Miami Beach Community Development Corporation seeks to enhance the quality of life of Miami Beach and achieve neighborhood revitalization through a comprehensive community development program that pursues and balances historic preservation and urban design, economic vitality and increasing job opportunity, and support for a diverse, eclectic and successful neighborhood social fabric.

Founded in 1981 by the Miami Design Preservation League, MBCDC spearheaded the economic revitalization of the Art Deco District, public and private investment on Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road and re-emergence of South Beach as a world-class tourist destination. The organization now works throughout Miami Beach to celebrate an extraordinary architectural and urban endowment, revitalize distressed neighborhoods, create increased economic opportunity, rehabilitate affordable housing and improve the quality of city life for those who life and work and visit the city.

The Miami Beach Community Development Corporation works in collaboration with its Community Partner Organizations in a comprehensive community development program that embraces the values of revitalization, historic preservation, community empowerment and ombudsmanship. The organization’s mandate is to work on the sometimes completing demands of economic revitalization, preservation of the natural and build environment, urban design, affordable housing and community development. MBCDC seeks to preserve and rehabilitate existing residential neighborhoods and encourage and provide safe, decent affordable housing to low and moderate income residents of Miami Beach.

Organized with a commitment to preservation and urban design, embracing sustainable vibrant economic revitalization and supporting inclusive dynamic urban social fabric, MBCDC emphasizes a balanced and comprehensive program of community development. Holistic Neighborhood Revitalization addresses housing and physical development, economic development and human investment simultaneously and comprehensively.

MBCDC has provided sustained leadership in support of the Miami Beach Architectural District - South Beach Art Deco District and in more recent efforts to recognize the importance of Miami Modern “MIMo” Architecture in North Beach.

MBCDC attracted investors, convened workshops and served as a catalytic agent to stimulate commercial revitalization for the Art Deco District – Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, Collins and Washington Avenues, and Espanola Way.

MBCDC organized the “Our Drive, Ocean Drive” campaign that worked with the city to plan, finance, and implement a $3 million Ocean Drive Public Improvement Program.

MBCDC facilitated the IDA visioning workshop for Lincoln Road, engaged the multi-disciplinary consultant team to develop a comprehensive revitalization plan, and initiated the $20 million capital improvement program for Lincoln Road.

The organization is now pursuing implementation of the Flamingo Neighborhood Charette through and $8 million Capital Improvement Program to improve the residential infrastructure and the quality of life for those who live in South Beach.

MBCDC provided $3 million in City and County grants assisting merchants, property owners and arts organizations rehabilitate over 500 storefronts and commercial properties on Washington Avenue, Lincoln Road and throughout the Art Deco District.

MBCDC provided $1.3 million in State of Florida loan funds to Ocean Drive hotel rehabilitation and Washington Avenue businesses, including the Edison Hotel, Park Central Hotel, Beacon Hotel, Lee Ann Pharmacy and DACRA commercial property.

It as attracted developers, commissioned studies to demonstrate the feasibility of rehabilitation projects. And initiated programs attracting over $100 million in private investment and the creation of over 1,000 new jobs on Collins Avenue, Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive.

MBCDC organized the hotel and commercial districts on a demonstration of business improvement, special service programs providing joint marketing and increased levels of sanitation, security and landscaping services.

It initiated a retail recruitment effort to acquaint specialty retailers in SOHO and other “hot” urban areas with South Beach business.

By collaborating in local efforts to attract and promote the development of the film, fashion, and photograph industry and the movie and recording industry, it enabled the City to become an image and entertainment employment center.

MBCDC organized the Washington Avenue Association, Ocean Drive Association, Lincoln Road Partnership, Lincoln Road Marketing, Inc., the South Beach Ocean Front Hotel District, the South Beach Entertainment Association and the South Beach Marketing Council.

MBCDC is recognized by Federal, State and local jurisdictions as a Community Development Corporation, a Community Housing Development Organization and as a Housing Counseling Agency.

MBCDC organized the Affordable Housing Coalition to participate in housing policy and advocacy. MBCDC housing programs preserve and develop increased housing opportunities through scattered site home ownership, supportive housing for the elderly and other people with special needs, and rental housing for low-income families.

It has assisted over 200 families to become first time home buyers. The Homeownership Assistance Program helps eligible applicants purchase a home by providing training, counseling, advantageous mortgage financing and grant assistance.

MBCDC began its housing development programs with the restoration of the fire-damaged Kelwyn Apartments as rental housing for low income families.

MBCDC acquired and rehabilitated the Madison Apartments which provide 17 units of rental housing for low income families, including 2- and 3-bedroom units. MBCDC has acquired and rehabilitated the Crespi Park Apartments in North Beach to provide affordable housing for 10 low income families and 6 elderly families with special needs.

MBCDC in partnership with the People with AIDS Coalition acquired and rehabilitated Shelbourne House to provide 24 units of assisted rental housing for people living with AIDS, and based on the success of this project purchased and rehabilitated The Fernwood to provide an additional 18 units.

With 27 units, The Jefferson, provides supportive rental housing for elderly residents.

MBCDC has been an active agent fostering a greater appreciation for the value of the area’s dynamic diversity through support of community based organizations such as the South Beach Business Guild, Dade Human Rights Foundation, RAIN, and UNIDAD.

MBCDC transformed the Colony Theater from a vacant and unused movie house into a performing arts center now operated by the Concert Association of Florida and fostered early development of the Lincoln Road Arts District and provided construction management services to restore the Coral Rock House as the Hispanic Community Center.

The organization works with UNIDAD in job services programs that provide increased job opportunities for area residents.

MBCDC works in partnership with community organizations, including Miami Design Preservation League, E-COMB, South Pointe Advisory Board, North Beach Development Corporation, RAIN Parents, Art Center/South Florida, and Miami Beach Garden Conservancy.