West Kendall May 2025

In May, West Kendall went from conversation to confrontation

-Wilson Alvarez

In West Kendall May 2025, the conversation turned into confrontation. This month revealed how far the community is willing to go after years of being ignored—by infrastructure plans, county leaders, and economic priorities. What’s holding West Kendall together isn’t political grace—it’s civic grit.

If there was ever doubt about whether this unincorporated community could organize—that doubt ended this month.

Commissioner Rodriguez Faces Backlash from West Kendall Residents

May started with an awkward moment: Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez was caught on camera leaving a community event in West Kendall just 10 minutes after arriving—skipping the Q&A and avoiding the press.

Two weeks later, at a Board of County Commissioners meeting, he voted “Yes” on a zoning variance allowing a commercial plaza on SW 162nd Avenue—without public input or town hall consultation. As a result, outrage erupted among homeowners in The Hammocks and Kendale Lakes.

The Kendall Oversight Board responded by publishing a public censure letter, demanding transparency and a retraction. However, his office declined to comment.

Rodriguez is no longer just absent—he’s now actively losing ground in West Kendall.

Mayor Levine Cava Leaves West Kendall Out of Greenway Grant

In late May, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced a new county “Greenway Grant” pilot, allocating funds for walking and biking trails across Miami-Dade.

Surprisingly, of the 11 projects funded, not one was located in West Kendall.

When pressed by local media, her office issued a generic statement about “limited feasibility in western corridors.” Nevertheless, residents were unconvinced.

Consequently, they took to social media under the trending hashtag: #ForgottenKendall.

Civic Assembly Rises as MAC Resigns

The West Kendall Civic Assembly held its third public meeting, drawing over 130 attendees—far more than any MAC meeting in the past two years.

The presentations focused on:

Incorporation readiness
County budget allocations
A watchdog report on absentee commissioner activity
Volunteer sign-ups for the “Neighborhood Advocates Program”

Meanwhile, on May 19, the remaining members of the West Kendall Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) formally resigned, citing “irreconcilable disillusionment with county response.”

In essence, one civic body fell—but another rose in its place.

HOA Fraud Case Gains Traction as Reform Talks Begin

Court filings in May revealed $3.1 million in unaccounted HOA funds. Depositions began under court order, and three former board members invoked their Fifth Amendment rights.

In response, local leaders renewed calls for county-level HOA reform. Subsequently, Civic Assembly representatives met with two state legislators to propose a West Kendall HOA Bill of Rights, which is now being drafted for the 2026 legislative session.

Clearly, what began as outrage is now legislative momentum.

Parent Workshops and Girls’ Coding Bootcamps Make an Impact

School Board Member Luisa Santos hosted the first “Educate the Parents” workshop in West Kendall—a crash course on school board policy, digital tools, and college readiness.

The May 16 event at Felix Varela Senior High reached full capacity within hours. Parents, many of them Spanish-speaking immigrants, praised Santos for the clarity and accessibility she provided.

In addition, she partnered with Code/Art Miami to launch a summer coding bootcamp for girls in Kendall middle schools.

Altogether, it’s the kind of impact that can’t be faked—and it’s reshaping education in the area.