The Miami Springs City Council received a phase one parking plan from the Miami Springs City Manager, JC Jimenez, that would create new parking restrictions in downtown Miami Springs.
15 Minute Parking
The area marked by stars would create 15 minute curbside parking areas. These parking spots are designed for quick, in and out, curbside pickup. The city marked the following areas for 15 minute curbside parking:
- Westbound Westward Drive outside Sushi Sake
- Eastbound Westward Drive outside Cozy Corner (albeit the map shows outside The Leonard Real Estate Group)
- Northbound Curtiss Parkway outside Starbucks Coffee
- Southbound Curtiss Parkway outside Ray’s Taekwondo
- Southbound Curtiss Parkway at One Curtiss Parkway
- Canal Street outside the former Cracker’s Restaurant
2 – 3 Hour Parking
The City of Miami Springs currently has a two hour parking signs throughout portions of the central business district, but everyone knows it has not been enforced. The new proposal would include an area of 2-3 hour parking, but with new enforcement. The area marked in pink above would be 2-3 hour parking. These areas include:
- Canal Street within the Gateway Overlay District
- Curtiss Parkway between the Circle and Canal Street
- Hook Square
- South Royal Poinciana Boulevard between Hook Square and Curtiss Parkway
- The first 2 blocks of Westward Drive from the Circle to Park Street
Unlimited Parking
The areas marked in blue would have unlimited parking. That means you could park there as long as you wish. Ideally, this would be used by employees who leave their car at these location for many hours every day. These areas include:
- Curtiss Parkway south of the Circle
- Westward Drive west of Park Street (City Hall)
- Canal Street outside of the Gateway Overlay (west of the Farm Stores block)
Nuclear Option
The “Nuclear Option” is introducing paid parking. To be clear, the current proposal does NOT include a paid parking option. However, as parking becomes more of an issue, free parking along the most highly used areas is likely to go away.
We support the City Manager and the City Council’s idea to continue to provide free parking, but restrict the amount of time vehicle’s can be parked at a specific location. In other words, this will encourage business owners and employees to park in long-term parking zones to provide customers and residents easier access to the short term parking areas.
Furthermore, this will prevent residents of the new Miami Springs Town Center from leaving their car for days in front of the local businesses. It will encourage them to park a few blocks away in the unlimited parking zones.
What do you think of the proposed ideas? Let us know in the comments section below or via social media.
