Miami Lakes is a vibrant community with lots of news. Here are some of the big stories from 2023.
Taxes
The town council set a historic property tax by choosing the rollback rate of $2.07 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. The rate is among the lowest in Miami-Dade County and will generate the same tax revenue as in 2022-2023. Concerns that an austerity budget could mean no increases to police patrols or fewer infrastructure improvements may be resolved in March. That’s when money carried over from the last fiscal year will be put before the council and they’ll decide how to spend it.
Crime and Safety
The council welcomed Miami-Dade Police Maj. Jose Gonzalez. The veteran lawman has worked three decades with the agency and five years in the division that protects Miami Lakes. He has a track record of responding to community concerns such as synching traffic lights, preventing auto break-ins and enforcing the downtown curfew. To help spot criminals in one of the safest municipalities in the state, the department added two license plate readers to patrol cars and two stationary devices on the east side of town.
Traffic
The town received over $4.5 million in grants for road and transportation projects, $1.6 million for drainage and $200,000 toward new Tesla sedans for the Freebee on demand electric vehicle transportation program. The Northwest 59th Avenue bridge and road project that will connect Miami Lakes Drive and Northwest 167th Street is underway. Estimated to cost $15.7 million (for purchase of a private property, construction and other costs) the council voted to hire a consultant to oversee it.
The town is reducing speeds on residential roads to 25 mph. Signs started going up on the west side. The county roads -- Northwest 67 Avenue, Northwest 57 Avenue and Northwest 87 Avenue – are not affected.
A new state law requires golf cart users under age 18 to have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit. Carts must be registered with the town to ride on streets.
Health Care
Baptist Health South Florida is building a single-story, 19,800 square foot emergency medical center in Business Park West. The nearly 3-acre site is at the northwest corner of Northwest 77th Court and Northwest 149th Street, across from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Station 64. It will provide outpatient treatment for chest pain, stroke, breathing difficulties and severe bleeding. Patients who require hospitalization would be taken to another facility. It will join other health care providers in Business Park West, including doctors and dentists, sleep clinics and the Select Specialty Hospital for recovery from critical illnesses.
Blasting
The issue is getting attention from local elected officials. For the fourth time, Fla. Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, has proposed a bill to regulate vibration levels. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was set to speak Dec. 11 at a second meeting this year organized by residents.
Commerce
The town, its Economic Development Committee and Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce held 21 ribbon cuttings to celebrate new businesses.
The Chamber of Commerce also launched a podcast; hosted well-attended monthly luncheons; gained 40 new members and its annual Networking Business Expo drew more than 400 attendees and exhibitors.
Four new restaurants opened on Main Street: Santa Diabla intimate late-night spot at Chela’s; Amazonia Nikkei Fusion; BB’s Bakehouse and La Cumbancha.
JetStream Federal Credit Union celebrated 75 years in business and Snow’s Jewelers marked its 40th anniversary as a town merchant and 65 years in business.
Popular Bank opened its new headquarters, and the Graham Companies will replace the Lake Katharine Shopping Center with 12,000 square feet of new restaurant and retail spaces.
Housing
The town’s building department issued 3,031 building permits and wrote 1,579 code violations, increases from the past two years.
The vacant Hotel Indigo on Miami Lakes Drive became a training site for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue prior to demolition of the landmark and the golf course clubhouse. It will be the site of The Residences & Shops on NINE, with 278 rental units and amenities.
South Pointe began rising on the southern bank of Graham Dairy Lake. It will have 179 rental units, and 15,000 square feet of retail space.
Palma del Lago, a development of 37 luxury homes on 17 acres priced from $1.5 million, won approval of the town council. It will be built within the Royal Oaks gated community and bordered by Northwest 87th Avenue.
Cultural Life
To celebrate Pride Month, residents watched performances and mingled at the Main Street Players theater in June and also staffed a booth at the Miami Lakes Farmer’s Market.
Miami-Dade County is making over the town’s library with a $7 million expansion and renovation.
Attendance at the town’s signature events is approaching pre-COVID rates, officials say: The Spring Fling and Nightmare on Montrose Halloween events attracted 4,000 visitors each; 200 riders joined the Culinary Bike Tour and the 20th Annual Fourth of July Celebration drew 10,000 spectators. The 44th Annual Veterans Day Parade drew 78 groups who marched and performed.
Privately organized events – The Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival and Main Street Festival of Lights – remain popular.
Food & Wine has sold out in past years. Ticket proceeds fund Town Foundation grants for education and beautification projects.
The crowd at this year’s free 38th Annual Festival of Lights was the largest seen in recent years, with 1,000s of visitors attending the family-oriented street party presented by The Graham Companies and Main Street Merchants.
Salutes to Elders
Juan Campiz, 97, a star first baseman on the Miami Lakes Senior Softball Program’s Geezers team and retired Realtor Rosa Nell Hammer, 104, received proclamations from Mayor Manny Cid. Hammer and Campiz are blasé about their longevity, perhaps because they take life’s challenges in stride.
Also, the town dedicated Northwest 59th Avenue as Fred Senra Way, for the 77-year-old businessman, philanthropist and volunteer. He is a partner in Miami Lakes AutoMall.
Flooding
The town has undertaken 16 stormwater remediation projects, estimated to eventually cost $33.9 million. Begun in 2021, the goal is to prevent flooding and improve drainage. Work is scheduled to end by 2025.
The Town Council
Two council members – Josh Dieguez and Tony Fernandez -- want to be town mayor, while Mayor Manny Cid hopes to become leader of Miami-Dade County and unseat Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Four additional men who all serve on town committees or boards and are political novices seek election to the town council: Hector Abad; Juan Carlos Fernandez; Steven Herzberg and Mario O. Pinera, Jr.
Citing work and family commitments, former Vice Mayor Carlos O. Alvarez resigned in November with three years left on his term. The seat remains unfilled.
Education & Sports
Do the Right Thing of Miami, Inc. recognized five students who attend Miami Lakes schools for making good choices. The kids received gifts and awards from the City of Miami Police Dept.
First Tee youth golf program moves in March from International Links Miami/Melreese Country Club to Miami Lakes Golf Club.
Miami Lakes United 14U are national Presidents Cup champions, undefeated in final 17 matches. Players hail from Miami Lakes, Hialeah, Miami Gardens and Pembroke Pines.
St. Thomas University appoints Tarlika Nunez-Navarro dean at the law school named on Feb. 8 for Ben Crump, who donated $1 million to the school.
South Florida Autism Center, Inc. and South Florida Autism Charter Schools, Inc. announced plans to expand its campus with a $9 million center for kids, adults and families.
U.S. News & World Report ranked School for Advanced Studies the 3rd best public high school in the country and first in Florida. The magazine said Jose Marti Mast 6-12 Academy was named 87th best in the country and 10th best in Florida.
And in The Miami Laker’s Town Topics column, students described how having autism impacts their lives.