Bacardi

This week's news that the AIA is relocating to the historic post office building in Downtown Miami serves as a good reminder that the Magic City is only about 116 years old. The "historic" label carries a much different meaning in these parts. Still, we may be guilty of not having preserved enough of our architectural gems.

I was reading the other day that as the Florida Chapter of The American Institute of Architects celebrates its centennial, it will also recognize the 100 most noteworthy buildings across the state. What I found most interesting is that Miami – a city once criticized for a lack of art and culture – is home to more than 20% of the organization’s selections – 22 buildings that have captivated and encapsulated our region through the years.

Kudos to the City of Miami and some forward-thinking residents and stakeholders for converting a pedestrian-unfriendly median/parking lot in downtown Miami into a temporary park (read the Miami Herald's coverage of the park here). Don't blink or you'll miss it; the park will only be intact for five days (thru Sunday). But its very existence is sparking some very healthy discourse about how we use public spaces and how we can further evolve Miami into a more livable, walkable, sustainable city.