Biscayne's Big Change

A shiny new gem is about to be unveiled on Biscayne Boulevard. The highly anticipated Carnival Center for the Performing Arts is on the cusp of opening day, and downtown Miami’s hopes are pinned on the pricey venue. Locals with long memories have faith the main thoroughfare can return to its former glory. “Biscayne Boulevard was once one of the most prestigious streets in South Florida. There was Sears and Burdines, a major theater.... It really went down fast in the early Sixties,” recalls the charming and ubiquitous local historian Paul George. The iconic 1929 Art Deco Sears Tower remains a part of the architecture, forever connecting the city’s glorious past with its optimistic future. This evening George will lead a historic tour around the gleaming building and its immediate environs. History buffs are invited to meet in front of the Omni Metromover station at Biscayne Boulevard and NE 15th Street at 6:00 p.m. The walking tour costs $22. Call 305-375-1492, or visit www.historical-museum.org.
Wed., Oct. 4