Jose Fernandez and Little Havana

Our first site visit on March 21^st was in Little Havana, Miami. Jose Fernandez was generous enough to explain the past and current situation of Little Havana. While the surrounding areas around this area have continued to prosper and grow due to the population growth, popularity of the downtown area, and economic expansion, Little Havana has seen to be forgotten. As Jose explains, with rising rental rates and new development in the surrounding areas (Downtown Miami, Doral, Coral Gables, and Overtown), Little Havana has been the escape route for anyone who is unable to keep up with the rising costs of living. With the lower class flooding the region; poverty and crime has continued to rise.

                There have been many efforts within the city in order to push redevelopment and to improve the quality of life. Unfortunately, all incentives that have been offered have done nothing but discourage developers and their ability to make profits. With the inability to make a profit, it seems like this area has pushed away any developer or investor that would be capable of producing new and exciting buildings/living arrangements for the citizens of Little Havana.

                One push that the government has made in an effort to boost the economy and change the way of life in Little Havana is the new zoning code of “Miami 21”. Miami 21 is an incentive program that was introduced in order to create more sustainable projects, but it seems like this new code has done nothing but discourage new development. Why develop in an area with an extremely low end demographic, crime, and a history of failure when there are neighboring cities that are thriving and guarantee a secure return on investment?

                This site visit was extremely informative, and gave us a perspective that we may have never understood. Cities and towns such as Little Havana are continuing to fold under and become havens for crime and poverty. What can we do as developers to help the situation? With little to no security for investors, there needs to be more government policy to help the citizens get out of their current situation. The local government needs to take further action and look to their neighbors for help while educating their population and letting people know that change is a good thing. I feel that while the surrounding neighborhoods are growing, they will hit a plateau. There is only so much room in a small area such as Little Havana, and while cities such as Doral and the Downtown area continue to grow and expand, they will have to deal with the consequences of forcing people into this city of turmoil. Alltogether, the issues of Little Havana are extremely complex and have not seen to become any better, only time will tell where this city will end up on the map of future redevelopment and renovation.