The City of Miami Commissioner candidate Rolando Escalona outlines plans for affordable housing, public safety, and preserving Little Havana’s culture
Rolando Escalona is focused on keeping Miami residents in the neighborhoods they’ve called home for decades. In an exclusive interview with Calle Ocho News, he said, “Miami grew so much that it forgot about the people who built the city.”
The rising housing costs are forcing families to share cramped apartments. Escalona’s first move as commissioner would be to strengthen partnerships with Miami-Dade County to continue developing affordable and workforce housing, especially in Little Havana. He noted, “The city has several unused lots. Through strategic public-private partnerships, we can use them to build housing for people who need it.” He also proposed property tax relief for seniors.
Ethics, transparency, and trust
According to Rolando Escalona, the changes affecting voters’ rights must be approved by residents instead of being decided by the commissioners. “Under no circumstances should elected officials make decisions that impact elections,” he said.
To promote transparency, he plans to implement an open-door policy, which will allow residents to visit his office and ask questions directly about his decisions. He also hopes to host virtual meetings ahead of commission sessions to review agendas and explain items in simple terms. “The people are the bosses. We are just representing them,” Escalona said.
Supporting small businesses
Rolando Escalona believes there are two major barriers for local businesses. An outdated permitting system and the culture at City Hall. He called the current system “a disaster” and suggested integrating AI technology to identify errors and solutions without compromising safety.
Cultural change is also needed. He explained, “Many City Hall employees act like they are doing business owners a favor, when in fact, they work for the people. We need better customer service training, and we need it fast.”
The delays in permitting leave businesses to pay rent for years without opening which eventually forces some to abandon their plans entirely.
Strengthening public safety
Public safety, Escalona says, builds connections between residents and law enforcement. He praised monthly neighborhood meetings in Shenandoah and The Roads, where police discuss crime updates and listen to residents’ concerns.
However, he also acknowledged that Little Havana lacks this level of engagement. “We need a space for people to meet with law enforcement, so they understand what’s happening and can feel involved,” he said.
Escalona also supports increasing officer visibility through more patrolling. “Even a thief would think twice if they saw police regularly in the area,” he explained.
Transportation and infrastructure
Escalona sees transportation improvements as crucial for the quality of life. He pointed out that Miami’s trolley system is inefficient, late, overcrowded, and poorly maintained. “Seniors sometimes wait an hour in extreme heat. That cannot happen,” he said. He plans to add more trolleys during peak hours, improve scheduling, and upgrade bus stops to make transit safer and more reliable.
Climate resilience and maintenance
On climate resilience, Escalona is focused on basic maintenance. “Many drainage systems are clogged, and nobody has serviced them in years. Maintenance has to get better,” he said. He also wants more green spaces to absorb rainwater and reduce flooding.
The Olympia Theater is one of the biggest examples of neglected public assets. Poor upkeep leads to deterioration and loss of historic properties. Escalona even went on to share the story of a 91-year-old woman in Little Havana whom he came across during his door-knocking campaign. She could not access her bathroom due to mold. “She’s living in unsafe conditions, and that has to change,” he said.
Preserving cultural identity
Escalona believes development must not come at the expense of long-time residents. He is committed to protecting Little Havana and other historic neighborhoods, stating, “We must protect the families that made Little Havana what it is now.” He plans to limit overdevelopment and advocate for policies that prevent the displacement of multigenerational families.
A leader with lived experience
Escalona’s road to public office was inspired by his own immigrant story. Arriving in the U.S. with no language skills, job, or career, he worked hard to build his life. He said, “I identify with the people living in Little Havana because I’ve been through the same struggles. What pushed me to run is that I like people, I like to fix what’s not working, and I want to improve my neighborhood.”
His leadership style, he explained, is passionate, empathetic, and results-driven. “I genuinely care about people, and I want to get things done. I’m confident voters will recognize my sincerity and give me a chance to represent them,” Escalona said.
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