Patrice Gillespie Smith has dedicated her career to reimagining public spaces, with a significant impact seen in The Underline in Miami.
Since joining the organization in 2020, she has played a crucial role in transforming the area beneath Miami’s Metrorail into a multifaceted public space that is one of the most ambitious mobility and placemaking projects in the region.
With a strong background in public policy and city planning, Ms. Gillespie Smith focuses on the interplay of infrastructure, resilience, and community engagement.
Prior to her current role at The Underline, she was the senior manager of planning, design, resilience, and transportation at the Miami Downtown Development Authority, and her previous experience includes leading Neat Streets Miami for Miami-Dade County.
Earlier in her career, she directed transportation planning for nonprofits, spearheaded community initiatives in St. Louis, and served as chief of staff for Seattle’s Department of Transportation.
These experiences solidified her belief that streets should prioritize people, and that livable, walkable cities create thriving environments.
Her guiding ethos is evident in her work at The Underline, a planned 10-mile linear park and multimodal trail stretching from the Miami River to Dadeland South.
Thanks to her leadership, The Underline has expanded its team, enhanced programming, and established partnerships with over 150 nonprofits and institutions.
The first phase of the park, opened in 2021, now welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually and hosts over 200 public events each year.
In addition, it supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses through creative activations designed to engage the community.
Ms. Gillespie Smith has worked alongside founder Meg Daly and a dynamic board of directors to develop The Underline’s five-year strategic plan and community connections initiatives, ensuring the park serves as a cultural and civic connector for Miami residents.
As Phase 2 recently completed in 2024 and Phase 3 has just begun construction, she is focused on scaling the organization’s internal operations and amplifying its impact throughout Miami-Dade County.
The fully completed Underline, set to be ready in 2026, will feature an array of amenities including trails, bike lanes, bioswales, native micro-forests, and gathering spaces, all contributing to a new form of public commons in Miami that is green, connective, and built for community.
This park will also serve as a venue for arts and wellness programming, public events, and environmental features that aim to enhance quality of life and bolster regional resilience.
Ms. Gillespie Smith envisions creating not just a park but a vibrant public realm where individuals can come together to walk, bike, reflect, and connect, bringing joy and purpose that enriches the city’s spirit.
In an interview with Miami Today, Ms. Gillespie Smith shared her insights and aspirations for The Underline.
The complete interview can be found in this week’s print or digital edition of Miami Today, available exclusively to subscribers.
This profile will also feature in next year’s Book of Leaders, a compilation of Miami’s influential achievers shaping the greater community.
image source from：miamitodaynews
