Journey to the
Center of the World
City Approves Massive New Redevelopment Project
By
Stephanie Rodriguez
The Miami
City Commission approved at its Nov. 13 meeting the
Miami
World Center, a sprawling nine-block, 25-acre
redevelopment project set for the Park West neighborhood, just
north of Downtown Miami, which will incorporate a blend of
mixed-use projects including major public spaces, parks,
pedestrian-friendly-sidewalks and pedestrian-only thoroughfares.
The center
will create hundreds of jobs, city planners believe, and will
relieve some of the unemployment problems and an economic
stalemate in the city.
“It would
be unfair to say it will be going up next month,” said
Commissioner Tomas Regalado. “It’s going to take a long time.”
The Miami
World Center will primarily be structured to convenience
pedestrians.
As one of
the largest urban developments in the United States, the center
aspires to be a world-class destination.
The
nine-block area slated for the construction of the World Center,
often considered an underserved and neglected district,
surrounds the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts,
Bicentennial Park and the American Airlines Arena.
“This
innovative project will revitalize our city,” said Mayor Manny
Diaz.
Principal
and Managing Director of Miami World Center Nitin Motwani says
the project would create about 1800 direct jobs and 2700
indirect jobs in the area.
According
to Motwani, more than 80 percent of the jobs would be in the
city and more than half of the jobs would be within walking
distance.
“This
would be a huge economic impact to our area,” he said.
Most
business owners were in favor of the approval of the project at
the commission’s Thursday meeting, and many owners waited
through the day-long meeting to discuss the world center with
commissioners.
“I think
this is one of the most exciting projects I have seen in my
lifetime, or all the years I’ve been in downtown,” said Business
owner Tony Alonso. “I think it’s very well planned.”
Although
Alonso, who owns La Epoca in downtown, is in favor of the
project, he also has concerns: the city commission also approved
a development agreement ensuring the developer’s commitment to
deliver open public space, and help implement the city’s
long-term vision over the next 20 years.
“My fear
is that it might stall development for the district in case the
project doesn’t happen,” Alonso said. “For 25 years nothing in
this district has really happened of any significance in this
area … and so I really hope this does happen.”
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