Miami-Dade College Homestead Campus Expansion

A potential Miami-Dade College Homestead Campus growth spurt should incorporate a commercial component.  With Big Lots' closing last winter there's only Bealls Outlet and Winn-Dixie left as anchor stores at the underutilized Homestead Plaza.  The Plaza is located on the south side of Campbell Drive between Parkway and English Avenues. There is great potential to this plaza with the right mix of businesses.  Significant reconfiguring and remodeling is necessary in a way that is pedestrian friendly and conducive to a collegial environment.  Students should be able to easily walk, mingle, intersperse themselves between the campus and the plaza.  The possibilities are worth considering to revitalize the area before blight continues to spread.
The opportunity to make this happen will be coming sooner than later as the Walmart Neighborhood  Market will open sometime in the Fall on Kings Highway and Homestead Blvd.   The opening of the Walmart store will siphon more patrons from this Winn-Dixie's already fledgling operation as it's a well known direct competitor that effectively advertises "Everyday Low Prices".  The Winn-Dixie store's dated design is hardly appealing to current patrons, though it's in keeping with the mall's throwback construction of the 1970's.  The plaza needs the Community Redevelopment Agency's (CRA) help to bring it into the 21st Century.
















Another component that should be considered is adding a  Homestead campus to Florida International University (FIU).  This campus would alleviate South Dade residents from having to trek 25+ miles north FIU's Modesto A. Maidique (University Park) Campus on Tamiami trail.  The population of Homestead  continues to grow as the Census population counts reflect and it only makes sense to provide this essential service locally.
The time to act is now so we can meet the future challenges facing our community and provide educational and economic opportunities to our residents.  This area is a gem in the rough as its situated between the Busway and Historic Downtown Homestead.  All it needs is for the City Council and CRA in collaboration with MDC, FIU, and Homestead Plaza's owner to innovate a workable solution amenable to all parties.  We can all work together  to revitalize this part of town, all it needs is a little tender, love and care.

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Homestead and Florida City 2013 Property Values Decreased Again

HIH POV:

Homestead's property values decreased 2.2% and Florida City decreased 7.5% while the county overall property values increased.  The true impact to individual homeowners won't be known until the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) set the maximum millage rate in mid-August as they've historically done.  The early release of this information is a "nice to have" for municipalities planning purposes but for the average citizens it's much-a-do-about-nothing.  One may also look up individual property assessments online at the Property Appraiser's website using the New Search.

Mind you the Miami Herald's headline states "Good News" but this qualification should really be left to the readers' interpretation. It's good news for government entities who will now increase property owners' tax bills for services provided.  Also, it's good news for those selling their property but for the majority of citizens staying in their homes, it's not good news.  This just means higher tax bills come November.  Tack on higher windstorm insurance bills to boot and you have a perfect storm brewing once more.

In Homestead and Florida City the impact will be less apparent since the overall values continued to decrease though not as much.  It appears property values may begin their turn into positive territory. Lets just hope that come November the new Homestead City Council of 2013 allocates the new found monies wisely into sustainable projects that spur growth in the city.

Miami Herald Excerpt:

Property values in Miami-Dade County rose for the second year in a row – welcome news for South Florida municipalities, which derive much of their revenue from property taxes.

“It’s a good thing for anybody in government,” Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez said.

The growth – about 3.1 percent countywide – was slightly less than Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez was expecting. Last month, Gimenez predicted property values would rise 3.5 percent, creating in an additional $33.3 million in new revenue for county coffers.

But on Friday, Gimenez said the revised figures were “something we can work with.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3427173/good-news-for-miami-dade-property.html#storylink=cpy

Good news for Miami-Dade: Property values are increasing - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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Redland resident challenges lawmaker for South Dade/Keys House District

Miami Herald Excerpt

Redland area community activist Pamela Gray is challenging incumbent state Rep. Holly Raschein for the right to represent Monroe County and parts of South Miami-Dade in the state House of Representatives.

Best known as a community leader of campaigns to protect agricultural, environmental and historical resources, Gray filed on May 21 as a Democrat to run against Raschein, a Republican from Key Largo.

At stake is House District 120, which is split roughly 37 percent Democrats to 34 percent Republicans. The election is more than a year away — Nov. 4, 2014.

Full Article on link below:

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3426288/redland-resident-challenges-lawmaker.html#storylink=cpy

Redland resident challenges lawmaker for South Dade/Keys district - Homestead / South Dade - MiamiHerald.com

HIH POV:

None at this time besides to let readers know that Pamela is wearing black and Holly red.

