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95-680: The Ralston Building , now known as the Carrion Jewelry Center , is a historic building located in Downtown Miami . At the time of its completion in 1917, the eight-story building was the tallest building in Miami , a title it held for less than one year when it was surpassed by the McAllister Hotel , built later in 1917. In 2001, it was purchased by First & First Investments, a company owned by local jeweler Juan Perez-Carrion. He purchased

190-548: A barrier island and Miami on the mainland , from Dumfoundling Bay on the north to the Rickenbacker Causeway to the south. Other municipalities on the western shore of the lagoon include Aventura (on Dumfoundling Bay), North Miami Beach, North Miami , and Miami Shores . Municipalities bordering the lagoon on the barrier islands north of Miami Beach include Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour , Bay Harbor Islands , Surfside , and Indian Creek Village . North Bay Village

285-595: A causeway and bridges connecting Key Biscayne to the Ragged Keys and beyond on the grounds that such construction would block the free outflow of storm surges from the bay across the flats to the ocean. It is believed that it does moderate the effects of storm surges on the bay. The transportation of sand southward along the Atlantic Coast of Florida by longshore drift ends in the area of the Safety Valve. The structure of

380-522: A lagoon behind the ancient reef that became the Key Largo limestone, and is the same age as the Key Largo limestone. The limestone bottom of the lagoon is overlain by 1.2 to 4.6 metres (3.9 to 15.1 ft) of sand, carbonate mud, and coral rubble sediments. For purposes of discussion and analysis, Biscayne Bay is often divided into three sections: North Bay, Central Bay, and South Bay. The North Bay of Biscayne Bay principally lies between Miami Beach on

475-514: A larger "Biscayne Bay", which is 60 miles (97 km) long with a surface area of about 271 square miles (700 km ). Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda related in the 16th century that a sailor from the Bay of Biscay called the Viscayno or Biscayno had lived on the lower east coast of Florida for a while after being shipwrecked, and a 17th-century map shows a Cayo de Biscainhos , the probable origin of

570-623: A location in the Florida Keys. Due to its distance from the open ocean and the restrictive passages between other components of Biscayne Bay, Manatee Bay experiences low tidal exchange, while the C-197 canal allows fresh water from the C-111 canal to flow into Manatee Bay. Salinity levels in Manatee Bay range from 14 parts-per-thousand (ppt) to 45 ppt (seawater has an average salinity of 35 ppt). In July 2023,

665-538: A maximum depth of 4 metres (13 ft). The eastern rim of the lagoon is based on an ancient coral reef which existed along the southeastern edge of the Florida Platform about 100,000 years ago. The ensuing Wisconsin glaciation lowered sea levels, leaving the reef above water. The dead reef became fossilized, forming the Key Largo Limestone (commonly called "coral rock"). Key Largo Limestone underlies

760-631: A population of 39,176 residents, with 15,333 households in 1990 with an average of 2.2 residents per household, 17,130 households in 2000 with a household average of 2.1, and 33,600 households in 2009 with a household average of 2.0 residents. By 2014, the population of Downtown is expected to grow to 85,000 with 42,400 households. The median household income was $ 29,396 in 2000 and $ 40,180 in 2009. The zip codes for Downtown include 33128, 33130, 33131, and 33132. The area covers 2.117 square miles (5.48 km ). As of 2000, there were 6,451 males and 4,792 females. The median age for males were 34.5 years old, while

855-629: A second causeway connecting Miami to the barrier islands of Miami Beach, and the County Causeway—;later the MacArthur Causeway —opened on February 17, 1920. In 1925, Biscayne Point was created in Miami Beach's north end. In 1929, a third causeway crossed Biscayne Bay at Normandy Isle , which developer Henri Levy had created several years earlier by dredging and filling the south half of Meade Island. The Julia Tuttle Causeway

950-674: A small park. It is located on the John F. Kennedy (79th Street) Causeway in North Bay. The City of Miami has many parks fronting on the lagoon, the more important of which are Bayfront Park , Alice Wainwright Park , Margaret Pace Park , Maurice A. Ferré Park , Morningside Park, and Peacock Park . Public marinas on Biscayne Bay operated by the City of Miami include: Dinner Key Marina, Miami Marine Stadium Marina, and Miamarina at Bayside . The Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve includes most of Biscayne Bay (in

1045-574: Is a major east–west road in Miami named after the tycoon; the Julia Tuttle Causeway , crossing Biscayne Bay just north of Downtown in Edgewater , is named in honor of Tuttle. As of 2009, there are approximately 71,000 year-round residents in Greater Downtown (including Downtown's Brickell , Park West , and Arts & Entertainment District neighborhoods), with close to 200,000 populating

