Charles Avenue should be revered, not abandoned
Charles Avenue, one of the oldest streets in the Grove, is where many of the original Bahamians settled in the 1800s. This street and the area surrounding it could easily be turned into a tourist destination, yet it is neglected. It is easily accessable especially from Main Highway.
This particular house on Charles, near Main Highway, was supposed to have been restored by one group or other. They were given at least $500,000 by the city, yet it just sits here boarded up. Why? Where did the money go? Apparently they spent it on white paint and nothing else. That is some expensive paint.
The whole block in that area was to be restorted and talks went on about this. A local Grove historical association had planned to make this a nice area for tourists. Picture Magazine Street in New Orleans, or even Key West and all their old historical spaces made into shops, restaurants and galleries.
What happened was that all of the old original shotgun houses which line the street, which could have been turned into funky galleries and shops, were bought up and flipped for big bucks when the real estate market was high. Someone got wind of the plan, moved in and made a killing.
Now the houses are either abandoned or being lived in by people who obviously overpaid. Many may be foreclosed. I think it would be intersting for someone to look up the property records at miamidade.gov and report back as to who owns most of Charles Avenue now and who flipped all these historical places for a fast buck.
Across the street from this house is land, believed to be owned by the Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association, it is behind the playhouse and sits empty and abandoned. Most likely that is part of the new playhouse plan now, so the land will not go to waste.
Perhaps after the playhouse is done, the block behind it could be turned into something nice and touristy and historical. Coconut Grove is one of the first settlements in all of South Florida. Why don't we appreciate that?
The book, African Americans in Florida has some interesting mentions of Charles Avenue.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:30 AM
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9 Comments:
Grape, the officials are too busy with their own agenda. They are building mcmansions and condo high rises. They are too busy trying to tear down historic buildings and get them out of the Grove. They want to make the Grove high-end and luxurious. That's exactly why nothing is getting done in trying to keep the Grove historic....
I would like to see some transparency even after the fact. Lots and Lots and Lots of money went to the West Grove when it was still called that. Who, what, when and where is now benefitting from all those dollars.. It certainly did not benefit the West Grove and a few signs announcing the new Bahamian village is not the correct answer.
I renovated one of the old Bahamian houses in the Grove for an investor who was sincerely interested in preserving the wooden Dade county pine home. He spend $210,000.00, four years ago.
The home was torn down about 9 months ago and the lot is still vacant in West Grove.
hey Grape, notice how many replies you have here, not many people are concerned with this area of the Grove
Hello Jobie w
What was the address of that house and who was the investor. Mind naming names?
Why did the Grove become so popular? Wasn't it because it was old Florida, built on naturally high ground, an old village with quaint houses and streets and businesses?
So how does turning it into a glitzy, glamorous tourist spot fit with that? I find this very confusing.
Personally, I don't, I called the owner/investor and he said something like, close to, shut up.
I never understand top secret, be quiet as I never have anything to hide. I don't respect their response and when they read what I said they were pissed.
OK JOBIE who cut you the check for the 210.000,00 ? You did after all put in a honest days work for that job.
No, they spent $210,000.00, on the job, new roof, new floors, two new bathrooms, one new kitchen with real wood cabinets, About 75% of all wood replaced, studs, plumbing, central air. I have never bid a job as I could offer more work, labor and skill by the hour and save my customers a lot of money not bidding and adding in all possible unknowns. They owned three old Grove homes and each time they renovated and sold, written into the contract was a no tear down clause. My intention to make this comment was to agree with who ever said no one was interested in the old Grove. One of these homes was a really old grand example of an old Bahamian home, now lost. One is on New York street, tucked between two condos. One was on Gifford Lane, torn down and a MacMansion took its place. The one I referred to, where a vacant lot sits is on the Corner of Day & Elizabeth. If you go down to records, down town Miami, you can see who sold what and to whom. Not only an honest days work----I never took a down payment and my guarantee was if any customer didn't like my work, they didn't have to pay me. But, I made sure to get paid every Friday or I wouldn't show up on Monday. Over a twenty year people only one person refused to pay me and he spend $7,500.00, in attorney's fees not to pay me $2,300.00.
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