400space Parking Garage Set For Design District

By Deserae del Campo
A design for a 400-space parking garage in Miami’s Design District will soon be in the works now that the Miami Parking Authority has approved a proposal from consultants Timothy Haahs & Associates.

Construction is expected soon after a design is completed, said Art Noriega, executive director of the Miami Parking Authority. "We are looking at initiating construction on this project within 12 to 18 months," he said.

"The Design District has been evolving for quite some time, and the authority is really excited about the potential of the area," Mr. Noriega said. "We envision this new parking facility as not only fulfilling a need for daytime workforce parking but also contributing to nighttime activity at restaurants and shops. The area is headed toward a new and vibrant 24-hour life."

The authority approved the $135,000 design proposal during a board meeting last week.

The proposal includes conceptual design phase, financial feasibility and key architectural and engineering design development for the Design District Parking Plaza, to be at 3800 NE First Ave.

Developer Dacra initiated discussions with the authority to get parking in the area. The current plan calls for designating some of the garage spaces to Dacra.

The authority conducted a parking study and "based on the study’s finding, the authority purchased land in the area and subsequently developed the plan for the parcel," Mr. Noriega said.

The authority bought the land in 2004.

"The property is owned by and will be operated by the Miami Parking Authority. Dacra will have a long-term lease on a portion of the parking spaces," Mr. Noriega said

"We have not yet determined how we will finance this project," he said. "We are currently on the due-diligence phase, and we are considering various third-party options for financing."

Physical restraints of the site will prevent the garage design from including street-level retail or commercial space, Mr. Noriega said. Advertisement