Chairwoman Edmonson Moves to Preserve Land Behind AA Arena as Open Space

MIAMI-DADE – The Miami-Dade County Commission is taking steps to protect one of the last remaining slivers of undeveloped waterfront land in downtown Miami.

The Chairwoman’s Policy Council under Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson unanimously approved a resolution on Feb. 13 to preserve a piece of land behind the American Airlines Arena as a public open space for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors. The legislation, along with a separate ordinance to protect the County’s remaining waterfront public lands by requiring a two-thirds Commission vote to authorize any private development on them, next heads to the full Commission for final consideration. 

Purchased by the county in 1998, the 2.76-acre property behind the arena, known as “Parcel B,” would be named the “Dan Paul Plaza” in honor of late Miami open spaces advocate Dan Paul.  

“The residents want this because this is one of the last pieces of waterfront property left undeveloped,” said Chairwoman Edmonson. She also pledged to work with her fellow commissioners to identify a site for a Cuban exile museum which was once contemplated for the site.