Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA On The Move!

Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA
Building a Better Community!

News from the SEOPW CRA
Visit us at www.miamicra.com

February 2011

In This Issue

Gibson Park Update

Meet your Board

Street Enhancements

Gibson Park Update

The CRA's renovation of Gibson Park is well underway and we are moving closer to the complete makeover of our historic park. The project will be the largest park renovation and construction in the history of Overtown.

The pool area demolition is complete and slabs of the existing building are being removed. The existing sports lightning are set to come down by the end of the month.

The massive project includes construction of a new sports field, aquatic center, recreation and fitness center, and a new picnic pavilion and play area. The park will also feature upgraded lighting and will meet LEED Silver standards.

CRA Social Media

SEOPW BOARD MEMBERS

Richard Dunn

SEOPW CRA Chairman

Email: rpdunn@miamigov.com
Phone (305) 250-5390

Marc D. Sarnoff

Omni CRA Chairman

Email: msarnoff@miamigov.com
Phone: (305) 250-5335

Francis Suarez

Midtown CRA Chairman
Email: fsuarez@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5420

Wifredo "Willy" Gort

CRA Board Member
Email: wgort@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5430

Frank Carollo

CRA Board Member
Email: fcarollo@miamigov.com
(305) 250-5380

Pieter A. Bockweg

SEOPW CRA Executive Director

Email: pbockweg@miamigov.com

(305) 679-6800

Dear community member,

One of my goals as Chairman of the Southeast Overtown/ Park West CRA is to keep you informed about what this agency is doing for you.

You will be receiving this newsletter on a regular basis which features updates and previews of projects and programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone in the Overtown/Park West CRA communities.

In this edition, you'll learn what the CRA is doing to remake historic Gibson Park,

It is an honor to serve as the SEOPW Chairman and I'm very proud to work together with you to make our community a better place to live, work, and play.

Sincerely,

Richard P. Dunn
Chairman SEOPW CRA

Street Enhancements

The Community Redevelopment Agency is funding a major initiative aimed at improving the pedestrian experience and making our streets more inviting for visitors.

75 large planters have been purchased by the CRA and installed by our community partners at the Downtown Development Authority. The planters are located on NE 8th Street between NE 1st Avenue and NE 2nd Avenue and NE 7th Avenue between NE 1st Avenue and Biscayne Blvd.

The planters replace parking meters and will expand the areas where pedestrians can walk on their way to local events.

Folk Life Fridays

The Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA is proud to support New Washington Height's Folk Life Friday events. The best of Overtown is featured on the first Friday of every month at the 9th Street Pedestrian Mall.

The next event is scheduled for Friday, March 4th. Come on out and enjoy great music, food, shopping, and fun!

Arena Area Park

The Park West community is moving closer to becoming the home of a new urban park space. The CRA is the major financial supporter of a plan to use public and private funds to build Grand Central Park on the five-acre property where the Miami Arena once stood.

"Right now it's an open lot with nothing happening with it. No one else is stepping up to the table. It's a win-win for the CRA and our residents," says SEOPW Chairman Dunn.

The property will remain in private hands and on the tax roll. Local developer Brad Knoefler is spearheading the plan and is personally guaranteeing the $22,917 monthly lease of the property.

The park would remain on the site for at least three years and possibly longer until the site's owner moves forward with development.