The Spring Garden Civic Association

WHAT WE ARE

The Spring Garden Civic Association (SGCA) is a community organization for the advocacy, preservation, and enhancement of the neighborhood. Even though its current by-laws and charter were established in 1995, the legend maintains that as early as 1928, neighbors banded together as the Spring Garden Association to advocate for the neighborhood. We are indeed one of the earliest such civic associations in Miami. Today's members are an eclectic group of artists, professionals, young families and seniors. We are property owners and renters in a geographic area that is bounded by NW 11 Street on the north, NW 7th Avenue on the east, The Miami River on the South, and NW 12th Avenue bridge on the West. This area includes the City of Miami designated Spring Garden Historic District. Spring Garden was developed as a residential, suburban neighborhood in 1918, and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Miami, preceding Miami Beach and Coral Gables.

WHAT WE DO

SGCA actively promotes the neighborhood by protecting our heritage, seeking improvements to infrastructure, keeping the neighborhood clean and safe, coordinating social and educational events, and advocating that new projects/remodels of existing homes be compatible with zoning and be appropriate with respect to the guidelines within the district..

HOW WE DO IT

Communication

We elect officers and board members at our annual membership meeting. The Board meets to address issues and of the neighborhood. We invite City and County officials to the neighborhood to see accomplishments and discuss our concerns. The President updates members regularly via email.

Outreach

We communicate with City officials of our needs. We participate in zoning and planning matters in and around Spring Garden as well as preservation issues within the district. We have successfully worked with the Florida Dept. of Transportation (F-DOT) in the redesign of the bridge at NW 12 Avenue. We have worked with Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer and City of Miami Capital Improvement Projects Dept to resolve storm drainage issues, and participated in the planning of the Spring Garden segment of the Greenway project. We also promote the historical significance of the neighborhood by printing informational brochures, walking tours, and making presentations to interested groups in Miami.

We participate in Miami Neighborhoods United (MNU) which is a network of many neighborhoods facing many of the same obstacles as Spring Garden and who share our common values and support opposing inappropriate developments.

We participate yearly at the annual Miami River Day Festival.

Financial Support

We apply for and receive grant funding for our endeavors. We received nearly $2 million for establishing Point Park, and were able to secure a lease from the County to turn a dusty water/sewer easement into Greenfield Garden so that all may share views of the Miami River. Grant funding also paid for the reconstruction of the original stone entry features and bench on NW 11 Street.