Services

Beautification
With more and more residents, usable green spaces are essential.  Miami DDA over the past several years has put substantial dollars towards the implementation and creation of new parks, streetscape improvements and major expressway gateway enhancements throughout the downtown area.  As part of the streetscape program for 2008-2009, the DDA has installed hundreds of large-scale urban planters with colorful landscaping in the heart of Downtown and provided street trees, ground covering and landscape materials. Read more. 

Planning and Transportation
Planning for the future of Downtown Miami is a significant and ongoing function of the Miami DDA.  Plans underway include completion of the Downtown Miami Master Plan, which envisions Downtown Miami as the "Epicenter of the Americas". Pedestrian and bicycle safety is a priority at Miami DDA.  Planning staff attends monthly meetings and work with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami to identify barriers to cyclists and pedestrians and enhance the walkability of Downtown streets. Read more.

Policy and Program Development
Listening to, and acting on, the feedback from stakeholders, community groups, and local government over the last year - the Miami DDA Board of Directors initiated changes in Miami DDA administration.  The new environment has developed a Miami DDA where responsiveness and outreach guide policy decisions.  Internally, we are improving reporting and transparency of operations while increasing direct service to the community.  The goal is to optimize tax payers dollars and communicate better on what we are doing with those dollars. Read more.

New Businesses
Downtown Miami is buzzing with dozens of new retail and restaurants in the area that have opened their doors since 2005.  During a recent Miami DDA study we learned that approximately 120 new businesses have opened since 2005.  This year 10 new businesses have already opened with a remarkable 27 more in the works.  Businesses finding the new Downtown market run the gamut from hotels and restaurants to retail and services. Clearly residents are moving in to the 21,000 new residential units built over the last 5 years, and businesses both local and national are realizing the tremendous market demand in Downtown Miami.

Business Support and Recruitment
At Miami DDA we know that a thriving business community creates employment and improves quality of life for our residents and visitors by making goods and services available.  Our role in the business community is supportive, making demographic information and technical resources available to existing businesses, and strategic, providing research data, area information, site selection assistance, and permit assistance to companies who are looking to make Downtown Miami their home.  Our business recruitment efforts have focused on attracting new retail and restaurants by working closely with brokers, tenant representatives, and property owners on our Retail Advisory Group.  This year we've begun a corporate recruitment program in partnership with the Beacon Council and City of Miami to attract and retain major employers within targeted industries in Downtown Miami. Read more.

Basic & Enhanced Services
Making Downtown Miami clean and safe uses a significant amount of resources, both financial and human.  Leveraging those resources to benefit Downtown and its sizeable property tax base is a primary concern for Miami DDA.  In the last year we have met with elected officials to promote a closer look at cross-departmental and big picture concerns in Downtown.  City and county administration have been responsive on a number of maintenance and service issues and Miami DDA has established a regular meeting schedule to address area concerns. Read more.

Programming For a Community
Downtown Miami is an area that is winning over thousands of new residents to their new neighborhood.  Programming for our community is a new initiative at Miami DDA.  Our DWNTWN Concert Series produced in partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is the keystone of Miami DDA community programming.  The series brings some of the best Miami based musicians; Jacob Jeffries, Spam AllStars, Afrobeta, Conjunto Progreso, and Arturo Sandoval, to Bayfront Park for free concerts. Read more.

Marketing Projects
All of the great work, programs, and initiatives of Miami DDA won't amount to a lot if we don't "tell the story".  Major projects for this year include an upgrade of all collateral material, new communications channels, like the My DDA publication published earlier this year, and a strengthening of media relationships at the local and national levels. Read more.

Hometown Advantage
Last year when the US Conference of Mayors and Urban Land Institute came to town, we showcased the new skyline and vibrancy of Downtown Miami with a series of tours, presentations, and events.  We also sponsored POW-WOW, the US Travel Association's annual meeting back in May of this year.  When national association meetings come to the Miami area for a conference, Miami DDA takes every opportunity to position Downtown Miami for its future:  Epicenter of the Americas.