Oliver Gilbert III

Gilbert secured $26 million in Miami-Dade County funding for the Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center — the single largest county contribution to the project. Combined with nearly $21 million from the City of Miami Gardens, a $1 million appropriation from Rep. Frederica Wilson, and a $2 million verbal commitment from Rolling Loud, total secured funding reached approximately $49 million toward a project estimated to cost $60–70 million. Schematic design began in winter 2025, with construction drawings targeted for summer 2026, construction set to start in fall 2026, and completion expected by 2028. The PAC is part of a broader Miami Gardens City Center development near Hard Rock Stadium that also includes hotels, restaurants, and a Formula One museum.

Commissioner Gilbert's office has consistently operated the District 1 Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) with confirmed application cycles in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The program connects high school and college students with local businesses for paid placements of 20–30 hours per week. Gilbert also launched a college laptop giveaway for graduating high school seniors, organized annual spring break civil rights expeditions for District 1 students, and coordinated job fairs in Miami Gardens and Opa-locka linking residents with employers in construction, healthcare, and technology sectors.

In November 2024, Gilbert sponsored a BCC-approved resolution for a 73.78-acre development at 20000 NW 47th Ave near Miami Gardens requiring no fewer than 1,000 units of affordable housing for individuals earning up to 120% AMI, with Phase One construction expected to begin before end of 2026. In March 2026, he co-sponsored the FY2025 Request for Applications allocating up to $81.4 million in Documentary Stamp Surtax and SHIP program funds for construction and rehabilitation of 3,326 affordable and workforce housing units countywide. He also previously voted for the HOMES Plan in 2023, directing bond funds toward housing rehabilitation and new construction in Opa-locka and Miami Gardens. The Wellspring Senior Housing project in Opa-locka — 99 affordable units including many for residents earning below 60% AMI — was also a product of his tenure and is expected to open in 2025. Demand continues to significantly outpace supply and most major units remain under development or in early phases.

As ITC Chairman, Gilbert led multiple outbound and inbound trade missions across fiscal years 2024–2025, with confirmed engagements with officials from Poland, Morocco, Colombia, Thailand, Antigua and Barbuda, and participation in the 25th Annual AfriCANDO U.S.–Africa Trade and Investment Conference. He also chaired the Infrastructure, Innovation, and Technology Committee (IITC). The ITC's official bio credits him with generating "millions of dollars in foreign direct investment" in Miami-Dade County, though specific figures by mission have not been publicly disclosed in auditable detail. Gilbert resigned from the Commission effective January 3, 2027 to run for U.S. Congress (FL-24); his ITC Chairmanship will conclude with his departure from office.

On September 14, 2023, Commissioner Gilbert joined Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) for a groundbreaking ceremony launching the District 1 Septic to Sewer Conversion Program at Ives Estates Tennis Center. Gilbert personally allocated $1 million in district funds to cover private-side connection costs for Phase 1, connecting 60+ homes with failing or at-risk septic systems at no cost to homeowners. As of mid-2025, 90% of public side laterals have been installed, 85% of private side agreements signed, and 40% of private connections completed. Approximately 9,000 District 1 properties remain on septic. Future phases are in planning with no dedicated funding source yet confirmed.

As Mayor of Miami Gardens (2012–2020), Gilbert led corporate expansion efforts that resulted in the city's historic All-America City designation in 2020 — the first in the city's history. He attracted major businesses including South Florida's first Topgolf location and national retailers to Miami Gardens. As Miami-Dade County Commissioner (2020–2026), he chaired the International Trade Consortium (ITC) and led multiple trade missions generating millions in foreign direct investment, and operated the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program providing up to $5,000 per eligible District 1 small business with an active application cycle confirmed as recently as February 2025.

As Chair of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), Gilbert advanced the SMART Plan from planning into the program and implementation phase. The South Dade Bus Rapid Transit corridor — the first completed SMART corridor — launched in 2025 across 20 miles with 46 stops. In October 2024, the FTA issued a preliminary $389.5 million commitment for the Northeast Corridor rapid transit project. However, the North Corridor along NW 27th Avenue — running directly through District 1 and Miami Gardens — remains in the PD&E study phase. A Joint Workshop between FDOT and DTPW held in May 2025 established the foundation for the proposed North Corridor Heavy Rail Transit, but no construction start date has been confirmed and project costs are now estimated at $2.2–$4.7 billion with completion pushed to 2036–2037. Gilbert acknowledged in December 2024 that the full SMART Plan will require at least $6–7 billion and a new dedicated funding source. Gilbert resigned from the Commission in June 2026 to run for Congress; the North Corridor remains his most significant unfinished infrastructure commitment.