South Miami rethinks Sunset Place redevelopment
City: South Miami
Population: 11,779 (2021)
Mayor: Javier Fernandez, 48
How long in office: Fernandez was elected in November 2022 to a two-year term.
Primary Goals for 2024: Fernandez’s focus is the Sunset Place Redevelopment Project. Also, the city invested $6 million into South Miami Park for a new turf soccer pitch, bathrooms, concession facilities and lighting.
Quote: “Owners have expressed interest in reconnecting Sunset Place with the downtown street grid, but we will know more details later this year when they bring back the site plan, which will be the nuts and bolts of what they are going to build. We are excited that we can move forward with a zoning envelope for the future redevelopment of Sunset Place, which is an asset that’s been languishing in South Miami for a long time, and is a driver for a commercial center.”
2023 Accomplishments: Along with the progress made for Sunset Place and South Miami Park, the city moved forward on its 2017 plan to convert city septic tanks into the sewer system. The conversion will help preserve water quality and keep the bay clean. The city is using some state legislative funding and local tax revenue for the project.
Quote: “The conversion will preserve water quality in the city, as well as improve the quality of our bay and create a more sustainable system.”
