Hialeah wants its own version of The Underline, a linear park called ‘Hia-Line’

The City of Hialeah is embarking on an ambitious effort to breathe new life into the neglected space beneath its Metrorail line, unveiling plans for a transformative project dubbed “Hia-Line.”

At an April 9 meeting, a resolution was approved by the City Council supporting the Hia-Line development. The project now requires county approval since the land falls under Miami-Dade County jurisdiction.

Stretching nearly a mile between NW 37th Avenue and East 4th Avenue, the proposed Hia-Line initiative aims to activate over 5,000 linear feet of underutilized Metrorail space within the city. This stretch represents just a fraction of the overall three-mile Metrorail route within Hialeah. Plans include the creation of a multi-purpose path for pedestrians and cyclists, outdoor fitness facilities, a dog park, basketball courts, a domino park, and a versatile green space for community use.

The Hia-Line initiative draws inspiration from successful urban revitalization projects like The Underline in Miami, a park which spans 10 miles and crosses three municipalities: Miami, Coral Gables, and South Miami. That project has cost $140 million and is currently in its third phase of construction.

Adjacent to this Metrorail corridor, on East 25th Street, sits Metro Parc, Hialeah’s tallest residential tower at ten stories, signaling a growing interest in the area from developers. Plans for significant new developments in the vicinity, totaling approximately 2,707 residential units, have sparked lively discussions among politicians and residents alike .

In this area, Transit Oriented Development (TOD) was introduced as a land use category in Hialeah back in 2015, aiming to spur redevelopment within a half-mile radius of the city’s two existing Tri-Rail stations—Market Station and Metrorail Transfer Station. The goal was to enhance mobility and leverage infrastructure, but nearly a decade later, tangible results have yet to materialize.

According to the city’s presentation provided by the City Clerk to el Nuevo Herald, the space beneath the Metrorail is commonly known for illegal dumping, vagrant activity and parking of construction equipment.

Debora Storch, Hialeah’s Planning Director, highlighted that after the adoption of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and the initiation of private development, it became evident that the surrounding area required enhancements as envisioned in the TOD master plan. Hia-Line’s assortment of recreational programming and manicured landscaping fits the bill.

Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr. expressed interest in exploring potential advertising opportunities within the project. He mentioned having talked with Commissioner Raquel Regalado about this matter.

“The idea is to create an aesthetic that doesn’t exist today,” Bovo said.

Storch emphasized the project’s challenges ahead, including obtaining approvals from relevant agencies overseeing the Metrorail track lands and securing funding through grants or sponsorships.

But Storch highlighted the gradual evolution of projects like Miami’s Underline as well as the Atlanta Beltline and the NYC Highline, from initial concepts to large-scale urban amenities, underscoring the potential for the Hia-Line to follow a similar path.

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