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South Dade Community Job Fair @ MDC Homestead Campus

Miami Dade College (MDC) Homestead Campus is partnering with the Miami-Dade County Commissioner and MDC alumna Lynda Bell to host the First Annual South Dade Community Job Fair – complete with professional marketability workshops – at the campus on Wednesday, June 5, 2013. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.in buildings D and G. It is free and open to the public.

The South Dade Community Job Fair, spearheaded by Commissioner Bell, is an opportunity to provide residents and students with access to employers in our area. It also allows companies to meet potential workforce talent for current and future positions.

 “This first community job fair is so important to the South Dade area. It will help businesses in our community and assist prospective applicants in making contact with potential employers,” said Dr. Jeanne Jacobs, MDC Homestead Campus president.

 “In this economic downturn, I am delighted to help bring employers eager to meet with prospective employees, as well as employment experts with the purpose of sharpening the professional skills of future job applicants and students alike,” said Commissioner Bell.

 Featured workshops include:

·        Renovate My Resume

·        The Ultimate Interview Review

·        Attire to Admire

South Dade Community Job Fair

• WHEN: Wednesday, Jun. 5, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• WHERE: MDC Homestead Campus (Buildings D and G) 500 College Terrace Homestead, FL 33030

For more information, call Lavinia Freeman at 305-237-5147, lfreeman@mdc.edu, or 
Charlene Collazo in the Office of Commissioner Lynda Bell 
305-378-667, collazo@miamidade.gov.

Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu
MDC communications director Tere Estorino, 305-237-3949, testorin@mdc.edu
MDC media relations director Kai Hill, 305-237-3359, khill1@mdc.edu
media specialist Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu
media specialist Roxana Romero, 305-237-3366, rromero3@mdc.edu
media specialist Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu

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Mayor's Top Priority 2013-2015: Turnpike Interchange at SE Lucy ST (SW 328th ST)

The Proposed Florida Turnpike Partial Interchange at SE Lucy ST (SW 328th ST) is a proposal on the radar screen of the current Mayor.  A little research has revealed a lot of local lip service and promises but little traction outside of the City of Homestead.

First came a resolution on April 16th 2007 approved by the City Council which supports the relocation of of the intersection of SE 12th Av (SW 167th Ave) and SE Lucy ST (SW 328th ST) to accommodate a partial Florida Turnpike Interchange.  Partial meaning an exit from Southbound and an entrance for Northbound Turnpike.  Second came Florida City supporting the interchange as detailed int their 2008 Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP).  Then came Realtors supporting the plan and advertising as if it's a forgone conclusion.

However, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) nor the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which Homestead is a member of since it topped 50,000 residents,  fails to mention one word of this effort on their future projects websites.  The Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) created by MPO details the project that will be forthcoming between 2011-2015.  A review of the MPO map below reveals nothing will be completed at this location in this timeframe.

This intersection will allow both Homestead and Florida City to further grow their commercial and light industrial areas while easing traffic at the other exits.  Currently the immediate area around the intersection is mostly agricultural on the west side with the exception of BJs, Walmart, Office Depot and Home Depot.  The land currently owned by the Algers family is undeveloped and it's ripe for a big box store such as a Super Target  plus other related complementary stores.

South Dade has suffered long enough from the financial meltdown brought on by the real estate bubble and the subsequent downturn of the national economy.  Furthermore, Homestead and Florida City have been ground zero for the foreclosure market in Florida. These reasons should motivate the new candidates for City Council, especially the Mayoral Candidates to demand a redress of the MPO Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). South Dade is ready to speed up growth and this Florida Turnpike Interchange is paramount to making it happen  long before 2015.

Reference Links:

http://www.communitynewspapers.com/mayor-steven-bateman/fdot-approves-new-turnpike-interchange/

http://local.cityofhomestead.com/weblink8/0/doc/19428/Page1.aspx#

http://www.floridacityfl.us/CRPlanasmodified2-19-09.pdf

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinformationoffice/moreDOT/majorprojects.shtm

http://www.sfrpc.com/dri/SEOvertownParkWest/Appendices/TransApp21-4ATIP.pdf

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17892250/SW-328-St-172-Ave-Homestead-FL/

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Another Walmart is coming to South Dade near the Air Force Base

On April 26th 2012 the South Bay Community Council unanimously approved a zoning change on that will accommodate another Walmart superstore in South Dade. This approval made way for Walmart to build a new 152,000-square-foot store located on the southeast corner of the Southwest 288th Street and 137th Avenue intersection, near the Publix at Waterstone, Home Depot and Homestead Air Reserve Base.  The new store is currently located outside the city boundaries and Homestead Electrical Services area; however it's located within the Homestead Annexation Area Study.  

