UPDATE: For months, Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata has been 
trying to brand his district as a vibrant, family-oriented community with a focus on neighbors, community togetherness and quality of life.
He has taken to calling District 11 The West End. Now, there’s even an app for that.
Available in the iTunes store, the West End Living mobile app includes information about upcoming community events, featured businesses, Miami-Dade County parks, public transportation, and Miami-Dade County services of interest to District 11 residents. An Android version will be available to download soon.
“This app will serve as a hub for community information and engagement for West End residents,” Commissioner Zapata said.
This project was a collaboration between the Zapata’s 
office, the Miami-Dade Information Technology Department, the Community Information and Outreach department, and numerous active community members in the West End. A second phase of the app project will be launched in order to include direct access to the County’s 311 Call Center, a regional loyalty program, and integration to Miami-Dade Public Schools’ mobile application.
The app is free. Here is the description from the Apple store.
“Welcome to the West End: home to Fun Families, Friendly Neighbors, and Fit Residents. The West End’s new mobile app provides access to the latest information on what is happening in your West End community. By using the app, you will be able to find community events nearby, check out the West End’s best restaurants, locate a park for a pick-up soccer game, explore Miami-Dade County services available near you, engage with your Commissioner, and much more.”
But there has been an Instagram account for westendliving for weeks and Zapata has been using like #TheWestEnd305 lately.
This is the first mobile app for an unincorporated Miami-Dade district from Zorro, the man of the people who is always looking for creative ways to serve his constituency.
Or is he trying to create a soft landing for himself? Everyone knows that Zapata has not been happy at the county commission. Could he be eyeing a future mayoral post in a new municipality rather than a campaign to return to Tallahassee?
Last week, he met again at Zelda Glazer Middle School with a group of people who are looking at incorporating West Kendall into a new city.
On Thursday, he will unveil the results of a community development study conducted by Florida International University that aims to provide a blueprint for the future of the “West End community.” In other words, how to further develop the suburban sprawl that is West Kendall and The Hammocks.
Interestingly enough, the study — which was led by an architecture professor — was privately funded. But by who? The incorporation advocates? Members of the Latin Builders Association? All of the above?
That’s one of the questions Ladra would ask at tomorrow’s unveiling of “West End Strategy: A Vision for the Future.” Sounds all nicey nice, but Ladra smells an ulterior motive.
The study results will be presented at a luncheon hosted 
by the Greater Kendall Business Association starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Vista Lago Ballroom, 1280 SW 128th Street.
But this is just a preview to some “big announcement” planned for next week, according to Zapata’s most recent postings on Facebook.
My money is on something new getting built. Like a community center. Or a regional park. Or a community center inside a regional park.
Either way, this could be a major step toward the incorporation.
Juan Zapata’s ‘West End’ study could portend new city added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
