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Urban Planning

Fort Dallas Park

Overview
Located on the Miami River at 60-64 SE Fourth Street and adjacent to a Metromover stop, Fort Dallas Park has all the potential to be a premier destination on the Riverwalk. The site was established in 1897 and designated a city park in 1983, but has been closed for numerous years.  Fort Dallas houses four buildings/structures, but the only historic structure is the Flagler “Palm Cottage”. The cottage is in need of structural renovations, the park a complete rehaul. The site also used to feature a working dock that was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2017 and was never replaced. Numerous stakeholders including the Miami DDA, Dade Heritage Trust and the Miami River Commission have been advocating for the City to restore the cottage, reopen the park and activate it through either food & beverage, historic tours and/or other passive amenities.

Master Plan Goals
2.0 Leverage our Beautiful and Iconic Tropical Waterfront
2.4 Improve Inland Connections to Waterfront
2.5 Activate Waterfront by Providing Greater Daytime Dockage Opportunities
4.5 Connect and Promote Downtown Parks, Open Space and Greenways

Status
Ownership of the park recently changed from the City of Miami’s Department of Real Estate and Asset Management (DREAM) to the Parks Department.  DREAM had been overseeing the possible restoration of the Palm Cottage and was considering issuing an RFP for renovation of the historic cottage and the park. But we have not seen progress on this front for four to five years. There is a significant concern that the historic Flagler’s Palm cottage is extremely susceptible to “demolition by neglect.”

1-Year Outlook: It is possible that the City could issue an RFP to renovate the cottage and park. Selection committee would then convene and award. Project would then be designed and permitted. City would determine budget, maintenance, operations and programming.
2-Year Outlook: Design/permitting could be finalized and renovation/construction could begin.
3-Year Outlook: Construction could finish and the park could re-open.