July 4, 2012

Neisen Kasdin was quoted in the Daily Business Review article, "Little Havana Preservationists Forge Ahead With No Help From City." The article reports on the efforts of East Little Havana residents to pursue historic district status for their neighborhood. It also identifies Neisen as being instrumental in the creation of Miami Beach's South Beach historic district.

In the 1980s, he was chairman of the South Beach Community Development Corp. Its mission was to stimulate economic activity in South Beach through preservation and compatible new development. Neisen later became mayor and voted to create the South Beach district.

Restoring homes, commercial space and apartment buildings of historic significance could boost values in East Little Havana, Kasdin said.

"An historic district designation doesn't prevent development," he said. "All it does, it identifies the character of a neighborhood. And once you protect and enhance that character, it becomes a great economic revitalization generator."