The organization launched its “Give Us Our Block Back” campaign Oct. 22, calling for compensation and accountability as businesses along NW 22nd Avenue report significant revenue losses.
Black-owned businesses along NW 22nd Avenue are reporting significant revenue losses as a Miami-Dade County infrastructure project continues to disrupt customer access, prompting The Black Collective to demand financial relief and greater accountability from county officials.
The organization launched its “Give Us Our Block Back” campaign on Oct. 22 alongside affected business owners and residents outside Famous Car Wash. The campaign calls on Miami-Dade County to conduct an independent assessment of economic losses, establish dedicated compensation funding and restore safe, reliable access to businesses along the corridor.
According to organizers, the water and sewer project, which spans NW 79th to NW 90th streets, was originally scheduled for completion in 2024. However, construction delays have extended the project timeline by 1,000 days, pushing the current completion deadline to March 17, 2027. The project’s estimated cost has also increased from $7.25 million to approximately $12.66 million.
County officials have reportedly indicated that construction could continue into mid-to-late 2027.
For some business owners, the prolonged construction has resulted in substantial financial setbacks. Eddie Young, owner of Famous Car Wash, said his business has experienced a steep decline in daily revenue, dropping from as much as $700 to as little as $75. He also reported reducing his staff from 10 employees to four and estimated nearly $100,000 in lost sales over the past seven months.
“We’re in the process of shutting down. It is ridiculous, and it seems like nobody cares,” Young said in a press statement. “We’re a small business. We’re not asking for much. We’re trying to survive.”
Young’s business received a $20,000 business-interruption grant, but he said the assistance has not been enough to offset the financial impact of the ongoing construction.
While the county has indicated that affected businesses can submit claims for lost revenue, questions remain about the availability and adequacy of compensation for businesses that have endured prolonged disruptions.
Valencia “Vee” Gunder, executive director of The Black Collective, said the county’s decision to extend the project and increase its budget should be accompanied by a plan to address the economic impact on neighborhood businesses.
“The county found the resources to extend this project by 1,000 days and invest another $5.4 million in construction, yet the businesses bearing the economic burden are still waiting for meaningful relief,” Gunder said in a press release. “We are calling for a comprehensive assessment of their losses and immediate action from county commissioners to ensure these businesses can remain open. We need real numbers, real solutions and accountability.”
Through the campaign, The Black Collective is outlining three primary demands:
- An independent economic-loss assessment: The organization wants Miami-Dade County to complete an assessment of documented and projected business losses within 30 days.
- Dedicated compensation funding: The group is calling for a designated funding source to compensate businesses affected by the construction.
- Restored business access: The organization wants immediate action to ensure businesses along NW 22nd Avenue have safe and reliable access for customers.
The campaign comes as business owners continue to navigate construction delays and uncertainty about when normal access to their establishments will return.
For The Black Collective, the issue extends beyond the completion of an infrastructure project to the financial stability of the small businesses operating along the corridor.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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