By Bari Auerbach

In Sunny Isles Beach, 2008 marked yet another year of prosperity and progress – so what’s in store for 2009? Here are some best guesses as to what the New Year will bring for residents and visitors enjoying life in the city becoming renowned as “Florida’s Riviera”…

‘Low Taxes – High Quality of Life’

If tradition continues, Sunny Isles Beach residents will keep enjoying the highest quality of life along with one of the lowest tax rates in Miami-Dade County (2.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value).

The city’s ‘08/’09 budget includes funding for a plethora of capital improvements and services including: First-year operations for the city’s new Pelican Community Park; phased replacement of police and public service vehicles; completing a computer backup system for disaster recovery; Government Center modifications; park upgrades; landscaping work; Sunny Isles Boulevard improvements; undergrounding utilities; enhanced signage; and construction projects including the Newport Fishing Pier, a pedestrian/emergency vehicle bridge and Heritage Park garage.   

Future budget goals include creating a “land bank” enabling the city to purchase properties for pubic purposes that can be developed to enhance Sunny Isles Beach; acquiring new parks; constructing parking garages; and beautifying the streetscape along the west side of Collins Avenue


‘City Becomes Park Place’

Sunny Isles Beach already has more parks than many much larger cities – and in 2009, the abundance of green space will be in “full bloom.” Pelican Community Park on North Bay Road is now open adjacent to the city’s new public school. Progress towards the goal to see more green can also be measured by another new park coming to 19200 Collins Avenue (Heritage Park).  

The City Commission recently approved a resolution making it possible for Sunny Isles Beach to apply for reimbursement for part of the cost of acquiring the Heritage Park property. The anticipated grant amount is up to $200,000 and notification of the grant award is expected by the summer of 2009. If successful, the city’s next step will consist of approving the grant agreement.

This grant would also require a fifty percent match requirement but City Manager John Szerlag explained, “Since we have already incurred the cost of the property acquisition (i.e. scope of work) this will serve as the match and no additional expenditure is required.”

The city is also applying for a development grant for Bella Vista Bay Park located at 500 Sunny Isles Boulevard. The anticipated development grant amount is up to

$200,000. Notification of the grant award is expected by the summer of 2009 and if successful, the city’s the next step will consist of approving the grant agreement.

Szerlag explained, “There is a fifty percent match requirement…The project scope for the site consists of seawall repairs, debris removal, benches, picnic tables, restrooms, drinking fountain, a bike rack and trash receptacles.”

‘New School is First Class’

After winter break, kids will actually be looking forward to starting the New Year back at the city’s new public school – considered one of the greatest new assets in Sunny Isles Beach.

If positive predictions come to fruition, the cooperative venture between Sunny Isles Beach and Miami-Dade County Public Schools will serve as a model school for other municipalities sharing the goal to welcome more families with children and take education to higher levels.

‘The Perfect Mix’

In ’08, the term “mixed use” was often heard at Commission meetings, highlighting developers’ progressive approach when it comes to satisfying diverse seasonal and year-round needs.

In ’09, the “mixed-use” metamorphosis will be most evident on Sunny Isles Boulevard and the west side of Collins Avenue, where properties on the rise are combining residential, retail and office space elements. Also ushering in a landmark change, the property formerly graced by the landmark Rascal House restaurant is now home to a new, upscale Epicure Gourmet Market.  


‘Safer Than Ever’

Police Chief Fred Maas, a “best in blue” command staff and dedicated  officers are committed to ensuring Sunny Isles Beach is one of the safest cities in South Florida. Now, thanks to ongoing efforts to remain on the cutting edge of technology and acquire state-of-the-art equipment, it’s “safe to say” that in 2009, public safety will be on the rise as crime continues to decline.

Next year, residents can also expect to see the benefits of an agreement with the Miami-Dade County School Board for police mutual aid.

The Florida Mutual Aid Act grants the City of Sunny Isles Beach and other participating agencies the authority to enter into mutual aid agreements in order to ensure that

law enforcement agencies will be prepared to adequately address any and all conditions to protect public peace and safety; and to preserve the lives and property of the public of the City of Sunny Isles Beach as well as participating Miami-Dade County municipalities.

The City Commission also recently approved the purchase of 12 new handheld police radios, the lease of four new motorcycles and an annual service agreement with Sungard, Inc. to include technical support and software upgrades for the Police Department’s computer system.

The state-of-the-art computer system provides the Police Department with a Computer Aided Dispatch CAD System Records Management System, RMS Mobile Computing Terminals and a Mobile Field Reporting system - software solutions proven to be the leader in public safety software in Miami-Dade County as well as many other cities and states throughout the country.

Ensuring rapid response time for fire rescue service is another one of the city’s top priorities - so it was good news when Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman recently announced an expanded fire station at 172nd Street and Collins Avenue will soon be completed since a solution was found under state law for relocating existing mangroves.

‘Caught on Camera’

The City Commission has endorsed the concept of installing cameras to deter red light runners – so 2009 could mark the start of a new trend…Motorists might think about slowing down when lights turn yellow – and who knows? When the light turns red, they might actually come to a complete stop!

‘Even More Fun’

Who knows what tomorrow brings? Even more fun year-round courtesy of the city’s Cultural and Human Services Department. The 2009calendar of events features entertaining and enriching activities for residents of all ages – from excursions to the ballet, opera and musical productions – to Sunny Serenade concerts and sports programs. Be sure to check the website www.sibfl.net or issues of the Sunny Isles Beach Sun so you can be part of all the action!

‘A Sublime ‘09’