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1140-586: Is a popular alternative to walking in the area, especially on rainy, hot or cold days, as the Metromover is free, and stations are located roughly every two blocks throughout the area. Recently, the City of Miami, along with the Downtown Development Authority, has begun bicycle initiatives promoting citywide bike parking and bike lanes , that have made bicycling much more popular for residents. Bike lanes and bike sharrows are currently planned for

1235-589: Is bordered on its west by the mainland of Florida, and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean to the east by a string of barrier islands in the northern part of the lagoon, a large shoal in the central section, and the northernmost of the Florida Keys in the south. The lagoon is about 35 miles (56 km) long from Dumfoundling Bay (25° 58′ North latitude) (north of North Miami Beach) to Card Sound, and another 25 miles (40 km) to Jewfish Creek (25° 24′ North latitude), if Card Sound and Barnes Sound are included in

1330-594: Is located next to the Arsht Center at the Adrienne Arsht Center Station . As an urban and pedestrian-friendly area with an extensive public transit network, Downtown (along with Brickell , the Arts & Entertainment District , and South Beach ) is one of the areas in Miami where a car-free lifestyle is commonplace. Many Downtown residents get around by foot, bicycle, Metromover or by taxi. The Metromover

1425-400: Is located on two artificial islands in the middle of the lagoon. North Bay is the part of the lagoon that has been most modified by human works, including channels and other dredged areas, and spoil banks and artificial islands created with material dredged from channels. More than 40% of the area of North Bay had either been dredged or filled to form artificial islands, and more than half of

1520-442: Is now Fisher Island at the south end of Miami Beach . The opening of Government Cut in 1905 separated Fisher Island from Miami Beach and slightly shortened the barrier spit. The dredging of Baker's Haulover Inlet in 1925 across the barrier spit near the north end of the bay converted that part of the barrier spit where Miami Beach was located into a barrier island. Modification of the flow of fresh water through waterways, and

1615-483: Is the least affected by human activities, although it also suffers from the loss of natural fresh water flow. The Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station is a significant presence on the mainland shore. Card Sound is an extension of Biscayne Bay to the south of South Bay. Little Card Sound is the next south, separated from Card Sound by Card Bank. The causeway of the Card Sound Bridge now separates Barnes Sound to

1710-589: Is the urban city center of Miami , Florida , United States. The city's greater downtown region consists of the Central Business District , Brickell , the Historic District , Government Center , the Arts & Entertainment District , and Park West . It is divided by the Miami River and is bordered by Midtown Miami 's Edgewater , and Wynwood sections to its north, Biscayne Bay to its east,

1805-514: Is where a variety of jeweled products are sold and is one of the three jewelry districts in the United States. It comprises four city blocks, bounded by North Miami Avenue , Northeast Second Avenue, East Flagler Street and Northeast Second Streets. Shoppers can find designer jewelry, precious stones , and gold and silver items at street level in various retail jewelry stores. The Jewelry District can be accessed by public transportation through

1900-536: The Arsenicker Keys and the Cutter Bank just to the east of those islands. Many discussions about the lagoon include Dumfoundling Bay, a small lagoon just north of North Miami Beach, as part of Biscayne Bay, and include Card Sound and Barnes Sound , in southern Miami-Dade County adjacent to Key Largo , as either part of a system of connected lagoons including Biscayne Bay, or as part of Biscayne Bay itself. The lagoon

1995-714: The Cutler Fossil Site , a sinkhole that is now a couple of kilometers from the bay. At the time of European contact, in the early 16th century, the area around the bay was occupied by the Tequesta . The Tequesta belonged to the Glades culture , which had been in place for about 2,000 years. The chief town of the Tequesta, also called Tequesta, was on the bay at the mouth of the Miami River, from about 1200. The Miami Circle , just south of

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2090-729: The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) corridor, which runs along the region's densest neighborhoods, parallel to Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, and Federal Highway in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Tri-Rail service on the FEC line would bring Tri-Rail to Downtown's transit hub, Government Center Station , connecting Downtown directly to Midtown Miami / Miami Design District , Upper East Side / Miami Shores , North Miami , North Miami Beach / Aventura , Downtown Hollywood , and Downtown Fort Lauderdale . Currently, rail commuters must transfer onto

2185-616: The Health District and Overtown to its west, and Coconut Grove to its south. Downtown Miami is the core of the Miami metropolitan area , the nation's ninth-largest and world's 34th-largest metropolitan area with a population of 6.158 million people. Within Downtown Miami, Brickell Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard are the main north–south roads, and Flagler Street is the main east–west road. The Downtown Miami perimeters are defined by

2280-577: The Metromover and Metrorail . Brickell is south of the Miami River, and is a mixed upper-class residential neighborhood as well as Miami's major financial district along Brickell Avenue . The Shops at Mary Brickell Village , Brickell City Center, and Simpson Park are located within Brickell. Brickell is directly served by the Miami Metrorail at Brickell Station , and by five Metromover stations on

