The FEC Corridor Strategic Redevelopment Plan is the product of a one-year community planning process that culminated in May 2002 and focused on facilitating economic revitalization opportunities within the corridor and its surrounding neighborhoods. The intent of the final plan is to build on the existing competitive advantages of the FEC Corridor and to develop clear and workable implementation strategies and action steps to help ensure that the community’s vision for the corridor will become a reality. The following is a summary outline of the key components of the plan:

I. Guiding Redevelopment Principles

The plan was shaped by certain “guiding principles” that were first articulated in the “Findings and Recommendations Report” of the FEC Task Force then echoed during the subsequent community conversations in Wynwood, Edgewater and Little Haiti[1].

The interrelated guiding principles include:

1. The need to create a diverse and sustainable economy
2. The vision of an urban-scale, mixed use redevelopment pattern
3. The need for a balanced and integrated transportation system
4. The development of a spectrum of housing choice and opportunity

II. The competitive Advantage of the FEC Corridor

In order to chart a meaningful direction for the redevelopment of the FEC Corridor is vital that the existing competitive advantages of the FEC Corridor be identified and enhanced.

The competitive advantages of the FEC Corridor include:

1. Proximity to Downtown and other employment centers
2. Rail access and proximity to major freeways, expressway and arterial circulations system
3. Presence of “known” city districts including the Design, Fashion and Arts and Entertainment Districts
4. The FEC Buena Vista site as a major redevelopment opportunity
5. Significant inventory of industrial and warehouse properties
6. Proximity to Biscayne Bay and Miami beach

III. Overall Redevelopment Strategies

The FEC Corridor Strategic Redevelopment Plan recommends specific “Implementation Strategies” and accompanying “Action Steps” for the four (4) substantive elements of the plan – transportation, economic development, housing and streetscapes. The proposed strategies seek to build on the plan’s guiding principles and enhance the existing competitive advantage of the FEC Corridor. The implementation strategies offer practical redevelopment concepts that can be implemented in a timely manner.

1. Transportation
   1. Premium transit service
      The plan recommends the development of a premium transit system utilizing the existing spine of the FEC Corridor and its right-of-way. The transportation strategy is predicted on the vision that the FEC Buena Vista site will be redeveloped into a high density, transit oriented, urban “mid-town” center and that the larger corridor, distinguished by the design and Arts and Entertainment Districts and little Haiti, will become growing magnets for businesses, entertainment and tourism.
      
      The transit strategy recommends both “near term” and “long term” light rail alternatives. The near term strategy entails an electric trolley that would operate in mixed traffic and provide service from 79th Street south to the Government Center. Alternatives have been proposed that would include utilization of the FEC right-of-way in combination with NE 2nd Avenue. The long-term alternatives involve the same alignment, but would include provisions for a trolley line that would operate on its own exclusive right-of-way.
   2. Roadway Improvements
      In addition to the development of a premium transit service for the FEC Corridor, the overall transportation strategy also includes a series of roadway improvements to address existing conditions and to mitigate against anticipated redevelopment activity. Roadway improvements including widening and realignments are recommended for 36th, 29th and 34th Streets in anticipation of the high-density redevelopment of the FEC Buena Vista site. Other recommendations include the configuration of key intersections including NE 2nd Avenue and 29th and 36th Streets and that north Miami Avenue function as a 4 lane minor arterial to handle projected traffic volumes.
       
