Robert Crohan/Staff Writer
A few months ago, petitions circulated on social media and in group chats calling on us to “save Wynwood” from urban development. The petition is actually run by billionaire developer Moishe Mara, who believes the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) is subtly aiding efforts to gentrify the area for permanent settlement.
Many in the FIU community know the costs of gentrification, and those who may not live in but love the city, myself included, are saddened by this development. I do not want to see the identity and livelihood stripped from one of the most memorable places I have experienced.
The BID claimed that Mara was upset after a business in a district he owned was closed, sparking excessive tensions. Indeed, the business did not comply with some local regulations and this has highlighted the special treatment millionaires have received as businesses struggle. Mana has continued this, holding an “emergency community meeting” to discuss the intentions of developers to close nightclubs at 11 pm.
The BID has waged its own campaign in response. They insist that their work to revitalize some areas and support residents is not interfering with Wynwood’s livelihood, and that they in fact want to bring economic growth into the area. What they hide, however, is the inevitable increase in the area’s cost of living.
Still, many Wynwood businesses drive the economy. Both sides of this dispute are trying to weaponize noise, with developers claiming that it is a nuisance for future inhabitants, while Mara and his campaign claim that it keeps Wynwood’s identity alive.
Although I’m well informed of the economic benefits to come from gentrification, its negative effects, without a doubt, overcome the good.
Low-income residents—who have been in an area the longest—are pushed out as high-income newcomers make the area unaffordable. The newcomers—usually highly educated and white—are usually unaware of the process and may be well-meaning but ultimately cause unintended harm to their neighbors. I agree with Mara for these reasons, as already established businesses define and drive Wynwood without the need for renovation. There are a plethora of areas in Miami that newcomers can live in, even if it means a longer commute to the city from a suburban area.
The district is widely seen as a core area for Miami’s identity, home to stunning street art, top-notch restaurants, and vibrant nightclubs, and it is frequented by tourists. However, that was also true of Coconut Grove and South Beach, both of which saw business and activity decline after residential buildings were completed.
Some longtime businesses, such as the boutique Rani’s have closed due to rising rent and the modeling and fashion industries are leaving as well. Vacancies are multiplying in South Beach, making the area less appealing for locals as clubs keep tourists coming.
Some business-minded people might see more benefit in redeveloping the area, while others will oppose it due to the potential social impact. The resolve amongst residents of Miami gives me hope that we will band together to make a better future for Wynwood and the entirety of the city.
Featured image by Phillip Pessar on Flickr.
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