2375-906: The Metromover stops running. Taxis can be hailed on the street, or phoned. Downtown is home to many companies, corporations and organizations. Downtown has about 20 million square feet (1,900,000 m ) of office space, and is the central financial and business hub of South Florida . Some private companies with headquarters in Downtown are Akerman LLP , Arquitectonica , Espírito Santo Financial Group , Florida Justice Institute , Greenberg Traurig , Holland & Knight , Macy's Florida , Miami Herald , Miami Today , Shutts & Bowen , Terremark Worldwide , Vector Group , World Property Channel, and Zyscovich Architects. Sanford Group Company and Sanford Fiduciary Investor Services, Inc., and LTU International had headquarters in Downtown. Public organizations with their main offices in Downtown include,

2470-548: The Metrorail in Hialeah to get to Downtown. Miami's Downtown Development Authority along with Miami-area politicians are actively lobbying to bring Tri-Rail to the city core. Taxis are popular in Downtown, especially from Downtown to South Beach , Design District or to Coconut Grove . Since many Downtown residents choose to not have cars, taxis are also popular for rides within Downtown neighborhoods, especially after midnight when

2565-418: The Miami building boom of the first decade of the 21st century, 23,628 condominium and apartments were built in numerous high-rise towers that quickly transformed the city. Over 85% of these apartments are now occupied as of early 2011. It is estimated that about 550 new residents move to Downtown every month. Renters make up 56% of the residents in Downtown. In July 2011, Downtown's office vacancy rate

2660-625: The University of Miami 's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science are located on the southern end of Virginia Key , the only part of that island bordering on Central Bay. Grove Isle , near the Miami neighborhood of Coconut Grove , is an artificial island in Central Bay. The large marina at Dinner Key is also in Coconut Grove. Central Bay has been adversely affected primarily by bulkheading, urban runoff discharged by canals, and

2755-737: The automated Metromover train system runs three lines (the Downtown Loop, the Omni Loop, and the Brickell Loop) with 22 stations throughout Downtown. The Metromover is a free service and stations can be found at roughly every two blocks in Downtown and Brickell. Downtown Miami is served by Metrobus throughout the area, the Miami Metrorail , and the Metromover : Metrorail: Metromover: Metrorail has stops throughout Miami with connections to Miami International Airport , all Metrobus lines, Tri-Rail and Amtrak . The main bus station in Downtown

2850-681: The county seat of Miami-Dade County, Downtown is home to the central offices and departments of the Miami-Dade County government, mainly located in the Government Center area. The Stephen P. Clark Government Center is the central headquarters of Miami-Dade government with the offices of the Miami-Dade Mayor. Although city hall for the City of Miami is in Coconut Grove , many offices of Miami's city government are in Downtown, including

2945-429: The third greatest concentration of high-rises in the United States and is home to many major museums, parks, education centers, banks, company headquarters, courthouses, government offices, theaters, shops and many of the oldest buildings in the city. Downtown Miami is the historic heart of Miami . Along with Coconut Grove , Downtown Miami is the oldest settled area of Miami, with early pioneer settlement dating to

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3040-423: The 19th century. Today, it is still Downtown's major shopping street, with Florida's flagship Macy's (formerly Burdines ) on Flagler Street and Miami Avenue from 1912 to 2018, as well as Miami's own local department stores: La Época, on Flagler and SE 2nd Av; Alberto Cortes, on Flagler and SE 3rd Av. Flagler Street is also home to many well-known and established jewelers , many of whom have been in Downtown since

3135-759: The Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves. Card Sound and Barnes Sound lie within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary . The Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge on Key Largo includes 650 acres (2.6 km ) of open water in Card Sound and Barnes Sound. Lobsters are protected year-round in the Biscayne Bay-Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary. The sanctuary includes all of the lagoon from a line running from Cape Florida to Matheson Hammock County Park south to

3230-527: The Brickell Loop. The Arts & Entertainment District is an urban neighborhood with numerous hotels, and high-rise residential buildings. The neighborhood's former name Omni comes from the Omni International Mall on Biscayne Boulevard . The district borders Biscayne Bay the east, NE 2nd Ave to the west, NE 21st St to the north and I-395 to the south. Pace Park, Adrienne Arsht Center for

3325-630: The Brickell Post Office and the Flagler Miami Post Office. The Federal Detention Center, Miami , operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons , is located in Downtown. The City of Miami Fire and Rescue Department operates 4 of its 14 fire stations within the Downtown area. Each are listed below. The average apartment sale price was $ 347,729 in 2010, up 15% from 2009, with the average apartment price at $ 300 per square foot. During

