Downtown Has Taken The Curve

January 13, 2011 11:30 PM

CREDIT: DAVID SUTTA

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If you don’t believe it’s was going to happen in Downtown Miami… the proof is in the pudding. Three years ago I stood in the middle of Flagler street at 6 o’clock and it was just me and the homeless people.

Back then the Downtown Development Authority was starting up a big campaign to tell us Downtown was going to be the place to be. Whether it was to save the butts of all the developers or the work of visionaries… it’s happening.

Dozens of restaurants have opened, and stores are following. Macy’s made a major move this week to line their abandoned street front retail with some reasons to head downtown.

There will be a wine store, a jazz club, a coffee bar, and a smoothie place to name a few. Retailers are welcoming the change. I said it three years ago and I’ll say it today: Once they fill those condos the residents are going to need services… services they can walk to.

It’s really exciting. And the best part is the housing downtown, due to the recession, will be semi-affordable for the work force. I don’t know about you but I would love to walk to work. Downtown Miami is making it a reality.

I would give it another three years before you have a “Lincoln Road” esk feel… in Downtown Miami. Expanding businesses should be taking note.

See our report below for more on this story.

From time to time I plan to post behind the scenes photos at CBS4. Everyone is always curious how we do what we do.

Photojournalist Joaquin Garcia is hard at work editing our six o’clock piece.

What’s your opinion about Downtown Miami’s Future? Put it down below in the comment section.

evan crawford

i worked downtown on west flakler strret for three years im very excited to see the good changes i still bank with university credit union on west flagler and cannot wait for the new businesses to open i have tried the new lime restaurant and it is excellent
Eddie Vega

Many years ago downtown was the place to be and to see some changes again is amazing. I can wait to see a full make cover.
gp stewart

It wouldn’t be a Lincoln Road esk feeling, but an “esque” feeling instead.
Andres

I have worked and live in the Downtown area the last 5 years. You do see a change for the best. If you work in the area, your best choice for housing is the area, and there still a lot of them. To start you could get out of your car loan, gas and insurance and that alone will save you a lot of time and money per month. If you need a car there are rental car company all ready in the area for the occasional weekend trip. Restaurant and clubs are opening and you can walk to the arena, the parks, the opera house or use the free metro mover to anywhere in the area.
alejandroomi

As a child I used to go to that very area – buses stopped rigth there. THey had neat stores (circa 1960′s)… then it went down hill and looked like a dump. This is exciting. Now a comment for Walgreens – HOW ABOUT OPENING UP YOUR ICE CREAM SHOP AGAIN AND PLACE OUT DOOR TABLES like yiou had when Walgreens was on Flagler Street? THat will make this downtown street grand!