The Grove First - Coconut Grove, Miami's Online Stakeholder Community

Grand Avenue Grand Opening
Community celebrates ribbon cutting ceremony

There was dancing in the streets last month as the community celebrated the official ribbon cutting for Grand Avenue's streetscape improvements. A parade led by the Coral Gables High School Band and Honor Guard featured the island rhythms of a lively junkanoo band.

Commissioner Johnny Winton, as master of ceremonies, introduced Mayor Manny Diaz; County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez; Vice Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, Miles Moss; Neighborhood Improvement Bond Oversight Board chairman Robert Flanders; Urban Empowerment Corporation president and CEO Yvonne McDonald; and Coconut Grove Collaborative president and CEO Jihad Rashid.

The Grand Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project included the reconstruction of the major Grove thoroughfare into two lanes with a landscaped raised median, widened sidewalks, seating areas and decorative lighting. A new drainage system, along with parking and traffic signals completed the development. The $4.2 million project was funded by the City of Miami's Homeland Defense Neighborhood Improvement Bond and Miami-Dade County's People's Transportation Plan.

Miami Monthly

http://www.massmediamiami.com/grove.html