3420-530: The Card Sound Bridge and causeway. The sea level at Virginia Key has been rising at an average rate of 2.97 millimetres (0.117 in) a year from 1931 to 2020, equivalent to 0.97 feet (0.30 m) a century. The islands adjacent to the lagoon are low-lying and threatened with significant flooding in the near future. Gas and oil exploration wells have been drilled near the lagoon, although none reached exploitable deposits. Canals and quarries have disturbed

3515-791: The Caribbean and Latin America. Japan opened a consulate in Miami after Japanese investors purchased several major real estate properties in Florida. Downtown is also home to many international chambers of commerce , these include: Downtown has three U.S. historic districts . The Downtown Miami Commercial Historic District, the Downtown Miami Historic District, and the Lummus Park Historic District. The Downtown Miami Historic District comprises 380 acres (1.5 km ) in

3610-624: The Downtown Metromover , which encompasses 22 stations on the clockwise Inner (or Downtown) loop and counterclockwise Brickell and Omni branch loops. Government Center station is Downtown's main station and allows for transfers to all Metromover loops, Metrorail trains, and Metrobus lines at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center . Downtown Miami is centered on the Central Business District (CBD), best known by locals as simply "Downtown". Although distinct neighborhoods with different characters, all

3705-471: The Downtown area during the daytime, making Downtown Miami one of the most populous downtowns in the U.S. after New York City and Chicago . With recent mass construction of high-rise residential buildings and office towers, Downtown has experienced large growth, with new shops, bars, parks, and restaurants opening up, attracting many new residents. Along with Brickell, Downtown has grown from 40,000 residents in 2000, to over 70,000 in 2009, making it one of

3800-475: The Eastern edge of the barrier islands and the shoals (Safety Valve) along the northern and middle part of the lagoon. It makes a brief appearance at Soldier Key , in the middle of the Safety Valve, and rises above sea level to the south to form the upper Florida Keys. The western side of the bay has characteristics of an estuary , with 16 waterways, the largest of which is the Miami River , flowing into it. All of

3895-462: The Florida Keys north of Key Largo, are within the boundaries of Biscayne National Park . A number of other state and local parks front on the lagoon, primarily on North Bay and the northern rim of Central Bay. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is located on the southern part of Key Biscayne. Oleta River State Park is located on the south side of the Oleta River where it flows into the segment of

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3990-475: The Intracoastal Waterway connecting Dumfoundling Bay and North Bay, fronting on North Bay as it widens to the south. Miami-Dade County operates a number of parks with frontage on Biscayne Bay. Haulover Park is on the barrier island running north from Baker's Haulover Inlet. Crandon Park covers the northern part of Key Biscayne. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are located on the mainland in Miami near

4085-505: The Joan Lehman Sculpture Plaza. These new parks have brought more green space, benches, art, and rest areas to the street. Biscayne Bay The part of the lagoon that is traditionally called "Biscayne Bay" is approximately 35 miles (56 km) long and up to 8 miles (13 km) wide, with a surface area of 221 square miles (570 km ). Various definitions may include Dumfoundling Bay, Card Sound, and Barnes Sound in

4180-568: The MacArthur Causeway have been created, in whole or in part, with material dredged from the lagoon bottom. Most of the islands, such as the Venetian Islands, are residential. Brickell Key , another residential island, is just south of the mouth of the Miami River. Dodge Island , across the main ship channel to the south of the MacArthur Causeway, was enlarged in the 1960s when the Port of Miami

4275-503: The Miami Downtown Development Authority as the 3.8-square-mile (9.8 km ) area east of Interstate 95 between Rickenbacker Causeway to the south and the Julia Tuttle Causeway , which connects Miami and Miami Beach , to the north. The area is a cultural, financial, and commercial center of the Miami metropolitan area, tracing its present-day history back to the 19th century. In recent years, Downtown Miami has

4370-874: The Miami-Dade County-Monroe County line, and from the limit of Florida territorial waters in the Atlantic to the Intracoastal Waterway in Biscayne Bay. When the Biscayne National Monument was upgraded to a National Park, all waters in the National Park were removed from the Biscayne Bay-Cape Florida to Monroe County Line Aquatic Preserve. The remainder of that preserve consists of about 4,163 acres (16.85 km ) of submerged lands near Key Biscayne. The two preserves are known collectively as

4465-419: The Omni Loop. As of 2010, the population of Downtown Miami was 65,696 people, with a population density of 27,487 per square mile. In the 2010 US Census, the racial makeup of Downtown was 57.6% Hispanic of any race, 30.8% White (non-Hispanic) , 7.2% Black , and 2.9% Asian . The zip codes for Brickell include 33129, 33130, and 33131. The area covers 1.084 square miles (2.81 km ). In 2000, Downtown had

