During the 1990s, Miami developed new businesses and cultural amenities that developed as parts of the New South. After Haitian refugees began arriving in the city in the 1990s, Little Haiti developed as a predominantly Haitian neighborhood. Although Miami had been a refugee haven, its status as a poor city by the 1990s resulted from tremendous financial burdens. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused more than $20 billion in damage just south of Miami-Dade.
Miami was the first Florida city to have a state-appointed oversight board appointed after experiencing a budget shortfall of $68 million and being given a junk bond rating by Wall Street. Voters in the city rejected a resolution trying to dissolve it and make it one with Dade County. Miami’s financial problems continued until political outsider Manny Diaz was elected mayor in 2001.
Below are some fascinating photos that will take you back to the 1990s in Miami.
I find it odd how the lack of condos and apartment buildings makes Miami and Miami Beach seem like sleepy towns when I’ve heard it’s anything but. Would anyone like to comment on Miami nightlife during the early 90s?
I have no idea how old this comment is but I lived on SoBe in the 90s and it was amazing! Models mixed with devout Jews mixed with retirees mixed with Cuban folks. Wasn’t stupid expensive and the party was always on tap. Amazing.
not that old 😒😒😒😒…. Thank you for the info 😊
It was so much better bohemian and less touristy & commercial.
Agree…
Older houses from the 1940s or earlier all had fireplaces, as Miami used to be colder. People in their older years used to turn them on a lot. Now you rarely turn on the heater, maybe three or four days a year?
The nightlife was still a bit too young for me, but I remember seeing Phat Black PussyCat, as well as Pearl Jam and Beastie Boys at the Cameo and Smashing Pumpkins at Washington Square. South Beach was still somewhat shady at night, and we parked wherever we wanted.
South Beach in the 1990s was amazing.
Downtown looks nicer and newer. In comparison to today, half of the buildings and storefronts are derelict.
The malls and shopping districts put them out of business. In contrast to South Beach which had just been redeveloped and upgraded, Downtown Miami was once a destination
Anyone who wanted to buy really good and affordable electronics would come to downtown to buy anything from Cameras to TVs along with huge selection of clothes at really cheap prices, but all that changed with all the brand name stuff and overpriced.
To be honest, it doesn’t seem that different to me! The camera took some great pictures, so that’s good. I might even mistake some of those images for being from today if I didn’t know beforehand.
Yeah, it looks mostly the same to me
It’s weird to be reminded of life before smart phones. Nobody is hunched over a phone in these pictures.
Due to hurricane Andrews, there are fewer trees. This is especially true on south beach. The grove looks the same. Downtown looks better than before.
The closure of Ocean Drive is a good thing. When it was open, it must have been a terrible show.