Miami-Dade: Between Dreams of Grandeur and Neglected Realities

Miami-Dade: Between Dreams of Grandeur and Neglected Realities

In Miami-Dade, while thousands of residents deal with pothole-filled streets, homes without proper sewer systems, and constant flooding, our leaders seem to have their sights set on the sky, dreaming up megaprojects that ignore the most basic needs of the community. Now, under the leadership of Kevin Cabrera and Daniella Levine Cava, there is talk of asking for even more public money to build a new airport—a project that raises serious concerns about the county’s priorities.

An Existing Airport That Fell into Ruins

Miami International Airport (MIA), the county’s primary gateway, is a clear example of poor management and prolonged neglect. For years, residents and travelers alike watched its infrastructure deteriorate day by day:

• Escalators and moving walkways out of service.
• Structural issues across various terminals.
• Basic services that left much to be desired.

Instead of taking action on time, leaders waited until the airport’s deterioration became unsustainable to propose a solution: invest billions of dollars to “modernize” it under the Future Ready plan, which includes:

• Renovating 200 restrooms and 120 jet bridges.
• A new parking garage with 2,240 spaces.
• A four-star hotel inside the airport.

While these improvements are welcomed, the question remains: why was the airport allowed to reach such a state in the first place? Now, just as this modernization process begins, it seems insufficient. The county administration wants to build a new airport, an ambitious and costly project that, once again, would be funded by taxpayers.

The Stark Contrast: Trash, Potholes, and a Lack of Basic Services

Meanwhile, some of the county’s most pressing issues remain unresolved:

1. The trash incinerator fire from 2023 remains an open wound. With no definitive solution, tons of trash accumulate across the county.
2. Streets riddled with potholes make daily transportation a nightmare.
3. A lack of sewer systems forces thousands of homes to rely on outdated septic tanks, exposing residents to health and environmental risks.
4. Recurring floods, worsened by climate change and insufficient investment in stormwater infrastructure.

Amid this backdrop, leaders appear more interested in high-profile projects benefiting big donors and private interests, leaving the population with scraps from a county that presents itself to the world as prosperous but struggles with an alarming reality at home.

A New Airport to Fly Over the Problems?

The proposal to build a new airport, led by Kevin Cabrera, feels more like a dream of grandeur funded by other people’s money than a reasonable solution. Cabrera, who recently championed this idea, seems unconcerned about the impact on county finances or on residents already burdened by rising property taxes.

Instead of dreaming of a new airport surrounded by trash, flooded streets, and neighborhoods without basic services, the county should focus on solving the problems directly affecting its citizens’ quality of life.

An Administration That Dreams Too Much

The constant call for more public funds to finance grandiose projects reflects a troubling disconnect between county leaders and the real needs of their constituents. Is it reasonable to ask for more money for a new airport when streets are full of potholes and trash has no clear destination?

This situation raises uncomfortable questions:

• What interests are truly behind these decisions?
• Why prioritize projects that benefit a select few while the majority lacks essential services?
• How much more can taxpayers bear before the system collapses under the weight of mismanagement?

Miami-Dade: From Megaprojects to Reality

The vision of a “majestic” Miami, worthy of being called the “Latin Dubai,” is not inherently bad. But it cannot be built at the expense of the basic needs of its residents.

While our leaders dream of flying high with new airports and luxury hotels, the community’s feet remain stuck in flooded streets, surrounded by mounting trash, and burdened by unaffordable taxes.

It’s time for Miami-Dade to stop dreaming of grandeur at the expense of its people and start building a future that includes everyone.

The Minds Behind These Dreams That Others Pay For

Daniella Levine Cava and Kevin Cabrera

Behind the ambitious projects promising to transform Miami-Dade into a hub of luxury and development are Daniella Levine Cava and Kevin Cabrera, who seem to dream of grandeur—but at the expense of taxpayers.

These leaders push grandiose plans like building a new airport and multimillion-dollar developments without considering that the people pay the bills. Meanwhile, the county’s streets are full of potholes, outdated septic systems pollute the waters, and the most vulnerable residents face rising taxes and losing their homes.

Who truly benefits from these dreams? They don’t pay the bill, but you do.