The City of North Miami Business Development Board  had a meeting with the new City Manager, Russell Benford, who gave an over all vision of where he would like the City to focus.
During a Q and A session afterwards the topic of 7th Ave. came up and how it always seems to be the step child of North Miami. It was pointed out to him, that outside of Biscayne Boulevard, we were more economically viable that any other area in the city, but got the least attention. It seems all the developmental ammunition goes to 125th Street and yet, it never seems to awaken and become a vital resource for the city.
Based on these comments it was observed by Board Chairman Mark Wolin, that there ought to be a study done on 7th Ave. to bring about a plan that might put our area in step with the economic planning of the rest of the city. This is a small beginning, but it is a step in the right direction and may eventually help our area. Also at this meeting we expressed to the City Manager that we were opposed to the City favoring the 119th Expressway idea and the annexation or 7th Avenues East side up to 163rd St. as this would bring in vast numbers of billboards and cut a neighborhood in half. If these things are done there will never be any way to salvage the Northwest District.
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