Palmetto Bay will soon have a new downtown; Franjo Road to revamped | Miami Herald

A multi-million dollar infrastructure project that will redefine Palmetto Bay’s downtown core is one step closer to being built.

After three bid presentations Tuesday night, the Palmetto Bay Village Council voted to enter contract negotiations with Acosta Tractors Inc., a Miami-Dade based development company, to upgrade Franjo Road and turn it into the town’s new main street.

The move to redevelop the municipality’s downtown center has been in the works for more than a decade. What is currently an area full of vacant land, scruffy buildings and old warehouses is on track to become an urban center with a mini-downtown. Apartments and condos will take the place of vacant or unkempt structures. City planners hope bike lanes and landscaping will help bring in more businesses.