Little Havana NET
About Little Havana
Landmark sites and attractions within the Little Havana area
include the 2506 Brigade Memorial, in honor of the Cuban
patriots who fought in the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Màximo Gomez
Park, better known as Domino Park where older, middle aged and
young people meet over a traditional game of dominoes. In
addition, past 12th Avenue, the Miami River crawls on its way to
Biscayne Bay.
On its shores river-related industries are found and yachts,
sailboats, cruisers and houseboats pack more than a score of
public and private docks.
The population is over 50,000 and has the highest residential
density in the city. This residential area is comprised of a
combination of single-family, duplex and medium density
multi-family structures but the majority of all of the housing
units are apartments.
The celebration of Viernes Culturales every last Friday of the
month (since May 2000) has revitalized the area of SW 8 Street
between 14th and 17th Avenues resulting in the opening of art
galleries and other businesses. The opening of the Tower Theatre
and the new “Latin Quarter Plaza” on SW 8th St and 15th Ave next
to Domino Park, and the new Latin Quarter Specialty Center make
this intersection the “heart” of Little Havana.
Little Havana is known regionally, nationally and
internationally because of the different cultural and social
activities such as the “Calle Ocho Carnaval”, parades and
folklore that attract millions of people every year.
The Miami River corridor will soon see major changes and these
exciting improvements will make river communities an outstanding
location to live, work, and play. The Miami Office of the Trust
for Public Land has developed plans, raised funds and educated
the public in economic and social merits of developing publicly
accessible river walk or greenway trail along the river. This
exciting project will bring retail and entertainment venues to
the river bank in the downtown area and be a” destination
landscape” for both tourist and citizens. Greenway trails will
link river neighborhoods to the waterfront and to parks, which
will improve the quality of life of residents.
Over 150,000 visitors come to visit Little Havana via bus tours
and some by automobile, in addition to millions that come during
special events. If more tourist related facilities are
developed, the number of tourists coming to the area can
dramatically increase. A section of Little Havana (east of 8
Ave. and North of SW 6 St.) has been designated as part of the
Empowerment Zone which will bring numerous benefits to the area.