4560-591: The Orange Drop for New Year's, Bike Miami, and the "America's Birthday Bash at Bayfront Park" for Independence Day. Bayfront Park hosts many large outdoor concerts such as Warped Tour and Ultra Music Festival . Formerly Bicentennial Park, Museum Park has been redone, and is now the site for new buildings for the Miami Art Museum and the Miami Science Museum . Other parks in the Downtown area include: As

4655-459: The Performing Arts , and the (former) Miami Herald headquarters are located within the district. The Arts & Entertainment District is served by the Miami Metrorail at: Government Center Station , and by two Metromover stations on the Omni Loop. Park West is the neighborhood just west of Museum Park , east of NW 1st Ave, south of I-195 , and north of NE 6th St. Park West was primarily known for its nightclubs , and in recent years has been

4750-414: The Safety Valve has been stable for at least the last century. (The area was called Bocas de Miguel de Mora on Spanish maps and derroteros during the era of Spanish Florida . ) Stiltsville is a collection of buildings on pilings on several sand flats at the northern end of the Safety Valve. What is now Biscayne Bay was a freshwater basin 4,000 years ago. As the sea level rose, ocean water entered

4845-423: The basin, turning it into an estuary/lagoon. Before the 20th century, a coastal ridge west of and parallel to the bay caused most of the ground water west of the ridge to flow towards the Everglades and Florida Bay , while ground water on the narrow coastal strip east of the ridge flowed into the bay. Freshwater marshes were located all along the western shore of the bay, and fresh water springs were located along

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4940-426: The bay was in the news when a bouy there recorded a water temperature of 101.1 °F (38.4 °C). The Safety Valve is a series of shallow sand flats separated by tidal flow channels, stretching about 8 miles (13 km) from the south end of Key Biscayne to the Ragged Keys just north of the Florida Keys . The term "safety valve" was applied to the tidal flats by Ralph Munroe , who argued against building

5035-427: The bedrock on the shores of the lagoon. Miami-Dade County operates a 300-acre (120 ha) landfill at Black Point adjacent to the lagoon. Miami-Dade County operates three wastewater treatment plants close to the lagoon. The oldest is the Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant on Virginia Key. The North District Wastewater Treatment Plant is in North Miami, and the South District Wastewater Treatment Plant

5130-405: The building as the headquarters for Carrion Jewelry Manufacturing. Over the course of 3 years he restored the dilapidated building to its former grandeur. The building is located at 40 Northeast 1st Avenue and is now used for office space. This article related to a building or structure in Miami is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Downtown Miami Downtown Miami

5225-572: The central offices of the Beacon Council, the Downtown Development Authority, Miami-Dade County government , Miami-Dade County Public Schools , Miami Police Department , Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation], and other City of Miami departments despite city hall 's location in Coconut Grove . Several countries have consulates based in Downtown, most of which are located along Biscayne Boulevard and Brickell Avenue . These include: Japan first opened its consulate in Miami in 1992. As of 1992 this consulate gives logistical support to Japanese embassies in

5320-546: The city's Planning Department. The Miami Police Department also has its central offices in Downtown. Downtown is home to many city, county, state, and federal courthouses, jails, judge offices, and law firms. Some of the courthouses in Downtown are the Dade County Family Court, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge, U.S. District Court Clerk, Miami-Dade County Courthouse , Federal Courthouse, U.S. Magistrate Judge, City of Miami courthouses and many others. The United States Postal Service operates two post offices in Downtown. They are

5415-477: The early 19th century. Urban development began in the 1890s with the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway by Standard Oil industrialist Henry Flagler down to Miami at the insistence of Julia Tuttle . Flagler, along with developers such as William Brickell and George E. Merrick helped bring developer interest to the city with the construction of hotels, resorts, homes, and the extension of Flagler's rail line. Flagler Street , originating in Downtown,

5510-664: The early 20th century (i.e.: Morays Jewelers, founded in 1900). This area is called the Miami Jewelry District and comprises four Downtown blocks from Miami Avenue to SE 2nd Av on Flagler Street and NE 1st St. After many years of decay, recently, much focus has been placed on revitalizing Flagler Street to its former grandeur. In recent years, a renewed investment interest has been placed on Flagler Street, and many new restaurants and stores have opened up, new landscaping and pavers have been placed, as well as enforced security and tourist guides. Three new pocket parks opened on Flagler St in 2009, Paul S. Walker Park, Robert F. Clark Plaza, and

5605-429: The east side of Downtown with 19th and early 20th-century revival styles. The Lummus Park Historic District is west of Downtown in the neighborhood of Lummus Park. It is west of I-95 surrounding Lummus Park along the Miami River . The historic district was designated historic in 1988 and then expanded in 2006. The area is 260 acres (1.1 km ) large with 43 different buildings mostly owned by private entities and

