Miami-Dade County, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Related Urban Development Group will host a grand opening celebration for Eden at Liberty Square on Friday, October 30, featuring special guest U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Benjamin S. Carson.
The event marks the completion of the second of nine phases in the extensive redevelopment of Liberty Square, one of the largest and most significant affordable housing projects in the nation.
“The rebuilding of Liberty Square through the County’s public-private partnership with Related Urban Development Group has been one of my proudest achievements,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez in a press release. “Not a single resident was displaced as we have redeveloped this neighborhood, which had fallen into horrible disrepair since it was first built in 1937 under the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Now, thanks to smart planning, this exceptional P3 work is a model that cities across the nation are already emulating.”
First built in the 1930s and originally made up of 709 units, Liberty Square is among the oldest public housing developments in the Southeastern U.S.
Some 88 existing public housing units were demolished for the project, which included the construction of six new buildings containing a total of 204 units (73 public housing units and 131 nonpublic housing units).
Upon completion, the 60-acre site will include 1,455 new public housing, affordable housing and market-rate units. Long-time residents will be prioritized in the pre-leasing process, which will begin in November, with rents unchanged since the redevelopment.
The ground-up renovation marks the first large-scale implementation of a mixed-income, mixed-use format in South Florida and incorporates numerous community-focused amenities, including a redesign of the Historic Liberty Square Community Center, a new youth enrichment center, healthcare facilities and job placement programs in partnership with local community agencies.
The novel approach has helped attract residents across the economic spectrum while stimulating Liberty City’s local economy, according to the press release.
“More than new buildings, we are working to build a more vibrant, safe and prosperous Liberty City, and the opening of Phase Two marks the latest milestone in our mission to bring long-term, positive change for the entire community,” said RUDG President Albert Milo in the press release. “Feedback on Phase One was overwhelmingly positive, and the entire team can’t wait to welcome the next group of residents to their new home.”
The event will take place at 6597 NW 14th Ave. in Miami. Doors open at 9:30 AM. The event will also appear live on the Miami-Dade County’s Facebook page.