Spotlight 138-250912

Good morning. What we’re covering in today’s Spotlight:

A Housing Project Neighbors Can Love
A Popular Pathway Returns
Budget Time at the City of Miami

Neighborhood Celebrates the Restoration of Twin 1939 Homes

Greater St. Paul AME Church and Dragonfly Investments have completed the first two of ten homes they plan to restore in the heart of Little Bahamas to provide affordable housing for community residents.

By Jenny Jacoby

On Hibiscus Street in Coconut Grove, just down the road from Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, a new hibiscus bush is growing between a pair of 86-year-old cottages.

The blooming hibiscus represents a symbolic final touch on the first phase of a years-long adaptive reuse project that seeks to restore ten homes in the West Grove.

Painted light blue and yellow and complete with rocking-chair-ready front porches, the first two studio-style cottages were unveiled to the public in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, unrecognizable compared to the condition they were in only a few months ago.

“We couldn’t be more excited individually and as an office and as a community to be here,” Miami District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo told a crowd of about 30 people gathered for the ribbon-cutting. “We often talk about affordable housing like this big goal that’s so difficult to get to, but you do it a little bit at a time.”

Divided No More: Neighborhood Pathway Restored

The brick footpath, a popular shortcut that connects the West Grove and South Grove neighborhoods, was closed temporarily at the start of the school year to accommodate a residential construction project.

By Don Finefrock

A brick footpath that spans the historic divide between the predominantly Black West Grove and the more affluent South Grove has reopened, reconnecting two neighborhoods that were deliberately separated during a time of segregation.

The popular shortcut was closed in August and the brick pathway was dug up to accommodate a residential construction project next door on Loquat Avenue.

The timing proved to be unfortunate. Parents who had planned to use the pathway to avoid rush hour traffic while shuttling their kids to school were surprised to learn that the route was blocked just days before classes began.

It’s Budget Time for the City of Miami

The Miami City Commission will hold the first of two budget hearings on Saturday September 13 at City Hall starting at 10 a.m.

City Manager Art Noriega has proposed an annual budget that leaves the city’s property tax rate unchanged from last year (at $7.39 for every $1,000 of taxable value).

Homeowners are still likely to pay more in taxes, however, because of rising real estate values.

The manager is not proposing that the city adopt the ”rolled-back” tax rate of $6.60 this year (the rate that would produce the same amount of tax revenue as last year, but with a larger tax base).

The manager’s proposed operating budget of $1.2 billion includes $650 million in property tax revenue (53% of the total).

On the expense side, the city expects to employ 4,805 people next year (95 more than this year) at a cost of $946 million. For a closer look at the manager’s proposed budget, follow this link.

Where We’ll Be

Sing like everyone’s watching

High School Musical Sing-along.
We’re all in this together — and this time, we’re singing it out loud. Gables Cinema is bringing back the 2006 Disney phenom with a late-night sing-along screening. Relive every melodramatic hallway scene and basketball court ballad with a theater full of fans. Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Avenue. Friday 9/12 at 10:00 p.m. More info. Modestly priced.

See The Barnacle’s Invasive Species.
The Barnacle’s beloved concert series is back! This Friday, settle in under the stars for a set by Invasive Species — purveyors of Grateful Country Rock and Cosmic Americana. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and soak up the sound. No pets, please. The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway. Friday 9/12 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets here. Modestly priced.

Broadway in the Botanical.
Area Stage heads beachside for an open-air concert of Broadway favorites at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Bring a blanket and a friend — and prepare to sing along. Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive. Saturday 9/13 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets here. $25.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping at The Kampong.
Learn how to work with nature, not against it. This intro class covers sustainable landscaping techniques using Florida-Friendly principles. Save water, protect the environment, and still have a yard that turns heads. The Kampong, 4013 Douglas Road. Saturday 9/13 at 9:30 a.m. Tickets and RSVP. Modestly priced.

National Voter Registration Day.
Tuesday 9/16 is National Voter Registration Day — and the perfect excuse to double check your status while there’s still time. What’s the deadline? Don’t wait to find out. Think hours, not days. Days, not weeks. Pick up the phone or click a couple buttons. Check your registration at Miami-Dade elections services, or call 305-499-VOTE (8683). Already registered? Request your vote-by-mail ballot here. Free.

Celebrate Constitution Day with We the People.
Constitution Day is Tuesday 9/17 — and local group We the People of 305 is leading the charge. Ring a bell at 4:00 p.m., sign a proclamation, or revisit the Bill of Rights. Daughters of the American Revolution started the tradition in 1955. Learn more. And the price for not participating? Your freedom.

Just for Me: Planetary Wonders.
Frost Science offers a planetarium show tailored for kids with sensory sensitivities — with dimmed lights, lowered sound, and open space to roam. A quiet, curiosity-filled way to experience the cosmos. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Boulevard. Tuesday 9/17 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. More info. Free with RSVP.

Help The Underline win a music series grant.
The Underline is in the running for a Levitt Foundation grant — and your vote could bring a free concert series to the trail. Text “Miami” to 877-409-5525 or vote online. It only takes a second. Free.

Volunteer with Rotary at Peacock Park.
Want to pitch in? Join the Rotary of Coconut Grove for an evening cleanup effort — complete with water, snacks, and all supplies provided. Meet at the water station and lend a hand. Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Road. Friday 9/20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. No registration required. Free.

Jazzin’ the Grove: The Equinox Concert.
Coconut Grove’s newest jazz tradition debuts with a bang. Catch legendary Hammond B3 organist Doug Carn and vocalist Paulette Dozier at this free, open-air concert in Armbrister Park. Hosted by WDNA’s Michael Valentine. Armbrister Park, 4000 Grand Avenue. Saturday 9/20 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. RSVP here. Free.

Moonlight Concert: Will Thomas at The Barnacle.
Yacht rock and moonlight are a perfect pair. Will Thomas returns with smooth vocals and soft rock hits — bring your picnic and sway to the set. No pets, please. The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway. Friday 10/10 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets here. Modestly priced.

Strings attached — or not.
New World Symphony kicks off its season with a pay-what-you-wish concert that proves “serious music” doesn’t have to take itself too seriously. Clyne’s Stride riffs on Beethoven with a jazz edge, Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante makes a duet out of a concerto, and Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 95 keeps things intense before winking at the end. Saturday 9/13 at 7:30 p.m. New World Center, 500 17th Street, Miami Beach. Pay-what-you-wish tickets. Additional concerts Sunday 9/14 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday 9/20 at 7:30 p.m.

Books, bubbles, and bug safaris.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden keeps the summer fun going with its popular Twilight Safari Party and Movie Night. Hop aboard the Bug Safari tram, catch butterflies fluttering after dark, and join the bubble bash dance floor before settling in for a bug-themed flick at 8:30 p.m. Wings of the Tropics exhibit and dance floor are open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Last chance to catch the fun: Friday 9/27 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Tickets here.

One night. One stage. Infinite passion.
Alhambra Orchestra launches its 36th season with a fiery celebration of Hispanic heritage — think regal melodies, bold rhythms, and full-orchestra drama. The program includes Arriaga’s Symphony in D and Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, led by Maestro Andai. Sunday 9/28 at 7:30 p.m. FIU Wertheim Performing Arts Center, 10910 Southwest 17th Street. Reserve now.