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Regalado, Gimenez Reiterate That Wynwood Is Safe

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Business owners and people who work in Wynwood breathed a sigh of relief Saturday night after crowds returned for the first "artwalk" since the Zika virus outbreak there two weeks before.

"We believe Wynwood is safe," said Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado as he toured the neighborhood.

Local leaders and businesses in Wynwood have hoped this "artwalk" would be as crowded and popular as it is each month.   It had been a rough few weeks in Wynwood, after reports of the first locally-transmitted cases of Zika virus in the U.S. originated in the edgy, artsy enclave.

The huge crowds of locals and visitors from all over the world had slowed, one store clerk calling Wynwood a "ghost town".

To pull crowds back this first artwalk since Zika, businesses offered perks like discounted checks, free food and free parking.

"They started 'Love the Local'.  You buy something in one place, you get a discount in another place," said Mayor Regalado.

Until just a few years ago Wynwood was an unsafe, crime-filled neighborhood with one neglected empty warehouse after another.   Vision and faith helped turn things around.

"This is the most dynamic, unique set of retailers, business owners, galleries that you can find anywhere in the southeast of the United States," said Joseph Furst, chairman of the Wynwood Business Improvement District.  "This is a neighborhood that prides itself on resilience from turning something from nothing into an amazing beautiful place."

"Wynwood is the largest community in the United States of independent business.  We don't have chains here," added Regalado.  "This is a 'mom and pop' investment.  This is investment from people that put everything had to make this area great."

A group of about 50 people surrounded Mayor Regalado outside Wynwood Walls during his tour.  They carried signs and chanted, protesting the spraying of the insecticide "Naled" over Wynwood these last two weeks, claiming Naled is toxic to humans.

"We understand our concerns with Zika.  But it's been two weeks of spraying," one protestor told the Mayor.  "It's long overdue to stop the spraying and re-evaluate."

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez also stopped in Wynwood Saturday night.  He was having dinner at the Wynwood Kitchen and Bar.   Before sitting at a table for dinner Mayor Gimenez pointed out that Wynwood is safe.   He said Naled is also safe.

"Naled is EPA approved," explained Gimenez.   "It was recommended by the CDC and also the State Department of Health.   It's used in the state of Florida.  Has been for years.  We've actually used it here in Miami-Dade County for over 40 years."

Mayor Regalado said local leaders are asking the federal government for help with the economic impact Zika has had on Wynwood.

Locals will always come, he said.   But several international events were canceled, hurting the uniquely edgy enclave in the short and long run.

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