On March 4, a commemorative ceremony was held to celebrate the third (C) of five renovated segments of Flagler Street in Miami, part of the long-running (2021) downtown beautification project, which was delayed in part by COVID-19. According to city officials, in addition to the pandemic, aging infrastructure beneath the streets and problems with contractors also contributed to the delays.
While sections A and B of Flagler Street have been open since mid-2025, improving access for residents and visitors to restaurants and shops, section D is expected to be completed in March 2026, and section E is scheduled for April 2026, much to the delight of merchants! But it must be said that this joy is tempered, because despite the progress made, merchants and residents have also expressed a great deal of frustration. They claim that the slow pace of the five-block renovation project has forced businesses to close permanently. The lack of foot traffic, parking problems, and periods when sidewalks were difficult to access were to blame.
For Miami’s new mayor, Eileen Higgins, even though there is still work to be done, she envisions a bright future for Flagler Street. “This will revitalize the entire Flagler Street area, for small businesses and for the neighborhood,” Higgins told WPLG Local10. « And as you can see, we’ve also rerouted all our buses downtown, which gives us better connectivity, a better business environment, and a better pedestrian environment, and cars can now use First Avenue. Hallelujah! «
Overall, the project aims to revitalize Flagler Street, a historic artery in downtown Miami. In addition to new signage, artwork, and modernized lighting, the redesigned street now offers more space for restaurant patios and concerts, providing visitors and residents with more options for outings and gatherings. The work also includes upgrading electrical and storm drainage systems, installing public outlets, new landscaping, and curb-free sidewalks to expand pedestrian areas when the street is closed for events or festivals.
The Moishe Mana Empire
At the same time as the revitalization of Flagler Street was progressing, Moishe Mana, who is actively contributing to it, acquired the One Downtown tower for $110 million. This 31-story, 450,000-square-foot building, recently renovated by PCCP and CP Group, is home to new tenants including HealthCase, Newgard, and Simpro Group. With this acquisition, Mana, already the largest owner in downtown Miami, continues his ambition to create a vast technology and entrepreneurial hub connecting the Americas.
According to TheRealDeal, over the years, Mana has often used words such as “innovation,” “ecosystem,” and “connectivity” to describe its vision, based on the idea that Miami is the heart of the Western Hemisphere connecting Latin America and North America.
It should be noted that Mana also owns approximately 45 acres in Wynwood, Miami’s arts district, including the Mana Common event space.
While Mana’s project in downtown Miami does not involve new construction, it has renovated existing buildings, which is its goal as an investor.
