The Town of Miami Lakes ushered in the new year with a bang, as fireworks lit up the night sky and residents were wishing for the best in 2015.
And the Miami Lakes Town Council, town volunteers, the educational and business communities offer hope to make the city the best place to live, work, learn, play and shop for the new year.
Miami Lakes is exploring ways to resolve the decade-long traffic gridlock, creating a canal bank stabilization program to clean the water, resume the next phases of the stormwater drainage master plan, developing a plan for a passive park for the Par 3 golf course at Shula’s Golf Club, building the clubhouse for the Miami Lakes Optimist Clubhouse, and bringing in new businesses for people to shop and dine among other plans for 2015.
Miami Lakes securing its own zip code to help lower insurance rates for residents is another goal for the town though it may be far-fetched, and Miami Lakes’ partnership with Miami-Dade Public Schools to enhance learning opportunities for students should help keep area schools’ A grade status.
Here is a list of projected accomplishments for Miami Lakes and its surrounding areas for the new year:
• With the state of Florida reportedly having a $1 billion surplus for 2015 and heading into the 60-day Legislation Session in two months, Miami Lakes released a wish list for state funding, including five different capital improvement projects, requesting a total of $3.75 million.
The projects include the West Lakes Drainage Improvement plan, canal bank stabilization program, and stormwater drainage improvements for the areas of Lake Sarah, Lake Adele, Lake Hilda and Lake Susie.
Miami Lakes will also request state funding for the Par 3 golf course to be converted to a passive park, and the town’s Greenways and Trails Master Plan.
The Miami Lakes Par 3 Committee has recommended that the town take over the land and develop a plan for the area only to be used as a passive park.
• In 2015, Miami Lakes, once again, will explore different options on resolving the 10-year traffic congestion, especially on the west side of town near the Palmetto Expressway, where construction is causing additional vehicle pile ups.
• Miami Lakes is planing to spend $50,000 in 2015 for a joint marketing plan with two of the town’s biggest landowners to bring in new and popular restaurants and retail businesses to help fill vacancies on Main Street and other shopping centers.
Councilmember Ceasar Mestre, who is spearheading the initiative, said residents are dining in Coral Gables and shopping in Pembroke Pines instead of spending their money in the town.
He said the marketing plan would lure more businesses for residents to patronize and keep their dollars in Miami Lakes.
The fire station has been in the works since 2006, and eight years later, it finally comes to fruition.
While the county was searching for land to build the much-needed fire station on the western fringes of the town, former Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Roberto Alonso, a realtor, discovered the FDOT vacant land and led the initiative and study that allowed the state agency to transfer the land to Miami-Dade.
• Miami Lakes will finalize its partnership with Miami-Dade Public Schools for the Miami Lakes Education Compact Program, which would help the town strive to meet the educational needs of youths.
The program will enhance the learning opportunities for all students with programs and projects that can be enriched, expedited or better realized through collaborative efforts.
The town has five schools within its boundaries and one school outside the town that service students who live Miami Lakes, including Barbara Goleman High School, Bob Graham Education Center, Miami Lakes Educational Center, Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High, Miami Lakes K-8 Center and Miami Lakes Middle School.
Since incorporation, the town has been using Hialeah’s postal zip codes of 33014, 33015, 33016, and 33018.
Vice Mayor Manny Cid, who is leading the charge, recently got the ball rolling again by writing a letter to President Obama explaining the importance of the town adopting its own and exclusive zip code.
In the missive, Cid mentioned that former U.S. Senator Bob Graham has championed the same effort, and U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart is now involved to present Miami Lakes’ case for the zip code boundary change.
• Miami Lakes kids can start the new year off by getting in shape with the town’s Just Run Program, a program that promotes fitness for elementary and middle school students for four months.
The five-year-old program, offered by the Miami Lakes Youth Activities Task Force, for kids between the ages of 5 and 14 kicks off in January and will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Miami Lakes Picnic Park West, 15151 N.W. 82 Avenue.
Besides exercising, the Just Run Program also teaches healthy eating, good citizenship and taking pride in the kids’ accomplishments.
• As part of its Beautification Master Plan, Miami Lakes is planning to build an entrance feature at N.W. 67 Avenue near 138 Street and at the Palmetto Expressway and Miami Lakes Drive. The town is also planning lush landscaping around Miami Lakes and continuing with the black olive tree removal program.
• The American High baseball team hits the practice field next month with the goal of winning back-to-back state championships.
Beating Tarpon Springs East Lake last year for the title puts them in a good position in 2015 to return to the state tournament and defend the championship.
Mater Academy is also seeking to win two consecutive state titles this year, using another solid pitching staff and heavy bats that helped the team beat Winter Haven last year for the 6A Championship.