As we here at Urban Resource will tell you time and again, the Bandshell located at 7275 Collins Avenue is one of our favorite venues in North Beach. Where else in Miami Beach can you enjoy an outdoor concert at an exceptionally designed venue that is just steps away from the ocean? Everyone from live entertainment fanatics to food truck connoisseurs must admit they’ve spent an outrageous amount of time at the North Shore Bandshell. Since 1961, the Bandshell has served residents as a unique, outdoor beachfront venue for live entertainment and special events in North Beach. The latest improvements completed in 2011 included historic restoration of structural elements, ADA improvements, enhancements to outdoor acoustics and lighting, stage expansion, backstage upgrades, complete restroom renovation, and an electrical system upgrade. We feel this makes this one of a kind treasure into a state of the art venue.Now, the City has approved a new plan and started on those improvements to the Bandshell, which focuses on the surrounding park and walkways. These improvements include widening the sidewalk by 7-10 feet along 73rd street with the addition of planters and landscaping along the pavement, installing a new walkway that will connect 72nd street to the beach walk, installing an electronic LED marquee directly in front of the amphitheater facing Collins Avenue to announce upcoming events, and demolishing the existing unused bus shelter and canopy on Collins Avenue. The design also features the installation of a Beatles mandala, created by Kevin Arrow to commemorate the Beatles’ performance at the Deauville Hotel in North Beach back in 1964.In addition to these structural changes, the plan includes installing wildlife-safe lighting for the pathways throughout the park and paving a service road from 73rd  street to the Unidad Senior Center  to ensure safe pick-up and drop-off for seniors to the Unidad center.This is a three month project with an estimated completion date of October 2014 – just in time, before the Art Basel events start sprouting! We are glad to see these further improvements come to  the Bandshell. As avid visitors to the Food Truck Festival, we are particularly excited about the expansion of the 73rd street sidewalk to allow more room for the ever-growing lines of hungry food truck patrons. What do you think of these improvements?   See also Miami Beach Fire on the Fourth Festival.Stay tuned for the 2014-2015 schedule for Friday Night Movies at the Bandshell.