One would think that we may have enough of these stores in the immediate area but apparently the executives at Walmart think otherwise.  This appears to be a strategic move for future expansion as is the Publix at Venetia Groves.  Large companies tend to buy land years in advance to breaking ground to secure prime locations for their stores.  Homestead keeps growing and it appears to be moving at a faster clip than before.  Traveling around town one may observe that construction is on the upswing and more residents keep moving in to fill the new homes.  In no time we will be a city of over 100,000 people and then this Walmart's location will make all the sense in the world. 

Reference Link:
http://www.arki.com/articles/zoning-board-approves-new-walmart-in-south-dade-homestead-south-dade-miamiherald-com/

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IT'S ON! Miami-Dade County Annexation Bug is in Full Swing

Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, Florida City, Homestead, Medley, Miami-Springs, and Miami Shores are on the path to annex areas now part of Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA).  Furthermore, new cities now being considered in Kendall,  East and West that will essentially do away with UMSA as we know it.  The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meetings seem to be on and off to discuss the annexations and incorporation drives but the direction is clear:  Annexation or Incorporation is the way forward.

The obvious question for those in South Dade:   When will the Redland and Redland Edge incorporation drives spin up again? It appears area residents "just want to be left alone" as some have said at the two Homestead Annexation Workshops this month.  However, "left alone" is a luxury we can ill afford in a county ran by construction and developer interests.  Being proactive is a better approach as it will assert a desire to determine the areas' future.  If "agri-dential" is the latest Urban Dictionary term then so be it, but the Redland and Redland Edge areas will have to fight for it.  Homestead residents have a bias for our agricultural communities for many aspire to moving out west of Krome away from zero lot lines and Homeowners Associations (HOAs).  The city and these soon to be towns have shared interests and common goals.  Together we can impress upon the BCC the need for a common sense approach to incorporation in South Miami-Dade that will allow for the residents to preserve their way of life in an agricultural setting.

Redland Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) Maps.

Reference Links:
County to vote on annexation of land near Miami International Airport - Doral - MiamiHerald.com

Annexation hearing for West Miami-Dade cities is canceled
 
 http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/miami/redland/

 http://www.miamidade.gov/managementandbudget/library/reports/Report_on_Interest_of_Municipalities_to_Annex_Neighboring_MAC_areas_December_11_2007.pdf

Farmers fighting to save a lifestyle

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Citizens Windstorm Insurance - Depopulation Effort Underway

Hello fellow Citizen Windstorm Insurance policy holder in South Dade,

Right about now you should be receiving a letter in a Citizens Windstorm Insurance envelope with a Weston Insurance Company offer or other literature.   There are other companies as well but for the sake of argument, I'll use Weston Insurance as the example.  You will also receive a Weston Insurance Opt-Out letter and have 30 days to sign and return it so that you may stay with Citizens Windstorm Insurance.  Otherwise, if you don't return it, your policy will be transferred to Weston Insurance at renewal and you will no longer be able to return to Citizens Windstorm Insurance.   Well you may be able to return but at the new exorbitantly higher new rates passed by our Legislature and signed by the Governor.

As you may already know the current Legislature and the Governor have made one of their missions  this year to end Citizen Windstorm Insurance as we know it.  They want to turn it into an insurance of last resort.  This insurance company was created and backed by the State of Florida as a result of Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  We are well aware of what happened during that time as we were ground zero for its effects.  We are also well aware that private insurance companies went belly up during that time as a result of the hurricane and were no where to be found when claims started pouring in.

Fact is fellow citizens these new insurance companies have been created by incentives provided by Citizens Windstorm Insurance surpluses.  Fact is Citizens is a profitable and well run company with over 1M policies backed by the State of Florida.  We all know how this story is going to end when a hurricane end up on our shores.  We have been here before and the new private Windstorm Insurance companies will go bankrupt upon encountering significant losses.  That's what private Windstorm Insurance companies do to avoid paying out more in claims than they have in the bank.  Except in that case the state doesn't have to back the private companies as they have to with Citizens Windstorm Insurance. That's the crux of why the Legislature and Governor want to end Citizens.  We will be left hanging dry once these companies go bankrupt and at the mercy of whatever aid the State and Federal government are willing to provide.

Below is a sample of what to look for and by all means do not throw the letter away thinking it's some sort of advertisement.  The choice is yours and ignorance is not a viable excuse.   You have to actively op-out if you don't want to be switched to the new companies participating in the Citizens Windstorm Insurance depopulation effort.  Contact your homeowners insurance agent right away!

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