That's Just Wrong: Construction

WSVN--Even if you've never heard of the group Aspira, their impact on kids and the community has literally changed lives in South Florida.

Raul Martinez: "Aspira is a non profit youth organization. We've been in this neighborhood 25 years."

Their mission - address the educational and developmental needs of all youth.

But unfortunately, there's no way for children to learn if they can't even get to the building.

Raul Martinez: "The roads are being blocked off and there's no access in or out of our offices."

The Aspira offices are located on North Miami Avenue.

At first, the construction was tolerable.

But last week, huge cement barricades were errected blocking the parking lot altogether.

Raul Martinez: "It kind of caught everyone by surprise. So now we have to find alternative routes on how to get into the building."

Now it's one thing to find alternative routes when you can drive a car.

But if kids have to walk through construction sites -- well, you know what the people at aspira think -- that's just worng.

Raul Martinez: "There's no response to any of our inquiries about what's going on here. How long will this take.  There's no communication with the store owners and the businesses in this neighborhood about when they are closing down the lanes. When they are shifting the lanes. When we're going to blocked in when we're not going to be blocked in."

Craig Stevens: "When Aspira contacted 7 News for help, we called the Florida Department Of Transportation about the project.

They tell us the barricades were put up to direct traffic, but as soon as they realized there was a complaint, they began investigating.

Herbert Ammons: "Then we call an inspector and the superintendent for the contractor and they get out there and resolve the issue as quickly as possible."

And they did resolve the issue quickly.

In fact, the barriers were moved the very next day.

But while Aspira is very appreciative, the group knows the safety of kids cannot be compromised and for that reason, they are moving most of their summer programs just to take precaution.

Raul Martinez: "We are using Biscayne park and we're using a facility at another site for our youth program and summer youth employment programs."

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