Miami-Dade County and Brightline are in the process of moving forward with the Northeast Corridor Commuter Rail project. This project has been discussed for decades and would provide much-needed connectivity for Little Haiti, one of the densest and most populated regions of our county. Not only will it create a significant amount of jobs and economic impact, but it will provide a safe and reliable transportation system for the working community who need it most.  

The plan to expand commuter rail would connect all of the suburban neighborhoods with major urban and cultural centers such as Wynwood, Upper East Side, North Miami, FIU and Aventura.

Commuter rail is a major component of the SMART Plan, which has been carefully studied and supported by the community for many years. This new service would connect with all four rail transportation systems (Metrorail, Metromover, Tri-Rail and Brightline), providing residents available alternative to driving. It will also significantly reduce travel time and improve quality of life, as commuter rail is safer and greener than traveling by car.

Mayor Giménez recently issued a memorandum notifying the County Commission of his intent to present a resolution on October 6th that would designate the Design District, El Portal and North Miami as the top three station priorities for commuter rail along the FEC Railway/Northeast Corridor. 

This is a complete surprise to everyone who has followed the County’s negotiations with Brightline, as it completely bypasses Little Haiti in favor of other areas. This decision could set Little Haiti back years.
 
I strongly encourage you and your neighbors to sign this petition to contact Mayor Giménez (mayor@miamidade.gov) , Commissioner Edmonson (district3@miamidade.gov) and the rest of the County Commission asking them to give Little Haiti a fair chance to compete for a station along the Northeast Corridor. 

The process of determining the locations of public transit stations should be transparent and equitable so that all communities are evaluated through a fair process.

I urge you to support this effort.