HomeMy WebLinkAboutSummary ReportDESIGNATION OF
Biscayne Boulevard As A
Scenic Transportation Corridor
Biscayne Boulevard, from the Miami River to
NE 36th Street
September 1, 2009
City of Miami
09- 009og_ Summary reP°r1
REPORT OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
PRESERVATION OFFICER
TO THE HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD
ON RECOMMEDING THE DESIGNATION OF
BISCAYNE BOULEVARD FROM THE MIAMI RIVER TO NE 36th STREET
AS A SCENIC TRANSPORATION CORRIDOR TO THE
CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION
Prepared by
Prepared by
Passed and
Adopted on
Resolution No.
Laura Lavernia
Special Projects Assistant
Ellen J. Uguccioni,
Preservation Officer
CONTENTS
I. General Information 4
II. Definitions and Process 6
III. Significance 7
IV. Description 12
V. Planning Context 13
3
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Historic Name:
Biscayne Boulevard
Current Name:
Biscayne Boulevard
Location:
Biscayne Boulevard from approximately the Miami River to NE 36th Street
Miami, Florida
Zoning District:
C-1, R-3, with an SD-9 Overlay
Boundary Description:
The public right-of-way along both sides of Biscayne Boulevard from the Miami
River to NE 36'h Street
Classification:
Scenic Transportation Corridor
4
Biscayne Boulevard
Scenic Transportation Corridor
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II. DEFENITIONS AND PROCESS
Background - Environmental Preservation in the City _of Miami.
On September 23, 1971, the City of Miami Commission adopted Ordinance No. 7989
establishing Chapter 64 of the City Code of Ordinances entitled "Protection and
Removal of Trees" which stressed the importance of a tree canopy for the city;
established guidelines for tree protection, and laid the groundwork for administrative
procedures for tree protection. In 1974, this ordinance was refined to include similar
terms to those used today. Ordinance No. 8301, entitled "Environmental Preservation"
established protection for areas with extensive tree canopies, scenic routes, unique
geological formations, and other significant environmental features. This ordinance
also established the forerunner of the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board:
the Environmental Preservation Review Board, a quasi-judicial board comprised of five
(5) members of the community whose professional background and interests aligned
with those of conservation.
The 1974 ordinance defined scenic transportation corridors as types of environmental
preservation districts, describing them as "...those roadway areas which have a
unique landscape character, extensive tree canopy, and are of substantial
environmental importance to the residents of Miami as well as the visitors." The
legislation stated that boundaries were determined by the extent of the right-of-way,
natural landscape or manmade elements which formed the visual boundary of the
corridor, yard areas fronting the corridor, and any other significant natural features not
in the right-of-way that add value to the scene. The most important boundary identifier
is the scenic vista itself. The ordinance stipulated that boundaries should be drawn up
by areas from which there is "a unique scenic view or vista of historical or significant
structures or of water bodies such as the Miami River and Biscayne Bay." Most of the
scenic transportation corridors that exist today were designated using the criteria
established in Ordinance 8301 (Chapter 64).
Chapter 17 "Environmental Preservation" of the City Code was enacted in 1980 and
replaced Chapter 64. From the outset, the scenic transportation corridor was identified
as a type of Environmental Preservation District, possessing environmentally significant
features.
Definitions
The definition of an "environmental preservation district" has not changed since 1974.
Environmental Preservation Districts are:
Geographical areas, parcels, or corridors, which may be identified in the future, established by the
City Commission as significant natural or manmade attributes in need of preservation and control
because of their educational, economic, ecological and environmental importance to the welfare
of the general public and the City as a whole.
The definition of "environmentally significant features" has also not changed since
1974. The ordinance defined these features as:
natural or manmade artifacts, sites or features which possess attributes in need of preservation and
control because of their economic, educational or environmental importance to the welfare of the
general public and the City as a whole. Environmentally significant features include all trees within
6
the city and specifically designated natural, topographical, or geological formations, mangrove
areas, natural hammocks, unique scenic vistas or transportation corridors and rare and valuable
plant material.
