CRA BOARD APPROVES AMENDED REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR OVERTOWN /PARK WEST NEIGHBORHOODS

On September 24, 2018, The Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown /Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved the CRA’s 2018 Amended Redevelopment Plan (Redevelopment Plan). The updated Redevelopment Plan identifies community redevelopment undertakings, projects and programs in furtherance of carrying out the CRA’s mandate to prevent and eliminate slum and blight within the redevelopment area.

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“The main objective of the publicly vetted Redevelopment Plan is to provide a workable program for the CRA to follow in its efforts to transform the Overtown and Park West neighborhoods into thriving mixed-use neighborhoods while giving special attention to those who have suffered the most and the longest under slum and blight,” said Cornelius Shiver, Executive Director of the CRA. “This is very important because CRA’s can only expend money on projects and programs identified in the Redevelopment Plan”.

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Significant updates to the Redevelopment Plan include, but are not limited to, developing mixed-income housing, which provides for the CRA to work with the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development Departments to create a mixture of very-low income, affordable, workforce housing units.

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Another significant update to the Redevelopment Plan includes the development and implantation of an Overtown Cultural and Entertainment District. The Overtown Cultural and Entertainment District emerged from the update of the 1989 Historic Overtown Folklife Village Master Plan and the City of Miami Code under Chapter 4, Article 1 recognizing the Overtown Entertainment District.

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The Overtown Cultural and Entertainment District will consist of cultural related venues such as:  art galleries, museums, night clubs, supper clubs, hotels and adult drinking establishments in close proximity to one another. The CRA has already begun development of the Overtown Cultural and Entertainment District by attracting new restaurant and entertainment ventures, like celebrity chef Marcus Samuelson , who owns Red Rooster in Harlem as well as the Harlem Square Supper Club project, a three-story modern and trendy lounge and a upscale restaurant to be located on 11^th Street and 1^st Avenue.

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There is a need to update redevelopments plans at least every ten years. The CRA’s Redevelopment Plan was originally adopted by the City of Miami Commission and Miami-Dade Commission in 1982.  The plan has been amended several times since, with the current version approved during Monday’s CRA Board Meeting. The subject 2018 amended Redevelopment Plan was prepared by E.L. Waters and Company LLC, with the input from local residents, community organizations and stakeholders.

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“We were very excited for and welcomed the opportunity to have been involved with preparing the residents for the next phase of development and preservation in Overtown.” said Elbert “Bert” Waters.

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To view the current Redevelopment Plan, click here