Executive Briefing Town Center Charrette Companion to the Town
Center Charrette Report Opa-locka Community Development
Corporation
Slide 2
An intense brainstorming and design workshop. OLCDC has
sponsored two: The first charrette (2010) focused on Magnolia North
and ideas for downtown and the industrial / commercial corridors
The second charrette (2011) focused on testing the ideas for
downtown that originated from the 2010 charrette, including:
Repurpose the downtown around arts, culture, food, and festive
events. Tap the visibility of the historic Moorish city hall
Enhance the appearance of corridors, celebrate auto parts and
fixing things Background: Whats a Charrette?
Slide 3
A thriving Town Center Expert Loeb Fellows from Harvard
Graduate School of Design were asked how to get there from present
conditions Jeanne Giordano: Highly regarded retail, arts/cultural
marketing, programming guru. NYC Seitu Jones: Noted artist known
for public art projects. Minneapolis Bill Karg: Architect, owner
Contemporary African Art gallery. NYC Reese Fayde: Urban housing
developer, collaborative planning. NYC Ana Gelabert-Sanchez:
Planner expert in zoning (Miami 21). Miami Mary Means: Renowned
creator of national Main Street program. Washington, DC
Slide 4
Roughly its Opa-locka Blvd from Sherbondy Park to Tri-rail, and
one block to either side of it Its compact scale, character
(historic Arabian Nights), and the asset of city hall and grounds
could give Opa-locka a competitive edge in the region Miami-Dades
thriving arts scene has fueled transformation of similar distressed
areas like Wynwood Where is our Town Center?
Slide 5
A thriving town center is emblematic of a desirable city Yes, a
focus on arts/culture/food could work here, given Miamis exploding
art market, and Opa-lockas unique Moorish profile Yet, there is not
enough disposable income in Opa-locka to support the desired Town
Center. To overcome it, a sufficient draw to attract regional
investors, regional visitors, and new income-diverse residents to
live in or near Town Center must be created Plus, fixing up Town
Center will not be enough: must address shabby corridors leading to
it Teams Key Observations
Slide 6
Start with what is here: help local businesses shine, look
better, and do better. Key Recommendations Downtown feels neglected
and barren, yet has several successful businesses in buildings that
would look much more inviting if they were painted and window
displays were more appealing.
Slide 7
Public realm: street trees and landscaping. Key Recommendations
Opa-locka Blvd at 22 nd. Note what a difference landscaping has
made on the left side of the street. Example of a planted median,
which softens expansive street.
Slide 8
Engage property owners: use paint and landscaping to improve
the arrival experience and first impressions. Key Recommendations
Opa-locka Blvd near 22 nd. Unsightly fences. Vines, shrubbery
conceal chain link fence in Wynwood.
Slide 9
Paint + artists + shabby buildings = big improvement at little
cost Key Recommendations Building in Wynwood similar to several in
Opa-locka
Slide 10
Attract new residents to Town Center: artist housing, mixed use
residential above retail Key Recommendations Sketch above: looking
north to city hall from Ali Baba. To the right: from City Hall
south to Ali Baba. Huge demand exists for artist housing in Miami
Dade. Artists are often the first wave of revitalization in
cities.
Slide 11
Preserve and adapt the historic city hall complex for arts /
cultural purposes and festival events. Produce regular programming
such as festivals to draw people to Opa-locka and to discover its
unique Moorish profile. Key Recommendations $2m MDC grant for
preservation, repurposing of historic city hall sets the stage for
Town Center. Its courtyards and grounds are ideal for celebrations
unique to Opa-locka. Producing quality festive programming
Regularly will help enhance Opa-lockas image.
Slide 12
Having a strategic plan for revitalizing the Town Center is
essential, so is having zoning and design guidelines that are
friendly to the desired investment and providing incentives to
bring businesses along as partners. Because there is not enough
disposable income in Opa-locka to support the desired Town Center,
the goal is to create sufficient draw from beyond Opa-locka. With a
plan, steady commitment, and a phased approach, Opa- lockas Town
Center could be the next hot place in Miami-Dade. Reality
Check
Slide 13
The City of Opa-locka and the OLCDC team are producing
Sustainable Opa-locka 20/30, the citywide planning and zoning
document. It will include a downtown strategy for the Town Center
and the zoning and public policies to support executing it. Regular
briefings will be held with businesses and city officials during
the plans development. Timeline aims for completion by January,
2013. Next Steps