From the October issue: Wynwood made international news this summer when it became the first area in the continental U.S. to report locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus. The issue was a constant focus of conversation and anxiety among the area’s commercial property owners and their tenants as foot traffic slowed. Some restaurant and bar owners reported as much as a 50 to 60 percent drop in sales right after the Zika announcement, when tourists and local regular patrons alike sought to avoid the district. When Gov. Rick Scott proclaimed Wynwood Zika-free on Sept. 19, the neighborhood breathed a gigantic sigh of relief.
Now, Wynwood — once known for its tired warehouses and discount retail storefronts — could once again focus on its emerging status as a flourishing commercial and residential center. [more]