Miami, FL
Learning From Miami
Last weekend, I went to Miami for a conference, and explored a wide range of neighborhoods, including both suburbs like Sweetwater and North Miami, and urban places such as Wynwood and downtown Miami. One of the most unusual things about Miami is that it combines a high density (over 12,000 people per mile in its small central city) with relatively low transit ridership (about 7 percent in 2022, lower than medium-density cities like Buffalo).* Even some of its suburbs are pretty dense: North Miami Beach (where I stayed over the weekend) has just over 8500 residents per square mile, and Sweetwater (where I stayed Sunday night) is more densely populated than Miami. What is Miami doing wrong?
The first thing I noticed was that except for the quietest residential streets, commercial streets are designed for high-speed traffic — even in parts of a city where walking would normally be common. For example, Brickell Avenue is one of downtown’s more high-end streets, one with a significant amount of housing and public transit. So you might think that Brickell is a comfortable street for pedestrians. But Brickell is six lanes wide, not my idea of a pedestrian-friendly layout. Similarly, you might think that streets near Florida International University (FIU) would be pretty walkable — but FIU is moated off from Sweetwater (a suburb just to its north) by an eight-lane street that resembles a highway with traffic lights more than it resembles a commercial street. To make matters worse, this highway is not even fully connected to the Sweetwater street grid: instead of crossing every block to get to FIU, a walker can only cross the street once every several blocks.
Of course, these are major streets. But Miami also suffers from what traffic engineers call collector streets: streets that lack the commerce and excitement of high-traffic arterials but are nevertheless just wide enough to have dangerously fast car traffic. For example, in North Miami Beach, I mostly walked on N.E. 179th Street and the streets just to its north from Northeast 13th Avenue to Northeast 18th Avenue. 13th and 14th Avenues are quiet, two-lane residential streets that I felt comfortable crossing. By contrast, 15th Avenue has a turning lane and is just wide enough to support faster traffic. As a result, crossing it was a bit adventurous.
On the positive side, most of the city buses I was on were at least half full, and some were standing room only. However, bus rides from city to suburb can be quite long: for example, my ride from downtown Miami to North Miami Beach took almost two hours. By contrast, in Buffalo, most bus routes take only an hour from beginning to end, and even the 20-mile bus ride from Buffalo to Niagara Falls takes about 75 minutes.
This example illustrates a broader problem with city buses in large metro areas: in an area as large as Los Angeles or Miami-Dade County, suburbs can be so far away from a city that bus commutes can take longer than in a smaller but less dense metro. It follows that in a largish metro area, even an otherwise adequate bus network and high central-city density doesn’t protect people from long commutes. And Miami does not have a strong rail system to supplement its buses: Miami’s Metro Rail has only one line, fewer than other Sun Belt metros such as Atlanta (two lines) or Dallas (five). In other words, you can get almost anywhere in Miami Dade County by bus, but it may take a long time to do so.
On the positive side, Miami suburbs are a little more generous with housing than the suburbs of Blue America. On the major Long Island arterials I have seen, housing other than single-family homes is rare. By contrast, the major arterial I saw in North Miami Beach (Northeast 185th Street) did have plenty of apartments, even though the nearby homeowner blocks had none. So at least Miami’s suburbs have done something to alleviate the national housing famine. Sweetwater was even more generous; I saw apartments on side streets as well as on Flagler (the city’s major arterial).
In sum, Miami underperforms when it comes to transit, with a lower transit mode share than some lower-density cities. Although I am not completely sure why this is the case, one possible reason is that streets are designed for speeding cars to an even greater extent than in other American cities. In addition, Miami is just large enough that city-to-suburb bus commutes can be more punishing than in a smaller metro like Buffalo.
*Pre-COVID data is similar: in 2015, 11 percent of Miami commutes were by transit, well below the mode share for medium-density Rust Belt cities like Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Hartford. I note, however, that Miami’s transit ridership was higher than that of Sun Belt cities like Atlanta and Dallas.
