Key Takeaways
- • Citadel founder Ken Griffin donated $5 million to Miami's Underline in December 2021 to establish an endowment for the park's long-term maintenance, according to the Miami Herald as reported by The Economic Times.
- • The Underline, a 10-mile linear park beneath Miami's elevated Metrorail line from Brickell to Dadeland South, is approaching completion of its third and final phase, scheduled to open by the end of 2026.
- • Friends of The Underline had raised more than $25.7 million in private donations by July 2026 and projected total private giving would approach $30 million by year-end.
- • The nonprofit operates on an annual budget of roughly $10 million covering maintenance, programming, community events and workforce development, underscoring the need for continued funding beyond construction.
Summary
Billionaire investor Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel, donated $5 million to Miami's Underline in December 2021, according to the Miami Herald as reported by The Economic Times. The gift was directed toward establishing an endowment for the park's long-term maintenance, a priority given the ongoing operating requirements of the project.
The Underline is a 10-mile linear park and urban trail running beneath Miami's elevated Metrorail line, from Brickell to Dadeland South. It passes through 14 neighbourhoods and eight Metrorail stations. The land beneath the elevated railway had been left with rubble and debris after the rail infrastructure was built in the 1980s, and the project was designed to convert the space into public areas for walking, cycling, recreation and community activities.
The development has been delivered in three phases. The first half-mile section, Brickell Backyard, opened in 2021, and the second phase opened in 2024, adding 2.25 miles of trail and a public playground. The third and final phase is scheduled to open by the end of 2026 and will reportedly include 12 public spaces and amenities, including an open-air market and cultural hub, a dog park, fitness facilities, and pickleball and basketball courts near the University of Miami.
The project has been funded through a combination of public and private sources. Public support has come from Miami-Dade County, the state of Florida, local municipalities and a US Department of Transportation grant. Friends of The Underline had raised more than $25.7 million in private donations by July 2026 and projected that total would approach $30 million by year-end. The nonprofit's annual operating budget of approximately $10 million covers maintenance, community events, programming and workforce development, meaning continued financial support will be required well beyond construction.
The Underline is a 10-mile linear park and urban trail running beneath Miami's elevated Metrorail line, from Brickell to Dadeland South. It passes through 14 neighbourhoods and eight Metrorail stations. The land beneath the elevated railway had been left with rubble and debris after the rail infrastructure was built in the 1980s, and the project was designed to convert the space into public areas for walking, cycling, recreation and community activities.
The development has been delivered in three phases. The first half-mile section, Brickell Backyard, opened in 2021, and the second phase opened in 2024, adding 2.25 miles of trail and a public playground. The third and final phase is scheduled to open by the end of 2026 and will reportedly include 12 public spaces and amenities, including an open-air market and cultural hub, a dog park, fitness facilities, and pickleball and basketball courts near the University of Miami.
The project has been funded through a combination of public and private sources. Public support has come from Miami-Dade County, the state of Florida, local municipalities and a US Department of Transportation grant. Friends of The Underline had raised more than $25.7 million in private donations by July 2026 and projected that total would approach $30 million by year-end. The nonprofit's annual operating budget of approximately $10 million covers maintenance, community events, programming and workforce development, meaning continued financial support will be required well beyond construction.
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