District 7, Miami Riverside Center Group

Narratives and Drawings from the members of the Miami Riverside Center Group.  Click an image for larger view.

JS, age 30ish

When I look around in my community I see changes, some good and some not. The overall general appearance is astounding. I am more pleased than ever to have someone drive through the neighborhood. On the downside, the cost to live in my neighborhood is way beyond my meager means. While the cost of living is steadily increasing, my salary is not, which leads to frustration.

A. Rojas, age 40

Although some may say that large developments show a sign of positive change towards the future, in the case of our city, and based upon the current socio-economic needs of our city, this would pose a major problem for those who cannot afford to live in these developments. But at the end of the day, we are one city with one future. 

YS, age 54

Gentrification has brought restless change to Coconut Grove’s Black community, specifically. Families have been forced to make major decisions about their futures. Property values have escalated out of reach of the majority of families. Being poor does not mean that you should not have a quality existence, yet families are lowering their standards of living.

Ms. W, age 40

I feel that gentrification is a major issue in our low-income neighborhoods due to the economic boom in Miami, Dade-County. With the fast pace and growing development, low income areas have become prime real estate and are attracting developers to build wherever there is a space. With this in mind, the rise in real estate is not feasible for low-income people to afford the drastic rise in rental or homeowners inflation in taxes. Most residents are forced out due to the increase of the abovementioned.

Cody, age 65

Gentrification was an invitation for me to leave my neighborhood – not by choice. I could not afford to pay the rents for the re-built, renovated apartments. 

Gentrification caused me to move farther from my place of work. 

Gentrification forced me to live (move to) an unfriendly and strange neighborhood. 

Gentrification may be good under certain circumstances, but it is essential to keep in mind the needs of the total community, as well as the environmental impact.

Seven, age 27

Gentrification is the transformation of a community, sadly leading to the displacement of the “poor”. Not the poor in spirit, but the poor regarding economics.

What makes a community? The richness of the culture, the history, and family. 

Gentrification leaves me with the question: What happens to the essence of community and the families that make up that community?