University of Miami President Donna Shalala’s letter of support of The Underline:

It is my pleasure to share with you my strong support for The Underline (formerly the GreenLink) project that will transform 10 miles of land underneath our Metrorail from the Miami River to Dadeland South into a world-class linear park and urban trail.

I would like to commend The Friends of the Underline, the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces and the Transit Departments for their effort and dedication to enhance the community with this creative project that spotlights the need and value of connecting people to parks, public spaces, and transit.

I believe The Underline has the potential to truly transform our city and the region, making it more livable by providing a 10-mile safe haven for residents and visitors, including the many students and faculty, to walk, bike, and run along a beautifully designed linear park.  The Underline will be linked to multiple neighborhood parks, featuring various innovative park, landscape, and public space design, educational programming, art installations, and other amenities.  Set along US1, one of the County’s busiest corridors, it will alleviate traffic by offering biking, walking, and transit as alternatives to driving.  It will connect transit, parks, people and communities and attract visitors from Miami and beyond.

We are proud that the University of Miami School of Architecture dedicated a studio class last spring to jump start this initiative. As The Underline team moves toward the master planning, design development, and ultimately construction of the project, I would like to request your support throughout The Underline’s completion.

Likewise the University of Miami is eager to support the park spaces and trail in front of the University.  We look forward to having our new front yard park, urban trail, and a safe access to Ponce de Leon Blvd, US1 and Metrorail.

Is is with your support and partnership that Miami’s iconic linear park and public space will be realized.

Sincerely,

Donna Shalala