The next century at miami?s freedom tower [the next century at miami?s freedom tower is a structural and programmatic capital project which aims to restore the freedom tower building and create a new,…

Miami Dade College received a $500,000 Project Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) under the Promotion of the Humanities Challenge Grants program (CFDA 45.130), awarded on July 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of August 31, 2025. The award supports "The Next Century at Miami's Freedom Tower," a structural and programmatic capital project designed to restore the Freedom Tower building and create an equitable visitor experience. Grant funds will be specifically allocated to construct an accessible entrance and modernize the lobby elevators to enhance accessibility amenities and refurbish elevator systems.

The broader capital project encompasses structural repairs, restoration of Mediterranean-style architectural components, and development of a new visitor experience that centers the Cuban exile narrative within the context of Miami as a vibrant immigrant city. The Freedom Tower, designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2008, served as the Cuban Assistance Center from 1962 through 1974, offering federally sanctioned relief to Cuban refugees seeking political asylum. This initiative aligns with NEH's Challenge Grants program objective to strengthen institutional capacity and provide long-term humanities support through matching fund arrangements.

The next century at miami?s freedom tower [the next century at miami?s freedom tower is a structural and programmatic capital project which aims to restore the freedom tower building and create a new, equitable visitor experience across multiple floors. Grant funds will be used specifically to construct an equitable entrance and modernize the elevators in the lobby to both increase accessibility amenities and refurbish the elevator works. The freedom tower was added to the U.S. National register of historic places in 1979. Considered the ?ellis island of the south?, IT was designated a U.S. National historic landmark in 2008 for its role from 1962 through 1974 as the cuban assistance center, offering nationally sanctioned relief to cuban refugees who sought political asylum. The capital project includes structural repairs, mediterranean-style architectural component restorations, and a new visitor experience that centers the cuban exile narrative in the context of miami as a vibrant, immigrant city.]