R.I.P. MOE'S GARAGE, CRA CONTINUES DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC OVERTOWN IN SPITE OF NEIGHBORHOOD OUTRAGE

Despite a Miami-Dade Judge's order to stay the demolition of two historic properties, stating that she "didn't see the rush," the City of Miami's Community Redevelopment Agency continued with its plans to demolish what little is left of Historic Overtown yesterday with the demolition of the former Moe's Garage building, which was located at 163 NW 11th street.  The building, which was structurally sound and completely secured against vagrants, simply needed the roof replaced in order to revitailize the property.  Plans were underway to propose an adaptive reuse of the property, which included a live/work art gallery for local artists who currently must paint in the street as well as several apartments which would help increase the supply of affordable housing stock in Overtown, the shortage of which is another major problem for the community.

The timing of the demolition was indeed suspect and appeared to be in spite of community outrage against the demolition of the last few remaining stuctures in the "Historic Overtown" neighborhood.  The Overtown Community Advisory Board unanimously voted to request a stay on the demolitions and Irby McKnight, well known local activist in a letter to Commissionere Dunn, noted that the CRA is "charged with redevelopment as well as preservation."  In strongly worded letter to Commissioner Dunn The Black Archives, guardian of Overtown's historical legacy stated:

"There is a repeated offense being perpetuated against a once vibrant community which has done so much for the establishment of the City..what makes these structures historic is the fact that they represent the last remaining remnants of what Second Avenue once was.  While other neighborhoods are allowed to build off of its historic nature and offer house and neighborhood tours, as well as the opportunity to point to their past by hand, Overtown has been given the finger."

Frank Rollason, former Executive Director of the CRA said in an e-mail that former Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones and Chairman of the CRA had plans to demolish the historic Ward Rooming House for a big affordable housing project, even after the CRA had spent more than $600,000 to rebuild the entire building.  "What is wrong with this picture," he said, "here you are the black Commissioner representing Overtown wanting to tear down what is obviously a historic part of what is to become the Lyric Village and here I am, a white boy, arguing with you to save it!.

"It's almost like they did it out of spite to prove a point and retaliate" said Bradley Knoefler, President of the OMNI/PARK WEST REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION a neighborhood group concerned about the lack of preservation and affordable housing in the area.  "every time we start looking to do an adaptive reuse project on a historical structure, they pull out all the stops to demolish it to continue with their plans for big new developments."  Rosa Green, community leader and Overtown Resident for nearly 70 years said "more than 85 percent of the Overtown that I knew has been demolished.  We are losing our history."  

The groups plan to continue to reach out to elected officials, who have so far ignored Community concerns on the issue.  "Mayor Regalado campaigned on listening to neighborhoods for a change and limiting 'big projects' that destroy neighborhoods", said Knoefler, "maybe he can rein in the CRA and the City Unsafe Structures dept. to stop this outrage against one of the most historic parts of Miami."