Op-Ed: The Grand Plan

Is development of Coconut Grove’s Village West community a shared vision of residents, experts and developers, or is it the sole purview of well-financed developers and their political toadies?

The historical residents in this Coconut Grove community, which has been known as “Colored Town”, “Black Grove”, “West Grove” and “Coconut Grove Village West” have longed for a day when their neighborhood would progress in the direction of parity with the extreme wealth of the neighborhoods that surround it, or at least stimulate a modicum of investment, public works and facilities to stem crime and create an ambiance of light and creativity and a perception of security.

Perhaps the residents were asking for too much.

The most compelling proposition for revitalizing this long neglected community was presented around 2007 when a locally based development entity, the Pointe Group, presented a grandiose plan for Grand Avenue and the streets immediately north and south of it -Florida and Thomas avenues.    Residents aspiring to a better quality of life in their historical community were overjoyed. To facilitate this grand plan, they would have to make a critical sacrifice and make a crucial contribution. The sacrifice: giving up the sacred residential zoning along the Florida and Thomas avenues. The contribution: giving vigorous support to various governmental panels such as the Planning Advisory Board, Planning & Zoning Board and the city of Miami Commission.

This organization, however, was a speculating juggernaut.

Although the  “grand plan” was specific and measured in terms of it breadth, cost and benefit to the local economy,  it was woefully short on specifics and meaningful benefit to the current Village West residents who gave up residential zoning that encouraged existing apartment buildings along Grand Avenue be rehabilitated to create or maintain affordable housing.

Developers demurred when concerned residents pointed out that there was no any specified benefit to current residents commensurate with their sacrificing the residential zoning and the displacement of willing and unwilling historical residents. In response, developers alluded to the temporary jobs that would be created during construction. They projected that approximately 50 permanent jobs created by the major grocery chain store – the cornerstone of their development scheme. However, overwhelmingly, the jobs that would be created by the supermarket would be minimum wage.

Moreover, since the proposed development would not include an affordable housing component, how would area residents benefit? What value would this new development be to them?

When pressed further about the project’s absorption of affordable housing, developers responded with their often repeated refrain of providing “reasonable rate rental apartments.” That term is not a part of community development or affordable housing terminology. In fact, it is a veiled reference to market rate housing. This scenario is classically characteristic of gentrification, where higher income households displace lower income residents of a neighborhood, changing the essential character and flavor of that neighborhood. Gentrification has a strong racial component; the influx of higher income non-minority households inevitably puts pressure primarily on historically minority communities.

Thanks to the divine intervention of the recent economic downturn, residents of Coconut Grove Village West’s neighborhood have received a stay of execution.

The concern that the proposed project did nothing or little to meet the community’s own development aspirations was led by two Village West based organizations – Coconut Grove Collaborative and Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association. These organizations argued that the project was not sufficiently inclusive of the historical residents. Indeed, those concerns were validated by the city of Miami’s designation of the area as a “Neighborhood Development Zone” more than a decade ago. Similarly Miami-Dade County with its own designation decreed the neighborhood as a “Targeted Urban Area”.

Those designations represent an acknowledgment, acquiescence and commitment to specifically put forth policy and resources to address the housing and economic disparities. Over the past two decades, there have been countless promises, studies and false starts for the ever hopeful Village West residents. “When is development going to come?” is the exhortation of the residents of Village West.

In face of the sobering financial downturn, developers who disdained public funds, affordable housing and substantive partnership with disenfranchised area residents will likely reconsider their tact.

It is nearly impossible to implement the recently proposed development scheme for Village West. The plan specified 510,000 square feet of class “A” office space and 185,000 square feet of retail space. The current condition of the economy will not allow that to happen now. There is an oversupply of office space and retailers are also cutting back.

There is no rejoicing on either side of the philosophical divide (Residents vs. Developers). The best tactic going forward is cooperation and mutual respect. Nonprofit community development organizations + Developers + Local Government entities all working together is the best way to build equitable and sustainable communities. Government has a moral obligation to foster affordable and inclusionary housing in areas that it has deemed deserving of special initiatives to improve the quality of life, housing and increased job opportunities. Community residents must forge a shared vision and speak with a common voice. They must not allow petty differences and self-dealing to thwart the ultimate achievement of a revitalized and prosperous community. A revitalized Village West neighborhood is good for the entire village of Coconut Grove; which is good for all of Miami and South Florida.

All parties to the proposition of redeveloping Coconut Grove Village West must recognize each other as legitimate stakeholders who have something to contribute and something to gain. Developers have to avoid any appearance of being high handed and condescending. Government representatives cannot sit on the side line and pretend that – because developers are not asking for concessions or money – that the government has no say or concern about what goes on in Village West. Area stakeholder residents and businesses cannot allow themselves to be divided and displaced. Community development is a team sport. When the team wins, everyone – including the water server and the towel porter – are awarded a championship ring. All sectors win in community development if they play and win as a team