COMMISSIONER KIONNE L. MCGHEE CELEBRATES RIBBON CUTTING OF NEW LARCENIA J. BULLARD PLAZA WITH COMMUNITY
MIAMI-DADE — Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee to celebrate the grand opening of the Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza in South Dade with the community. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the Board of County Commissioners, the Internal Services Department, and community stakeholders will participate in the Grand Opening Ceremony, Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The event location address is 14508 Lincoln Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33176.
The construction of The Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza, one of many capital improvement projects funded by the Miami-Dade County “Building Better Communities” general Obligation Bond (GOB) Program, is part of the County’s efforts to revitalize the Richmond Heights area by providing a place for the community to gather and enjoy a cultural experience. The building will be utilized for civic events and to showcase African-American artists in a designated exhibit space, among other commercial spaces. Moreover, the Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza, one of Miami-Dade County’s newly built community destinations in the Richmond Heights area, will serve as a hub for new jobs and entrepreneurship.
“The Grand Opening Ceremony for the new Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza will represent momentous occasion for the entire South Dade community,” said Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee. “What makes the new Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza so special is that Senator Larcenia J. Bullard spent most of her adulthood and all of her service in elected office living a few blocks from the location of the plaza. Senator Bullard’s life of service impacted so many people in South Florida and throughout the world. She was an honorable woman who exuded grace and dignity while serving her community. The Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza is a fitting tribute to name the plaza in her honor because she was indeed a consummate public servant who selflessly gave of her time and talent in the service of others.”
The Miami-Dade County Commission has agreed to lease the two-story building, situated at Southwest 144th Street and Lincoln Boulevard, as part of redevelopment efforts. “This small-business incubator will empower the community to innovate and create businesses, benefiting the community,” added Commissioner McGhee, who sponsored the legislation for the building’s lease agreement.
Development of the Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza was originally spearheaded by former Commissioner Dennis C. Moss. It is one of the capital-improvement projects from Miami-Dade’s Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program.
“Senator Larcenia J. Bullard served with a joy that inspired others and was known to be forthright and committed to her district. No one could work a room like Larcenia Bullard,” said former Commissioner Dennis Moss. “This project was a part of the original Moss Plan and was later presented in March 2010 as part of the Richmond Heights Charrette Area Plan. It was envisioned as a Town Center for South Dade and under my sponsorship was approved by the Board of County Commissioners. I tributed the name to Senator Bullard because of her remarkable contributions to South Dade and beyond. She is wholeheartedly worthy of being posthumously honored in this way.”
The Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza is located in Richmond Heights along Lincoln Boulevard, between Carver and Bethune drives. This two-story building is approximately 14,000 square feet, and meets LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) standard specifications for sustainability.
The building is named after the late Larcenia J. Bullard, who served in public office as a member of the Florida State Senate representing the 39th district, which included parts of Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Hendry, and Collier counties from 2002 through 2012. Senator Larcenia J. Bullard was the first woman to be elected to District 118 in the Florida House of Representatives. She was named 2012 Legislator of the Year during the 18th annual Delta Days at the state capitol, Top Intriguing Floridian by Florida Monthly Magazine, Quality Citizen of the Year by the League of Cities, Woman of the Year by several community organizations and Ambassador of Peace by the Inter Religious Federation for World Peace. Larcenia J. Bullard actively helped to rebuild southern Miami-Dade County in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew and spent most of her adulthood and all of her service in elected office living a few blocks from the location of the plaza.
Upon her passing on March 16, 2013, condolences streamed in from politicians and from the community which summed up the life, and loss, of Bullard. This project’s name and the purpose it will serve constitute a fitting tribute to honor the legacy of her vision and her dedicated service to the community.
WHO:
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee join the Board of County Commissioners, the Internal Services Department, and community stakeholders.
WHAT:
Grand Opening Ceremony for the new Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza
WHEN:
Wednesday; October 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
14508 Lincoln Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33176
RSVP:
https://larceniabullardplaza.eventbrite.com
