Proposed $2.6B redevelopment sparks debate over housing and worker rights
Miami Times
*Note: Catalyst Miami is a proud member of the Build a Better Miami coalition.*
By Amelia Orjuela Da Silva
This article originally appeared on MiamiTimesOnline.org.
Pastor Jacques St. Louis of Grace Evangelical Baptist Church is surrounded by individuals representing organizations that form the Build a Better Miami Coalition.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Miami’s streets are buzzing with growing concerns over one of the “city’s largest redevelopment projects,” led by the Swerdlow Group. The project aims to reshape the Little Haiti and Little River neighborhoods by adding thousands of apartments, retail spaces, and transit upgrades, estimated at $2.6 billion over ten years.
As the proposal awaits county approval, a coalition of community organizations, unions, faith groups, and small businesses is demanding a fair deal to protect local workers' rights and prioritize affordable housing.
The Project
Coconut Grove-based Swerdlow Group aims to transform a nearly mile-long stretch of Miami’s Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods.
(swerdlow.com)
The proposal by the Coconut Grove-based Swerdlow Group aims to transform a nearly mile-long stretch of Miami’s Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods into a mixed-income, walkable community. The plan includes the creation of approximately 7,500 residential units, including 1,400 units for low-income residents and 3,500 units of workforce housing.
The plan includes approximately 7,500 residential units, including 1,400 units for low-income residents and 3,500 units for workforce apartments.
(swerdlow.com)
The redevelopment will span 65 acres, mostly financed privately, with construction expected to take 10 years. The area, currently mostly industrial, will include key features such as a new Tri-Rail station, big-box stores like Home Depot, and 700,000 square feet of parks. The project also proposes a pedestrian-friendly shopping street along Northwest 73rd Street.
The project is scheduled for presentation at the Miami-Dade Housing Committee on Tuesday, March 11.
Community Benefits
The Build a Better Miami Coalition is asking the developer for a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to secure fair wages, worker protections, and affordable housing.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
The Build a Better Miami Coalition, which includes We Count!, Miami Workers Center, Florida Carpenters Regional Council, local churches, and more, is ramping up pressure on Miami-Dade County officials. At a press conference on Wednesday, the coalition demanded a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to secure fair wages, worker protections, and affordable housing as part of the redevelopment. Organizers stressed the need for real benefits to the local community, including support for small businesses potentially displaced by construction.
Pastor Jacques St. Louis of Grace Evangelical Baptist Church urged county commissioners and city mayors to engage with the community.
"We want a deal that benefits everyone, not just the developers. We’re not against progress; we just want it to be fair for all.”
Zaina Alsous, Miami Director of We Count!, echoed similar concerns.
“Development can be a really positive thing, but not if it displaces anyone, not if it hurts the workers who are essential for building the project,” she said. “We want to make sure the people who call Miami home and the workers building this project are treated with the respect they deserve.”
One of the coalition's key demands is for better heat protections for construction workers, who face dangerous working conditions in Miami's scorching summers.
Dr. Cheryl Holder, co-founder of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, explains the effects of heat-related diseases.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Dr. Cheryl Holder, co-founder of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, emphasized the urgency.
“We know that heat is the number one weather-related killer across the world, and it’s only getting worse,” she said, citing alarming records that showed 2024 as the hottest year on record.
“Protecting the worker is protecting the wealth of Swerdlow. When you protect the worker, you protect your bottom line,” Dr. Holder added.
Construction workers previously employed by Swerdlow reported unsafe working conditions under a subcontractor, including low wages, accidents, and mistreatment. Ariel, a construction worker, shared that while the developer has shown interest in implementing heat protections, the fight for a CBA guaranteeing worker safety continues.
“We keep fighting for a CBA that ensures heat protections and responsible contractors,” he said in Spanish.
The coalition also expressed concerns over the affordability of the housing units. While the developer’s plan designates 60% of units for workforce housing — reserved for those earning $90,000 or more — only 40% will be affordable.
As Alsous pointed out, “The majority of our members who are building these kinds of projects are making less than $40,000 a year. The prices being set are simply out of reach for most Miamians.”
A map of Little Haiti and Little River shows the area where the developer plans to redevelop 65 acres of private and public land.
(Google Maps)
Pastor St. Louis, who has lived and worked in Little Haiti since 1985, reflected on the ongoing displacement long-time residents caused by gentrification.
“The people who have lived in this community and have contributed so much to its culture should be able to stay. But now, we’re seeing investors knocking on doors, buying up family homes, and pushing people out to build expensive apartment complexes.”
