South Florida News

Miami-Dade Awarded $39.9 Million HUD Grant for Overtown Renewal

Published

9 months ago

July 19, 2024

MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (FNN) – The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $39.9 million grant to Miami-Dade County through Public Housing and Community Development (PHCD) and the City of Miami. The funds, provided under the FY2023/24 Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI), will support the revitalization of the Overtown neighborhood.

“You cannot overstate the transformative nature of Choice Neighborhoods investments in these communities. Not only are these awards made in neighborhoods in greatest need, but awardees demonstrate the vision, diligence, and capacity to leverage these funds to expand housing supply and provide vital resources to residents,” said Richard J. Monocchio, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. “This Administration recognizes the importance of providing access to employment opportunities, public transportation, healthcare services, and a wide range of other amenities to people living in these communities.”

The CNI program aims to transform distressed public housing into vibrant, mixed-income communities. Miami-Dade’s proposal showcases a unique partnership between the County, the City of Miami, Atlantic Pacific Communities (APC), Camillus House, and various other partners to coordinate investments in the Overtown neighborhood as part of a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy. APC is the designated developer for the Culmer Place/Culmer Gardens public housing sites, with Camillus House providing case management and supportive services to both public housing and neighborhood residents. The County and City will ensure that this revitalization strategy extends beyond the borders of the public housing sites to encompass the entire Overtown area.

“This is about even more than housing – this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for entire neighborhood revitalization. We will leverage these funds to create a stronger, more equitable, and resilient Overtown,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Just one year after receiving the same grant for Goulds, this announcement is a transformational step forward as our county tackles the housing crisis from north to south.”

District 3 Commissioner Keon Hardemon remarked, “This grant will empower our community, bringing much-needed investment to Overtown.”

PHCD Director Alex R. Ballina emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “This initiative will foster engagement among local leaders and residents, ensuring a comprehensive approach to revitalization.”

The grant must be utilized by September 2032, ensuring all HUD-assisted units are replaced on a one-for-one basis, with a commitment to the right-to-return for affected residents.

Key Points:

$39.9 Million HUD Grant awarded for Overtown revitalization.
Transformative CNI Program to convert distressed public housing into mixed-income communities.
Collaborative Effort involving Miami-Dade County, City of Miami, APC, Camillus House, and other partners.
Focus on Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization beyond public housing sites.
Commitment to Housing Equity and Resident Return Rights by 2032.

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South Florida News

Miami-Dade Transit Extends Service for 2025 Ultra Music Festival Attendees

Published

1 month ago

March 12, 2025

Willie David

MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (FNN) – Festivalgoers heading to the 2025 Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park will have extended transit service options to make travel easier and more convenient, according to Miami-Dade Transit officials.

From Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30, both Metrorail and Metromover will operate extended hours:

Friday, March 28 & Saturday, March 29: 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday, March 30: 5 a.m. to midnight

Green and Orange Line trains will run every 30 minutes, offering a 15-minute combined frequency between Earlington Heights and Dadeland South stations.

Visitors arriving from out of town can take the Orange Line directly from Miami International Airport to Government Center Station. From there, they can transfer to the Metromover Inner Loop (free of charge) and disembark at the College/Bayside, First Street, or Bayfront Park stations.

Fare Information:

Metrorail Fare: $2.25 (one-way) or $5.65 (One-Day Pass)
Riders can pay via the GO Miami Dade app, Token Transit app, Citymapper, Transit app, or with contactless-enabled debit/credit cards.

Parking Information:
Parking at Metrorail garages/surface lots is available for $4.50 per day. Riders can pay via Ticket Vending Machines or the PayByPhone app.

Metrobus Detours:
Several Metrobus routes (3, 9, 203, 100, and 101) will be detoured starting at 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 through 6 a.m. on Monday, March 31. Delays may occur, particularly in Omni, Miami Beach, and downtown Miami areas.

South Florida News

Miami-Dade Dedicates Pineland Preserve in Memory of Environmental Leader Sean W. McCrackine

Published

1 month ago

March 12, 2025

FNN NEWS

MIAMI-DADE (FNN) – Miami-Dade County paid tribute to the late Sean W. McCrackine by dedicating a newly named pineland preserve in his honor during a heartfelt ceremony held today in Cutler Bay.

Led by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, the dedication ceremony celebrated McCrackine’s nearly three-decade commitment to environmental conservation and community service.

McCrackine began his career as a Project Assistant with the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Division of Environmental Resources Management (RER-DERM) and eventually became the Director of Policy for Mayor Levine Cava.

“Today, we celebrate a remarkable life dedicated to the betterment of our community and the preservation of our environment,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

McCrackine’s wife, Lou McCrackine, expressed gratitude for the tribute. “Sean loved this community and worked tirelessly to ensure its natural beauty would be preserved for all to enjoy,” she said.

The Sean W. McCrackine Pineland Preserve is part of the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program, which manages over 28,000 acres of protected natural habitats across more than 85 preserves in Miami-Dade County.

The dedication included a sign unveiling and closing reflections on McCrackine’s contributions, ensuring his environmental legacy will inspire future generations.

The Sean W. McCrackine Pineland Preserve is located at the corner of SW 192 Street & SW 140 Avenue (coordinates: 25°35’24.4″N 80°25’10.4″W).

South Florida News

Miami-Dade to Launch 2025 Sea Turtle Nesting Season with Turtlepalooza at Crandon Park

Published

1 month ago

March 12, 2025

FNN NEWS

MIAMI-DADE (FNN) – Miami-Dade County is gearing up to celebrate the start of the 2025 sea turtle nesting season with Turtlepalooza, a family-friendly conservation event set for Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crandon Park Visitor’s & Biscayne Nature Center (6767 Crandon Blvd, Miami, FL 33149).

Organized by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Turtlepalooza will feature a variety of engaging activities designed to educate the public about sea turtle conservation. The event will begin with a beach cleanup at 9 a.m., followed by the opening of the EcoVillage at 10 a.m., where visitors can explore educational booths focused on marine life protection.

Attendees can participate in guided nature hikes, enjoy a special All About Sea Turtles presentation, and witness a live animal ambassador presentation led by Bill Sadowski Park staff. Guests will also have the chance to enter an adopt-a-nest giveaway raffle.

Miami-Dade residents can further contribute to sea turtle conservation efforts by adopting a nest, participating in a sea turtle night release, or observing a daytime nest excavation this summer.

For additional information on Turtlepalooza and Miami-Dade’s sea turtle conservation efforts, visit the county’s official website.