Commissioner Eileen Higgins Celebrates Groundbreaking of the Connect Spot in Downtown Miami

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, joined Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and representatives from the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), the Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS), and the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Connect Spot, a new public recreational area that will transform an underutilized space beneath the Metromover guideway into a vibrant community hub.

Located between the College Bayside and First Street Metromover stations, the Connect Spot groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on another project that reimagines public spaces in Downtown Miami. The new recreational area will feature Forida-native greenery, lighting, and pathways designed to encourage walking, social interaction, and connectivity among residents and visitors. The space will also be flexible and multi-purpose—ideal for hosting community events, workout classes, live music, and more, creating new opportunities for businesses and residents to connect and engage.

“My vision with the Connect Spot was to create a vibrant and welcoming space where residents can interact with one another, enjoy nature, and strengthen their sense of community,” said Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “We are reclaiming public spaces that were once overlooked and transforming them into places our residents can be proud of and call their own.”

“This project represents our shared vision for a more connected, more vibrant Miami-Dade, one where every corner has space for neighbors to come together and live in community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Transforming withered spaces into welcoming green spaces improves people’s quality of life, gives families a place to gather and residents a place to breathe. I can’t wait to see this space filled with laughter and life.”

Commissioner Higgins has been leading efforts to activate unused spaces beneath the Metromover to make Downtown more livable and pedestrian-friendly. In September of last year, she inaugurated the Dog Spot under the First Street Metromover Station, providing a safe and convenient park for pet owners. Next, she will break ground on the Play Spot, another recreational space designed for families and children. The Connect Spot project reflects the Commissioner Eileen Higgins’ commitment to enhancing mobility, promoting sustainability, and fostering community engagement in the heart of Miami.

“Thanks to the constant collaboration between our County departments—DTPW and PROS—as well as the Miami DDA, we’re excited to bring this space to life,” added Higgins. “One day soon, we’ll see this area filled with people enjoying activities that bring us together as a community.”

Left to Right: Commissioner Eileen Higgins joined by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and representatives from the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, and the Miami Downtown Development Authority to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Connect Spot.
(Photos by: Jean Gary Bourdeau/Miami-Dade County)