Miami Beach releases traffic plan, ‘high impact’ measures for spring break in March
With spring break set to kick off this weekend, the city of Miami Beach will impose restrictions on everything from parking to drinking, while police and code enforcement staffing will be ramped up for a month-long party that often poses logistical issues for the city.
The city’s spring break plan, released Monday, includes traditional approaches the city imposes every year, along with some new ones that city leaders hope can better promote public safety and ensure tourists enjoy their vacations. Staffing for police, fire rescue and code compliance will be “significantly enhanced” during March. Community liaisons, known as Goodwill Ambassadors, will work weekends to provide a “warm welcome and safety information to visitors.”
Unlike last spring break — when the city eventually became so frustrated with crowds that it instituted an 8 p.m. curfew and closed causeways — there is no local mask mandate in effect this year. A police spokesman said there won’t be any lane closures for mobile license plate readers along the city’s causeways, though a license-plate reader unit will be set up on Fifth Street.
Here are the restrictions in place during spring break:
There will be no on-street parking on Collins Avenue from Fifth to 16th streets. Only residents with a Zone 5 permit can park between Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive from Fifth to 15th streets.
Traffic blockades will limit non-resident access to the Flamingo Park and South of Fifth neighborhoods. Security guards will be stationed along Washington Avenue and on Fifth Street. Motorists will be able to access Flamingo Park via Alton Road. They can access South of Fifth through Alton Road, Washington Avenue, Collins Avenue or Ocean Drive.
From Thursday to Sunday each weekend in March, a $20 flat rate will be imposed at city-operated parking garages in the entertainment district (Collins Avenue to Ocean Drive from Fifth to 16th streets) except for access-card holders.
City Manager Alina Hudak is also imposing “high impact” measures in the entertainment district and west to Pennsylvania Avenue: Public alcohol on public beaches is prohibited. (Open container laws will be “strictly enforced.”) Coolers, inflatable devices, tents and tables are not allowed on the beaches. No live or amplified music is allowed except at city-approved and permitted events.
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Miami Beach will also be hosting a $3.2 million South Beach concert and event series called Miami Beach Live! every weekend in March in Lummus Park and the beachfront between 10th and 13th streets.
The city has also launched a marketing effort called “Take Care of Our City” that includes physical ads at the airport and throughout the city, geotargeted digital ads and an influencer campaign featuring Miami Beach “community leaders” like DJ Irie, Romero Britto and others. The purpose is to share safety tips and recommendations for fun things to do in Miami Beach. The city will have out-of-state billboards promoting its Miami Beach Live! program.
“We want everyone to enjoy our beaches, restaurants and hotels as long as they can do so safely and responsibly while taking care of our city,” Hudak said in a statement. “In addition to enhancing security measures during peak periods, we are also providing new music, wellness and food experiences.”
This article was updated following a judge’s ruling Tuesday on a requested injunction by the Clevelander South Beach blocking legislation that would have stopped liquor sales at 2 a.m. from March 7 to March 21 for businesses in South Beach.
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 6:50 PM.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that the city will use out-of-state billboards to advertise its March event series and not as part of its spring break marketing campaign.
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