Zapata’s West End vision

Re Gladys Canizares’ Oct. 29 letter, Traffic overhead is concerning: It is always encouraging to hear my constituents’ opinions and concerns. However, I want to clarify some misstatements in the letter.

First, there is no West End City nor do I think that would be an appropriate name for a city. Second, if the residents in the West End decide to incorporate, I already have said publicly that I will not be running for mayor.

Miami Executive Airport is a busy airport with an outstanding safety record. It is also home to a large flight-school operation that predated my election. Part of the economic-development strategy my office has developed in conversation with several stakeholders has been positioning the airport as the center of the newly created Innovation District. This is an effort to attract higher-paying jobs necessary to mitigate the long commutes residents live with daily.

We have numerous other plans to address transportation, connectivity and beautification. All of these ideas have been shared with the community for more than 18 months, validated by an FIU study released this year and highlighted in a Miami Herald editorial published on June 17.

Our office spends a great deal of time and resources in engaging our community, and we always strive to do better. I invite all my constituents to reach out to my office and fully engage in a healthy community dialogue on the future of our area.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Zapata’s West End vision."