The Triangle (Opa-Locka, Florida)

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The Triangle is an area known for violence and drug use. It is bounded by State Road 9 on the south, Northwest 17 Avenue to 22 Avenue on the east and west portions and Northwest 151 Street on the north in the City of Opa-locka.

Back in the 1950s the Triangle was a neighborhood where children could play outside while their parents where shopping at nearby stores. As the years passed, the Triangle became plagued by drugs and crime, to the point of being named one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the state. In response, the city in 1987 placed eight metal barriers on the intersections of several streets, enclosing the Triangle. The barriers are metal guardrails set on small patches of grass, and block all but three streets into the neighborhood. Four years ago, the city removed two of the barricades. The CDC plans to continue the neighborhood’s transformation by creating landscape designs and incorporating public art in the intersections. The project, which is scheduled to start in March to December of 2012, is part of CDC’s redevelopment in the Triangle, which was renamed Magnolia North. So far the CDC has renovated four houses in Magnolia North, and Habitat for Humanity is renovating 26 single unit houses in the Triangle. Even though the removal of the barricades seems to be the answer to erase the Triangle’s tarnished image, it could also raise security concerns. In 1986, the Triangle was a haven for drug trafficking and criminal activities, and. the barricades were placed on 17th Avenue, 22nd Avenue, State Road 9 and 151st Street to keep the drug traffickers in one area and prevent criminals from running away. But Cason said that throughout the years, the crime rate has dropped significantly thanks to community services that reduced the poverty level and a strong police presence.