Liberty Square (Miami) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Liberty Square |
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Aerial view toward the southeast of the original 243-unit complex, circa 1937
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| Location | Liberty City, Miami |
| Coordinates | 25°50′10″N 80°13′12″W / 25.83611°N 80.22000°W |
| Status | Open |
| Constructed | 1934–37 |
| Governing Body |
Miami-Dade Public Housing Agency |
Liberty Square, often called the Pork & Beans, is a large apartment complex in Miami, Florida. It has 753 homes for families. It is located in the Liberty City neighborhood. This complex was built between 1934 and 1937. It was part of a big government plan called the New Deal. Liberty Square was the first public housing project for African American families in the southern United States. A 2023 movie called Razing Liberty Square is about it.
Contents
History of Liberty Square
Early Miami and Segregation
In the early 1900s, South Florida grew very fast. But laws and rules kept African Americans from living in many areas. They could only live in certain places, like Overtown. Overtown became very crowded. Many homes there were old and falling apart. They often lacked electricity or running water. This led to many health problems.
Building New Homes
Local leaders and groups wanted to help. They worked to create new housing for black families. They formed a group called the Southern Housing Corporation. This group asked President Franklin D. Roosevelt for help. His "New Deal" plan aimed to create jobs and improve lives. The idea was to build new homes outside Overtown. This would help reduce crowding in Overtown. It would also make space for new buildings in downtown Miami.
Opening and Early Years
The first 243 homes in Liberty Square opened on February 6, 1937. It was built near mostly white neighborhoods. Because of this, a 4-foot-tall wall was built. It ran along West 12th Avenue. Most of this wall was taken down after the 1950s. Later, new highways like I-95 were built. These highways caused many African American families to move from Overtown. They moved to areas like Liberty Square and Liberty City.
Changes Over Time
For many years, laws kept people of different races apart. This was called segregation. After the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968, segregation ended. Liberty Square became a very busy place. At first, many middle-income families lived there. But over time, more families with lower incomes moved in. This led to changes in the community. Some higher-income African Americans moved to other parts of Miami. The living conditions in Liberty Square became more difficult. The area also saw some important community protests in the years after the Civil Rights Movement.
Redevelopment Plans
A New Vision for Liberty Square
In 2015, officials announced plans for a "New Liberty Square." The county mayor, Carlos A. Giménez, said the plan would create many jobs. It would also bring a lot of money into the local economy. This project is the biggest update ever for a public housing complex in the county. It will mix different types of housing. Funding for the project, called "Liberty City Rising," comes from various government sources.
How the Project Will Work
Several building companies offered to help with the project. The director of the county's housing agency said current residents would not have to leave. The new Liberty Square will be built in stages. This means residents can stay in their homes until new ones are ready. He stated that residents who follow their lease rules can return to a new home.
Community Concerns
Not everyone agrees with the redevelopment plan. Some people worry because past projects have not always helped the neighborhood. They want trusted community leaders to oversee the project. They believe this will make sure the plan truly benefits the people living there.
