A hands-on approach to public service that puts cleanliness, safety, and cultural preservation at the center of District 3’s future
In Miami, leadership is often measured not in speeches, but in sidewalks swept, lights fixed, and neighborhoods that feel seen again. For Commissioner Rolando Escalona, that measure begins every morning—and ends every night—behind the wheel of his car, driving through the streets of District 3. Since taking office, Escalona has approached the role of City of Miami Commissioner not as a ceremonial post, but as an active, daily responsibility rooted in visibility, urgency, and accountability.
Now officially serving District 3 in the City of Miami, Escalona has made it clear that the job is anything but part-time. His leadership arrives at a moment when Miami residents are demanding tangible results: cleaner neighborhoods, safer streets, stronger coordination across government, and renewed pride in historic communities like Calle Ocho. For Escalona, action—not rhetoric—has become the defining principle of his early tenure.
Rolando Escalona’s leadership vision and public role
Escalona’s leadership philosophy is grounded in presence. Rather than governing from behind a desk, he begins each day with walk-throughs of his neighborhoods and ends with nighttime drive-throughs to identify issues firsthand—from illegal dumping to broken sidewalks and traffic concerns. “We’re acting. We’re moving forward,” he says plainly, framing momentum as both expectation and obligation.
What has stood out most since taking office is the urgency of basic quality-of-life issues. Cleanliness, in Escalona’s view, is not cosmetic—it is foundational. A clean street signals care, safety, and respect for residents, regardless of whether they live in Shenandoah or Little Havana. To address this, he has invested in expanded sanitation resources, including additional trucks and dedicated street-cleaning teams, supported by city personnel to accelerate progress.
But Escalona is equally clear that government action alone is not enough. His strategy depends on a two-part equation: what the city does, and what residents do. That includes working on public education campaigns—across social media, mail, radio, and television—to clarify expectations around trash disposal and illegal dumping. “People need to know,” he emphasizes. Accountability, in his framework, is paired with communication.
His leadership also reflects a belief in community participation. Every other Saturday, Escalona plans neighborhood-based cleanups designed to bring residents—families, children, longtime neighbors—into the process. The goal is not just cleaner streets, but collective ownership. “People care,” he says. “They just needed someone to bring the initiative back.”
Escalona’s approach extends to public safety as well. In his first 90 days, he will prioritize police visibility and relationship-building, encouraging officers to engage directly with residents—not only in emergencies, but in everyday problem-solving. For him, safety is about trust as much as patrols.
The City of Miami’s role in community, culture, and growth
Escalona’s leadership vision situates District 3 as both a residential community and a cultural gateway for Miami. Nowhere is that more evident than along Calle Ocho, a corridor he calls “my baby.” Beyond daily street cleaning and pressure washing initiatives already underway, Escalona is focused on restoring Calle Ocho’s identity as a place of art, culture, and pride—not just commerce.
One of his most ambitious ideas is the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID), a voluntary, business-led structure that would reinvest locally generated funds back into Calle Ocho for cultural programming, beautification, and promotion. Modeled after successful districts like Coconut Grove, the concept reflects Escalona’s belief that economic vitality and cultural preservation can coexist.
Parking and traffic remain ongoing challenges, and Escalona acknowledges them directly. He is actively studying land use and potential sites for additional parking infrastructure, recognizing that access is critical to sustaining small businesses and encouraging visitation without deterring residents.
His commitment to collaboration marks a notable shift in tone at City Hall. Escalona emphasizes relationships—with county officials, fellow commissioners, and administrators—as essential to getting things done faster and more effectively. Residents, he notes, don’t distinguish between city and county jurisdictions; they just want solutions. His role, as he sees it, is to connect the dots and follow up until issues are resolved.
That same philosophy applies to cultural institutions like the Tower Theater, recently returned to Miami Dade College. Escalona supports the transition as a restoration of history and community trust, emphasizing that the theater must remain both a historic landmark and a living space for neighborhood engagement—from movie nights to cultural programming that reflects local voices.
Across housing, homelessness, and small business concerns, Escalona balances realism with compassion. He supports building affordable housing while preserving neighborhood character, and addressing homelessness through coordinated outreach, shelter access, and long-term reintegration programs—always mindful of both dignity and quality of life.
Ultimately, Escalona’s leadership reflects a belief that progress is cumulative. Fix a sidewalk, and you improve safety. Clean a street, and you restore pride. Build trust, and momentum follows.
As District Three moves forward, his message to residents is simple: the work has started—and it is ongoing.
For more leadership profiles and local civic stories shaping Miami’s neighborhoods, subscribe to the Calle Ocho News newsletter. Local businesses, organizations, and agencies interested in advertising or partnership opportunities are invited to contact Pressnet Corp. to connect with South Florida’s most engaged community audience.
Add Comment