Miami, FL
Strong storm topples trees, damages homes in a Miami-Dade neighborhood, with days of cleanup ahead for residents
A fast-moving storm swept through the Palm Springs North neighborhood early Tuesday evening, knocking down trees, damaging homes, and leaving some residents with days of cleanup ahead.
The damage was concentrated in a small area, where powerful wind and heavy rain uprooted large trees and scattered debris across front yards. A massive tree fell onto its side, trapping a small car beneath its branches.
The Gamba family spent hours clearing debris from their property, working late into the night with chainsaws and hand tools.
“I just want to clear as much as possible so that the city can take the rest tomorrow,” said Jose Gamba.
Just around the corner, strong gusts tore shingles from a home, leaving them strewn across the yard. Viewers shared videos showing intense rain and wind pounding the neighborhood as outdoor furniture was sent flying.
“Not even a hurricane took this down, but this did in two seconds,” Gamba said about the tree in his parents’ yard. “We didn’t expect this to happen”.
Florida Power and Light crews were in the area after nightfall, working to restore power and address downed lines caused by the storm.
Despite the damage, neighbors said the overall impact was limited.
“They used to have shade, and now that’s gone,” Gamba said about the downed tree. “That’s probably the worst part”.
No injuries were reported.
Miami, FL
Unlicensed contractor arrested after allegedly scamming Miami Catholic school out of $220,000
A Miami‑Dade County man is behind bars after authorities say he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Catholic school for repairs that were never completed.
Nestor Olivares, 50, is charged with grand theft of more than $100,000, organized fraud and operating without a contractor’s license, according to court records. Investigators allege the theft began in 2024 and involved money paid to repair the roof at St. Kevin’s Catholic School.
Court documents show the school paid Olivares more than $220,000 beginning last year for materials and labor to fix the roof. However, prosecutors say no work was ever done.
During a bond court hearing Monday, Olivares appeared before a judge and spoke through an interpreter.
“He doesn’t have a valid contractor license in the state of Florida or Miami‑Dade County,” Judge Mindy Glazer said during the hearing.
According to investigators, Olivares later tried to negotiate with the school after the work failed to materialize.
Court records state he ultimately promised to issue a full refund by Feb. 26, but the school never received a payment.
After his arrest, Olivares told investigators he was unable to repay the full amount at one time, the documents say.
Olivares remains in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $30,150 bond. As a condition of his release, he will be required to prove any money used to post bond comes from a legitimate source.
Miami, FL
Dolphins 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Miami could catch the wave just right and get a monster draw in the top-50 picks
The Miami Dolphins will serve as one of the main characters for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock drafts across the internet have propositioned countless player combinations for Miami’s seven-pick top-100 haul that is scheduled for the end of the month. I hope you’re ready for another one.
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Miami Dolphins will serve as one of the main characters for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock drafts across the internet have propositioned countless player combinations for Miami’s seven-pick top-100 haul that is scheduled for the end of the month. I hope you’re ready for another one.
Here’s my latest 2026 7-round Miami Dolphins mock draft, in which I used the new A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator to make my picks.
Miami Dolphins 2026 7-round NFL mock draft secures plug-in starters at several positions
11th overall – SAF Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
I’d be willing to bet the Dolphins are eager to do as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has alluded and build this roster from the inside out. But head coach Jeff Hafley did recently disclose just how important safeties are to how he calls a football game. I’d take 1+1 and accept that it equals two: Downs would have a strong argument for best player on the board and fits a vital position for the Dolphins.
Key players not on the board in this simulation: OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami), EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State), CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)
30th overall – EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson Tigers
I have long maintained that this draft will get interesting fast for the Dolphins. If Clemson EDGE TJ Parker is on the board, he’d serve as an excellent option for a pass rush room that needs more snap takers, more physicality, and more competition. Parker makes for an excellent foil in skills opposite Chop Robinson and Joshua Uche. The question isn’t if the Dolphins should draft Parker, but rather if he’ll make it to pick No. 30 overall. He did in this simulation and I gobbled him up.