III. SIGNIFICANCE: BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AS A SCENIC TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR
(STC)
Specific Dates:
1927- Present
Landscape Architect:
Roberto Burle Marx (design from SE 2nd Street to NE 13th Street)
Statement of Significance:
Biscayne Boulevard is one of Miami's preeminent north/south arterials. The
Boulevard was designed as a gateway to the City from the northern suburbs.
Opened to car traffic in 1927; it was a work of landscape architecture and a
scenic road whose character was defined by the width of the street and the
linear placement of its majestic Royal Palms. Today, the Boulevard from the Miami
River to NE 13th Street has a uniquely landscaped streetscape by world-renowned
landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx. Sidewalks and medians are elegantly
designed in painted interlocking landscape pavers featuring a unique abstract
design. Another integral element of the streetscape is the addition of Royal Palms
and shade trees, as per the Marx design, creating a more pedestrian -friendly
experience through a synthesis of art and landscape,.
It is the tout ensemble of scenic vistas, both natural and manmade, which give
this Scenic Transportation Corridor its character. Biscayne Boulevard is not only a
designed landscape, but is also the location of prominent historic buildings such
as the Freedom Tower (Miami News Building), Miami's Sears Tower, and the Shrine
Building. Other important features include the Port of Miami, Bayside
Marketplace, Miami Airlines Arena, Bayfront Park, and such natural features as
Biscayne Bay and the Miami River.
History of Biscayne Boulevard
The construction of Biscayne Boulevard from Downtown Miami northward did not
begin until 1925. Before that travelers from the north would enter Miami on West
Dixie Highway along NE 2nd Street, angling across the FEC Railroad tracks at NE 36th
Street. The realization of Biscayne Boulevard was the result of millions of dollars of
private capital, a stunning demonstration of entrepreneurship during a period
when the financial health of Miami was in great jeopardy.2
The men responsible for the construction of Biscayne Boulevard were Hugh
Anderson and Roy C. Wright, partners in the Shoreland Company. In 1924,
2 City of Miami designation report for MiMo (Miami Modern) / Biscayne Blvd Historic District. June 6, 2006.
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Anderson purchased a 1,600-acre tract north of Little River to build "America's
Mediterranean," the community of Miami Shores. Only ten months later, the
Miami Shores Company sold over $33 million of land. With this capital in hand, the
partners prepared to address a critical component in their formula for success —
the creation of a boulevard that would serve the residents of Miami Shores by
connecting them to Downtown Miami.
Construction began after they acquired a tract of land owned by Charles Deering
that encompassed some nine -city blocks starting at NE 2nd Avenue. Plans for the
roadway dictated it start at the gardens of the former Royal Palm Hotel, be 100
feet wide, and feature the finest in of architectural designs for buildings containing
a rich variety of goods and services intended for an upscale clientele. It was only
fitting that the Royal Palm was the choice for landscaping. Perhaps no other
specimen of tree is so symbolic of Miami's history. The Royal Palm was the name
of the hotel established by Henry Flagler that helped Miami become a City and a
key destination for winter tourists.
The financial strength of the region was weakened by a series of events that
began with the devastating hurricane of September 1926. From then on, the
ceaseless real estate sales began to dwindle, finally ending in economic disaster.
