Life in the City
By Bari Auerbach

‘Sunken Treasure’
If you know anything about Sunny Isles Beach land development regulations, you may be familiar with the term “submerged land” – currently the cause of controversy between the city and a developer seeking to build a bigger project using submerged land for density calculations. But citizens in favor of controlled development would probably rather see submerged land be used for other purposes like these…

An underwater theme park: Imagine if submerged land could be developed into an interactive theme park offering scuba diving and snorkeling lessons, deep sea fishing and “swim with the dolphins” adventures! To attract even more visitors to Sunny Isles Beach there could be glass bottom boat tours – and maybe even a submerged seafood restaurant with a bathing suit required dress code policy.

A house boat community: Developers could surely appreciate the merits of creating a house boat community on submerged land that would especially appeal to anyone who loves water views but hates mowing the lawn, cleaning the pool and high property taxes. Models could range from luxurious yachts to mid-priced ferries so “equal opportunity boat housing” would prevail.

A stormwater reservoir: A savvy investor could profit from helping the city divert flood water from problem areas to submerged land parcels – and to be environmentally conscious, some of the water could be channeled to help raise the level of Lake Okeechobee! But don’t be surprised if a developer comes up with a better idea like pumping the water into a new exclusive Sunny Isles Beach resort to re-create dancing fountains like the ones at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

A marine biology school: Just think how much aspiring marine biologists could benefit from a submerged land study center dedicated to educating students from all over the world. Research already shows marine-based supplements are promoting health and longevity – so perhaps a student who discovers the key to the fountain of youth while exploring submerged land could garner even more international notoriety for Sunny Isles Beach!

A marketing tool: Sunny Isles Beach is living up to the marketing motto “Florida’s Riviera” thanks to beautiful beaches– but now, submerged land could also contribute to the city’s allure if developers added attractions like jet skiing, parasailing and of course, serenaded gondola rides!

A fun Splashpad: Aventura’s Founders Park just opened a new Splashpad for kids – and now that the population of children is also booming in Sunny Isles Beach, it would be great to turn submerged land into a water playground – for sure, parents wouldn’t mind having a separate sunbathing area complete with a tropical drink service and a Calypso band!

If you have any of your own best use concepts for submerged land, feel free to contact city planners – just don’t suggest condos, a marina, new roadway or Publix Supermaket because those ideas have already been submitted!

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