43rd overall – OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M Aggies
The risk Miami is taking from a depth of draft position cannot be underestimated in this draft. There are 10 firm contenders in the offensive line group to hear their names called in the top-40 picks. If that entire group runs off the board, you could be on the outside looking in.
I took the risk at 11th overall because of Downs’ value, then the value at No. 30 because I got a high-volume player to rush the passer. Bisontis does not have offensive tackle flexibility but would likely present an upgrade at offensive guard. Seeing his name on the list of available players list at No. 43 made for a quick decision.
75th overall – WR Skyler Bell, Connecticut Huskies
Miami’s dream scenario in the top-50 still leaves four third-round selections to make and plenty of position groups that need attention. I’ll start with a double-dip at wide receiver to capitalize on the depth of the pass-catcher group in the 2026 NFL Draft with third round picks. Bell is a 2025 breakout player who thrived as a marquee option for the Huskies; he thrived with the ball in his hands and downfield thanks to his speed and explosiveness.
Bell is a little rough around the edges and drops were an issue prior to 2025, which is why he may end up on the board with Miami’s pick here.
87th overall – WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State Panthers
As promised, a double dip at wide receiver. There are still going to be major questions about QB Malik Willis’ supporting cast after drafting Bell and now Ted Hurst, but at least there’s youth, explosiveness, downfield ability, and potential for the Dolphins to embrace in a wide open competition for playing time. Hurst is a long-framed receiver who also flashes great open-field ability and vertical receiving as the Dolphins seek to build explosive plays off of their potential running game.
90th overall – CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington Huskies
There’s a certain DNA that many of the corners in Miami’s position room share this offseason. Big, physical, and long. Prysock is all of the above. He’s a legit 6-foot-3, has an 80.5″ wingspan (95th percentile for cornerbacks since 1999) and he offers the profile of a press corner to compete for playing time in Miami along with the other dozen corners the Dolphins have hoarded.
94th overall – LB/EDGE Jaishawn Barham, Michigan Wolverines
If you like players who are compared to the Tasmanian Devil, you’re in luck. Barham is an absolutely unhinged player in the best way possible. He’s aggressive, he punches above his weight class, and he could serve as a hybrid linebacker/edge defender player for a little front flexibility for Coach Hafley. His profile as an edge is only scratching the surface of his potential but slotting him into the room with Parker and the veteran group gives Miami a chance to see someone emerge.
130th overall – CB Hezekiah Masses, California Golden Bears
Masses isn’t big like Prysock. But man, is he a tenacious son of a gun out there on the perimeter. Masses is an “in your face” player at the cornerback position and I love his attitude on film. When Jeff Hafley says ‘put on the tape’ to determine if someone loves football, Masses is the kind of player that comes to mind.
151st overall – TE Dallen Bentley, Utah Utes
Bentley was a breakout player for the Utes offense in 2025. He’s a sure-handed, big-bodied receiving type at tight end who showcases sufficient ability to make plays underneath in the passing game. There’s some surprising “after catch” skills to work with here for Bentley in his bid to win a role in the tight end room.
227th overall – FB Max Bredeson, Michigan Wolverines
Miami does not currently have a fullback on the roster and it is probably safe to assume that they will add one. Bredeson fits the mauler play style that I suspect this team is after amid the talk of the tone and intensity they play the game with.
238th overall – QB Jalon Daniels, Kansas Jayhawks
Daniels is my mock draft quarterback of choice to join the quarterback room behind Malik Willis. Getting a signal caller with some similar traits, even if they aren’t the same caliber, should be an objective to allow the identity of the offense to stay the same if injuries arise in 2026.
Miami Dolphins News
Miami Dolphins News
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