State of the City 2025

Published on January 30, 2025

State of the City 2025: A Year of Progress, Connection, and Community Engagement in Sunny Isles Beach

By Mayor Larisa Svechin

As we reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of 2024, it is clear that this has been a year of meaningful progress for Sunny Isles Beach. Thanks to the active involvement of our residents, this year has been marked by innovation, enhanced safety, and a strong sense of community. Together, we have navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and, above all, thrived.

A Year of Connection: "Together We Thrive"

The theme of 2024, “Together We Thrive,” speaks to the collaborative spirit that has driven our achievements. It is your engagement and passion that have been the cornerstone of every initiative, event, and improvement made this year. Whether through shared ideas, feedback, or collective action, Sunny Isles Beach has grown stronger as we work together to address community needs and create a place we can all be proud of.

New Tools for Engagement: The My Sunny Isles Beach App and Website

One of the most exciting steps forward in community engagement has been the launch of our My Sunny Isles Beach mobile app. Already downloaded by nearly 2,000 residents, the app has facilitated over 500 service requests, providing an easy way for you to connect with the City and contribute to making Sunny Isles Beach a better place. Additionally, our revamped website, sibfl.gov, has received great feedback, making it simpler for residents to access important services and stay informed on city happenings.

Safety Improvements: Enhancing Roads and Public Services

Safety remains a top priority for our community, and we have made significant strides in addressing public safety concerns this year. To reduce traffic accidents and improve driving behavior, we installed red-light cameras at key intersections. Since September, these cameras have issued nearly 7,600 citations, helping ensure safer streets for all.

Our “Scoot Safe – Sunny Isles Beach” initiative has also made an impact, with 884 scooters registered and 1,456 citations issued to promote safety on our roads. Commissioner Jerry Joseph brought forward Carbyne with our Police Department, an innovative tool, a technology that allows non-emergency callers to share their real-time location with police dispatch, improving response times.

In addition, our Police Department has adopted advanced technologies such as facial recognition software and A-I-powered firearm detection at Pelican Community Park. These tools help officers respond quickly and protect our community more effectively.

A Resilient Response to Flooding Challenges

In June, our city faced severe flooding that impacted roads and homes. In response, our dedicated staff worked tirelessly to restore normalcy, and the City Commission authorized the purchase of two high-water vehicles and large capacity pumps to enhance our flood response efforts. To further assist residents, the Building Department introduced a flood risk portal that provides personalized property information, improving our floodplain management efforts.

Fiscal Responsibility

Sunny Isles Beach remains committed to fiscal responsibility, as demonstrated by our decision to lower the millage rate for the 12th consecutive year. At 1.8 mills, we continue to provide great value for our residents in terms of the taxes they pay. Additionally, we invested $1 million in Israel Jubilee Bonds, supporting Israel while securing a valuable return for our community.

New Spaces for Reflection, Recreation, and Connection

In May, we proudly opened the Meditation Garden at Town Center Park—a peaceful, serene space designed for reflection and meditation. At Pelican Community Park, we made several upgrades, including improvements to the gym, new scoreboards, security cameras, and better acoustics, all aimed at enhancing the park experience for our residents.

The launch of The Spot in July has created a vibrant space for teens ages 12 to 17 to connect, relax, and participate in exclusive programs and events. This initiative gives our young residents a positive environment to build friendships and engage in their community. Parents can register their teens for a membership card to access all that The Spot has to offer.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Fabiola Stuyvesant’s efforts to engage families and address community needs continued through her community meeting, focusing on supporting education and strengthening connections among residents.

Advocating for Public Transportation and Senior Services

Changes to Miami-Dade County’s bus routes impacted many residents, particularly those on the west side of Collins Avenue. Thanks to the efforts of our City Commission and the collective voices of our community, the County restored a bus route to serve this area. Opportunities to be heard continues to be a priority for Vice Mayor Alex Lama. He has been a strong advocate for our senior residents, hosting town halls and roundtables to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed.

We also introduced a discounted parking program, which allows residents to register their vehicles online for a reduced rate at Pay-by-Phone meters, making parking more affordable and accessible.

Promoting Community Engagement and the Arts

Our commitment to community engagement was highlighted by well-attended events such as the Community Resource Night in April and the Community Resource Fair in September, hosted in partnership with Miami-Dade County. We also saw increased attendance at city-run events, reflecting the deepening sense of connection within our community.

Commissioner Jeniffer Viscarra has been instrumental in elevating local advocacy in 2024 through the Community Legislative Advocacy Program. This program brought state legislators together with residents, fostering meaningful conversations and promoting community involvement.

In the arts, we celebrated local talent through the Sunny Spaces Gateway Artway and the immersive art exhibits by Luli Sulichin, which honored the victims of the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. Our Art Uncorked series launched this past year and will continue to spotlight the creativity of both local and international artists.

Looking Ahead: Exciting Developments in 2025

The momentum built in 2024 will carry us into 2025 with several exciting projects already underway. We have begun working on a vision for the west side of Collins Avenue, engaging residents, business owners, and employees in focus groups and open houses to shape the future of this area. We also have plans to develop the Intracoastal Sports Park, a resident-only space with multi-use courts, and to expand Pelican Community Park on the site of the former Le Richelieu property.

Additionally, we are relocating the Building Department to the new Government Center Annex, located on the site of the old Tony Roma’s restaurant, making it easier for residents to access city services.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Thriving Community

As we move forward, we remain committed to building a thriving, connected, and vibrant community. Thank you for your continued involvement in making Sunny Isles Beach such a special place to live. Together, we will continue to thrive in 2025 and beyond.