More funding secured for Carver Theater redevelopment

Written by Genevieve Bowen on December 23, 2024

The redevelopment of the Carver Theater in Liberty City has secured significant additional funding and is targeted for a 2027 completion, marking a major milestone for the long-vacant site. Funding is at about 40% of the level sought for the work.

Located at 6016 NW Seventh Ave., the Carver Theater originally opened in the 1940s and served as a hub and cultural centerpiece for the historically Black community. After closing in the 1960s, the property briefly operated as a church before falling into disuse for decades.

In 2018, the City of Miami purchased the property for $1.53 million using funds from the Community Development Block Grant program, aiming to address Liberty City’s need for affordable housing, event spaces and cultural revitalization. A year later, the city transferred the site to the nonprofit Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation (MLKEDC) to spearhead its redevelopment.

Now, five years later, the vision for the Carver Theater is coming to fruition thanks to critical funding secured this summer. MLKEDC, in partnership with real estate firm Atlantic Pacific Communities, plans to rehabilitate and transform the property into a 12-story mixed-use development featuring up to 84 affordable housing units, commercial space and a parking garage.

The Miami-Dade County Commission boosted the project’s momentum in July by approving $5 million in Miami Rescue Plan funds and reallocating $2.2 million from the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program. This latest funding brings the total secured to just over $14 million.

Previously, in July 2023, the Miami City Commission unanimously allocated $7 million from the Miami For Everyone (MFE) program, sponsored by District Five Commissioner Christine King, who represents Liberty City. Background documents from the resolution listed the total project cost at $36,849,007.

The latest funding agreement with the county stipulates that the affordable housing units will be reserved for residents earning up to 120% of the area median income, a step in addressing the area’s housing challenges.

Construction is expected to span four years, with the Carver Theater complex set to open in late 2027. Advocates and community leaders hope this transformative project will not only provide much-needed housing but also act as a catalyst for further investment in Liberty City, restoring both cultural vitality and economic growth to the historic neighborhood.