Chairwoman Edmonson Helps Kick Off Lincoln Gardens Project

MIAMI – Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson, along with Mayor Carlos Gimenez and other County officials, held a kickoff ceremony on Sept. 8 for the much-anticipated Lincoln Gardens project, which will include 221 units of affordable family and elderly housing and $2 million in enhancements to Marva Bannerman Park.

Chairwoman Edmonson speaks at the Lincoln Gardens project kickoff ceremony. (Photo by Godfrey Mead / Miami-Dade County)“Affordable housing has remained one of my top priorities throughout my time on the Commission. Lincoln Gardens will help fulfill some of our critical housing needs that have become even more dire as we grapple with the coronavirus pandemic,” Chairwoman Edmonson said. “These will be great homes that will improve the quality of life for many families and seniors in this community.”

The project’s 134-unit first phase will consist of four three-story apartment buildings and a townhome unit building. This phase will include 60 two-bedroom/one-bathroom units, 56 three-bedroom/two-bathroom units, and 18 four-bedroom/two-bathroom units. There will be 49 units set aside for public housing residents at or below 60 percent of annual Area Median Income (AMI) ($58,840 for a family of four). Another 33 units will be set aside for residents at or below 60 percent of annual AMI, and 52 units will serve households earning at 80 percent of the annual AMI ($73,120 for a family of four).

The development also will include a community center, fitness center, park, tot lot, outdoor pavilion, and parking. Pre-development work has begun, and full construction of Phase 1 will begin in October 2020 and is expected to be completed by February 2022.

Phase 2 will consist of a midrise apartment building with a total of 77 units reserved for the elderly, including 73 one-bedroom/one-bathroom units and four two-bedroom/one-bathroom units. All 77 units will be set aside for residents at or below 60 percent of AMI. Phase 3 will contribute 10 townhome units available for homeownership.

Related Urban Development Group will build the project on nine acres of vacant County-owned land and receive a 75-year lease to the property. The County will contribute $6.7 million of funds that it manages toward the $41 million project, along with a rental subsidy of over $11 million over 15 years.