In a move to intertwine Miami's public transit with its burgeoning health sector, the Civic Center Metrorail Station has been rebranded as UHealth | Jackson Station. The station, situated at 1501 NW 12 Avenue, nestles in the pulse of Miami-Dade's Health District and is now named to reflect its proximity to major healthcare providers, the University of Miami Health System and Jackson Health System.
According to Miami-Dade County, the renaming forms part of a novel partnership led by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's Office of Innovation and Economic Development. The initiative not only rechristens the station but also sets in motion a marketing collaboration expected to generate close to $3 million in non-tax revenue for the county, and comes with added benefits for the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). Mayor Levine Cava emphasized, "This innovative partnership with the University of Miami and Jackson showcases the powerful collaboration of the private sector, our public health system and Miami-Dade County."
Marked by more than 13.4 million annual Metrorail riders and 90,000 boardings at the station in question, the renaming act aims to remind Miami’s residents and visitors about the seamless connection they have to top-tier health care. District 1 Commissioner and Board Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III expressed his advocacy for improved public transit, hinting at the sentiment, "I can't wait to see what other similar partnerships will yield to continue improving all transit hubs in our County," as reported by Miami-Dade County.
Additional community benefits are on the horizon with UHealth planning to roll out mobile clinics along Metrorail stations in the next 30 days, offering children’s vaccines, screenings, and educational materials. Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System summarised the effort by stating, “Properly naming this Metrorail station UHealth Jackson reiterates our commitment to further enhancing access to Miami’s only academic health system,” as mentioned in the same press release.
The station's new signage is just the beginning of a broader plan intended to serve as a prototype for future naming ventures within the Miami-Dade transit system. Francesca de Quesada Covey, Miami-Dade County’s Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer, pointed out the broader intent, “Our Marketing Partnerships program exemplifies how we continue to innovate our County government to build a FutureReady Miami-Dade." All digital and static displays throughout the Metrorail system will also be updated to reflect the station’s new moniker, as per Miami-Dade County.
Visuals and additional details from the UHealth | Jackson Station unveiling can be accessed upon request – for those keen on getting a glimpse into Miami-Dead's coordinated future of health access and public transportation.
