In a special mail-in election that ended on March 22, 2022, Cutler Bay voters approved a General Obligation Bond for up to $37 million to fund the construction of a park, community center and municipal complex on a 16-acre parcel in the center of the Town—along Old Cutler Road and SW 212 Street—with the vision to transform the property into the heart of the community.
The Miami-Dade County Elections Department's unofficial results show that the measure passed with a significant lead, receiving 3,340 votes for the Bond (66.28%) and 1,699 votes against it (33.72%). Of the 28,840 registered voters in Town, 17.5% of them returned their ballots in time to be counted by the 7 PM, March 22, deadline.
The Town acquired this parcel in 2020 to prevent the potential of up to 480 residential units to be developed on it, as the zoning permits, and to provide more green space for the community.
“Since we incorporated in 2005, Cutler Bay residents have regularly approached the Council to express their concerns about vacant parcels in Town being developed into more residences and the added traffic that would bring,” expressed Mayor Tim Meerbott. “We heard our residents and took action to ease some of their concerns by acquiring this land and stopping the possibility of more residential units. Now, it will become the jewel of South Miami-Dade, a central space our community and future generations will enjoy.”
The bond would be paid back through a slight increase in property taxes. The average homeowner in Cutler Bay would see an increase of about $89 per year for the next 30 years. This estimate assumes the full bond is drawn down in one lump sum, however, the bond would likely be drawn down in series, as funds are needed for the project to progress.
“We want our residents to know that we’re an extremely financially-prudent Town,” added Mayor Meerbott. “Cutler Bay was rated number 1 as the most efficient in government spending out of 90 cities in Florida our size. That did not happen by chance, and we will continue being prudent with our residents’ tax dollars on this project.”
The estimated timeline for this project would see the opening of legacy park within four to five years, if there are no setbacks. The project’s first year would be for the design phase, followed by a year or so for the bidding and permitting phase and, finally, the last two to three years for the groundbreaking and construction.
“Over the next year or so, we’re going to be doing the most challenging part of this project—that is to decide the final design for this site, what it will look like, what features we will go with,” stated Town Manager, Rafael Casals. “We’ve received over 850 resident surveys with some feedback and ideas, but now we’re going to be holding a series of public involvement meetings and really digging deep to learn what our community wants. It’s extremely important that residents be involved in this process so we can make sure this project is truly a representation of our wonderful community.”