5700-452: The fastest-growing areas in Florida. It was estimated in February 2010, that about 550 new residents move to the Downtown area every month. As of 2009, over 190,000 office employees work in Downtown and Brickell. Downtown is served by the Miami Metrorail at Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre , Government Center , and Brickell stations, accessible from Broward and Palm Beach counties via Tri-Rail transfer station . The Metro connects to

5795-483: The following neighborhoods are often labeled under the umbrella term of "Downtown Miami": The Central Business District (CBD), often referred to locally as simply "Downtown", is the historic center of Miami. The CBD is bound by Northeast Sixth Street to the north, Biscayne Bay to the east, and the Miami River to the west and south. The majority of Miami's historic buildings are located in this district, including Flagler Street , museums, libraries, offices, schools,

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5890-436: The heart of Downtown with over 60 buildings within its jurisdiction. Many of the buildings within the area are of the Moderne style and Classical Revival style with uses for government, residential, and commercial. Periods of significance within this area are from 1900 to 1924, 1925 to 1949, and 1950 to 1974. The Downtown Miami Commercial Historic District was designated a historic district in 1988 and comprises 20 buildings on

5985-407: The immediate Downtown/Brickell area. Public transportation in the Downtown area is used more than in any other part of Miami and is a vital part of Downtown life. Metrorail , Miami's heavy rail system, makes three stops in Downtown on both the green and orange lines at the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Station , Government Center Station , and the Brickell Station . In addition to Metrorail,

6080-433: The lagoon at the time. The British, during their occupation of Florida (1763–1783), called the lagoon "Cape River", "Dartmouth Sound", and "Sandwich gulph". Biscayne Bay is a semi- or subtropical lagoon extending most of the length of Miami-Dade County , from North Miami Beach to the upper Florida Keys . Biscayne Bay, in the strictest sense, extends from a point between North Miami Beach and Sunny Isles Beach south to

6175-436: The lagoon. The lagoon is 8 miles (13 km) across at its widest point. The lagoon, from Dumfoundling Bay to the Arsenicker Keys, has a surface area of about 572 square kilometres (221 sq mi). The larger lagoon, including Card Sound and Barnes Sound, has a surface area of about 703 square kilometres (271 sq mi). It has an average depth of 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) and, except where channels have been dredged ,

6270-420: The local government. Prominent styles include late 19th and early 20th-century revival styles, Art Deco , and Bungalow style, with prominent periods of 1900–1924 and 1925–1949. Downtown's largest and most popular parks are Bayfront Park , Museum Park , and Pace Park. Bayfront Park is host to the free DWTWN Concert Series, put on weekly in the park's amphitheater, as well as various other annual events such as

6365-564: The loss of natural fresh water flow. South Bay is nearly as large as Central Bay, and is defined as extending from the Featherbed Bank to the Arsenicker Keys , or to Cutter Bank, which is to the east of the Arsenicker Keys. (Brown et al. define South Bay as consisting of Card Sound and Barnes Sound.) It is separated from the ocean by the northernmost of the Florida Keys , from Boca Chita Key to Old Rhodes Key . Fresh water sources for South Bay include Black Creek, Goulds Canal, North Canal, Florida City Canal, and Model Land Canal. Tidal exchange with

6460-453: The majority of Downtown streets to be painted by the end of 2010. Venetian Causeway is a popular bicycle commuter route that connects South Beach to Downtown. The Rickenbacker Causeway is very popular on weekends for recreational bicyclists, and often, bicycles can outnumber cars on the causeway. In the 2025 and 2030 long range transportation plans, Miami's commuter rail system, Tri-Rail , has envisioned moving to or adding service on

6555-408: The median age for females were 35.8 years old. The average household size had 1.9 people, while the average family size had 2.8 members. The percentage of married-couple families among all households was 25.5%, while the percentage of married-couple families with children (among all households) was 8.5%, and the percentage of single-mother households among all households was 5.8%. 15.3% of the population

6650-427: The middle third of the island on the eastern side of Central Bay. Fresh water sources for Central Bay include the Coral Gables Waterway and Snapper Creek . Tidal flow between Central Bay and the ocean is through Bear Cut between Virginia Key and Key Biscayne and across the Safety Valve. The development that has so transformed North Bay has spread over much of the northern shores of Central Bay. Miami Seaquarium and

6745-410: The mouth of the Miami River, has been proposed to be post holes for a structure. The site was abandoned in about 1200, when the town site north of the river was occupied. Juan Ponce de León visited Biscayne Bay in 1513, and Pedro Menéndez de Avilés did so in 1565. Early accounts by Spanish explorers indicated the existence of one or more inlets somewhere on the long barrier spit then separating

