West End, Florida

The West End [1][2] is a wholly unincorporated area in suburban Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. It is the collection of communities within and adjacent to County Commission District 11.[3] At the time of the 2010 census, there were 213,839 residents.

West End, Florida
Motto(s): 
Fun Families, Friendly Neighbors, Fit Residents
Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 25°37′56″N 80°26′6″W
Country United States
State Florida
County Miami-Dade
Elevation
7 ft (2 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total213,839
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)

Geography

The West End's boundaries are the Florida Turnpike to the east, Southwest 152nd Street to the south, Krome Avenue to the west and Tamiami Trail (Southwest 8th Street) to the north. The area includes the census designated areas of The Hammocks, Country Walk, Kendall West, Kendale Lakes, Three Lakes, The Crossings and Tamiami.

Demographics

In 2015 Commissioner Juan C. Zapata submitted a report called "West End Strategy: A Vision for the Future",[4] which stated that West End residents account for 8.6% of Miami-Dade County's population. It is the second most populous district behind Commission District 9. The West End had a 20.4% growth from 2000 to 2010. It has an annual growth rate of 0.9%. Since 2011, there has been an increase in new residents who have immigrated to the West End from abroad. The area has the lowest overall poverty rate of all districts in Miami-Dade County. Only 7.7% of the West End population lives below poverty level. This number has been decreasing since 2000.[5] The West End also enjoys a low crime rate.

The newly painted West District Police Station which serves the West End. It is located in The Hammocks.

Government and Infrastructure

There are five branches of the Miami-Dade County Public Library System that are spread out over the West End. The Miami-Dade Police Department operates the West District Station located in The Hammocks. Recreational space is varied and abundant with 35 parks in the area.

The Kendale Lakes Library was where the past two Holiday Magic events were hosted.

Education

Miami-Dade County Public Schools has 17 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools and one K-8 center in the West End. Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University [6] have campuses in the West End.

Elementary schools
  • Dr. Bowman Foster Ashe PLC
  • Dr. Gilbert Porter PLC
  • Oliver Hoover PLC
  • Christina M. Eve Elementary School
  • Claude Pepper Elementary School
  • Dante B. Fascell Elementary School
  • Dr. Bowman Foster Ashe Elementary
  • Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary
  • Dr. Gilbert L. Porter Elementary
  • Dr. Manuel Barreiro Elementary
  • Greenglade Elementary School
  • Jack D. Gordon Elementary School
  • Joe Hall Elementary School
  • Kendale Lakes Elementary School
  • Oliver Hoover Elementary School
  • Wesley Matthews Elementary School
  • Zora Neale Hurston Elementary
  • Jane S. Roberts K-8 Center

Middle schools
  • W.R. Thomas Middle School
  • Hammocks Middle School
  • Lamar Louise Curry Middle School
  • Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School
  • Zelda Glazer Middle School

High schools
FIU plaza

Academies
  • Pinecrest Academy South Charter
  • Pinecrest Preparatory Academy
  • Pinecrest Preparatory Middle-High

Universities
  • Florida International University
  • Nova Southeastern University

Institutions

West Kendall Baptist Hospital [9] is part of Baptist Health South Florida. It opened in 2011 and provides medical and surgical services for patients that includes a critical care unit. Florida International University [10] is a public research university located at the northern edge of the West End. With more than 54,000 students the university currently classifies as the 4th largest public university in the nation.

West End is home to a large population of seniors and as such has a varied supply of senior centers.

  • Oasis Adult Care Corporation
  • Nana's Adult Day Care and Recreation Center
  • Montano Miriam-Visiting Angels Living Assistance
  • Garden Hills Retirement Center
  • Sunrise Community
  • Senior Lift Center
  • Moya Jenny-Mount Olympus Senior Care and Activity Center
  • Olga Martinez Senior Center

Transportation

There are 13 bus routes provided by Miami-Dade County Transit [11] throughout the West End. Miami Executive Airport [12] is a public airport in the southwest of the West End. It is operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and serves corporate and recreational aircraft. The airport also operates a flight training school and serves governmental agency activities. It also serves as the airbase for the Miami-Dade County Police Aviation Unit and houses Miami-Dade College's aviation programs. The Wings Over Miami Air Museum is located within the airport.

Residents walking their dogs at the Bark Park

Places of interest

The West End has a variety of attractions to offer its residents and visitors alike.

The Butterfly Garden at Olympic Park behind Kendale Lakes Library
  • Kendall Ice Arena
  • X-treme Rock Climbing
  • Butterfly Garden at Kendale Lakes Library
  • Shark Valley Visitor Center
  • Splash Pad at Westwind Lakes Park
  • The Frost Museum at FIU

National Parks
  1. Big Cypress National Preserve
  2. Everglades National Park
  3. Gator Park
  4. Shark Valley Visitor Center

Innovation District
Miami Executive Airport

The Innovation District [13] is an area within the West End focused around the Miami Executive Airport. The area is projected to become mixed-use with a focus on innovation and technology. Because the West End has the highest concentration of the professional workforce in Miami-Dade County, the plan will attract more professional jobs to the area and provide a stable workforce of professionals who will live and work in the West End.

West End Living App

The first commission district to have their own app. Download The West End Living app [14] today for the latest West End news. The app provides information on community events, local businesses, parks and libraries near you, 311 direct, transit tracker, and more exclusive deals.

West End Community Image

The West End community image, created by artist Stephen Gamson, features a whimsical depiction of an outdoor family scene highlighting the area's unique character and proximity to the Everglades. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Juan C. Zapata is unveiling a colorful new community image to promote the West End as a place for fun families, friendly neighbors, and fit residents.

"The image encompasses our community identity by emphasizing our beautiful parks, family-friendly neighbors and being a gateway to the Everglades," Commissioner Zapata said.

The image will appear on all branded District 11 materials as well as on display stickers that will be distributed to West End businesses and constituents. It also will be featured in the new West End Living mobile app.

Stephen Gamson is an internationally acclaimed American artist of the Communication Age. His unique style is easily recognized for bold colors, iconic symbols and mass appeal.

A wrapped FPL utility box

In addition to the community image, the West End has recently become the first community in the state of Florida to wrap a Florida Power and Light utility box. The design featured on the wrapping is by local artist Michelle Weinberg.

Annual Events
  • Holiday Magic features food trucks, bounce houses and other entertainment in the evening. It takes place from November to January.
  • West End also hosts movie nights once a month every month from October through May.
  • The West End Art Fair is a free event that features live entertainment, food trucks and activities for children. The main feature is the exhibition of artwork by local artists. Student artwork from local schools is also showcased.[15]

References
  1. West End Strategies Released
  2. 15 Projects Proposed for West End Growth
  3. Wet End Identity Key to Future West Kendall Growth
  4. "West End Strategy: A Vision for the Future"GR2
  5. West Ends Story
  6. Nova Southeastern University Miami Campus
  7. Felix Varela High School website
  8. G. Holmes Braddock website
  9. West Kendall Baptist Hospital
  10. Florida International University
  11. Miami-Dade County Transit
  12. Miami Executive Airport
  13. Western Miami-Dade puts out welcome mat for drone industry
  14. West End Living App
  15. Hundreds Attend First West End Arts Fair
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