I wrote about the Second Saturday phenomenon in Wynwood two years ago: "... it is where the energy of the city manifests one night a month. And that is a very good thing."
Having been away from the city, I returned to Wynwood last Saturday night. What a scene.
What changed in two years? The development community "discovered" Wynwood. If you were a city or county elected official you should be asking: why is this Second Saturday such a success, and why can't it be replicated more days of the week, and most importantly of all: what can be done to protect it?
If Second Saturday became part of daily life, the city could tap a groundswell of urban energy that has always been lacking.
Downtown Miami and especially the Miami River access was sacrificed to insiders, zoning control by Greenberg Traurig and its clients like Jorge Perez, and to whoever had the shiniest idea at the time. Bayside Marketplace, for example, is a travesty from start to finish.
Wynwood on the Second Saturday is an interesting contrast to the higher rent, Design District just a few miles away. There is not a single night of the year where the Design District feels like Wynwood. It's partly the higher rents for the Design District that keep out artists and galleries. Lincoln Road is a different kind of cautionary tale: of promise sold out to the highest, at the time, bidder.
If past precedent is a judge of future results, beware of the Lincoln Road phenomenon.
The solution is visible on Second Saturday. The energy doesn't derive from the art galleries, per se. Lower rent and land values are part of the reason, too. Freely available parking helps.
But the main reason Second Saturday works: the open space used by the food trucks and for the makeshift street merchants.
This scruffy unpaved area is scarcely three acres. It is ringed with cyclone fence. Uninspired and uninviting by day, this area comprises the one prerequisite for urban energy that elected officials in Miami have neglected throughout a region that hosts 2 million people: a center for people to congregate.
It doesn't take much forethought to provide places that trigger city life. The problem is that Miami's elected officials have no forethought. Period.
I couldn't help noticing that a condo development is slated to rise where the food trucks proliferate now, on the Second Saturday. The throngs entering the food truck area scarcely gave the big, optimistic signage a glance. What a stupid, stupid mistake to permit that to happen. What a mistake to imagine the future of Wynwood ought to look like Lincoln Road.
If you want to know what makes an urban fabric, go to the Second Saturday at Wynwood. If you want to know why Miami excels at destroying value, just watch what happens when those 'vacant lots' are filled with more condos.
Having been away from the city, I returned to Wynwood last Saturday night. What a scene.
What changed in two years? The development community "discovered" Wynwood. If you were a city or county elected official you should be asking: why is this Second Saturday such a success, and why can't it be replicated more days of the week, and most importantly of all: what can be done to protect it?
If Second Saturday became part of daily life, the city could tap a groundswell of urban energy that has always been lacking.
Downtown Miami and especially the Miami River access was sacrificed to insiders, zoning control by Greenberg Traurig and its clients like Jorge Perez, and to whoever had the shiniest idea at the time. Bayside Marketplace, for example, is a travesty from start to finish.
Wynwood on the Second Saturday is an interesting contrast to the higher rent, Design District just a few miles away. There is not a single night of the year where the Design District feels like Wynwood. It's partly the higher rents for the Design District that keep out artists and galleries. Lincoln Road is a different kind of cautionary tale: of promise sold out to the highest, at the time, bidder.
If past precedent is a judge of future results, beware of the Lincoln Road phenomenon.
The solution is visible on Second Saturday. The energy doesn't derive from the art galleries, per se. Lower rent and land values are part of the reason, too. Freely available parking helps.
But the main reason Second Saturday works: the open space used by the food trucks and for the makeshift street merchants.
This scruffy unpaved area is scarcely three acres. It is ringed with cyclone fence. Uninspired and uninviting by day, this area comprises the one prerequisite for urban energy that elected officials in Miami have neglected throughout a region that hosts 2 million people: a center for people to congregate.
It doesn't take much forethought to provide places that trigger city life. The problem is that Miami's elected officials have no forethought. Period.
I couldn't help noticing that a condo development is slated to rise where the food trucks proliferate now, on the Second Saturday. The throngs entering the food truck area scarcely gave the big, optimistic signage a glance. What a stupid, stupid mistake to permit that to happen. What a mistake to imagine the future of Wynwood ought to look like Lincoln Road.
If you want to know what makes an urban fabric, go to the Second Saturday at Wynwood. If you want to know why Miami excels at destroying value, just watch what happens when those 'vacant lots' are filled with more condos.
4 comments:
Love it. The problem is, those that don't live in the area must drive to the location and find parking. Too bad there isn't a usable and convenient public transportation option for those that may live in outlying areas and desire to enjoy the vibe.
I agree there should be public transportation but there isn't at this time however you can always find free on street parking within 2-3 blocks of walking distance.
I tend to disagree.
Art Walk was there before the food trucks and while the food trucks certainly add to the festivities, to single that out as THE reason why Art Walk is what it is today is a stretch.
But how sad would it be if an Art Walk was successful because of grilled cheese and taco stands?
.
The point is, I must still drive. I don't want to. I want to get my drink on and not worry about the consequences.
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