The Allapattah Collaborative, CDC

Mission

We implement placemaking techniques to foster identity, support wealth-building strategies for marginalized communities of color and advocate for policies and procedures that support equitable, comprehensive and sustainable community development. 

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Vision

We envision culturally preserved Miami’s neighborhoods thriving with community inclusivity, equitable development and sustainable policies and practices that promote wealth building and upward mobility for its people. 

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Our Story

The Allapattah Collaborative, CDC is the outcome of a community engagement process focused on creating an Equitable Development Action Plan (EDAP) which targets the retention and growth of small businesses at risk of displacement in Miami, FL. The study focused on a target area defined by NW 17th Avenue between 20th and 36th Street in the Allapattah neighborhood. Although we have taken a place-based approach in our proposed solutions, the problems faced and the work that needs to be done goes beyond this single neighborhood. The overall vision aims to develop a plan that provides a pathway to equitable development without displacement, and emphasizes policies and programs that benefit existing small businesses within the neighborhood. To achieve this, the project gathered data on the neighborhood’s small businesses and other stakeholders to develop a shared vision and identify key opportunities/strategies to reach the goal.

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This work complements and supports various initiatives occurring in Miami that are focused on making the city a more equitable place to live, work, and play. Ultimately, the combined effort will ensure Miami’s cultural neighborhoods are preserved and thriving with inclusive, equitable, and sustainable community development policies and practices that promote wealth building and upward mobility for its people.

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The recommendations of the report, Allapattah’s 17th Avenue: An Equitable Development Action Plan for Thriving Commercial Districts, stem from various community conversations, surveys, data research, meetings with community partners, as well as monthly meetings with the 17th Avenue Steering Committee. The steering committee composition consisted of local business owners, residents, service providers, and local experts. The nine (9) member Steering committee met to review data, identify the problem, brainstorm solutions, and identify programs, policies, and process optimization that would ameliorate current community pressures leading to social inequities including gentrification and displacement. These efforts led us to the following community’s shared vision:

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“To have a safe, inclusive, engaged, and intergenerational mixed-income neighborhood with spaces, opportunities, and resources where residents of all economic classes and backgrounds can live, learn, work, play and thrive.”

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In addition to the survey, the planning process engaged community members through community meetings and gatherings, as well as conversations with small business owners. We also gathered insights from long time practitioners and community organizations who proposed pathways to achieve community goals in the short and long term.