john_dixon_web.jpgLIBERTY CITY — Poinciana Park has encountered its share of broken promises. Many proposed projects to rebuild and develop the 26-acre county owned parcel into a vibrant and progressive community have failed.

But according to John Dixon, executive director of Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), the site along Northwest 75th Street and 27th Avenue in Miami’s inner city finally is about to be rejuvenated.

Working with him are U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, Miami-Dade Commissioners Rebeca Sosa and Jean Monestime, and other elected officials, business people and residents who say they are determined to implement a successful business strategy in what they are calling an undeveloped diamond in a prime targeted urban area.

A March 7 site tour of what is known as Poinciana Industrial Park was designed to showcase the area and ignite excitement in the hearts of investors, residents and political affiliates. The event was coordinated by MDEAT.

Addressing the audience, Commissioner Jean Monestime said “The objective is to showcase the need for redevelopment, to provide incentives for businesses to invest in the community.”

The idea is to revive an entire community, and further enhance and bring recognition to Liberty City as an urban jewel, he and others said. The plan is to improve a neighborhood, and in turn attract businesses to employ residents and generate capital.

The advocates acknowledge that the economic challenges are great, but assert that with proper business execution Poinciana Park will have a fair chance of competing with other flourishing areas.

They note that the multi-acre business park has a successful industrial base and is in close proximity to schools and major traffic arteries. With the recently developed New Hope VI apartments nearby and other essential amenities, they said, the area is poised to attract businesses and residential interest in the near future. Commissioner Sosa said the project ultimately will become and remain successful as residents realize the value of their environment and become proud of who and where they are.

Several residents who were present at the gathering expressed excitement and urgency for such a turnaround. Among them was Oliver L. Gross, president of New Urban Development, who was reared in and remains a contributor to the community. Gross stated that he is pleased to be a part of the project as a resident who has endured firsthand the best and the worst of the neighborhood. He said he is prepared to invest in the project and will persevere in the process.

“These are very exciting times for redevelopment within the black community and Liberty City area,” said Dixon of MDEAT. “We have a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people, as this is long overdue.”

This latest effort to develop Poinciana Industrial Park, he concluded, “provides a great collaborative opportunity among the private and public sector, as well as the community, to create jobs for the residents.”

Photo: BY RYAN HOLLOWAY, (CIAO)

PARK POSSIBILITIES: Touting the site’s proximity to major traffic arteries and other nearby amenities that make it attractive for job creation is John Dixon, of the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), which arranged the site tour.