Miami, FL – July 30, 2025 – Nestled at the heart of Miami’s scenic waterfront, Bayfront Park has long served as a cornerstone of community engagement and public enjoyment. In a recent initiative to preserve both its aesthetic charm and functional integrity, the City of Miami embarked on a critical rehabilitation of the park’s iconic fountain—and enlisted the expertise of RSP Engineers to lead the civil engineering charge.

Scope and Deliverables

Selected to deliver full civil engineering services, RSP Engineers took an all-encompassing approach to the project, which included:

• Comprehensive site assessment, encompassing stormwater implications and water utility capacity in the park’s sensitive coastal setting.
• Detailed infrastructure planning, featuring site, drainage, utility, and fountain-specific planter drainage systems.
• Construction-level details for catch basins, inlets, and drainage networks to effectively manage runoff and prevent oversaturation.
• Utility documentation, confirming water service availability and pressure regulation for seamless fountain operation.

Environmental and Regulatory Coordination

Operating in a high-visibility public space along Miami’s waterfront brought a host of environmental and regulatory considerations. RSP Engineers focused on:

• Runoff control to safeguard adjacent waterfront areas.
• Water use efficiency in line with municipal mandates.
• Minimizing public disruption through low-impact construction planning.

Permitting Strategy

To smooth the path from design to construction, RSP also handled:

• Preparation of civil documentation for stormwater review and approval.
• Water connection and pressure service permits.
• Coordination with Parks and Public Works departments, streamlining the approval process.

Overcoming Challenges

Several technical and logistical constraints shaped the project’s complexity:

High water table proximity required innovative drainage strategies to prevent backflow into planter and fountain areas.

Public access constraints meant work had to be phased carefully to preserve visitor experience.

Aesthetic integration demanded infrastructure that seamlessly complemented the park’s historic and visual identity.

Impact and Value

While modest in scale, this rehabilitation represents a high-value enhancement of a beloved public amenity. RSP’s work delivers a more reliable, water-efficient, and resilient fountain system—improving both operational performance and visitor experience at Bayfront Park.

Why This Project Matters

Coastal engineering insight – Specialized strategies for managing drainage and water utilities in waterfront settings.

Efficient public infrastructure rehabilitation – Demonstrates how small upgrades can significantly boost civic function and aesthetics.

Multi-disciplinary coordination – Showcases the importance of navigating environmental, regulatory, and public-use considerations for successful project delivery.

Approved for release by RSP Engineers