Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of Miami’s Jose Marti Park project has achieved Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) verification. Developed by the Waterfront Alliance, the program sets standards for “resilient, accessible, and ecologically” sound waterfront design.
Curtis and Rogers Design Studio, the lead landscape architects, says introducing WEDG® to the project benefits designers and developers, risk and finance professionals, and local governments.
“The successful implementation of the Jose Marti Park project will ultimately result in a model that is replicable throughout the City of Miami and the region. The City of Miami is proud to offer leadership on waterfront projects,” said City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
As the first project in the State of Florida and the second outside New York to attain this certification, the Jose Marti Park project is the twelfth nationally-verified project to meet the standard of excellence in waterfront design.
It was initiated under the Miami Forever Bond in 2019. Focusing on sea-level rise and flood prevention, the project design envisioned an actionable climate adaptive solution for the park.
“Jose Marti Park, located in my district and within the Little Havana neighborhood, is one of the most beloved parks in Miami, not only because of the amenities it has to offer, but because of its location on the river and its stunning views,” said District 3 City Commissioner Joe Carollo. “Few parks in the city are on the water’s edge, and keeping an asset such as this protected is a top priority of mine.
“As such, developing innovative ideas for the design plan, which addresses climate adaptive solutions through waterfront resilience and risk reduction, will ensure the park’s continued enjoyment by park visitors for many more years to come.”
