Is Ocean Drive in South Beach open

Q: Is Ocean Drive Open in South Beach?

One of South Floridas most iconic stretches of roadway is reopening to cars Monday. Miami Beachs famed Ocean Drive is allowing drivers after being car free for over two years. City leaders shut down the street in May 2020 to cars amid the COVID pandemic and it proved to be popular with pedestrians.

One of South Florida’s most iconic stretches of roadway is reopening to cars Monday.

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Hotel fire makes for eventful morning
Is Ocean Drive Open in South Beach?
Why is Ocean Drive Miami Beach closed?
Is Ocean Drive in Miami closed to cars?
Is Ocean Drive in South Beach one

Miami Beach’s famed Ocean Drive is allowing drivers after being car free for over two years. City leaders shut down the street in May 2020 to cars amid the COVID pandemic and it proved to be popular with pedestrians.

However, some raised concerns about safety during last year’s spring break and some hotel owners said it was harder for guests to reach their properties.

“I really believe closing the street was a mistake because we didn’t have a plan, and that lack of a plan just allowed people to gather in the middle of the street,” said city commissioner David Richardson. “Now going forward, we’re going to have a reimagination of Ocean Drive, but that construction is probably not going to start for another year and half.”

Some on the city commission are not happy about the return of cars and added the return could be temporary.

“The future of Ocean Drive is pedestrian. And it’s very important, that we’re not just talking about cars,” said commissioner Mark Samuelian. “Because where cars go, slingshots go and scooters go and golf carts go. I don’t think putting a lane of vehicles in the middle of that is the right direction.”

Residents, like Matthew Gultanoff, are not happy either.

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“Big mistake to bring cars back to the street," he said. “Last two years of a car free Ocean Drive have been great. Not just for residents and for visitors, but businesses are also booming.”

NBC 6's Julia Bagg has more on why some people are happy with the move and others are frustrated.

Tourists , on the other hand, are in favor of the return of cars.

“You know that makes it wonderful," said Regina Payne, who arrived in town after a cruise. "We’ve just got little ones and of course they’ve got extra stuff. (It) makes a huge difference I’m sure to everyone.”

The stretch from 13th Street to 5th Street will have just one southbound lane and be one way for that stretch. A new pedestrian plaza is set to open between 13th Street and 14th Place.

Local News

Hotel fire makes for eventful morning

After two days of being closed to cars, Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is reopening to vehicle traffic as a one-way street and two-way bike path.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – For the first time since May 2020, Ocean Drive in Miami Beach reopened to vehicle traffic on Monday morning.

That reopening was more eventful than anticipated as a fire had to be put out at the building where Hotel Ocean and an Italian restaurant are located on Ocean Drive and 12th Street. Fire rescue officials believe the fire started in a first-floor kitchen and spread through the exhaust system all the way to the roof.

Fire officials say the building was evacuated and nobody was injured. A hotel manager said hotel rooms were not damaged but there was some damage to the restaurant. Guests are being moved to two other hotels.

Ocean Drive had been closed to cars in May 2020 as a way to help restaurants recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by adding seating in the roadway to help maintain social distancing and increase outdoor seating options.

Traffic will now be allowed to travel one way southbound between 13th Street and 5th Street. There is also a two-way bike path painted in green on the east side, and the west side will be for valet and loading.

The closure had been well received by pedestrians, but hotel and business owners argued it prevented guests from accessing them.

“Really if you stay here, to bring your luggage around the corner is inconvenient, so I’m glad they opened it up, and for safety reasons also,” said Richard Kemp, who was visiting South Beach.

It’s a temporary plan as the city considers a new permanent vision for its entertainment district.

About the Author:

Annaliese Garcia

Annaliese Garcia joined Local 10 News in January 2020. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism. She began her career at Univision. Before arriving at Local 10, she was with NBC2 (WBBH-TV) covering Southwest Florida. She's glad to be back in Miami!

Is Ocean Drive Open in South Beach?

One of South Florida's most iconic stretches of roadway is reopening to cars Monday. Miami Beach's famed Ocean Drive is allowing drivers after being car free for over two years. City leaders shut down the street in May 2020 to cars amid the COVID pandemic and it proved to be popular with pedestrians.

Why is Ocean Drive Miami Beach closed?

Ocean Drive was closed to automobile traffic in 2020 while cities all over the country and world were deploying open streets (or Al Fresco Streets) as a response to the lockdowns and relative lack of automobile travel during the first months of the pandemic.

Is Ocean Drive in Miami closed to cars?

The boulevard is a hotspot of restaurants, hotels and nightlife situated along the coast of Miami Beach. On Jan. 24, 2022, the permit to keep Ocean Drive closed to vehicles expired. The street reopens to one-way traffic with a new bike lane as Bloomberg reports.

Is Ocean Drive in South Beach one

After two days of being closed to cars, Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is reopening to vehicle traffic as a one-way street and two-way bike path. MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – For the first time since May 2020, Ocean Drive in Miami Beach reopened to vehicle traffic on Monday morning.