(Miami, FL.)-- City of Miami City Commission voted Thursday, July 24th, 2008, to approve several measures that will help define Miami as one of the world’s greatest cities.  Commissioners voted to approve the Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan, create the Wynwood Café District, and provide funding for the Miami Art Museum’s (MAM) future facility at Museum Park. 

“The greatest cities in the world are created because of vision and proper planning to make dreams a reality,” said Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. “Our Commission has shown true leadership and belief in the future of Miami.” 

The Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan reflects the growth and desires of the community, combining feedback gathered throughout three years of public meetings and outreach. It will create a Coastal Recreational Park that emphasizes public open spaces and connectivity for pedestrians through the creation of waterfront promenades and diverse open spaces. Included in the plan is an active park with sensitive environmental spoil island connections.

“The idea behind this plan is for all of us to have access to the waterfront,” said District 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. “What a novel concept in the City of Miami for residents and visitors to actually see the waterfront.” 

The creation of the Wynwood Café District will promote the arts institutions, galleries, and museums that have made Wynwood an international destination by stimulating an emerging restaurant district. This ordinance encourages investment in a variety of cafes and restaurants by minimizing certain distance requirements and implementing alternate parking standards. 

“Wynwood is an area of the city that has been neglected for many years and the only thing that kept it alive was the arts,” said Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, “We now have a great opportunity to create a place that will compete with cultural and economic hubs such as SOHO and our neighboring South Beach.”

The $2 million grant authorized by the Commission for the MAM will help fund the development of a new fine arts museum at Museum Park. The Commission had previously approved the Museum Park Master Plan which includes the MAM facility, the Miami Science Museum and 21 acres of green, open space. 

To view the City Commission meeting, read through the agenda items, and take a look at the renderings for all of these projects, please visit http://miami.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

For more information on the Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan, Museum Park Master Plan, or the Wynwood Arts District, please contact the City of Miami Planning Department at 305-416-1400.