Major upgrades planned for Overtown’s Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall
The Miami Times
By Amelia Orjuela Da Silva
This article originally appeared in The Miami Times.
The Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall is set for renovations as part of an ambitious project that will revitalize the area.
The Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA unveiled the plans at a community meeting March 20
The heart of Overtown is set to undergo a transformative redesign of its iconic outdoor plaza, the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall. The ambitious project, unveiled Thursday at a community meeting hosted by the Southeast Overtown/Park West (SEOPW) CRA, gathered residents, business owners, and stakeholders at the Overtown Performing Arts Center to discuss revitalization efforts for the long-neglected area. Led by SEOPW CRA Executive Director James McQueen and the California-based social art and landscape design firm Hood Design Studio, the project has sparked mixed reactions from the community.
A design for the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall, presented at a community meeting.
A mirror water fountain would be installed for children to play in the Lyric Theater Courtyard.
Renderings show planned redevelopment key points along the Ninth Street Corridor.
At the community meeting, McQueen passionately discussed the project's details, which he said have been in the works for the last three years.
“I didn’t realize how important art and space could be in changing a community,” McQueen said. “When you go to England, you want to see Big Ben. When you go to New York, you want to see the Statue of Liberty or Central Park, and I said that we have to have something in Overtown that people can say, ‘I have to go to Overtown!’”
Walter Hood, cofounder of Hood Design Studio, the lead designer in the project, explains his vision for the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
The plan is part of a larger vision to create a space catering to locals and visitors. The plaza would be redesigned from Northwest Third Avenue to Northwest First Avenue along the Ninth Street corridor. According to Walter Hood, founder of Hood Design Studio, the new pedestrian mall will feature distinct spaces for everyday activities and special events.
“Shade is a big issue in Miami’s hot climate, so we’ve focused on creating spaces that are comfortable for people to gather, eat, relax and enjoy,” Hood explained.
The Crown and The Greenhouse will be the main attractions in the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
One of the redesign’s highlights will be the creation of two pavilions: ”The Crown” and a “Greenhouse.” Inspired by traditional African architecture and shotgun homes, the Crown will offer a sheltered space for activities ranging from casual gatherings to formal events. At the Lyric Theater Courtyard, an “infinity fountain or mirror” will connect to the Crown and allow children to play in the water.
“What we're trying to do is really change the sociology of how people arrive on the mall and how they enter the Lyric,” Hood said. “It's a new space that people can find value in it, versus now, there's nothing that is dynamic.”
The Greenhouse would serve as an outdoor arboretum filled with plants and vines to offer shade and opportunities to connect with nature.
The Greenhouse will serve as an outdoor arboretum filled with plants and vines to offer shade and an opportunity to connect with nature. Art installations and sculptures will further enhance the space, celebrating Overtown’s history and culture, providing platforms for local artists and creating opportunities for public art to thrive. Food truck vendors will also contribute to a vibrant street life. The redesign will encourage spontaneous gatherings, concerts and impromptu events, reflecting Overtown's rich cultural traditions.
The design also considers the surrounding infrastructure, including the overhead freeway and nearby Metrorail, using plantings and sculptures to soften their impact.
“I think it's just it's going to add value to a place,” said Hood. “We have to think of our neighborhoods as places in which we live, play and work, and that value is not just maintenance, but it's bringing more profit to the neighborhood and bringing more resources to the neighborhood.”
Miami-Dade Commissioner Keon Hardemon and SEOPW CRA Executive Director James McQueen look at one of the proposed redevelopments.
(Instagram@miamicra)
McQueen emphasized the urgency behind the project, particularly with the state legislature considering HB 991. If enacted, the bill would ban the creation of new CRAs, terminate any existing CRAs by 2045, and bar CRAs from initiating new projects or issuing debt after Oct. 1 of this year.
James McQueen, SEOPW CRA Executive Director
Community Concerns
Residents and business owners voiced mixed opinions about the project at last week’s meeting.
Christopher Norwood, co-founder of Hampton Art Lovers at the Historic Ward Rooming House, stressed the need for revitalization.
(L/R) Christopher Norwood, founder of Hampton Art Lovers, and Walter Hood, cofounder of Hood Design Studio.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
“We needed to do something with it [the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall],” Norwood said. “I own an art gallery. So the artwork that’s on that ground is very important, and it needed to be cleaned and maintained and restored.”
Norwood expressed excitement for the improvements and the opportunities they’d trigger.
“The more programming that we provide, the more structure, the more art instruction that we provide will attract the community,” he said. “I’m very excited that the SEOPW CRA is responding to business owners affected by the inactivity of the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall.”
