Residents in Brickell are upset because city officials closed a public park to make way for a new high-rise. 7’s Heather Walker investigates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brickell is busy with lots of people and pets, but one thing the area is lacking, is parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isabel Quintero, Brickell resident: “It’s so sad.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which is why when the Southside Park closed, residents like Isabel Quinetro were angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isabel Quintero: “I was extremely upset when I found out because this is the only park that we have in this area of Brickell.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The park is located near The Underline off of Southwest 11th Street. But as you can see, the playground, basketball courts and the rest of the park is fenced off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A developer has put a sales office for a new high-rise here<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isabel Quintero: “No park for the dogs, my poor baby. So many people have dogs and so many kids also. That was a park that belonged to the community. Who gave them the right to take it?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7Investigates went to the city for answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo: “We have not given the park to a private developer. That park will be developed by the private developer.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo represents this area. He said the park closure is temporary. It is part of an agreement between the developer and the City of Miami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joe Carollo: “They have the right to be upset and be angry because they don’t have the use and haven’t had the full use of that park for some time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he says the deal was made with residents in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to build here, the developer agreed to put millions of dollars into park renovations, including a new playground, dog runs and basketball courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For residents like Isabel, that will be nice. But the developer says it won’t be done until 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isabel Quintero: “So now, what do we do?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heather Walker: “Is there any way for a portion of the park to be open during this process?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joe Carollo: “I have been looking at that, and I hope that in the next several weeks I’ll have an answer for you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7Investigates will be following up. Heather Walker, 7News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:<\/strong>
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"