Completion and commemoration
Unfortunately the Shoreland Company was unable to complete the work, and in
1926, was bought out by Henry Phipps of the U.S. Steel Corporation. The Phipps
family formed the Biscayne Boulevard Company, later known as Bessemer
Properties, and completed construction of the Boulevard. On Armistice Day in
1926, a parade was held commemorating those who fought in World War I from
Bayfront Park going north on Biscayne Boulevard. It was on this day that the
Boulevard was dedicated by Frank Wharton, then City Manager, to veterans of all
wars. As a symbolic act during the dedication, Mr. Wharton who planted a Royal
Palm on NE 6th Street connecting the plants to the north on the thoroughfare to
those in the south end.3
Miami's thoroughfare
From its commemoration, Biscayne Boulevard became the major street for
parades. From 1936 onward, Orange Bowl parades would be held on New Year's
Eve as a festivity before the college football game. The parade was televised
until 1997 and gave the nation a view of sunny Miami during the winter months
and was an instrumental event for the tourism industry.4
3 Miami Herald. "War's End is Observed." Thursday, November 11, 1926.
4 The Orange Bowl Parades were cancelled by a 120-1 vote of the Orange Bowl Committee in 2002. For Orange Bowl
history, see www.orangebowl.orq
8
Biscayne Boulevard Shopping District, "The 5th Avenue of the South"
Bessemer properties also purchased most of the property fronting on Biscayne
Boulevard between NE 13th Street and NE 40th Street, with the intention of making it
the premier shopping area in Miami, "the 5th Avenue of the South."5 Biscayne
Boulevard was opened to automobile traffic in March 1927. Since its completion, it
became the most important artery for the City.6
In 1929, the Sears, Roebuck and Co. store opened at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Despite
the Great Depression, the store flourished and became an integral part of
Biscayne Boulevard. Originally, the Sears Tower was a four story structure with a
seven story tower placed at a 45 degree angle on its southeast corner.8 Directly in
front of the Sears building, on 13th Avenue, was a large traffic circle that served to
ease the flow of traffic on Biscayne Boulevard, and acted as a visual marker for
the Biscayne Boulevard Shopping district. Examples of other buildings constructed
in this shopping district included the Shrine Building (Biscayne and l4th).
Early police reports demonstrated that more traffic passed through this shopping
district than any other thoroughfare in the City.9 With an understanding that
natural beauty has a practical and aesthetic value, the Biscayne Boulevard
Company planted over nine hundred Royal Palms from NE 13th Street to 55th
Street10.
The Royal Palm Tree: A Symbol of Miami
On July 28, 1896, 343 men gathered at the Lobby Pool Room on Avenue D to
incorporate the City of Miami and elect John B. Reilly as its first mayor. Aside from
drafting the first articles of incorporation and establishing a charter, the men
chose an official seal for the City: A Royal Palm tree. No doubt this was a nod to
Henry Morrison Flagler who laid tracks for the Florida East Coast railway to Miami,
and who was in the process of constructing the Royal Palm Hotel. The tree was
chosen for its majestic qualities and because it was a native specimen associated
with the subtropical climate of the nascent City. This City Seal remains
unchanged since 1896.
In popular culture, no symbol was more emblematic of Miami than the Palm tree,
in general. Miami's tourism industry sold Miami as a winter retreat by featuring
images of lush tropical surroundings and warm winter sun. Miami thus became
"the land of palms and sun" and a place where "winter is turned into summer."
Burle Marx Proiect: A Grand Entrance for Miami
The Burle Marx streetscape project addresses Biscayne Boulevard from the SE 2nd
Street to NE 13th Street. The project design was approved in principle by the City of
5 Parks, Arva Moore. Miami: The Magic City. Miami: Community Media, 2008.
6 The Sunday Pictorial. "The Story of the Boulevard." Vol. 2, No. 20, March 16, 1930.
? City of Miami Designation Report. "Sears Roebuck and Co." January 21, 1983.
8 Today, the tower remains as a locally designated historic resource, and its exterior has been restored. The tower
forms a part of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
9 The Sunday Pictorial. "The Story of the Boulevard." Vol. 2, No, 20, March 16, 1930.
1° Ibid.
9
Miami Commission in 1988 by Resolution No. 88-628. The City authorized the
agreement for the Burle Marx designed streetscape improvements on June 3,
1992, under Resolution No. 92-411. The project consisted of improvements for the
sidewalks, street medians, and landscape enhancements for the right-of-way on
Biscayne Boulevard. Originally these improvements were to occur on the blocks
from the SE 2nd Street to NE 24th Street, however only the portion up to NE 13th
Street was actually completed. The design of the sidewalks and medians used
interlocking 6" x 6" color integrated concrete pavers placed on a sand bed over
a compacted limestone rock base. They are environmentally sensitive,
permeable pavers.
