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🛣️ Meet the man who's redesigning the Rickenbacker
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🛣️ Meet the man who's redesigning the Rickenbacker

Plan Z is a plan to change up the Rickenbacker Causeway to help protect cyclists.
(📹: Alexa Caravia/The New Tropic)

PLANNING FROM A TO Z

Bernard Zyscovich has (another) plan for Miami. But this time, instead of building upwards, he’s building outwards.

Plan Z is the latest proposal in an effort to knock Miami off the list of most dangerous cities to walk or bike in the country.

The comprehensive transportation plan aims to change the Rickenbacker’s notoriety for being one of the most unsafe places to cycle in the city by proposing a 12-mile redesign of its cycling and pedestrian trail.

The protected trail is designed to be 30 feet wide, the equivalent of three lanes of traffic. It will feature an observation loop with a view of the Miami skyline, create a 20-acre waterfront park for recreational activities, and will elevate portions of the causeway that are vulnerable to sea-level rise.

A separate overpass bridge will also connect Plan Z to The Underline. Learn more about Plan Z on our Facebook page.

HELP US TEST OUR NEW LOOK

We’ve been using your feedback to launch a new membership program AND redesign our newsletter. This week, we’ve mashed up the two projects. 🤯 And since our members go the extra dollar to support us, they get to test our newsletter redesign FIRST. Want to support The New Tropic? Want to test drive our new look? Join our membership program at our launch price of just $8 a month. Plus, you’ll get our endless appreciation. 😊

BULLETIN BOARD

🌊 Grab a pen and paper and head to this CLEO Institute workshop on climate change. Tonight’s event will include the latest data and research from sources like NASA, the World Health Organization, and NOAA.

🏗️ Are you a developer or know someone who works in construction? Check out this City of Miami workshop on design and building opportunities for Miami Forever bond projects. RSVP for tomorrow’s event here.

🚌 Venture capital firm Revolution is bringing its Rise of the Rest bus tour to Florida and Miami this spring, and looking for applicants for a $100,000 investment. Head here to apply. Applications are open until March 11.

Got an opportunity, workshop, scholarship, grant, etc. you want other curious locals to know about? Hit us up at [email protected] (subject line: “Bulletin Board”) to have it listed here.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE 305

A billion-dollar “bold vision.” Gov. Ron DeSantis is showing no signs of slowing down after nearly a month in office. Last Friday he announced a massive $91.3 billion budget proposal that would fix up areas of the state still recovering from Hurricanes Michael and Irma and would be used on infrastructure and education projects. About $2 billion is set aside for hurricane recovery, and another $100 million will go toward security measures for school buildings – a plan that’s been in the works since last year’s Parkland shooting. Other notable funding plans: Nearly $85 million to address the state’s opioid crisis, and about $338 million to build affordable housing and to support developers building those kinds of projects. (Miami Herald)

“We are with you.” Vice President Mike Pence visited the 305 last week to show support for the local Venezuelan community and to listen to members of the exile community who told stories of political persecution. He echoed President Trump’s calls of support for Juan Guaidó – the country’s self-appointed president – and said the U.S. would continue to support the end of Nicolás Maduro’s presidency noting that, “all options are on the table.” (Miami Herald)

Some SoFlo star power. This year’s Miami Film Festival in March is going to bring more than 100 film screenings, and some powerhouses in the film industry. The lineup was announced last week and there’s plenty of local love including screenings of two films by Rakontur – the film studio founded by locals Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman – and a two-hour course featuring Miami’s own Barry Jenkins, director of “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.” (Miami New Times)

Cruising in the wrong direction? Some of the world’s largest cruise lines are finding a cheaper way to meet international fuel regulation standards with gas cleaners called “scrubbers.” They help reduce sulfur output from burning fuel but environmental activists suggest that the cruise lines should actually be opting to use low-sulfur fuel and say the gas cleaners, “prolong the use of heavy fuel oil as long as possible.” So why not switch? The heavy fuel is about 30 percent cheaper than the low-sulfur fuel. (Miami Herald)

#OneLastAllStarGame. Dwyane Wade is calling his final season with the Heat #OneLastDance and now that swan song will include a final All-Star Game appearance for the veteran as a “special team roster addition.” The decision came from NBA commissioner Adam Silver because Wade didn’t actually earn enough votes to make it on to the team. (ESPN)

ONE MORE THING

If you’re plotting out a gift for your boo this Valentine’s Day but don’t want to get the usual chocolates or flowers, consider one of Miami’s favorite delicacies – croquetas.

Islas Canarias is selling a heart-shaped box packed with 20 croquetas. Pre-orders for the boxes start today and you can pick them up starting next Monday. But sorry to all the vegetarians out there, the box is filled with ham croquetas.

We’ll see ya tomorrow.

 

– The New Tropic

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