If you haven’t had an opportunity to take a walk around Normandy Village you may not have noticed the small improvements that the city and community have been working on. In addition to the Normandy Isle Capital Improvement Project being conducted in the area that includes pedestrian and landscape improvements – being handled by the City’s CIP Department – there are a variety of other small improvements that the city has been working on. Daniel Veitia with the North Beach Business Council stated, “It’s amazing how such a small improvement can beautify our district . I look forward to the city continuing the test program in the remaining commercial district.”  Mr. Veitia, Chairman of the North Beach Business Council is referring to the test pilot program for the improvement of the planters that took place in front of his office on the 1100 block of 71st Street.

Original Planter

Improved Planter

Back in the late ’90s the city conducted right of way (sidewalk) improvements to all of the North Beach Commercial Districts.  It was then that the city beautified the commercial districts in North Beach and installed the planters. In the recent years the city has been trying to develop a sustainable improvement for the planters throughout the city. As an example, on Lincoln Road you will find the newest improvement for planters in high pedestrian districts. The process has had such positive results that the city is seeking to patent the process. However, in the Normandy Isle’s commercial district, green is the way to go.

The improvement is a collaboration between the City of Miami Beach’s Public Works and Green Space Management divisions.  It includes removing the cement trim around the planters, repairing the irrigation lines that feed the planters and installing ornamental peanut and ficus repens. The end result is a simple beautification that brings pride to the businesses in the district and makes the area more inviting to pedestrians. As a result of the city improvements, businesses on the test block have already joined together to bring their own improvements to their storefronts. The overall affect has brought positive change for a district that has long yearned for more pedestrian activation.