The Freedom Tower, a Spanish Renaissance-style building in downtown Miami, is a national historic landmark that turns 100 this year.
The 17-story building has been home to two newspapers and from 1962 - 1974, was the site of the Cuban Assistance Center, where thousands of refugees received asylum paperwork, food, health care and money.
“The Freedom Tower, I always say, represents the best of us,” said Maria Carla Chicuen, executive director of Cultural Affairs at Miami Dade College.
She spoke before the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 10 about how the college has been renovating the formerly abandoned tower at 600 Biscayne Blvd. for the past 2.5 years.
It will reopen to the public in October.
“It is truly remarkable,” Chicuen said about the restoration.
The building will be a cultural center and present four floors of exhibits that honor exiles’ histories and describe the people who arrived in Miami and transformed it, she said.
--The next chamber luncheon is scheduled for Oct. 8, with guest speaker Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. The county mayor draws a crowd and tickets should be purchased before the event sells out, chamber Vice President of Public Relations Tico Casamayor said on social media.
-- The chamber will host its inaugural black-tie gala with fine dining and entertainment on Oct. 17. A silent auction will benefit the American Cancer Society. Tickets are $225; $200 for a program sponsor; $350 for silver sponsors and $1,800 for table sponsors. It will be held at the Miami Lakes Hotel on Main, 6842 Main St. 6:30 p.m. To register for the gala call 786-663-5448 or go to MiamiLakesChamber.com.
--The group also announced plans for its 25th Annual Networking Business Expo. To be held Nov. 5 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Miami Lakes Hotel on Main, it’s free and open to the public.
Chamber members may purchase a display table at a discounted rate and there will be $1,000 in prizes given away to those who are present. Complimentary food from local restaurants will be served.
Register for the next chamber lunch or the Expo at MiamiLakesChamber.com.