Miami-Dade wants troubled commercial sites to become green spaces

Miami-Dade County is seriously considering a plan to turn failed commercial properties into neighborhood parks, the Miami Herald reported, as its parks department works towards creating a green space within walking distance of every county resident. The county would attempt to purchase commercial strips, buildings or car lots that have fallen into disuse at discounted prices. It would replace the structures with a park and set aside a portion of the sites for future private development, which would one day fund maintenance of the parks and generate revenue for the the municipality.

Miami-Dade has recieved $40,000 in grants to study the idea, and hopes to launch a pilot program within a year. The county has already identified certain sites, the Herald said, but it knows it must act quickly, while troubled assets remain cheap and available.

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The county is working towards its stated goal, outlined four years ago, of creating playing fields, bike trails or parks within walking distance of each resident in the next 50 years. [Miami Herald]