‘Not a corner store city’: Miami Gardens discusses economic plans with business community
Miami Gardens city manager Cameron Benson remembers how people underestimated the economic potential of the city when it was founded 22 years ago.
“People believed back then that the only thing we were going to be able to do in Miami Gardens were corner store developments, and that became the motivating factor in changing Miami Gardens into something better,” he said, speaking to a group of business owners Tuesday at the city’s first Economic Improvement Summit.
The purpose of the meeting, which took place at the Goldbloom Convention Hall at St. Thomas University’s campus was to discuss with local business leaders all of the development that Miami Gardens has in the pipeline as well as hear feedback from small business owners. At the meeting, the city outlined its economic improvement plan, which has an ultimate goal of enhancing the quality of living for residents.
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City officials rattled off current development projects for the predominantly Black city including residential units and commercial development, some of which are along NW 27th Avenue, the city’s main thoroughfare.
One of the projects is a 35-acre mixed used development, set to include 259 residential units, a 200-room hotel, and Formula 1 interactive museum. The project, which has been in the works for the past two years, is expected to be finished by 2027, the city’s economic development representative Jorge Wright told the Herald.
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“Construction started last month and we are in our infrastructure phase,” he said, which includes site lot clearing. “They completed that phase last week, and then the next phase will be starting to go underground.”
All told, Benson estimated that the projects mean at least a $400 million investment into the city.
“I’m not sure if I have any words that can measure that,” he said when asked how this positions the city economically. “I think it puts us in a whole different stratosphere when you talk about somewhere around a $400 million investment in your city that is going to bring entertainment, housing and amusement, the things of that nature.”
But while the city is excited about the growth and new development, some small business owners are concerned that other parts of the city are being ignored.
Elric Prince, co-owner of restaurant chain The Licking, which once had a location in Miami Gardens, and owner of Island Tings in Miami Gardens, questioned what the city’s plans were to help small business owners and if the city will create a community redevelopment agency to facilitate such help. Prince noted that other cities have one and often they help businesses by offering financial assistance, such as grants, particularly when cities are trying to revitalize their communities. He said small businesses still feel underserved by the city.
“We don’t see that improvement that you’re saying you want to bring to Miami Gardens and we’re not getting the help that we need because when code enforcement does come out, they don’t seem like they’re here to help. They’re here to fine.”
Miami Gardens’ only CRA is for its forthcoming performing arts center. Benson said at the moment there are no plans for a future CRA. “I’m not sure if it’s a tool we’re going to use in the future for any other areas,” he told the Herald.
Still Benson is hoping the city can get more feedback from residents and business owners about the city’s economic plan beyond quarterly meetings at different community groups.
“We’ll continue those. We may have to do more,” he said. “Based on today’s turnout, based on the interest, we may have to do more than just quarterly meetings. We may have to go to monthly meetings.”
