Making headline news in yesterday’s The Miami Herald, the Adrienne Arsht Center’s New Town Square is focused on making a more vibrant and connected Miami.

An ArtPlace funded project, the New Town Square master planning initiative aims to strengthen and expand the arts focus of the Center’s downtown Miami neighborhood.  With strong support from Miami leaders including former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Arsht Center leaders Michael Eidson and Parker Thomson, New Town Square will develop the area to complement the existing cultural arts facilities. Architect Cesar Pelli will return to Miami to create a master plan for the entire district.

The need for a master plan for the neighborhoods surrounding the center and attendant infrastructure is particularly urgent now as plans for a nearby casino development are nearing announcement.

“There is a tremendous potential to build on what’s already here,” Diaz said. “We can’t rest on our laurels. The city has to continue to expand and grow and become a real urban center.”

“The balance of the neighborhood needs to be done in a way that’s respectful to what’s already going on there. We want to see a more livable district. We want restaurants,” said developer Armando Codina. “We need the whole surrounding area to come alive.”

While news of a destination resort casino planned for a nearby site could pose challenges in terms of parking and gridlock, a spokesperson of the resort development noted their goal is to ensure the new resort "complements the surrounding neighborhood and activates the City’s waterfront."