Lets guarantee the Historical Preservation of Hialeah Park. By Milly Herrera

If John Brunetti and the city of Hialeah are allowed to proceed with plans to mass develop Hialeah Park, putting hotel towers for close to 900 rooms, parking garages, a shopping mall (which would even allow supermarkets) inside Hialeah park, they are going to destroy this beautiful piece of land and divert business from other sectors of our city. There is little creativity for sustainable, on-going projects and events using the existing structures and land to provide a variety of different venues throughout the year that would guarantee Hialeah's financial stability; this is simply not on the agenda because the goal of these men is development of this land for their financial gain.

I hope people could know what is really happening - a few rich guys trying to get richer, taking away this "public land," a case of probable public corruption, and, ultimately, the destruction of Hialeah Park. Brunetti lost the license to race years prior to the end of his lease contract, which gave Hialeah first option to re-purchase the land, the transfer of land to Brunetti did not go through a voter referendum as outlined in the contract, and a political contributor to Julio Robaina's 2005 mayoral race was the one hired to demolish the historic stables. There have also been multiple and different attempts to develop the land in the last few years.

The Miami Herald should do an in-depth investigation and report the other side of this story to help inform the public.

Dear Friends of Hialeah Park. By Milly Herrara

The race to save Hialeah Park is not over. Although the clubhouse and parts of the park have been partially restored in order to reopen it for the public with quarter horse races, a massive development is planned for Hialeah Park. Although they are trying to make it seem as a "historic preservation" project, it is not. The proposed development plan will barely leave anything of Hialeah Park's 210+ acres. In fact, the track, clubhouse and gardens will be surrounded by development that includes two hotel towers, a convention center and lots of retail shopping areas.

According to the site plan drawings, even the historic, Jim "Sunny" Fitzsimmons tree lined path appears vanished. The 350 to 400 flamingoes that make Hialeah their home will be probalby be shocked and scared off by the massive construction work, dust and debris. The ones that survive will find that their open space and free flights have been replaced and impaired by concrete buildings all around them. The first mayor of the city of Hialeah (James Bright) donated public land for the people. Hialeah Park was public land owned by the city of Hialeah. How our city official handed this park over to the Brunetti family should be investigated by a federal agency. This is OUR park, rightfully so, and no one had the right to give it away. Please help in any way you can on getting the word out about this. Please help stop this massive development plan and let us reconquer our historic park.

Sincerely yours,

Milly Herrera
Hialeah, Florida
herrera101@aol.com

The Urban Environment League Supported the Preservation of Hialeah Park

Hialeah Park was facing a development plan when activists got active. UEL Board Member Alex Fuentes and Hialeah residents, Milly Herrara and Janet Diaz took the lead fighting the mixed use development slated for Hialeah's jewel, the horse racing park famous for its flamingos. UEL President Nancy Liebman and other Board Members met with Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, stressing the historical significance of the park. The UEL also participated in rallies at the padlocked gates.

Mayor Robaina was given the UEL Orchid award that year for his effort to save the park.

Today, the Miami Herald reported the park is slated for a November reopening (there is a video at this link):

For eight long years, Hialeah Park was a historic landmark in hibernation -- its future in doubt, its famous Renaissance Revival architecture slowly fading away.

These days, Hialeah Park is busy. Busy, busy, busy.

Armed with its new quarter-horse permit -- and racing dates approved this week by the state -- Hialeah Park is gearing up for a Nov. 28 reopening.

The post card is from Don Boyd's collection of historical photos of Hialeah Park.