This investment is expected to generate significant economic benefits, further strengthening Miami Beach’s position as a leading destination for business and leisure. AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS One of the city’s newest housing initiatives is the Collins Park Artist Workforce Housing Project, a public-private partnership to provide affordable housing for artists and cultural professionals. “Housing affordability is an issue throughout the country, particularly in Miami Beach. We need to ensure our artists and workers have a place in our city,” explains Mayor Meiner. This project provides affordable housing and fosters a creative community by offering shared workspaces, networking opportunities, and cultural programming. By integrating housing with artistic development, Miami Beach aims to solidify its reputation as a haven for the arts while addressing housing affordability challenges. The city is also exploring other workforce housing projects, such as redeveloping the Barclays building and plans for the Byron Carlyle in North Beach, ensuring that essential workers, especially those in the tourism and hospitality industries, can afford to live where they work. In addition, Miami Beach is examining zoning reforms and incentives to encourage private developers to include affordable units in new residential projects. These efforts align with broader strategies to maintain economic diversity within the city, ensuring that those contributing to Miami Beach’s vibrant culture and booming tourism industry can also call it home. FLOOD PREVENTION MEASURES Miami Beach is at the forefront of climate adaptation initiatives. Through the Resilient Florida Grant Program, the city has secured $1.1 million for dune restoration and is implementing projects to mitigate flooding, including elevating roads and constructing living shorelines with mangroves. These efforts are designed to combat the ongoing challenges of sea level rise and extreme weather, ensuring that Miami Beach remains protected against environmental threats. 78 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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