A study is underway to explore commuter rail service on the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway. A technical team from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has analyzed potential locations for stops along the commuter rail line and recommends a stop in downtown Oakland Park. FDOT will host a series of public meetings in January to provide a project update and gather public input. See meeting details below or visit the City website for more information, including a meeting FAQ. 

Oakland Park has pursued the goal of a rail platform in its downtown for more than a decade. A potential platform along Dixie Highway could support development and spur economic growth throughout the area. A rail stop could also see downtown properties appreciate approximately 20 to 30 percent within three to five years. The City Commission passed a resolution of support for a train stop in 2010 and 2019. In a 2021 citywide survey, 77% of residents supported the idea of a stop in Oakland Park. Click here to learn more and sign a letter of support for the commuter rail project.  

Session 1: Thursday, Jan. 27, 3 p.m. Register here

Session 2: Thursday, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. Register here 

Monday, Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m. Register here

Transportation Plan for NW 31 Avenue - Take the Survey & Attend the Virtual Meeting on Thursday

Do you travel along NW 31st Avenue? We need to hear from you! Cities in our area are working with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to develop a Transportation Plan for NW 31st Avenue, from Broward Boulevard north to McNab Road. Five minutes of your time can help determine what the new transportation plan will look like. Click here to take the survey. To request a hard copy of the survey, please call 954-630-4240.

Virtual Meeting

Join the MPO for a virtual Town Hall Meeting to discuss the NW 31 Avenue Transportation Plan. The meeting will take place on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. Click here for details. 

The next Oakland Park City Commission Meeting will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting agenda will be posted on the City website by Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. If you missed the Jan. 12 Commission Meeting, the agenda and video are available on the City of Oakland Park website.

Every home in the United States is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. The tests available for order:

Visit the COVIDtests.gov website for more information.

Business Spotlight: Paisa Bites

Local eatery Paisa Bites was featured in the Sun-Sentinel last week. Located at 3499 North Dixie Highway in the heart of downtown Oakland Park, the Colombian restaurant offers a delicious variety of hot dogs, hamburgers, and empanadas. Paisa Bites, which opened in November, also serves salchipapas (pan-fried hot dogs and fries) maizitos (bubbling melted cheese and corn dish), arepas (pictured), tres leches cake, and Colombian-style milk pudding. Visit their website for a menu, photos, and more.

What: Please be advised that the contractor for the residential Oak Tree development plans to resurface NW 44 Street in Oakland Park.

Traffic Impact: One lane of NW 44 Street will be closed while improvements are underway. Flagmen will be on-site in the construction area to direct traffic.

Where: NW 44 Street, between NW 29 Avenue and NW 21 Avenue.

When: Work is expected to take place from Monday, Jan. 24, to Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What Do You Know About the Penny for Transportation Program? Take the survey now!

We encourage residents to participate in our free curbside recycling program as a great way to prevent pollution and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. Please help us recycle right by placing lightly rinsed items directly into your blue bin. Please do not bag items in your recycling cart. Plastic bags can get tangled in equipment and cause safety issues. For more tips to help us recycle right, please visit the City website or call 954-630-4452.

Please confirm vaccination site days and hours of operation before traveling to a site. For current information please visit Broward.org/Coronavirus. ​​​​

Vaccine Eligibility – Pfizer vaccines are available to everyone age 5 and older; Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to anyone age 18 and older.

Booster Shots - Booster shots are available for free at vaccination sites operated by the Florida Department of Health in Broward. No appointment is required. Boosters are also available from many retail pharmacies, private physician offices, and other providers.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatments - The State of Florida is providing Regeneron monoclonal antibodies to people who've contracted COVID-19. People 12 years and older and at high risk for severe illness may receive the injections. The treatment is available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at two locations in Broward County:

C.B. Smith Park

900 N. Flamingo Rd.

Pembroke Pines, 33028

Monday - Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Protective Measures - Both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents are encouraged to follow guidelines for protective measures issued by the CDC.

For the latest updates, visit FloridaHealth.gov, email COVID-19@flhealth.gov or call the Florida Department of Health at 866-779-6121 or 954-412-7300 in Broward.

Every once in a while it's nice to enjoy some cool winter weather, but many of us use space heaters to keep warm when temperatures drop. Remember these important tips to ensure you are using your space heater safely. Visit our website for more tips to stay safe.

The Jan. 18 Weekly Update is still available on the City of Oakland Park website. Click here to read the newsletter now. Headlines include: