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Jeremy Spaienza
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Posted: Sat Dec 9th, 2006 08:18 am |
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Hi-- I saw your great essay on Allapattah on your website, but I'm really interested to know about the history of the Wynwood neighborhood. I've searched the Google for more than an hour but I can't find anything. Can you point me in the right direction, or do you know anything about the history of the neighborhood yourself? Thanks!
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bessnfloyd
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Posted: Sat Dec 9th, 2006 08:19 am |
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I really know almost nothing about that area. I know it was mostly older Anglos when we first moved into Allapattah in 1960 . It was sort of "suburban sprawl from early Miami, and later urban growth. Up until the late eighties a very elderly beekeeper still existed in the area. It became more and more commercial and a home to jails, group homes and homeless shelters in the last half of last century.
The Bobby Maduro Baseball Stadium, previously known as the Miami Stadium was already deteriorating. The influx of Cubans in the early '60s, with their love of baseball, salvaged it for a few more decades, but it's now history. I've written an article about it, however, at Wynwood - Allapattah's Neighbor.
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Bess W.
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HanSoloRRT
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 05:35 am |
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Jeremy,
Wynwood was a very nice neighborhood during the times before I-95. The neighborhood declined exponentially after the completion of the highway. Most of the activity in Wynwood was on NW 7th Avenue. There was a 5 & 10 Store, a novelty store: Ocean's of Notions, The Strand Theatre, a roller skating rink which was next to the strand, several restaurants including The Shrimp Place, and of course Miami Stadium, that wonderful place that the City of Miami let go. Believe it or not, Corpus Christi Church and Miami Stadium were some of the latest of the landmarks built in the area. During the latter part of the 40s, catholic mass was held at The Strand Theatre. Today there is an outfit called The Miami Mission, not sure what that is, but it sounds like some type of church. The decline of the Strand, and the area surrounding it, is very representative of what has happened to the rest of that neighborhood. Wynwood was just a very quick decline, nothing ever was done to stop it, hence it's current status. But there is good news:
I am not sure if Wynwood went as far north as Shell's City, but it was certainly in the proximity. The Wynwood area always had industrial zones close to it. You have the fashion district, and the design district which surround it to the north and west, and to the south is the Overtown area, and east of it is an area called Biscayne Park, which is now becoming a very desireable area to live.
Recently I learned that the area of the old Amtrack station, East to Miami Av or Biscayne, north to the design district is going to be completely redeveloped, lofts and hi end condos are the plans. From the looks of it, it appears that Wynwood may get the fair shake it deserves.
The Miami Design District is a hip area to visit if you are looking for furniture, and interior decorating supplies. I know of people that come from out of state to make purchases there. The area is very misleading because it looks run down, but there is a lot of treasure within the City of Miami. The city really needs to be more sensitive to maintaining landmarks. What they did with that stadium was horrific. When I saw the final stage of that stadium tears came to my eyes. Between the graffiti, and crack house appearance, and the condition of the field, it was very obvious no one cared. What a shame.
Miami was always called "The Magic City" I think it's time that the city leaders recognize this and bring that magic back. It has to have charm, look at all the developers that are wanting to re-develop these areas, that is very positive.
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Best Regards to All,
Louis
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bessnfloyd
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Posted: Tue Jul 10th, 2007 05:56 am |
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Wynwood is well on its way to being completely redeveloped, starting at 36th Street south. Many major chains have opened again in that area, such as Target, Pet Smart, and I think WalMart. While much of the developement is actually on the east side of I-95, it's creeping west steadily, while Allapattah redevelopment is creeping east.
It is sad about Miami Stadium, but people just weren't attending events for many reasons. It was finally a big drain to the city. I suppose TV was mostly responsible, plus people's expectations for more modern facilities.
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Bess W.
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