West End, Florida

The West End's boundaries are the Florida Turnpike to the east, Southwest 152nd Street to the south, Krome Avenue to the west and Tamiami Trail (Southwest 8th Street) to the north. The area includes the census designated areas of The Hammocks, Country Walk, Kendall West, Kendale Lakes, Three Lakes, The Crossings and Tamiami.

In 2015 Commissioner Juan C. Zapata submitted a report called "West End Strategy: A Vision for the Future",[4] which stated that West End residents account for 8.6% of Miami-Dade County's population. It is the second most populous district behind Commission District 9. The West End had a 20.4% growth from 2000 to 2010. It has an annual growth rate of 0.9%. Since 2011, there has been an increase in new residents who have immigrated to the West End from abroad. The area has the lowest overall poverty rate of all districts in Miami-Dade County. Only 7.7% of the West End population lives below poverty level. This number has been decreasing since 2000.[5] The West End also enjoys a low crime rate.

There are five branches of the Miami-Dade County Public Library System that are spread out over the West End. The Miami-Dade Police Department operates the West District Station located in The Hammocks. Recreational space is varied and abundant with 35 parks in the area.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools has 17 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools and one K-8 center in the West End. Florida International University’s main campus is directly to the east of West End in University Park.

University

FIU plaza

• Florida International University

West Kendall Baptist Hospital [8] is part of Baptist Health South Florida. It opened in 2011 and provides medical and surgical services for patients that includes a critical care unit.

West End is home to a large population of seniors and as such has a varied supply of senior centers.

• Oasis Adult Care Corporation
• Nana's Adult Day Care and Recreation Center
• Montano Miriam-Visiting Angels Living Assistance
• Garden Hills Retirement Center
• Sunrise Community
• Senior Lift Center
• Moya Jenny-Mount Olympus Senior Care and Activity Center
• Olga Martinez Senior Center

There are 13 bus routes provided by Miami-Dade County Transit[9] throughout the West End. Miami Executive Airport[10] is a public airport in the southwest of the West End. It is operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and serves corporate and recreational aircraft. The airport also operates a flight training school and serves governmental agency activities. It also serves as the airbase for the Miami-Dade County Police Aviation Unit and houses Miami-Dade College's aviation programs. The Wings Over Miami Air Museum is located within the airport.

The West End has a variety of attractions to offer its residents and visitors alike.

• Zoo Miami
• Wings over Miami
• Shark Valley Visitor Center
• The Frost Museum at FIU

1. Big Cypress National Preserve
2. Everglades National Park
3. Shark Valley Visitor Center

Miami Executive Airport

The Innovation District [11] is an area within the West End focused around the Miami Executive Airport. The area is projected to become mixed-use with a focus on innovation and technology. Because the West End has the highest concentration of the professional workforce in Miami-Dade County, the plan will attract more professional jobs to the area and provide a stable workforce of professionals who will live and work in the West End.

The West End community image, created by artist Stephen Gamson, features a whimsical depiction of an outdoor family scene highlighting the area's unique character and proximity to the Everglades. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Juan C. Zapata is unveiling a colorful new community image to promote the West End as a place for fun families, friendly neighbors, and fit residents.

• Holiday Magic features food trucks, bounce houses and other entertainment in the evening. It takes place from November to January.
• West End also hosts movie nights once a month every month from October through May.
• The West End Art Fair is a free event that features live entertainment, food trucks and activities for children. The main feature is the exhibition of artwork by local artists. Student artwork from local schools is also showcased.[12]