Welcome
The North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (North Miami CRA) will physically turn the District into a walkable, human–scaled, aesthetically pleasing, transit-oriented destination. The District will celebrate Chinese culture, arts and innovation. The plans include spending millions on infrastructure and building facades so the visitors have an authentic experience. With a focus on credibility and sustainability, North Miami is uniquely positioned to be the region’s first Chinatown. The North Miami CRA is first and foremost, business friendly, and with tax increment financing available, we have the ability to develop customized incentives that meet your needs and create a win-win situation for developers and the City alike. We are experienced in negotiating complex public/private partnerships and are keen business attraction experts. We know how to fill the gaps to attract targeted businesses and can customize programs for fast results. With a focus on economic development, business incubation, education, health and wellness, and overall quality of life, CRAs in Florida make a difference.
The North Miami CRA is here to make NoMi Chinatown a reality.
Key Points
About The Project
In partnership with Keith and Schnars, the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (the “Agency”) will prepare a Conceptual Design Master Plan & Design Guidelines (“Master Plan”) for the District, which is arguably a bold endeavor and the first of its kind in South Florida. In today’s economy, China serves as an important trading partner for the United States, dominating the global market in the manufacturing of goods and commodities. Through this Master Plan, the City aims to position itself as a regional gateway for Chinese investment and commerce by transforming the underperforming NW 7th Avenue Corridor into a regional anchor to promote traditional Chinese architecture, culture, commerce and innovation. The design guidelines of the Master Plan will seek to revive the commercial corridor into a pedestrian friendly, aesthetically pleasing, destination that celebrates “Traditional Chinese Architecture,” “Culture,” “Arts” and “Innovation” with outlined implementation strategies.
The Master Plan will establish and articulate design concepts that will serve as a framework for future development within the District, consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, as well as build upon the findings of the Downtown and Major Corridor Master Plan. The project team will work in concert with the Chinatown Cultural Arts and Innovation District Steering Committee, City/CRA Staff, elected officials, local businesses and residents in the community to develop the Master Plan. As a working framework, the Master Plan will highlight opportunities that are available to NW 7th Avenue businesses and residents to improve the quality of life. The District will be the first of its kind in the region and, as a result, the Master Plan will provide a clear road map for future public improvements, Chinese investment and commerce, celebrate Chinese culture, optimize efficiency in public service delivery, promote the orderly growth of the District and position the City at the avant-garde of scientific and technological innovation.
Chinatown Cultural Arts and Innovation District Conceptual Plan Goals
Project Framework
Articulate and Consolidate a Vision for Chinatown Cultural Arts and Innovation District:
- Sustain and build upon the current momentum of creating a vision and revitalization in North Miami
- Engage in series of Community Forums as part of public-private engagement process
- Assess and integrate prior and current initiatives and projects
- Create a regulatory framework and design guidelines for the implementation of the vision
- Prioritize initiatives and projects for immediate, mid, and long-term action/ implementation
- Produce a conceptual vision master plan that can be immediately presented/marketed to potential investors, businesses, universities and the private sector for direct investment and foundations/ non-profits for donations.
Promote the Transformation of NW 7th Avenue:
- From a commercial corridor to a vibrant mixed-use employment urban district
- From auto‐centric corridor to multi-modal mobility
- From an eclectic collection of different buildings to a more balanced, unique and attractive destination branded as Chinatown
Frequently Asked Questions
Proposed Corridor For North Miami’s Chinatown Cultural Arts & Innovation District
NW 7 Avenue Between 135 Street -119 Street
How Do I Participate?
CRA BOARD MEETING
NOV 14
20175:30pm – 8:30pmCity Hall Council Chambers
776 NE 125th Street, 2nd Floor
North Miami, FL 33161
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About The Community
North Miami is one of South Florida’s best kept secrets. As the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County, North Miami is home to approximately 63,536 residents and growing. We pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse communities in the entire state of Florida and a gateway for many first generation immigrants seeking the American Dream.
North Miami is the Center of South Florida
Conveniently located between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, North Miami provides easy access to Miami International Airport, Port of Miami, and a wide array of tourist attractions. Whether you need to go north or south, North Miami is situated to provide ease of access to any destination. Located along Biscayne Bay—gateway to the Atlantic Ocean—our City provides a convenient route straight to Miami’s world famous beaches. North Miami’s border with the bay has created a beautiful wetland and natural preserve, Oleta River State Park.
