destination for families and friends to engage with one another, it is greatly appreciated that the City of Miami has and will continue to value the voices, insights, and recommendations that will ultimately make the Underdeck we can authentically call our own.

Traffic, Mobility & Utilities

This group will be convening with all relevant agencies and stakeholders to identify key related challenges and to ensure short-term and long-term cross-sector plans are agreed upon and implemented.

Funding Strategies

This group was initially charged with fundraising the match dollars required by the Knight Foundation grant (noted in the approved MOU and City resolution).  All fund-raising goals have been fully met as of December 2021 and are currently funding all planning activities.  The group is now developing a framework for the fund development strategy related to capital, operational and maintenance needs.

Stakeholder Awareness, Education & Engagement

This group is responsible for casting the net broadly to create awareness of the project and engage residents in the Underdeck’s development.  A full engagement strategy has been launched and will continue through the summer of 2022.  A monthly newsletter and website will be launched beginning in March, monthly community meetings will be held through the Summer of 2022, and stakeholders will have regular monthly opportunities to inform and engage with the Underdeck Committee Working Groups.

Construction, Operation, Maintenance

This group is working closely with the City of Miami and FDOT to ensure that the Heritage Trail, Legacy Walls and other public art components will include stakeholder leadership, participation and input in the exhibits, artists, and content.  This group is also working with the City to identify the appropriate expertise to develop a realistic estimate for the operation and management budget for the long-term sustainability of the public space.  This estimated budget will inform the work  of the fund development working group in the coming months.

Government, Project Management & Strategic Oversight

Naming/Branding – Over the last two months community meetings, focus groups, surveys, and interviews have been conducted to gather input from our community. Two engagement and marketing firms, Kivvit and Circle of One have been brought on board to support this process.  A Creative Brief will be developed inclusive of potential names for the Underdeck or Open Space Area.  These potential names will be shared with the community and further input will refine the final recommendations that will be considered by the Underdeck Executive Committee.  The final selected name is subject to the approval of the City Commission.   

This group has researched best practices on governance of public spaces and has been reviewing various governance structures nationally and locally.  They are currently working on recommendations that would inform the governance of the public space.  These recommendations will inform future bylaws.

Alan Fein

Chair Government, Project Management, Strategic Oversight Working Group

Alan Fein is a Shareholder in Stearns Weaver Miller’s Litigation Department and a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors. For over three decades, Alan has successfully handled complex business litigation in South Florida and in the leading business courts in the nation, including the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Delaware Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Eleventh Circuit and the District of Columbia. At the same time, he has developed one of the region’s most vibrant sports law practices, and brought vision and leadership to a number of community leadership roles.