Client
The Barnacle Society
Completion Date
Under Construction
Location
Coconut Grove, FL
HIGHLIGHTS
Historic Site Stormwater Solution
Erosion and Runoff Reduction
HEP Board Approvals Secured
Services
Civil Engineering
Regulatory & Municipal Permitting
Construction Administration
Focus Areas
Historic Preservation
Public Parks
Erosion Control
Project Overview
Resilience and Preservation for a Historic Coastal Landmark.
Barnacle Historic State Park, located on the shoreline of Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, is one of Florida’s oldest state parks and a vital cultural and environmental landmark. Over time, the park began experiencing chronic erosion and drainage issues that threatened both the usability of the landscape and the preservation of its historic features.
To address these challenges, The Barnacle Society initiated a project to implement subtle, functional improvements that could reduce flooding and erosion while maintaining the park’s natural character and public accessibility. The first phase of the project included the realignment of existing driveways, the installation of hardscape elements and below-grade drainage infrastructure, and gentle grading of landscaped areas to better manage stormwater runoff.
Because of the park’s historic designation, all proposed improvements required review and approval by the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation (HEP) Board, along with coordination among multiple partners to ensure that resilience upgrades were carefully integrated into the existing context.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Developed a stormwater management approach tailored to the site’s historic and coastal context
- Designed hardscape improvements and below-grade drainage infrastructure to reduce erosion and manage runoff
- Realigned existing driveways and gently graded landscape areas to improve drainage while preserving the park’s natural character
- Secured approval from the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation (HEP) Board for all proposed improvements
- Streamlined permitting through self-certification under the South Florida Water Management District’s 10/2 General Permit
- Collaborated with the landscape architecture team to align civil design with preservation and aesthetic goals
OUR ROLE
Brizaga served as the civil engineering partner for this sensitive and historically significant project. Our work focused on addressing chronic erosion and stormwater challenges while aligning with the preservation goals of The Barnacle Society and the Florida Park Service.
We developed detailed construction documents for site improvements including driveway realignment, hardscape installation, below-grade drainage infrastructure, and grading to improve runoff management. We performed stormwater calculations to evaluate existing and proposed overflow conditions, ensuring the design would reduce erosion without disrupting the park’s natural or historic features.
To support implementation, Brizaga processed a self-certification for the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) through the South Florida Water Management District under the 10/2 General Permit. We also coordinated approvals through the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation (HEP) Board and supported the City’s building permit process to help streamline contractor selection.
Throughout the project, Brizaga worked closely with Savino & Miller Design Studio and City staff to ensure that all civil design elements complemented the project’s broader vision of protecting a treasured community space while enhancing its long-term resilience.
PROJECT GALLERY
