A colorful Mar. 8 Mardi Gras celebration at Datran Center spotlighted how local businesses are encouraged to weather down economic cycles.
The event also served to focus attention on efforts of the newly formed Dadeland Business Association (DBA) to improve one of Miami-Dade’s prime shopping and commercial centers.
The Datran Center lobby was decorated in vivid green, purple and gold colors of Carnival from noon until 1:30 p.m. with a punch bowl service, traditional Mardi Gras snacks, and live music, complete with complimentary masks and beads for all partygoers.
“We do special events for our tenants the year around,” explained Jack Goodrich, Datran Center property manager. “We also celebrate on the Fourth of July and Christmas,” he said, emphasizing the events helped create an enjoyable building atmosphere for tenants.
Dadeland Business Association (DBA) president Phyllis McHenry spoke of DBA concerns about maintaining a safe and secure environment in the Datran Center/Metrorail Station area.
Formed in August 2010, the DBA has met with Miami-Dade Transit to discuss the safety, maintenance and lighting issues of both Dadeland area Metrorail stations, resulting in current installation of new LED lighting at Dadeland South Station.
The DBA also has created a Metrorail Committee to identify and explore solutions for issues that concern citizens, with Goodrich serving as a member, along with Elizabeth Green of Dadeland Centre and Michael Berkowitz of Dadeland Station.
Other key initiatives the DBA addresses include increased police presence to combat vagrancy, an improved pedestrian access across S. Dixie Highway and Kendall Drive, shuttle services between residential buildings and the shopping malls, new Dadeland area signage and the creation of a signature appearance for the Dadeland area.
“Now more than ever, there’s a great need for the community to get involved,” McHenry said. “The recession’s detrimental effect on businesses includes strong areas like Dadeland, making it our responsibility to join together and take our local economy to the next level.
“The association needs businesses to join in its cause.” she added. “A group like the DBA only can be as strong as its membership base.”
