All seem to agree that Overtown has made admirable progress as it emerges from past public and private neglect and that much of that progress can be attributed to the area’s community redevelopment agency.
As the historically Black neighborhood continues to overcome inherent socio-economic challenges, residents agree that they want to see the life of its community redevelopment agency extended past its original end date of 2030. Last Thursday, the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency board, which sees Commissioner Keon Hardemon as its chair, approved a resolution that would extend the life of the CRA from 2030 to March 2042.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the board members and will go next to Miami-Dade County officials for review. But the heads of the agency say the county’s outstretched hand ready to snap 45 percent of its main sources of income – as stipulated in past interlocal agreements – prevents some means to fund current and future projects. In addition to an extension, the agency’s board seeks to amend the current interlocal agreement with Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami, its two taxing authorities.