MIAMI, Fla. — Miami Commissioner Sabina Covo is breathing new life into a plan sidelined by beleaguered Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla that could provide families with public school seats and affordable housing options for teachers and first responders.

Covo is now chair of the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency In the wake of Diaz de la Portilla’s suspension ordered by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Diaz de la Portilla was arrested on money laundering and bribery charges.

“We were able to unlock a deal that was being worked before with the school board,” said Covo.

They are resurrecting conversations with Miami Dade County Public Schools to bring back a redevelopment project plan that includes affordable housing and expansion of the public school I-Prep Academy.

“It is important for the parents who live in the area. A lot of the younger families have moved to Edgewater because prices are a little bit less expensive than Brickell but they can’t find the right amount of schools. We are working to be able to unlock to generate more public schools for this area,” said Covo.

“We are thankful for (Omni CRA) Chairwoman Covo’s leadership and are strongly encouraged by the action taken by the Board of Commissioners of the Omni District Community Redevelopment Agency to reinitiate the collaborative efforts necessary to advance a comprehensive strategy for innovative public-private partnerships aimed at developing board-owned property located within the CRA’s boundaries. This partnership not only holds the potential for the redevelopment of the district’s assets, but it could also bring forth improvements and opportunities for the community overall including additional educational seats, affordable/workforce housing, increased public parking, and other infrastructure improvements. Leveraging our collective assets and resources will maximize what can be accomplished on behalf of the youth, families and residents we are all charged to serve.”

— Jose L. Dotres, Miami Dade County Public School Superintendent

The previous plan placed the I-Prep Academy at a city-owned parcel. FDLE special agents in Diaz de la Portilla’s arrest form explained how the arrested commissioner sidelined that public school expansion plan on public land to instead pitch the idea of a recreational complex to benefit a nearby private school, Centner Academy, after he secretly started receiving thousands of dollars from the school.

“I think it is important that (parents) know that we are auditing this action and many others that were happening at the Omni CRA. Timeline-wise, it is going to take some time, because this is the first step to recommit and actually work with the school board to make it happen but I think that the school board and the Omni CRA are already aligned because this project is so important,” said Covo.

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Christina Vazquez