On May 5, 2025, community leaders, residents, and members of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS gathered for a historic celebration at the iconic Sunshine State Arch in Miami Gardens. The event marked two major moments for the city: the unveiling of the new Miami Gardens monumental letters and the official renaming of the arch to the Hon. Oliver G. Gilbert III Arch of Progress.
This milestone project was made possible through the MIAMI Association of REALTORS, in partnership with the National Association of REALTORS and Miami Gardens Councilwoman Linda Julien. The result is a bold investment in civic pride, placemaking, and neighborhood revitalization.
A New Landmark that Strengthens Community Identity
Standing four feet tall in bright block lettering, the new Miami Gardens display immediately became a magnet for residents and visitors. Families posed for photos. Friends captured videos. Social media posts quickly spread across platforms. The installation has already become a point of connection for the community and a visual anchor that reinforces Miami Gardens as a proud and vibrant city.
Eddie Blanco, Chairman of the Board for the MIAMI Association of REALTORS and founder of Stratwell, delivered remarks during the ceremony, highlighting the ongoing commitment to enriching local communities.
“MIAMI REALTORS takes pride in improving and marketing our beautiful South Florida communities one project at a time,” Eddie shared. “Our famous letters, made possible through placemaking grants, bring people together in a picturesque setting as a conversation piece of art.”
Honoring a Legacy of Leadership and Progress
A significant part of the celebration also honored the legacy of Hon. Oliver G. Gilbert III, a Miami Gardens native, former mayor, and county commission chair. Under his leadership, Miami Gardens earned recognition as an All American City in 2020 and experienced renewed civic and economic momentum.
Councilwoman Linda Julien championed the renaming of the arch to the Hon. Oliver G. Gilbert III Arch of Progress through Resolution NO. 2023 054 1944. During the ceremony, she shared heartfelt reflections on the impact of Gilbert’s leadership.
“Our community is stronger when we invest in spaces that bring people together,” she said. “These installations are more than just structures. They are symbols of who we are, who we aspire to be, and the reverence we hold for the leaders that are landmarks themselves in our community.”
Investing in Community through Placemaking
This project is part of a wider initiative supported by MIAMI REALTORS to create meaningful public spaces that strengthen neighborhoods. Since 2017, MIAMI REALTORS has invested more than five hundred fifty eight thousand dollars in placemaking grants across South Florida. These grants have transformed underused spaces into community assets in Miami, Doral, Sweetwater, Jupiter, and now Miami Gardens.
The new monumental letters and the newly renamed Arch of Progress stand as symbols of collaboration, vision, and shared pride. They highlight what is possible when local leaders, residents, and dedicated organizations work together for the good of the community.
For Eddie and the MIAMI Association of REALTORS, this project is another example of the organization’s ongoing mission to uplift neighborhoods and celebrate what makes each South Florida community unique.
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