6840-406: The name for Key Biscayne . The lagoon was known as "Key Biscayne Bay" in the 19th century, finally shrinking to "Biscayne Bay" late in the 19th century. The lagoon has been known by several names. Juan Ponce de León called it Chequescha in 1513, and Pedro Menéndez de Avilés called it Tequesta in 1565. Those names are variant spellings of " Tequesta ", the name of the people who lived around

6935-705: The north to the Featherbed Bank, which runs across the bay from Black Point to Boca Chita Key . It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by Key Biscayne , the Safety Valve , and the Ragged Keys , the northernmost of the Florida Keys . It is bordered on the western shore by the municipalities of Miami , Coral Gables , Palmetto Bay , Cutler Bay , and a portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Key Biscayne occupies

7030-516: The northern edge of Central Bay. Matheson Hammock Park , the Charles Deering Estate , and Chapman Field Park are on the mainland along the western shore of Central Bay. Black Point Park and Marina and Homestead Bayfront Park are on the mainland on the western shore of South Bay. Black Point, Crandon, Haulover, Homestead Bayfront and Matheson Hammock parks have public marinas . The county also operates Pelican Harbor Marina, which includes

7125-590: The northern end of Biscayne Bay from the ocean (one called "Boca Rattones" appears on the 1770s map by Bernard Romans), but such inlets open and close over time. At the beginning of the 19th century, there was no inlet through the barrier spit between the New River inlet in Fort Lauderdale and Bear Cut, at the south end of what is now Virginia Key . Hurricanes in 1835 and 1838 opened a new inlet, Narrows Cut (now known as Norris Cut), separating Virginia Key from what

7220-573: The ocean is through Baker's Haulover Inlet , Government Cut , and Norris Cut. Northeast 163rd Street , or Sunny Isles Boulevard, connects North Miami Beach and Sunny Isles Beach across the section of the Intracoastal Waterway running between Dumfoundling Bay and Biscayne Bay proper. Five causeways cross North Bay between Northeast 163rd Street and the Rickenbacker Causeway, including: More than 20 islands in North Bay north from

7315-417: The ocean occurs through Sands Cut, Caesar's Creek and Broad Creek. Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key , and Old Rhodes Key were all enlarged by dredging in the first half of the 20th century. Boca Chita Key was the site of some construction in the early 20th century. Mark C. Honeywell bought the key in 1937, and built a large retreat on the island, including a 65-foot (20 m) tall faux lighthouse. South Bay

7410-583: The opening of Government Cut and the Baker's Haulover Inlet during the 20th century increased the salinity of the lagoon. Dredging of the ship channel and turning basin for the Port of Miami and other navigation channels, including the Intracoastal Waterway , has resulted in the build up of artificial islands in the Northern Bay. As of 1981 more than 40% of the area of North Bay had either been dredged or filled to form artificial islands. Seawalls line almost all of

7505-406: The percentage of people born in another U.S. state was 25.0%, and the percentage of native residents but born outside the U.S. was 6.4%, while the percentage of foreign born residents was 41.7%. 2009 Census projections indicate that the area's residential base has increased from 40,000 to 71,000 since 2000, with an expected Downtown population of 85,000 by 2014. As of 2006, 189,164 residents live in

7600-527: The remaining lagoon bottom is barren. Coastal wetlands have been almost eliminated in North Bay. Turbidity is high in North Bay due to erosion from spoil islands and banks, and the lack of vegetation on the lagoon bottom. The spoil islands host large quantities of invasive plant species . North Bay is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands . Freshwater sources flowing into North Bay include Oleta River , Arch Creek , Biscayne Canal, Little River and Miami River. Tidal flow between North Bay and

7695-412: The shore and on the bottom of the bay. Ralph Munroe noted in the late 19th century that potable water could be pumped from one of those bay bottom springs. Springs can still be found in the bay, but the water from them is now brackish. People lived in the area that is now Biscayne Bay long before the bay was formed. Human bones, teeth, and artifacts that are almost 11,000 years old have been found at

7790-445: The shoreline of North Bay. The bay has been severely affected over the last century by raw sewage releases, urban runoff , shoreline bulkheading , dredging , the creation of artificial islands and the loss of natural fresh water flow into the bay. However, water quality has steadily improved since regular monitoring began in 1979. North Bay accounts for only 10% of the water area of the bay. The first bridge across Biscayne Bay

7885-470: The south of Key Biscayne on the east, and just to the south of Chicken Key, part of the Charles Deering Estate, on the west. The southern part of the preserve includes Card Sound. The preserve includes about 69,000 acres (280 km ) of submerged land owned by the state. The Biscayne Bay-Cape Florida to Monroe County Line Aquatic Preserve was created in 1975. That preserve ran from Cape Florida to

7980-503: The south of Little Card Sound. Manatee Bay is to the west of Barnes Sound. Card Sound and Barnes Sound are bounded on the east by Key Largo . South Biscayne Bay is sometimes defined as including Card Sound and Barnes Sound. Barnes Sound is connected to Florida Bay through a few small channels. Manatee Bay is partially separated from Barnes Sound by Short Key and Main Key. In 1994, it was described as having particularly undisturbed habitat for

8075-640: The talk of much revitalization and project proposals for the revitalization of the area. By the end of 2015 most of the nightclubs along the former club row west of the MetroMover from the Freedom Tower station to the Eleventh Street Station have been demolished to make way for planned construction of Miami World Center . Park West is directly served by the Miami Metrorail at: Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Station , and by three Metromover stations on

8170-547: The vast majority of local, county, state and federal government offices and courthouses, and Miami's Historic District and Government Center . The CBD is directly served by the Miami Metrorail at Government Center Station and by 13 Metromover stations on the Downtown, Brickell, and Omni Loops. The Miami Jewelry District is a sub-neighborhood within the Central Business District historically known for its numerous jewelry stores, jewelers and gem dealers. It

8265-461: The waterways have saltwater intrusion control structures, which restrict the flow of saltwater inland, and regulate the flow of fresh water into the lagoon. Some fresh water enters the lagoon as groundwater flow from the Biscayne Aquifer . All of the bedrock under the lagoon west of the ancient reef, and the adjacent mainland, consists of Miami Limestone , an oolitic limestone that formed in

8360-567: The wider sense) that is not in Biscayne National Park. The preserve was created by the Florida Legislature in 1974, and then included all of Biscayne Bay from the Oleta River to the southern end of Card Sound. The preserve was split into two parts when the Biscayne National Monument became Biscayne National Park. The northern part extends from the headwaters of the Oleta River to the northern boundary of Biscayne National Park, just to

8455-497: Was built in 1959. Other causeways are the John F. Kennedy (79th Street) and Broad causeways (connecting the Miami mainland), and the Rickenbacker Causeway (connecting Miami to Key Biscayne). The Card Sound Bridge connects the mainland in the Homestead, Florida area to the northern part of Key Largo . Most of Central Bay and almost all of South Bay, as well as the Safety Valve and

8550-402: Was in correctional institutions. 1.6% of the population was in other group homes. The percentage of never-married males 15 years old and over was 27.6%, while the percentage of never-married females 15 years old and over was 13.9%. As of 2000, the percentage of people that speak English not well or not at all made up 23.1% of the population. The percentage of residents born in Florida was 26.9%,

8645-486: Was moved there from the mainland north of Bayfront Park. The Miami Marine Stadium was built on the north side of the Rickenbacker Causeway extending from the east side of Virginia Key in the early 1960s. There are also many undeveloped spoil islands in North Bay, such as Sandspur Island and the Picnic Islands . Central Bay is the largest part of the bay. It extends from the Rickenbacker Causeway and Virginia Key on

8740-466: Was partially completed in 1913. The bridge was "hailed as the longest wooden vehicle bridge in the world, and opened up the area as a luxury winter resort and playground." The bridge terminated at the Dixie Highway, built by Carl G. Fisher . The bridge was a toll bridge ; in 1920, the toll was reduced from 20 cents each way (for two-seat cars) to 15 cents one way (and 25 cents round-trip). The bridge

8835-686: Was reported at 21% dropping from a high of 26% in mid-2010. Downtown also reported an average commercial asking rate of $ 36.33, making it the eighth-highest in the nation after Manhattan , Washington DC , Fairfield County, Connecticut , San Francisco , and Boston . Downtown has over 6,000 hotel rooms in numerous hotels. Downtown has Miami's largest concentration of hotel rooms, and is the city's hub for business travellers . Many of these hotels are geared for business travellers, mostly along Brickell Avenue , some for luxury leisure stays, and others as bargain tourist hotels. Historically, Flagler Street has been Downtown's major shopping street dating back to

8930-554: Was sold to the Biscayne Bay Improvement Association, which developed five artificial islands that became known as the Venetian Islands : Biscayne and San Marco in Miami, San Marino , Di Lido , and Rivo Alto in Miami Beach. The bridge was torn down in 1925 and replaced with the "more substantial" Venetian Causeway the next year. The Lummus brothers lobbied for the county commission's support for

9025-529: Was the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) wooden Collins Bridge built in 1912 by John S. Collins and his son-in-law Thomas Pancoast, who formed the Miami Beach Improvement Corporation; financing was provided by Carl G. Fisher and the Miami banker brothers John N. Lummus and James E. Lummus. Construction began on July 22, 1912. Although the cost of the project was initially $ 75,000, the construction project faced delays and cost overruns. The bridge

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