Meanwhile, Metris Batts-Coley, executive director of the Overtown Business Association, expressed concerns over a potential disconnect between the new development and existing businesses.
“My biggest concern is that it's an attraction. But how do we make sure the rest of the community is a part of the infrastructure?” Batts-Coley asked. “Do we want people just to come right here to the mall and not go down to Lil Greenhouse Grill or another restaurant?”
Batts-Coley emphasized the importance of integrating Overtown’s businesses into the new development:
“I think it’s a great opportunity – I just want to make sure they focus on the economic development part, and if there are any business opportunities, they should go to the local, authentic Overtown businesses.”
Nicole Crooks, longtime Overtown resident and community engagement manager for Overtown at Catalyst Miami, expresses her opinion at the March 20 meeting.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Nicole Crooks, a resident and advocate with Catalyst Miami, echoed Batts-Coley’s sentiments.
“I think it has the possibility to be absolutely amazing to create space for businesses, and I don't want community members to get lost in the shuffle as always,” she said.
Reginald Munnings, a longtime resident, voiced frustration over the neglected pedestrian walkway connecting 10th Street to Eighth Street along Northwest First Avenue. Munnings, who has lived in the area since 1956, stressed the need to ensure this walkway is safe.
“If you’re going to have all the druggies and stuff on one side and you got one side for the public to enjoy, that doesn’t look very well for outsiders coming to visit,” Munnings said.
He offered a simple solution:
“Remove all the benches, take away all the lighting, remove all the fences, and just leave that a walkway from 10th Street to Eighth Street.” This would restore functionality to the space, making it safer and more accessible, Munnings said. “Let people walk through it. Just leave it as it was meant to be – a pedestrian walkway,” he added.
SEOPW CRA Executive Director James McQueen explains the importance of art and public space in Overtown.
McQueen plans to hold additional community meetings as the project evolves, while Hood pledged to incorporate comments received during this first one. McQueen expressed hope that the redesigned pedestrian mall would become a symbol of pride for the community, attracting visitors and generating economic activity. While no official timeline has been set for the project, McQueen mentioned that they aim to complete the transformation by June 2026, in time for the FIFA World Cup, which will bring global attention to Miami.
By Amelia Orjuela Da Silva
This article originally appeared in The Miami Times.
The Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall is set for renovations as part of an ambitious project that will revitalize the area.
The Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA unveiled the plans at a community meeting March 20
The heart of Overtown is set to undergo a transformative redesign of its iconic outdoor plaza, the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall. The ambitious project, unveiled Thursday at a community meeting hosted by the Southeast Overtown/Park West (SEOPW) CRA, gathered residents, business owners, and stakeholders at the Overtown Performing Arts Center to discuss revitalization efforts for the long-neglected area. Led by SEOPW CRA Executive Director James McQueen and the California-based social art and landscape design firm Hood Design Studio, the project has sparked mixed reactions from the community.
A design for the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall, presented at a community meeting.
A mirror water fountain would be installed for children to play in the Lyric Theater Courtyard.
Renderings show planned redevelopment key points along the Ninth Street Corridor.
At the community meeting, McQueen passionately discussed the project's details, which he said have been in the works for the last three years.
“I didn’t realize how important art and space could be in changing a community,” McQueen said. “When you go to England, you want to see Big Ben. When you go to New York, you want to see the Statue of Liberty or Central Park, and I said that we have to have something in Overtown that people can say, ‘I have to go to Overtown!’”
Walter Hood, cofounder of Hood Design Studio, the lead designer in the project, explains his vision for the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
The plan is part of a larger vision to create a space catering to locals and visitors. The plaza would be redesigned from Northwest Third Avenue to Northwest First Avenue along the Ninth Street corridor. According to Walter Hood, founder of Hood Design Studio, the new pedestrian mall will feature distinct spaces for everyday activities and special events.
“Shade is a big issue in Miami’s hot climate, so we’ve focused on creating spaces that are comfortable for people to gather, eat, relax and enjoy,” Hood explained.
The Crown and The Greenhouse will be the main attractions in the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
One of the redesign’s highlights will be the creation of two pavilions: ”The Crown” and a “Greenhouse.” Inspired by traditional African architecture and shotgun homes, the Crown will offer a sheltered space for activities ranging from casual gatherings to formal events. At the Lyric Theater Courtyard, an “infinity fountain or mirror” will connect to the Crown and allow children to play in the water.
