Posts filed under 'Gentrification'
Image: FEC Corridor facing north toward Midtown
There are many factors that influence retail and development activity. This installment is intended to describe those factors that are negative and may slowdown progress in the Uptown area, which is east of the I-95, north of the I-395, south of the I-195, and west of Biscayne Bay (the area includes: the Media and Entertainment District, Wynwood Arts District, Midtown Miami, and Edgewater)…
Continue Reading September 6, 2007
Image: The Marquis (left) and ten Museum Park (right)
This installment was supposed to be about Brickell Village, but I shuffled the order a bit and decided to start my retail potential focus at the center of the Core.
Parkwest has many problems. Let’s address them in no particular order:
Image: Greyhound Station with the Marquis tower looming in the background
Continue Reading August 8, 2007
Yes we have them, and they are grand, each, in their own right. For now, take a look at the Central Baptist Church:
Built in 1926 the circular church is considered noteworthy by the HEPB because:
Central Baptist Church is an excellent example of Neo-Classical design adapted to the Florida climate. Particularly noteworthy is
Continue Reading July 27, 2007
Continued from Part II of Under Utilization in the CBD
Historic but not Designated
In the last Under-Utilization post I discussed buildings that are designated as historic by the HEPB and the set of eight criteria used to officially distinguish them. It was noted that there are a few examples of impressive and well-known antiquated buildings that are not officially designated historic. In considering these un-designated but old structures, I will only refer to those that either are being well utilized or demonstrate favorable utilization/restoration conditions. Let’s consider some of them.
Continue Reading July 17, 2007
Image: A scenic N.W. 1st Avenue with the Miami Arena to the right
Visionary Mode
It never fails. Every time I am in the vicinity of N.W. 1st Avenue and the old Miami Arena, visionary mode kicks in. Visionary mode, by the way, is when an area’s potential is blindingly bright, despite its existing blighted state. This little section of the CBD is located, more or less, where Overtown meets Parkwest.
Here are 10 11 reasons why I like it:
Continue Reading July 5, 2007
Continued from the introduction.
The Central Business District of a metropolis is expected to have an abundance of modern high rises. In Miami, only the basic requisites of that are satisfied. The impressive high rises are mostly concentrated along Biscayne Boulevard, near the bay, and intermittently within the Central Business District’s interior. For the most part, the CBD of Miami is a compilation of early twentieth century-built, mostly under-utilized, structures–few of them with restoration potential. However, the CBD Interior is gradually being surrounded by new construction on all sides except west. Restorations are already taking place in the heart of the interior, and new developments have penetrated deeper than ever into it. The status quo is going to change, but how will it with so many under utilized structures in the way?
Continue Reading June 26, 2007
Image: Under utilized buildings near the BOA tower are highlighted.
The Purpose
Boom or Bust focuses much of its efforts on tracking the new construction that has consumed Miami. But, what about the older, neglected, and under-utilized properties in the Central Business District? No one seems to care about them unless they’re being demolished to accommodate a new tower or revamped in grand style, yet knowing the level and forms of under-utilization is vital in helping to understand the development challenges facing Downtown. This week’s aim is to demystify under-utilization in the urban core by answering these fundamental questions:
- What constitutes an under utilized building?
- What current uses are derelict buildings lending themselves to?
- What are the use alternatives?
- What is the effect of under-utilization in the CBD?
- What role do these buildings play in shaping the social and economic environment of the CBD?
- What is the current proportion between vacant land, new construction, and under utilized properties?
- What are the under-utilized structure age patterns?
- How many of them have restoration potential?
These are just some of the questions that are to be addressed this week as we delve into the nitty gritty of the matter. I have developed a color coded chronological development map to assist in the study.
Image: Portion of the Chronological Development Map. The color codes will be explained in the 2nd installment.
The chronological map, which will be explained later, will be used to illustrate when certain areas of the CBD were built out. In the end, the Central Business District’s historic nature, restoration potential, and level and effects of under utilization will be addressed and tied into surrounding new construction trends and Miami 21 zoning.
(To be Continued)
Continue Reading June 25, 2007
Gentrification is one of those unpopular issues, like homelessness, that no one seems to talk or care about. Lately, there has been an abrupt shift in interest, particularly with the younger college generation. This is quite evident now with the shantytown set up by FIU students protesting the displacement of some Liberty City folks. This student-run three day protest will end up in Umoja Village.
February 20, 2007
I find it interesting that there is an effort to address the issue of gentrification in Miami’s urban neighborhoods. The most interesting source of information regarding this movement is found at takebacktheland.blogspot.com.
Continue Reading January 24, 2007
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