Next issue - do we turn Coral Reef Drive into the next SW 136th Street? Time to get involved.

Coral Reef Drive is one of our signature main streets crossing through Palmetto Bay. Do we really envision remaking this street into one where the mature canopy shade trees are yanked out for a concrete path of 8 to 10 feet? Ask yourself, what is the problem they are trying to solve as well as is this a case where the proposed 'solution' is actually worse than the problem they allege? Seriously, why would we want to change the character of Coral Reef Drive? I did not see any issue alleged in the recent survey put out by Village Officials, so do we really need to spend significant tax dollars to pour tons of cement along Coral Reef Drive, ripping out many, many, mature signature shade trees in the process?

All of the above should be discussed when an update of the Palmetto Bay Multi-Use Trail and SMART Plan Connectivity Study is scheduled to come before the Palmetto Bay Mayor and Council at the February Regular Council Meeting.

SPOILER ALERT: The recommendations to be presented to the Palmetto Bay Council represent profound changes to SW 184 and 152 Streets (those along SW 168th and 144th can rest easy - for now).

CLICK HERE to review the current document, consisting of 38 pages. As always, these documents are subject to change. I will update documents as I become aware of any.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There is no requirement for the mayor and council to make any changes to either Coral Reef Drive or SW 184th. This is all discretionary. "Keep as is" is an option. There is no compelling need to make changes to either road.

But for now, here is the issue for Coral Reef Drive:  Do you want to continue with Coral Reef Drive as it currently exists:

Is there really a problem with Coral Reef Drive as depicted in these photos? 

Or will the current mayor and council approve a change in scenery and go with the Howard Drive (SW 136th Street) model as seen below?

For perspective, comparing what is promised versus what is delivered, this is what was originally promised for SW 136th Street, as posted on the official Village Website as late as October 2021:

Then Village officials updated the SW 136th Street rendering to the following:

Actual photos of the 136th Street project disclose a much different reality:

All photos are actual photos, so we can see current conditions. The photos are fair comparisons.

Remember, this SW 136th Street project was once a bike lane project that would have extended the road surface a total of 8 feet; 4 feet on the Palmetto Bay side (east bound lanes) and the other 4 feet on the Pinecrest side (the west bound lanes) with minimal, if any impact on the existing tree canopy along Howard Drive. See related article of June 17, 2021: SW 136th Street update. There is no mistaking who owns responsibility for this SW 136th project design: Palmetto Bay officials (2019 to date) who redesigned it from bike lanes to a MEGA shared path.

Back to the current proposals being proposed for Coral Reef Drive:

The following have been taken from the current draft document. Note page 18, "SW 152 Street Existing Conditions". The street is characterized as a "Tree-lined residential Street" with a ROW (Right of Way) that varies from 73' - 96' feet. What is not detailed are sections of historic coral rock wall that exists within the ROW. See Page 18, posted below along with an actual photo of current SW 152 detailing the coral rock wall

BACKGROUND POSTS - CLICK HERE to view prior articles relating to share paths and the SW 136th Street project.

Excerpts from the present draft document. Please note the Pros and Cons presented. Feel free to formulate your own pro or con argument to the proposals:

TO BE CONTINUED ... stay tuned and check back for updates