“What we're trying to do is really change the sociology of how people arrive on the mall and how they enter the Lyric,” Hood said. “It's a new space that people can find value in it, versus now, there's nothing that is dynamic.”
The Greenhouse would serve as an outdoor arboretum filled with plants and vines to offer shade and opportunities to connect with nature.
The Greenhouse will serve as an outdoor arboretum filled with plants and vines to offer shade and an opportunity to connect with nature. Art installations and sculptures will further enhance the space, celebrating Overtown’s history and culture, providing platforms for local artists and creating opportunities for public art to thrive. Food truck vendors will also contribute to a vibrant street life. The redesign will encourage spontaneous gatherings, concerts and impromptu events, reflecting Overtown's rich cultural traditions.
The design also considers the surrounding infrastructure, including the overhead freeway and nearby Metrorail, using plantings and sculptures to soften their impact.
“I think it's just it's going to add value to a place,” said Hood. “We have to think of our neighborhoods as places in which we live, play and work, and that value is not just maintenance, but it's bringing more profit to the neighborhood and bringing more resources to the neighborhood.”
Miami-Dade Commissioner Keon Hardemon and SEOPW CRA Executive Director James McQueen look at one of the proposed redevelopments.
(Instagram@miamicra)
McQueen emphasized the urgency behind the project, particularly with the state legislature considering HB 991. If enacted, the bill would ban the creation of new CRAs, terminate any existing CRAs by 2045, and bar CRAs from initiating new projects or issuing debt after Oct. 1 of this year.
James McQueen, SEOPW CRA Executive Director
Community Concerns
Residents and business owners voiced mixed opinions about the project at last week’s meeting.
Christopher Norwood, co-founder of Hampton Art Lovers at the Historic Ward Rooming House, stressed the need for revitalization.
(L/R) Christopher Norwood, founder of Hampton Art Lovers, and Walter Hood, cofounder of Hood Design Studio.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
“We needed to do something with it [the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall],” Norwood said. “I own an art gallery. So the artwork that’s on that ground is very important, and it needed to be cleaned and maintained and restored.”
Norwood expressed excitement for the improvements and the opportunities they’d trigger.
“The more programming that we provide, the more structure, the more art instruction that we provide will attract the community,” he said. “I’m very excited that the SEOPW CRA is responding to business owners affected by the inactivity of the Ninth Street Pedestrian Mall.”
Meanwhile, Metris Batts-Coley, executive director of the Overtown Business Association, expressed concerns over a potential disconnect between the new development and existing businesses.
“My biggest concern is that it's an attraction. But how do we make sure the rest of the community is a part of the infrastructure?” Batts-Coley asked. “Do we want people just to come right here to the mall and not go down to Lil Greenhouse Grill or another restaurant?”
Batts-Coley emphasized the importance of integrating Overtown’s businesses into the new development:
“I think it’s a great opportunity – I just want to make sure they focus on the economic development part, and if there are any business opportunities, they should go to the local, authentic Overtown businesses.”
Nicole Crooks, longtime Overtown resident and community engagement manager for Overtown at Catalyst Miami, expresses her opinion at the March 20 meeting.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Nicole Crooks, a resident and advocate with Catalyst Miami, echoed Batts-Coley’s sentiments.
“I think it has the possibility to be absolutely amazing to create space for businesses, and I don't want community members to get lost in the shuffle as always,” she said.
Reginald Munnings, a longtime resident, voiced frustration over the neglected pedestrian walkway connecting 10th Street to Eighth Street along Northwest First Avenue. Munnings, who has lived in the area since 1956, stressed the need to ensure this walkway is safe.
“If you’re going to have all the druggies and stuff on one side and you got one side for the public to enjoy, that doesn’t look very well for outsiders coming to visit,” Munnings said.
He offered a simple solution:
“Remove all the benches, take away all the lighting, remove all the fences, and just leave that a walkway from 10th Street to Eighth Street.” This would restore functionality to the space, making it safer and more accessible, Munnings said. “Let people walk through it. Just leave it as it was meant to be – a pedestrian walkway,” he added.
SEOPW CRA Executive Director James McQueen explains the importance of art and public space in Overtown.
McQueen plans to hold additional community meetings as the project evolves, while Hood pledged to incorporate comments received during this first one. McQueen expressed hope that the redesigned pedestrian mall would become a symbol of pride for the community, attracting visitors and generating economic activity. While no official timeline has been set for the project, McQueen mentioned that they aim to complete the transformation by June 2026, in time for the FIFA World Cup, which will bring global attention to Miami.
