Miami’s Little Havana named a ‘National Treasure’

Curbed Miami by Josh Baumgard

Little Havana, one of Miami’s most historic neighborhoods, was just named a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, with a long-term planning process launching today designed to “ensure that Little Havana can remain a thriving, healthy and livable community that embraces its past while planning for a brighter future,” according to the press release.

The process was initiated in partnership with Dade Heritage Trust, PlusUrbia Design, and Live Healthy Little Havana, and is designed to protect the neighborhood against threats like development pressure, historic building demolition, and displacement of existing residents.

“Little Havana is a symbol of the immigrant experience in America and a thriving, entirely unique place that thousands of people currently call home,” said Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation “The National Trust welcomes the urban resurgence that is breathing new life into cities across the country, but we also believe that growth should not come at the expense of the vibrant historic neighborhoods like Little Havana that make cities unique and desirable places. As we work to preserve and celebrate Little Havana, we want to make sure it remains a healthy, vital, and affordable urban neighborhood.”

The Trust started an initiative called ReUrbanism, which focuses on reusing older buildings to benefit communities. with research concluding interesting facts like more than half of Miami’s 100 most populated city blocks are in Little Havana and Miami’s greatest concentration of affordable rental housing can be found in the area as well.

“This historic designation enshrines the diverse culture and history of Little Havana,” added City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. “Little Havana has been the destination for hundreds of thousands of Latin American immigrants since the 1960s seeking the promise of a new life in America. This national recognition confirms the neighborhood’s cultural significance in the immigrant experience.”

Back in Spring of 2016, Plusurbia launched MyCalle8, which envisioned a reinvigorated and safer Calle Ocho, which unequivocally would uplift the city of Miami.

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