1100 Block of Lincoln Road Mall

Challenge

A number of issues combine to make the site less than ideal for plants. These include a high water table of brackish quality, a shallow soil layer, heavy soil compaction, significant pedestrian activity, salt water spray from the Atlantic Ocean, and blockage of sunlight by the 5 to 7-story-high buildings that frame the site. These conditions would present a tough environment for many plant species, including canopy trees that could provide the site with shade.

Solution

The landscape architect selected native plant species that could withstand the site conditions. Most plants were located in a central linear core in the area that receives the most sunlight. The design made use of tall tree species such as live oaks, bald cypresses, and sabal palms that can grow high, capture more sunlight, and provide shade. In order to support the large trees and give them a greater opportunity to thrive, structural cells were used under the pavement surface. These cells support the pavement while providing about 400 cu ft of uncompacted soil for each tree. Four years after the installation, the trees are in healthy condition and appear to be thriving.

• The previously existing roadway with two driving lanes and two parking lanes was replaced by a pedestrian-only promenade with large shade trees, water gardens, seating, and natural stone paving, facilitating a safer and more comfortable shopping, walking, and lingering environment.
• Four 1.5 ft deep water gardens cover a total of 4,010 sf and contain 43,500 gal of fresh water. They utilize a bead-filter and ultraviolet treatment system for algae removal rather than the chemicals used on the other blocks of Lincoln Road Mall. The gardens feature native plant species from the Everglades and coastal Florida, which further filter the water and provide habitat for various fish, birds, insects, and amphibians.
• 68 plant species were used in the streetscape, 60% of which are native to the state of Florida. (10 of these native species are also endangered or threatened in the state.) Native trees include live oak and bald cypress, native grasses include fakahatchee grass and gamma grass, and native vines and flowers include golden creepers and swamp lilies. Species were selected to be able to withstand the harsh urban and coastal environment of Miami Beach.
• 37,700 sf of pedra portuguesa paving recalls the black and white striped paving pattern of the original Lincoln Road Mall design. The porphyry stone pieces were individually hand laid and connected with mortar joints. The stone stripes of the plaza on this block are permanent, whereas Lapidus’ painted stripes on other blocks need periodic maintenance and repainting.
• Pedestrain circulation was further improved by removing an existing parking lane and increasing sidewalk widths by 10 ft along Lenox Avenue, a street perpendicular to the Lincoln Road Mall on the eastern end of the block. The sidewalks there were repaved with the same porphyry stone material and pattern as the 1100 block of Lincoln Road Mall.
• A structural cell root space system provides extra rooting space for 6 live oaks, 6 bald cypresses, and a Guiana chestnut located in the central portion of the 1100 block, and for a bald cypress on Lenox Avenue (which was later replaced with a bridalveil tree). The system provides about 400 cu ft of soil per tree.

• Treatment of the water in the water gardens is done with a bead-filter and ultraviolet treatment system instead of a traditional sand-filter and chlorination system like the ones used for water features elsewhere on the Lincoln Road Mall. The initial cost of the UV-treatment system was roughly double that of a traditional system. However, because the bead filters require less pressure to keep the water circulating, they use 12.7 kWh less energy per week than a sand filter. The bead filters also require less backwashing to clean the system, saving 1,580 gallons of wastewater per week. The lack of chemicals in the UV-treament system allows the water gardens to function as habitat for various plant and animal species.

• Use of a rougher finish (versus a smoother finish) for the streetscape paving stone yielded initial cost savings to the city and client. However, after completion of the 1100 block, some citizens complained of the rough textured surface causing problems in traversing the plaza. In particular, women with high heels were not satisfied with the surface. The City of Miami Beach ultimately smoothed down the stone pieces that most significantly protruded from the surface. Although the City had plans to use the porphyry stone elsewhere in the mall, the decision was scrapped because of these issues. Use of a smoother finish stone could have provided a smoother walking surface and perhaps altered the City’s decision regarding use of the material elsewhere.
• The water gardens have become very popular with children. In several places, children were cutting through planters adjacent to the ponds and trampling the plants located there. Also, many bigger children discovered that they could jump from the pond edges to the island planters, which caused damage to many of the more sensitive plants there. Hardier plants were substituted in these places to reduce the damage.
• A few of the restaurants along the edges of the streetscape placed their tables immediately adjacent to planting beds when they first opened. This caused damage to some of the plants. Introducing rules and educating tenants has helped reduce this problem. Initial planning for this educational component for tenants and other users could have prevented this issue.

Plants:
 Plant Creations, Inc.
Bromeliad Donations: Bulis Bromeliads
Silva Cells: DeepRoot Green Infrastructure
Paving Stone (pedra portuguesa): ArquiGreen

Project Team

Client: The City of Miami Beach and UIA Management, LLC
Landscape Architect: Raymond Jungles, Inc.
Architect: Herzog & de Meuron
Landscape Contractor: Superior Landscaping & Lawn Service, Inc
General Contractor: GT McDonald Enterprises, Inc.
Civil Engineer: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Hydraulic/Aquatic Consultant: Biscayne Aquaculture (Edgewater Exhibits, LLC)
Lighting Consultant: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects LTD
Urban Soil and Tree Consultant: James Urban
Specimen Tree Broker: Sean Jacobus Company, Inc.
Silva Cell Design and Installation: DeepRoot Green Infrastructure
Paving Stone (pedra portuguesa) Installation: ArquiGreen

Role of the Landscape Architect

The landscape architect developed the master plan for the site, reviewed the quality of construction and implementation, and coordinated a diverse team of specialists that included civil engineers, lighting specialists, irrigation designers, and fountain specialists. Additionally, the landscape architect has actively participated in maintaining and improving the water gardens and site plantings since project completion.