Enter malls/condos, Exit Grovites

Well it looks like the building ball is continuing to roll it's million-dollar self on down Grand Avenue! The report in The Miami Herald details the approval from a City Advisory Board for land-use changes that pave the way for more commercial development. As a native of West Village Coconut Grove (aka the Black side, let's not get PC), I don't seem as enthused. Especially when it includes risking a majority of my fellow Grovites having to pick up their lives and move to make room for "new-comers." Let's not be fooled, we know what this is about. Gentrification under the guise of "economic development" that does not have the residents in mind is what it is looking like to me, but I could be wrong.

This is partly our fault in West Coconut Grove as well. I mean, how long have these plans been on the table? And we don't show our outrage, or demand provisions be made for native residents until AFTER proposals are already on the table ready to be taken to a vote. It's called being reactive, a common response in our communities in the past decade. We act as if we have nothing to offer this community, or even worse, that we could care less what happens to our historic neighborhood! It just may be too late to stop the fire, as every year I ride through the "backstreets" or visit family on Day Ave, Elizabeth St, or ride down Grand I see less of our faces. But there should always be hope and a strategy on how to make change work for us. I am not talking standing in the way of economic progress in our area. However, we must make sure that the plans include those of us and our families. Without us, and the historic foundation our families laid (contrary to the LIES told about our community), Coconut Grove would not exist. Therefore, all Grovites get your G.U.T.S. back and stand firm in the belief that you want what is best for your community, but you will not be moved just to see that it happens! That means every planning and zoning meeting, every Town Hall, every homeowners and tenants gathering, YOUR face needs to be in the place!