New regulations to go into effect October 26, 2015
Miami, FL (September 24, 2015) – Miami’s Wynwood Arts District has achieved an important milestone, with the the City of Miami Commission’s final approval of the Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD) Plan. A first-of-its-kind plan in the City, the NRD Plan sets forth new zoning regulations for Wynwood that will encourage new, mixed-use residential and office developments, create dedicated funding for neighborhood improvements, promote pedestrian-focused streets and preserve the area’s unique artistic and industrial character.
Wynwood’s NRD Plan regulations will go into effect October 24, after a required month-long grace period.
“We look forward to working with the City and Wynwood property owners to facilitate the implementation of the NRD Plan,” said Joseph Furst, Chair for the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) Board. “The plan will ensure Wynwood’s continued progress as a center for art and innovation for all of Miami’s residents and visitors.”
Commissioned by the Wynwood BID, the NRD plan was developed by international planning firm PlusUrbia in conjunction with the City of Miami’s Planning Department. The plan includes several groundbreaking concepts including:
- Creation of the Wynwood Design Review Committee to review the design of proposed neighborhood developments
- Introduction of shared-streets or woonerfs on NW 3rd Ave, NW 1st Ave and NW 1st Place, which convert the streets to public spaces at certain times
- Encouragement of the development of studio apartments (<650 sq. ft.), with the option to pay out parking
“Places evolve just like people: they grow and mature as healthy organisms do. Wynwood’s NRD provides the framework for development to occur over time, and for the district to continue to redefine itself while preserving its original character,” said Juan Mullerat, director of Plusurbia Design. “This plan balances uses, fosters flexibility and introduces density that meets market demand while promoting a livable, creative environment for Miami’s 21st century.”
Wynwood’s NRD Plan will also:
- Enhance the pedestrian experience in the neighborhood by requiring 10 feet minimum width sidewalks and pedestrian paseos for larger projects, and funding centralized parking through the WPBTF
- Protect the industrial character of the neighborhood with financial incentives to preserve warehouses and incentivize development through Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs)
- Preserve the artistic character by requiring art or glass treatments on new developments
- Encourage more diverse housing options by allowing increased density from 36 and 65 to 150 dwelling units per acre
To read the entire NRD Plan please visit http://www.miamigov.com/planning/wynwood.html.
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About the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID)
To preserve and further the neighborhood’s progress, the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) was formed in 2013 as a municipal board of the City of Miami government. BID Property owners comprise its Board of Directors and represent hundreds of property owners throughout the 50-city block community. The BID works to enhance security and sanitation services in the neighborhood, raise awareness of advancements in the area, and plan for the future of Wynwood.
About PlusUrbia
PlusUrbia is a finely tuned ensemble launched on the shared strength of more than 20 years of professional success in architectural design, planning, urban design, zoning code creation, development and project management. The practice is rooted in collaboration that designs contextual cities, towns and neighborhoods that create lasting value. The firm has worked in China; the Middle East; North, South and Central America. The firm has created guidelines that support creative industries, mixed-use development, human urban scale, efficient transit corridors and a green space program to turn strategic streets into multi-modal shared open spaces. For more information, please visit: http://plusurbia.com