2. Economic Development
   The plan recommends five Economic Development Implementation Strategies and accompanying action steps. The implementation strategic include: 
   1. Funding priority be given to the proposed Redevelopment Concepts for the FEC Buena Vista Mixed-Use District, the Arts and Entertainment District and Little Haiti Commercial Corridor.
   2. A manufacturing retention and expansion strategy that would include economic incentives, public infrastructure improvements and the creation of a manufacturing district.
   3. An integrated transportation system to maximize the economic potential of the FEC Corridor.
   4. Expansion of the retail sector to improve and diversify the economic base of the FEC Corridor.
   5.  Development of a Marketing Plan for the FEC Corridor that coordinates and integrates existing marketing efforts and promotes the strategies of the redevelopment plan.
3. Housing
   The plan recommends five Housing Implementation Strategies and accompanying action steps. The implementation strategies include:
   1. Using the proposed zoning changes as a “planning tool” for housing choice
   2. Removing existing barriers to infill housing development and housing rehabilitation
   3. Targeting existing community development and housing resources to the FEC Corridor including the development of a Model Block program
   4. Creating new housing financing mechanisms
4. Streetscapes
   The plan recommends four Streetscape Implementation Strategies and accompanying action steps. The implementation strategies include:
   1. Creation of a FEC right-of-way Linear Greenway extending from 79th Street south through the entire study area
   2. Utilization of the proposed FEC Buena Vista Mixed-Use grid as a prototype throughout the FEC Corridor area
   3. Creation of highly visual and functional east/west roadway connectors
   4. Creation of community “gateways” in Little Haiti and Wynwood/Edgewater areas
   5. Creation of pedestrian-oriented improvements on Biscayne Boulevard including a planted median between NE 14th and NE 36th Streets

IV Neighborhood Implementation Strategies

The plan identifies five neighborhood redevelopment locations that could serve as “demonstration” or “catalytic” type concepts for the overall implementation plan. Each redevelopment concept is intended to be fully integrated with the surrounding neighborhood and the overall redevelopment plan for the FEC Corridor.

1. FEC Buena Vista Mixed-Use District
   The redevelopment concept for the FEC Buena Vista site would be to extend the existing grid street system located South of 36th Street and west of North Miami Avenue through the entire site creating a pedestrian oriented street pattern that would facilitate a vibrant, mixed-use district consisting of a combination of commercial, residential and light manufacturing loft space with accommodations for an urban design treatment of big box retail development.
2. Arts and Entertainment District
   The proposed Arts and Entertainment District concept combines the economic energy and redevelopment potential of the performing Arts Center with broader opportunities within Omni/Park West and nearby Overtown. The proposed concept is to create an enhanced retail and a mixed-use corridor between NE 14th and 15th Streets that clusters various arts and entertainment uses. The redevelopment concept envisions a late night entertainment uses. The redevelopment concept envisions a late night entertainment district that revitalizes the area and provides economic support to the future Performing Arts Center.
3. Little Haiti Commercial Corridor
   The proposed Little Haiti Commercial Corridor concept is to create an authentic mixed-use neighborhood incorporating retail development, light manufacturing, housing and active recreation within the context of the existing Haitian community. The focus of redevelopment activity would be NE 2nd Avenue between NE 58th and 62nd Streets.
4. 79th Street Business and Greenway Corridor
   The proposed 79th Street Business and Greenway Corridor concept consists of three elements 1) a commercial façade renovation program targeting retail blocks that are in general disrepair and visually detracting to the 79th Street commercial corridor, 2) streetscape improvements along 79th Street and the entrance to 4th Court, and 3) open space and greenway development along the little River and FEC right-of way.
5. 25th Street Conservation District
   The proposed 25th Street Conservation District concept envisions the creation of a conservation district, by zoning amendment, for the full length of NE 25th street to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of the existing structures in the area. The concept also recommends general streetscape improvements including repaving of streets and sidewalks, new curbs, crosswalks, street plantings, lighting and street furniture. The concept includes a pocket park at the end of 25th Street at Biscayne Bay that would serve as an end destination for community residents wishing to walk or bicycle to the bay.
6. Zoning and Performance Guidelines
   The vision of the FEC Corridor as a diverse and connected mixed-use urban environment required zoning changes that mirrored the “guiding principles” of the overall plan and the specific redevelopment strategies proposed therein. An assessment of the FEC Corridor’s zoning concluded there was a general absence of the necessary zoning tools for the level and quality of mixed-use redevelopment as set forth in the guiding principles. The plan’s zoning recommendations include the creation of new Special Districts (SDs) and a Neighborhood Conservation District to facilitate and guide redevelopment within the FEC Corridor.

Additional Information
FIU Website
FEC Corridor Study
PowerPoint Presentation

[1] Little Haiti refers to the historic communities of Edison, Little River and Lemon City, which are generally bounded on the North by NE 84th Street, on the South by 38th Street, on the East by NE 4th Avenue, and on the West by NW 6th Avenue.