HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-16-0065 UI Corporation BIOURBAN IMPLEMENTATION
A Florida Limited Liability Company
199 East Flagler Street, #377
Miami, FL 33131
Urban Implementation is a pre -vitalization urban redevelopment consulting firm based in Downtown Miami. Urban
Implementation designs, builds and implements projects that reduce slum and blight through the temporary use of vacant
and/or dilapidated land, public art installations, and re -purposing public property to promote main street businesses. Urban
Implementation's principals, Brad Knoefler and Mark Lesniak, have been designing, building and implementing pop-up
parks, public art projects and other interventions in Downtown Miami since 2009.
Our projects have been featured on NPR, the Miami Herald, the Tactical Urbanism Handbook, and the cover of the
Downtown Miami Art Guide, among others, and include:
Grand Central Park
A 5-acre pop-up park on the site of the former Miami Arena designed as a multi -use public space capable of generating
revenue for rent, staff, maintenance and improvements. It was the largest pop-up park constructed in the United States.
Constructed in ninety (90) days, the completed park included two hundred and fifty (250) native species of trees, a three -and -
a -half -acre lawn, and a sloping amphitheater -shaped berm made with re -purposed debris of the demolished Miami Arena.
During its two-year term Grand Central Park hosted numerous community events and ticketed concerts drawing tens of
thousands of visitors to Downtown Miami generating millions of dollars of economic activity in the area. It was featured as a
key redevelopment driver in Tactical Urbanism Vol 2 (p.54).
(https://issuu.com/streetplanscollaborative/docs/tactical urbanism vol 2 finaI)
Downtown Skate Spot
A 60,000 square foot pop-up D-I-Y skate park built completely by the volunteer efforts of the local Miami skate boarding
community. Initial construction was completed in one week, additional D-I-Y structures and modifications were added over
time. The completed skate spot included a half pipe, quarter pipes, a faux pool wall, platforms, planks, and rails of all
lengths, heights and dimensions. During its term it was a magnet of activity with dozens of skateboarders and passersby a
day utilizing the space. It also provided safe harbor to people otherwise subject to arrest for skate boarding.
Miami Murals
A 100,000 square foot mural installation spanning 12 buildings in Downtown Miami. Installed in 2 weeks. The completed
installation featured work from several artists, who installed a piece after the building was "beautifully destroyed" by Risk.
The most recognizable piece from the installation is the "Peace and Justice" installation at NE 14 Court by Risk and Shepard
Fairy. The murals have attracted thousands of visitors to the area by providing a walkable public art attraction visible from
the Metro Mover and shared hundreds of thousands of times on social media.
Weed Bombing
Weed bombing is a tongue -and -cheek form of public protest art. We identified high traffic areas in Downtown Miami where
the sidewalks had become overgrown by weeds. In some places, notably by the federal courthouse, weeds had overtaken so
much of the sidewalk it was near impossible to walk. Along with volunteers and local artists and armed with left over cans of
spray paint, we (very carefully) painted the weeds in myriad colors to beautify the sidewalks and call attention to the lack of
care for the pedestrian right-of-way. The project was featured in several local news outlets and the areas targeted are well
maintained today.
Avenue D Beautification
A street level beautification project to address public health and safety problems, as well as to enhance curb appeal, along
North Miami Avenue and the FEC railroad right-of-way. The clean-up was completed in three phases: (1) repaving 7th street;
(2) clearing debris from the railroad and pressure washing sidewalks; (3) installing deterrent landscaping in the railroad right-
of-way and vacant parcels across the street. The clean-up resulted in a marked reduction in petty crime and vagrancy on the
block.