City of Miami keeps Dr. Kings Legacy Alive with 5th Annual MLK Reclaim the Dream Candlelight Memorial Service
MIAMI – Yolanda King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will deliver the keynote address at the Fifth Annual MLK Reclaim the Dream Candlelight Memorial Service on Tuesday, April 4th, 2006 at 6:00p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard (62nd Street) and NW 8th Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.
City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones will join the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation (MLK EDC), Miami-Dade County Commissioners, community leaders and city residents at the yearly ceremony to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Annual Reclaim the Dream Candlelight Memorial Service has been tremendously successful and has attracted over 3,000 people. The event kicks off with a symbolic unity march at 6:00 p.m. at MLK Boulevard (62nd Street) and NW 6th Avenue; followed by featured gospel performances by Grammy Winner, Mighty Clouds of Joy and a special guest appearance by Dr. Ben Chavis, President of Hip Hop Summit Action Network will speak.
The Reclaim the Dream is a campaign to revitalize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Since its inception in 2001, the MLK EDC has worked with the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County and community leaders to make improvements on MLK Boulevard. Several major projects are currently underway on MLK Boulevard, which includes: construction of the new Edison Plaza and the MLK Boulevard Roadway and Commercial Façade Beautification Projects.
The City of Miami Capital Improvement and Transportation is overseeing the MLK Boulevard Roadway Improvement Project. Construction will be from NW 5th Avenue (I-95) to NW 12th Avenue along NW 62nd Street. The scope of work includes milling and resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk repairs, limited landscaping, pavement markings, ADA ramps, linear parks reconstruction/restoration from I-95 to NW 12 Avenue, and decorative lighting. The estimated construction completion for the City portion is July 2006 (weather permitting). The construction cost is $2,034,999 for the City of Miami’s portion.
The Commercial Façade Project aims to help minority-owned, small business located on MLK Blvd. and is funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars from the Department of Community Development and Mayor Diaz’s Prosperity Initiative Funds. The scope of work for façade improvements include: painting interiors, installing signs and awnings.
