(MIAMI, January 27, 2015) — Miami-Dade Transit and Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Departments join Friends of The Underline to announce the five design consulting firms being considered to develop master planning for The Underline.

The Underline is the planned transformation of the 10-mile M-Path beneath the Metrorail from the Miami River to Dadeland South into a linear park that will enhance connectivity, mobility, and biking safety for hundreds of thousands of Miami-Dade residents and visitors.

The design consulting finalists will make their final presentations on Monday, February 2, 2015, in Miami. They include:

• Balmori Associates, New York City, NY
• Dlandstudio, Brooklyn, NY
• James Corner Field Operations, New York City, NY
• Perkins + Will, Coral Gables, FL
• Stoss, Boston, MA

These finalists were selected from 19 impressive applicants, and represent design consulting firms from around the world. Applicants were asked to create a design narrative of the proposed master plan, including amenity recommendations (landscape and promenade design, lighting, water, seating, and others); footprint and specifications and requirements of trail; and intersection design treatment requirements. Additionally, they were asked to include proposed designs for two demonstration projects at the Metrorail Brickell and University Stations.

The Underline budget is projected at $500,000. Master planning and demonstration projects are expected to be completed by July 2015.

For more information, visit www.theunderline.org.