By Bari Auerbach

During a Nov. 6 special City Commission meeting held to continue discussing traffic issues relating to Collins Avenue and 183rd Street, Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, “The Florida Department of Transportation committee denied our request to have a light installed…We [plan to] carry the battle forward to the next level with FDOT District Director of Operations Gus Pego, who has the  authority to override the decision of the committee…We need to continue this fight up to Tallahassee if we’re not successful with Mr. Pego.”

Dating back to 2008, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission has been meeting with FDOT to discuss installing a traffic light by the 183rd Street RK Shopping Center across from the Trump Grande.

In a letter dated April 2, 2008 to Pego, the city emphasized, “183rd Street is the major collector street for our new K-8 Sunny Isles Beach Community School. A sidewalk is required on the south side of the street and the property owner of the shopping center has indicated that we cannot close the wide curb cuts from his center going on to 183rd Street because access will be restricted to the retail stores. However, the shopping center owner has also indicated that the city could close these curb cuts if a traffic light is installed at a curb cut leading to Collins Avenue. Having a sidewalk for school children running parallel to 183rd Street without vehicular conflict points will provide a much safer pathway.”

Fast forward to Nov. 6, 2009 and the “fight for the light” wages on.  The Commission and RK Shopping Center owner Raanan Katz have now agreed that until such time as a light is installed or curb cut placed, a “no left turn” sign will be erected at 183rd Street; there will be police presence to help ensure motorists comply with the sign; and a crossing guard will be on duty for the safety of school children and other pedestrians at the expense of Katz.

“This started as an issue about the light as it relates to the school and the need to have safety for kids crossing the street at 183rd – but now it’s [even] more important that we get that light there for all the things that will happen [within the city] in the future,” Edelcup said.

“The [FDOT] committee was perfectly happy for people to continue making u-turns two blocks away and cutting across medians…and in their infinite wisdom said, ‘Nobody has been killed yet.’ This is a signal to me that they’re waiting for the first death before they handle the situation…It’s not satisfactory…We will continue the fight…If that leads us to Tallahassee so be it.” 

Commissioner George “Bud” Scholl added, “It’s really not just a school problem - it’s a ‘24/7’ problem because it’s a busy intersection…We can all agree it’s about safety.”

Commissioners Roslyn Brezin and Gerry Goodman concurred, also expressing concern about the safety of school children.

“We shouldn’t rush to judgment in making a definite decision etched in stone,” Brezin said. “I paid several visits to the site and realized there is definitely a problem with congestion…We are seeking a solution – certainly something that would be an improvement and wouldn’t create a dangerous situation for the children…We’re looking for every possible answer.”

Vice Mayor Lewis Thaler reiterated, “After the ‘no left turn’ sign goes up, we should continue to have a police officer there to give warning citations so [motorists] know we mean business.”

Katz added, “The safety of the school children is the number one priority …We support the [request for] the traffic light…We also want to be generous with the city and ‘play ball.’”

Before the conclusion of the meeting Edelcup said, “I want to thank the Commission for coming together on a decision about a very contentious topic…[We’ve reached] a fair solution for all sides of the issue.”

 ‘Caught on Camera’

In other traffic news, Sunny Isles Beach now has cameras enforcing red-light violations southbound on Collins Avenue and 172nd Street and northbound on Collins and 174th Street. Before a Notice of Violation is approved, Sunny Isles Beach police officers review photographs for accuracy. Drivers caught on camera are not assessed points on their licenses – but will be fined $125 for the first infraction; $250 for the second; and $500 for any infraction after that.

Drivers caught in the intersection when the traffic light is red are subject to a violation and fine, as are drivers who make a right on red before coming to a complete stop. For more information about red-light cameras, see Focus on Safety under Public Safety on sibfl.net.