Thursday, July 30, 2015

Ribbon Cutting - Coconut Grove Village West Welcome Center

Four years ago, I met  Mr. Jihad Rashid at the Coconut Grove Collaborative to discuss the painting of the Peacock for the  Coconut Grove Peacock Tour. I learned that Mr. Rashid was extremely proud of his community and his heritage and had high hopes for its improvement.
(Click photos to enlarge them)




Fast forward, and this past week Mr. Rashid invited me to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Coconut Grove Village West Welcome Center.  He felt that I was part of this community by having painted a piece of art that makes the village proud. I was happy to see the turn out and the enthusiasm in this part of the Grove. Behind the red carpet, ribbon cutting space was the image of the Nassau Daddy looking down.  He is also on the cover of the informational booklet and the Black Heritage Tour.

The welcome Center is located at the new KROMA Gallery, a new collective art space consisting of 18 art studios and a communal gallery. Also on Grand Avenue is the construction of the Gibson Plaza, a mixed use economic development project.  This development will consist of 56 rental units for the elderly and low-income tenants, plus a training center on the ground floor.  All this taking place in a part of the Grove that has long been neglected. 

Brochures available at the new welcome center.
Mr, Rahid, Comm. Sarnoff, Mayor Regalado
The Welcome Center is located at the new KROMA Gallery, a new collective art space consisting of 18 art studios and a communal gallery. Also on Grand Avenue is the construction of the Gibson Plaza a mixed use economic development project.  This development will consist of 56 rental units for the elderly and Low-income tenants, plus a training center on the ground floor.  All this taking place in a part of the Grove that has long been neglected. 
I took my grandchildren to see the peacock and now I hope to show them the new KROMA Gallery and the Gibson Plaza. It is a lesson for them to see what can happen in a community. The residents of this village, and the leaders with a vision, are finally seeing their hard work come to fruition. I hope they never give up.

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