North: N.E. 79th Street

South:   S.W. 72 Street

West:   State Road 826/Palmetto Expressway

East:     Biscayne Bay

Miami has evolved substantially through the years partially due to its location being in close proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean.. The '60s and '80s brought mind-boggling change as more than half-a-million Cuban exiles fled to Miami to start a new life. These enterprising refugees launched the area into its future as what many call the "Capital of the Americas." Nonetheless, this Capital of the Americas is poor indeed named one of the poorest cities in the United States. It is comprised very densely throughout its various neighborhoods divided primarily by socio-economic classes. However one point of unification for all its residents is the apparent need for transportation initiatives.

The 1980’s and early '90’s brought a multi-billion dollar infusion of investment capital that produced a beautiful new Miami downtown skyline. Miami’s modernized transportation infrastructure can be best exemplified by one of its most recent initiatives, the Miami Downtown Transportation Master Plan 2001 (DTMP). Cooperatively funded by the City of Miami, the MPO, and the FDTO, the DTMP will result in a guide for the City and its transportation planning partners in planning for the future downtown transportation system. In addition, it will provide help in evaluating project proposals at operational levels and to allow periodic updates to the Transportation Master Plan.

The City of Miami’s population is a little over 362,000; the community of Miami is mixed to include many nationalities such as Cuban’s, Haitian’s, Brazilian’s and British just to name a few.