The project was completed in phases. Phase I from comprised of city blocks from
S.E. 2nd Street to N.E. 5th Street (Port Boulevard entrance) was completed in 1997.
Phase II, from NE 5th Street to 13th Street involved widening the Boulevard and
shifting it slightly to the east in the area from the Port of, Miami to the 1-395
(McArthur Causeway) and the American Airlines Arena.
The work is evocative of Burle Marx's famous streetscape at Copacabana Beach,
Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Both of the streetscapes of Copacabana and Biscayne are
meant to be enjoyed and seen from various vantage points. They offer the
pedestrian one view, and when seen from the tall buildings on the Avenida
Atlantica (Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) or from those of Biscayne in
Miami, they provide the viewer one uninterrupted abstract paintingtt or a tapestry
such as those that Burle Marx designed. The Biscayne Boulevard work is visually
reminiscent of abstract and cubist paintings —two major stylistic influences in the
work of Burle Marx. A prolific artist and landscape designer, Burle Marx designed
over 1,500 landscapes all over the world; Biscayne Boulevard would mark his most
ambitious project designed in North America.
New York Times. "A New Look at the Landscaping Artist Roberto Burle Marx." January 20, 2009.
10
Relationship to Criteria for Designation:
Eligibility as a Scenic Transportation Corridor
Chapter 17(3) defines Scenic transportation corridors as
... those roadway areas which have a unique landscape character and an extensive tree canopy and are
of substantial environmental importance to the residents of the city as well as to visitors.
The boundaries of the scenic transportation corridors may be determined by the following:
a. The extent of roadway right-of-way area.
b. All established yard areas fronting on the transportation corridor.
c. Significant natural features, such as trees, or geological features which are not within the right-of-way or
street yard area but are of value as a part of the scene.
d. Principal natural landscape or manmade elements which form the visual boundary or enclosing space of
the corridor.
e. Areasfrom which there is a unique scenic view or vista of historical or significant structures or of water
bodies, such as the Miami River or Biscayne Bay.
f. Unique botanical features, such as rare, exotic and valuable trees or plant life or examples of excellent
landscape design.
From its completion in 1927, Biscayne Boulevard was distinctive because of its
width and by the character -defining linear planting of Royal Palms. The
automobile thoroughfare was designed as a major artery to and from the City of
Miami and its northeastern suburbs. The use of trees to articulate urban
thoroughfares is a basic principle of urban landscape design. For Miami's
Biscayne Boulevard, it is the Royal Palms, characterized by their soaring height
and emblematic associations, which contribute to the boulevard's prominent
character. It is the simple elegance and the repetition of form that creates a
sense of visual continuity.
The "Biscayne Boulevard New World Center Design," as conceived by artist and
landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, further enhances the unique qualities of
the Boulevard. The paver design creates a visual synthesis of art and landscape.
The streetscape is alive with color and movement as sidewalks and pavers are
designed in abstract cubist patterns.
Definition of an Environmental Preservation District (EPD)
"Geographical areas, parcels, or corridors, which may be identified in the future, established by the
City Commission as significant natural or manmade attributes in need of preservation and control
because of their educational, economic, ecological and environmental importance to the welfare
of the general public and the City as a whole."
Environmentally significant features
Chapter 17, Section 17-26 defines "Environmentally Significant Features" as,
natural or manmade artifacts, sites or features which possess attributes in need of preservation and
control because of their economic, educational orienvironmental importance to the welfare of the
general public and the City as a whole. Environmentally significant features include al trees within
the city and specifically designated natural, topographical, or geological formations, mangrove
areas, natural hammocks unique scenic vistas or transportation corridors and rare and valuable
plant material.
The definitions in the ordinance make no distinction between the relative
importance of natural features and manmade characteristics. Scenic vistas and
11
scenic corridors need not only be associated with natural environs, they can be
culturally in significant as in the Burle Marx contributions. On Biscayne Boulevard,
these scenic views are of historic and contemporary landmarks, natural water
bodies such as Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, and the designed landscape
and streetscape of the corridor itself.