The Build a Better Miami Coalition was to attend the Housing Committee on March 5.
*Note: Catalyst Miami is a proud member of the Build a Better Miami coalition.*
By Amelia Orjuela Da Silva
This article originally appeared on MiamiTimesOnline.org.
Pastor Jacques St. Louis of Grace Evangelical Baptist Church is surrounded by individuals representing organizations that form the Build a Better Miami Coalition.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Miami’s streets are buzzing with growing concerns over one of the “city’s largest redevelopment projects,” led by the Swerdlow Group. The project aims to reshape the Little Haiti and Little River neighborhoods by adding thousands of apartments, retail spaces, and transit upgrades, estimated at $2.6 billion over ten years.
As the proposal awaits county approval, a coalition of community organizations, unions, faith groups, and small businesses is demanding a fair deal to protect local workers' rights and prioritize affordable housing.
The Project
Coconut Grove-based Swerdlow Group aims to transform a nearly mile-long stretch of Miami’s Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods.
(swerdlow.com)
The proposal by the Coconut Grove-based Swerdlow Group aims to transform a nearly mile-long stretch of Miami’s Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods into a mixed-income, walkable community. The plan includes the creation of approximately 7,500 residential units, including 1,400 units for low-income residents and 3,500 units of workforce housing.
The plan includes approximately 7,500 residential units, including 1,400 units for low-income residents and 3,500 units for workforce apartments.
(swerdlow.com)
The redevelopment will span 65 acres, mostly financed privately, with construction expected to take 10 years. The area, currently mostly industrial, will include key features such as a new Tri-Rail station, big-box stores like Home Depot, and 700,000 square feet of parks. The project also proposes a pedestrian-friendly shopping street along Northwest 73rd Street.
The project is scheduled for presentation at the Miami-Dade Housing Committee on Tuesday, March 11.
Community Benefits
The Build a Better Miami Coalition is asking the developer for a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to secure fair wages, worker protections, and affordable housing.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
The Build a Better Miami Coalition, which includes We Count!, Miami Workers Center, Florida Carpenters Regional Council, local churches, and more, is ramping up pressure on Miami-Dade County officials. At a press conference on Wednesday, the coalition demanded a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to secure fair wages, worker protections, and affordable housing as part of the redevelopment. Organizers stressed the need for real benefits to the local community, including support for small businesses potentially displaced by construction.
Pastor Jacques St. Louis of Grace Evangelical Baptist Church urged county commissioners and city mayors to engage with the community.
"We want a deal that benefits everyone, not just the developers. We’re not against progress; we just want it to be fair for all.”
Zaina Alsous, Miami Director of We Count!, echoed similar concerns.
“Development can be a really positive thing, but not if it displaces anyone, not if it hurts the workers who are essential for building the project,” she said. “We want to make sure the people who call Miami home and the workers building this project are treated with the respect they deserve.”
One of the coalition's key demands is for better heat protections for construction workers, who face dangerous working conditions in Miami's scorching summers.
Dr. Cheryl Holder, co-founder of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, explains the effects of heat-related diseases.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Dr. Cheryl Holder, co-founder of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, emphasized the urgency.
“We know that heat is the number one weather-related killer across the world, and it’s only getting worse,” she said, citing alarming records that showed 2024 as the hottest year on record.
“Protecting the worker is protecting the wealth of Swerdlow. When you protect the worker, you protect your bottom line,” Dr. Holder added.
Construction workers previously employed by Swerdlow reported unsafe working conditions under a subcontractor, including low wages, accidents, and mistreatment. Ariel, a construction worker, shared that while the developer has shown interest in implementing heat protections, the fight for a CBA guaranteeing worker safety continues.
“We keep fighting for a CBA that ensures heat protections and responsible contractors,” he said in Spanish.
The coalition also expressed concerns over the affordability of the housing units. While the developer’s plan designates 60% of units for workforce housing — reserved for those earning $90,000 or more — only 40% will be affordable.
As Alsous pointed out, “The majority of our members who are building these kinds of projects are making less than $40,000 a year. The prices being set are simply out of reach for most Miamians.”
A map of Little Haiti and Little River shows the area where the developer plans to redevelop 65 acres of private and public land.
(Google Maps)
Pastor St. Louis, who has lived and worked in Little Haiti since 1985, reflected on the ongoing displacement long-time residents caused by gentrification.
“The people who have lived in this community and have contributed so much to its culture should be able to stay. But now, we’re seeing investors knocking on doors, buying up family homes, and pushing people out to build expensive apartment complexes.”
The Build a Better Miami Coalition was to attend the Housing Committee on March 5.
