A week after Miami officials were notified a $60 million federal grant to fund a planned urban park in Overtown was rescinded, community and business leaders are focused on next steps to bring the park to the historically Black neighborhood.
Plans for the Underdeck park have been in the works for at least three years, with an expected completion of 2027. Still, Miami Commission Chairwoman Christine King said the lack of funding would delay the project, not suspend it indefinitely.King said commissioners are still trying to process everything, but said immediate next steps would be for them to identify additional funds for the $82 million project, adding that the city, the Omni CRA and the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA have already invested in the project. Those conversations could happen as soon as September when commissioners return from recess.
“We just got notice last week so, it’s a bit of a culture shock, but I’m not discouraged,” she said. “I understand different administrations have different priorities. They don’t always align with the previous administration’s priorities. I am looking at this as an opportunity. It’s not going to stop us from curating this space. It may slow the process a bit, but the intention remains. This space is important.”…