III'. DESCRIPTION
Present and Original Appearance:
Photographic documentation depicts Biscayne Boulevard as always having been
wider from SE 2nd Street to NE l2th Street. Currently, this area averages a width of
230 feet for the zoned public right-of-way. North of NE l2th Street, rest of the
Boulevard narrows to its typical 100 foot width. The section of the Boulevard from
SE 2nd Street to NE 5th Street, according to available photographic
documentation, has always had three medians separating the north -bound street
from the south -bound. These medians appear to have always served the function
of allowing for additional parking on the busier downtown sections of the
Boulevard adjoining Bayfront Park. The linear planting of Royal Palms on these
medians has always been, and continues to be, a character -defining feature.
The linear planting of Royal Palms along the Boulevard in the landscape portion
between the sidewalk and the street is another historic character -defining
feature. The Burle Marx streetscape has introduced new sidewalks and medians,
and also tree plantings of both Royal Palms and shade trees. These improvements
affect the streetscape from SE 2na' Street to l3th Street. North of l3th, the
landscape is dominated by the linear planting of Royal Palms articulating the
thoroughfare.
Setting: •
Biscayne Boulevard is a north/south arterial that runs alongside Biscayne Bay from
the Miami River to Miami Shores.
Environmentally significant features:
For Scenic Transportation Corridors, environmentally significant features contribute
to the unique character and help demarcate the boundaries of the corridor.
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IV. PLANNING CONTEXT
Present Trends and Conditions:
Currently, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is undertaking an
improvement to Biscayne Boulevard corridor from NE 15th Street to NE 35 Terrace.
The project entails a complete reconstruction of Biscayne Boulevard. Work also
includes paving and re -striping the roadway; installing new water drainage and
water main system; and the installation of new lighting signals and landscaping.
As part of the project, FDOT has analyzed the current landscape and vegetation
on the corridor. They estimate that there are 328 Royal Palms along Biscayne
Boulevard in the area that they are working. FDOT plans stipulate that of those
328, 184 will remain in place, 98 will be relocated (location undetermined), and 48
will be removed because of their condition (as determined by FDOT landscape
architects). FDOT also plans on installing 52 Royal Palms along the corridor area
slated for improvements. The project start date is August of 2009 and the project is
slated for completion in the summer of 2011.
Conservalion Objeclives
In 1991, the City of Miami enacted regulations to its Zoning Ordinance 11000
creating an, SD-9 overlay district (ordinance 10863, as amended). One of the
components of this regulation is the protection of this uniquely landscaped
thoroughfare. 609.3.2.(1) states, "Along Biscayne Boulevard, the pedestrian open
space at the ground floor frontage shall be so designed, improved and located to
provide an attractively landscaped appearance using royal palms and other
types of tropical plants suitable to its gateway role."
Recommendation
The Preservation Officer finds that the physical qualities of Biscayne Boulevard,
both natural and manmade, meet the definitions of a Scenic Transportation
Corridor, and recommends that the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board
send a positive recommendation for its designation as a Scenic Transportation
Corridor to the Planning Advisory Board.
13.
Photos - Historic
Figure 1: Elser Pier (where Bayside is currently located). This photograph was taken before the area
was cleared to make way for the construction Biscayne Blvd.
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Figure 2: Postcard of the l3th Street Circle on Biscayne Boulevard
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Photos - Contemporary
Aerial photo composite of Biscayne Boulevard Burle Marx streetscape design
Medians and sidewalk improvements on Biscayne and
NE 4th Street (facing south)
Biscayne Blvd and SE 2nd Street
Sears Tower at NE 13th Street and Biscayne Boulevard Shade tree plantings on west side of Biscayne Blvd. NE 2nd St
(location of former Biscayne Boulevard traffic circle)
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Streetscape improvements in front of American Airlines Arena Median improvements (shade tree plantings) NE 10St
411,
Biscayne Boulevard and NE 261h Street
Royal Palms
22