audrey-edmonson_web-1.jpgThe Carlisle Development Group recently celebrated the topping off of its newest affordable housing complex, The Beacon.

The transit-oriented complex in the Miami neighborhood of Overtown, adjacent to Metrorail, will bring in more than $25 million in private investment, according to a company statement.
“Overtown has been in need of better affordable housing options for a while,” said Lloyd J. Boggio, founder and principal of Carlisle Development Group. “The land has been underutilized for years and we are thrilled to be able to provide the community with more housing options and employment opportunities.”

Located next to the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre Station on First Avenue, The Beacon is a 13-story housing development with 90 one-, two- and three-bedroom units targeted to very low- to low-income households. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.

The complex will include a library, computer lab and exercise room and resident programs such as literacy and job training classes, health and nutrition classes, financial counseling, resident assistance referral programs and life safety training.

All apartments will have Energy Star-rated appliances, shower heads and water-saving toilets.

The March 31 topping-off symbolized the completion of the structure of the newly designed building and allowed Carlisle executives to thank those involved in the development for their work thus far.

More than 30 percent of the total construction workforce hired on The Beacon are Overtown residents who were also present for the event, the company said.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, who, Carlisle said had a large part in getting the project on its way, spoke on the importance of the building and her support for it.

The development has also been heavily supported by city of Miami Commissioner Richard Dunn and other area leaders.

Built specifically for working families, The Beacon aims to help rebuild the fabric of the Overtown community by building on what once was an empty piece of land, the company said.

File Photo: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson