Friends of the Underdeck

The Friends of the Underdeck are dedicated to continuing the transformative work of the Underdeck Committee, ensuring that the new public space in downtown Miami reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the community. Rooted in the comprehensive recommendations developed by the Underdeck Committee, these principles will guide the Friends of the Underdeck as their north star. Their mission is to expand engagement, incorporating as many voices and perspectives as possible to ensure that the Underdeck becomes the public space our community deserves. It is the people’s project, and the Friends of the Underdeck are committed to supporting that mission. Additionally, we remain committed to working hard at establishing productive working relationships with the City of Miami, FDOT, Miami-Dade County, Omni and Overtown CRAs, and the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to realize this project.

1. Collaborative Development

Engage Stakeholders: Involve a diverse group of stakeholders, including civic leaders, business owners, nonprofits, and residents, in the development process.

Good Faith Engagement: Maintain transparent and constructive collaboration with the public sector for planning, implementation, and management.

Historical Restoration and Community Healing: Transform the space beneath the highway into a vibrant public area, offering an opportunity to reclaim and revitalize the community space lost during the construction of the I-95 highway.

2. Community-Centric Approach

Prioritize Overtown Involvement: Ensure the Overtown community is central to all project stages, recognizing its historical significance and the need for restorative justice.

Facilitate Engagement: Conduct regular community meetings, feedback sessions, and establish dedicated liaisons to keep the community informed and involved.

Accessibility: Ensure engagement opportunities are accessible to all, including the unsheltered, acknowledging the socioeconomic diversity within Overtown.

Recognition of Historical Injustices: Acknowledge the historical injustices inflicted on the Overtown community, fostering healing and reconciliation.

3. Inclusivity in Leadership and Engagement

Diverse Decision-Making: Include diverse community perspectives in leadership and decision-making processes, reflecting the demographic and cultural richness of Overtown.

Inclusive Programming: Involve local artists in design and programming to reflect the cultural richness of the community and ensure that the space is vibrant and welcoming.

Comprehensive Marketing: Ensure marketing materials and renderings represent the community inclusively and accurately, highlighting Overtown’s historical and cultural contributions.

Commemoration of Cultural Heritage: Serve as a tribute to the rich cultural and historical legacy of Overtown, recognizing its significance as a vibrant, diverse, and economically strong community before the urban renewal projects of the 1960s.

4. Transparency and Accountability

Open Processes: Maintain transparency in committee membership and decision-making processes, ensuring that the community can see and understand how decisions are made.

Regular Updates: Share progress and updates openly with the community through various channels, including digital newsletters and public meetings.

Community Involvement: Involve the community in the planning and development process, ensuring that the voices and needs of the Overtown residents are heard and prioritized.

5. Economic Development and Local Empowerment

Strengthen Local Businesses: Focus on enhancing local business opportunities and fostering economic development, particularly for Overtown’s residents and entrepreneurs. Recognize the historical significance of Overtown as a thriving economic hub with hundreds of Black-owned businesses before the urban renewal projects.

Coordinate with Local Initiatives: Collaborate with local initiatives for economic empowerment and benefit, ensuring alignment with existing community goals and needs.

Employment Goals: Set specific, measurable goals for local employment and contracting to ensure tangible benefits, prioritizing opportunities for Overtown residents. Recognize the need to restore the economic vitality that was lost due to past displacements.

Economic Revitalization: Stimulate economic growth by attracting businesses, tourists, and investments to the area, creating jobs and boosting local commerce. Draw inspiration from Overtown’s history as a vibrant, diverse, and economically strong community.

Social Connectivity: Create a public space that encourages social interaction and community engagement, helping to rebuild the social fabric of Overtown. Leverage the historical legacy of Overtown’s strong community bonds to foster a renewed sense of pride and belonging among residents.

6. Legacy and Vision for the Future

Creating a Lasting Legacy: Transform a symbol of division and displacement into a symbol of unity and revitalization, inspiring future urban development projects to prioritize community needs and historical justice.

Vision for Inclusive Growth: Embody a vision for inclusive growth, where the benefits of urban development are shared equitably among all residents, and historical injustices are acknowledged and addressed.

Urban Development and Livability: Enhance the urban environment by converting underutilized spaces into attractive, functional public areas, improving the overall aesthetics and livability of the neighborhood.

Green Spaces and Recreation: Incorporate green spaces, recreational facilities, and pedestrian-friendly areas to promote a healthier and more active lifestyle for the community.

By integrating these core principles, the Friends of the Underdeck commit to advocating for a public space that not only serves as a vibrant community hub but also addresses past injustices and promotes a more inclusive and equitable future for Overtown and all of downtown Miami.