What’s Next?
By Bari Auerbach

A recent Herald article featured residents’ responses to questions including what they like about Sunny Isles Beach; what they would change; and “What does the city need next?” Many of the answers were virtually telepathic as Sunny Isles Beach is continually being enhanced with one improvement after the next.

Satisfying “wish list” requests, the City Commission is focusing on facilitating optimal development, public safety, a school, entertainment, more youth oriented activities, parks, a community recreation center and even peace and quiet thanks to a noise ordinance.
So “what’s next?” Here are just some of the initiatives designed to ensure the highest quality of life for residents of all ages.

‘Financial Strength’
Since incorporating in 1997, the city’s tax base has increased from $1.1 billion to $4.8 billion in 2006 – and now the next “big boom” is the tax base is projected to exceed $6 billion in 2007.

Despite Florida’s proposed property tax reforms, the city is predicting services won’t be diminished thanks to significant budget reserves and progressive development. Sunny Isles Beach tax rolls will be bolstered by $3 billion over the next two years – and about $1 billion in new tax value is coming on the rolls this fiscal year.

Just some of the luxurious properties on the rise include Trump Tower phases, Turnberry Ocean Colony, Jade Ocean, Jade Beach, Sayan, Regalia and San Tropez – one of the developments contributing to the renaissance of Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard.

‘Going Green’
Once the city adopted regulations requiring developers to provide beach access points along the east side of Collins Avenue, the next major focus became acquiring land to build more parks. To date, Sunny Isles Beach has purchased five acres of parkland at a cost of $23 million. And now, Pelican Community Park on North Bay Road, is scheduled to open in September adjacent to the new public school now under construction.

Pelican Community Park will feature a little league baseball field, a 12,000 square foot community center with an arts and crafts room and large multi-purpose room, and an 8,000 square foot gymnasium with an indoor basketball / volleyball court. Through a Joint Use Agreement with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Park will have evening use of an auditorium that can be utilized as a performing arts center and small theater.

While residents are already enjoying Samson Park, Sen. Gwen Margolis Park, Golden Shores Park and Town Center Park (where the next big thing to come will be restrooms), yet another new park coming to 9200 Collins Avenue will be named “Heritage Park” in honor of the city’s historical legacy, The city has also purchased a one acre site at the southwest corner of Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard, christened Bella Vista Bay Park – a potential water taxi site.

‘Dedication to Innovation’
First the city created a convenient shuttle bus service – and now discussions are underway for a water taxi site that could change the way people travel around town. Sunny Isles Beach is currently seeking support from neighboring municipalities for a water taxi terminal providing a new way for residents of north Dade to commute downtown and alleviate traffic congestion.

To enhance the city’s aesthetic appearance and help prevent power outages, Sunny Isles Beach is undergrounding utilities - plus plans are also in the works to transform Sunny Isles Beach into a “wireless Internet island.” Working with IBM, the city has already dedicated about $80,000 to lay the groundwork for creating the citywide wireless network and associated services.

Beyond ensuring public safety, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department is also on the cutting edge of technology following the acquisition of new laptop computers, communication radios and motorcycles serving to increase the number of vehicle checks by more than 200 percent.

‘Serenity and Safety’
A noise ordinance adopted by the City Commission was intended to help residents enjoy “peace and quiet” – but recently, a “noise issue” arising between Ocean Four and Florida Ocean Club condominiums brought up the dilemma of how to handle the exhaust fans buildings are required to have.

If you were wondering “what happened next?” after the agenda item was deferred for further study - an independent engineering firm was retained to provide an analysis. According to City Manager John Szerlag it was determined, “The best solution is to have four fans that currently face seaward run continuously with the other 18 hooked up to CO2 censor running intermittently.” Subsequently, language was added to the city’s noise ordinance excluding intermittent exhaust fans.

Facilitating a rapid response time for fire rescue service is another one of the city’s top priorities - so the next great thing to come for residents’ health and welfare will be an expanded two-story fire station. The new station will be constructed at 172nd Street and Collins Avenue at the site of the existing station considered “relatively old and small - making it difficult to serve the needs of the community.”

‘More fun’
If you missed sharing in the city’s 10th anniversary festivities – this summer, you’ll still have a chance to join in more fun activities being planned by the Cultural and Human Services Department - from excursions to dinner theater shows and a Marlins game – to getting lucky in the casino at Gulfstream Park.

The city’s summer camp program is already well underway and at the library located in Government Center, there are ongoing children’s programs including kid’s book discussion groups, crafts, magic shows, summer reading parties, puppet shows, yoga classes, a Sunny Isles Beach “Idol” Talent Show is coming in July and there will even be a bubble gum blowing contest!

‘Next on the Horizon’
According to recent articles publicizing the 10th anniversary of Sunny Isles Beach, “City leaders say they anticipate more high-end buildings, increased amenities and other developments over the next 10 years.”

“There are so many construction projects on the east side of Collins that will complete the luxury look,” said Mayor Norman S. Edelcup. “New development will [enhance] the Town Center district [spanning] 172nd Street on the west side of Collins Avenue to Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard – where the road itself is being reconfigured to make it more pedestrian friendly...You’ll also see new construction on the south end of the city, where we’re trying to develop another park.

While addressing hundreds of business and community leaders gathered for an Aventura Marketing Council meeting at the Newport Beachside Resort & Hotel, Edelcup noted, “Major innovations set Sunny Isles Beach apart from many other South Florida cities - primarily our beachfront.

“We [anticipate] stable growth and expect the city’s population to max out at 22 or 23,000 [including] many international residents. There are now more than 1,600 children living in Sunny Isles Beach, [generating the need for] a school that will be completed by August 2008 in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

“We hope all of you will see the improvements progressing throughout the coming years as our City Commission and Staff work diligently to make this possible.”

‘Next Meeting’
For more information about “what’s next” for Sunny Isles Beach, attend the next regular City Commission meeting July 19, 7:30 p.m. at Government Center, visit the website www.sibfl.net, tune into SIB TV cable channel 77 or phone: 305-947-0606.

TOP