- 10 miles to Miami International Airport
- 15 mile proximity to Fort Lauderdale International Airport
- I-95 connects the city to the North-South commercial corridors
- Several major state highways traverse North Miami
- 20 miles to Port of Miami
- Bus and train systems run through North Miami
- World-Renowned Museum of Contemporary Art draws thousands of visitors each year and is the focal point of a vibrant and thriving art district in downtown North Miami
- World-famous Culinary Institute at Johnson & Wales
- Florida International University – Hospitality & Tourism Division
- 4 public schools and multiple private schools in North Miami with 11 magnet programs within the City boundaries
- Certified Silver Florida Green City with many initiatives to promote sustainability and energy efficiency through expedited permitting, housing programs, business grants, and green trails
- Sought after destination for commercial filming and production
A Community of Arts, Culture & Education
North Miami is committed to building a strong educational and cultural arts community and is moving forward towards being healthier and greener community. With two major universities, magnet school programs and a world-renowned art museum within the City’s borders, our community is not short on innovative and skilled labor force.
Economic Development Incentive
The City of North Miami has many economic benefits and international trade incentives that offers for new investments. The incentives listed below serve as a general guideline for us in considering an investment in North Miami. The City of North Miami is actively engaged in attracting quality development and will be very competitive in order to obtain the project quality desired by its citizens. If necessary, we would be pleased to consider preparing a detailed incentive package. The prosperity of The City’s economy are tied to securing new job opportunities in the community.
Airports
The City of North Miami is accessible and near two major airports. Miami International and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airports. There are also numerous publicly available general aviation airports and heliports within a 30 minute radius of the City.
Railways
Florida East Coast Railway, established in 1895, meets the freight and personal transport needs of North Miami’s businesses and residents. There is a freight yard within the City and a TriRail station less than 15 minutes away and a future express passenger rail stop is being planned near NE 125th Street and Arch Creek Road as well. The commuter train would link Miami to Orlando with services slated to begin in 2020.
Public Transit
The NOMI Express Line spans the entirety of North Miami and also connects City essentials such as universities, libraries and supermarkets. When used with the Miami Metrobus and Metrorail Services, City residents and businesses benefit from a vast transportation network that encompasses the totality of Miami-Dade County.
Seaports
Port of Miami is located in Biscayne Bay just 20 minutes from the City of North Miami, via I-95 South. Hailed as “the cruise capital of the world,” and, “the cargo gateway of the Americas,” Port of Miami and Port Everglades are two of the largest ports in the United States. They function as both cargo and cruise ports and contain new terminals for cruise passengers alongside high-tech cranes and cargo storage facilities, and have the capacity to work with the largest cruise ships and container ships in the world.
Enterprise Zone
Miami-Dade County contains the largest Enterprise Zone in the State of Florida. Enterprise Zone Incentives offer tax rebates to businesses that choose to create employment within an Enterprise Zone, which is a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalization. These include a sales and use tax credit, tax refunds for business machinery and equipment used in an enterprise zone, sales tax refunds for building materials used in an Enterprise Zone, and a sales tax exemption for electrical energy used in an enterprise zone.
We are excited to share the following list of available incentives at the federal, state, and local level:
Federal Incentives
- New Markets Tax Credit
- EB-5 Program
- Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction
State Incentives
- State of Florida Tax Credits
- Brownfield Incentives
- Manufacturer Tax Exemption
- Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)
- Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund (QTI)
Local Incentives
- Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ 281)
- Grant Opportunities
- Quick Response Training Program
- Urban Jobs Tax Credit
- Density Bonus For Increased Development
- High Impact Performance Incentive (HIPI)
About the Agency Leading This Project
In Partnership With Keith & Schnars, P.A.
North Miami’s Community Redevelopment Agency is an independent government agency tasked with eliminating slum and blight in a designated area. The NMCRA does this by using increases in taxable values, for a limited period of time within a deteriorating area, to transform those areas into one that again contributes to the overall health of the community. This transformation occurs through the various grants and incentives initiatives listed below:
- Commercial Rehabilitation and Beatification Grants
- Public Private Partnership Developments
- Infrastructure Improvements
- Neighborhood Improvement Programs
- Affordable, Workforce, Market Rate, Luxury and Mixed Income Housing
- Affordable/Workforce Housing Development & Renovation
- Transportation and Transit Developments
Every project must be approved by the NMCRA and is subject to funding availability.
Team Leadership
Rasha Soray-Cameau, MBA
Executive Director
North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency
