How is the City of Doral doing? On Nov. 1, hundreds of residents filled the main ballroom at the Intercontinental at Doral Miami to get the answer – directly from Doral Mayor Luigi Boria during his 2016 State of the City Address.
As a Doral resident and businessman for more than 28 years, Mayor Boria proudly reported that “Doral is better now than it has ever been.”
It was a point he underscored repeatedly throughout his speech as he references enhancements to roadways, finances, public safety, and parks.
Roadways
“While Doral is not an island, and shares the regional traffic problem with Miami-Dade County,” the Boria reported, “important projects have been accomplished to complete our traffic grid, create new connections, and increase capacity eases traffic along our major corridors.”
As an example, the mayor pointed out how 97th Ave. now connects the north and south of the city, effectively taking trucks off of residential and commercial roads. He also referenced:
• Improvements on 109th Ave. as an alternative to 107th, as a route to John I. Smith learning Center and the nearly 900 homes in that area;
• The “million-dollar-mile of roadway” (102nd Ave.), which was built at no cost to the city to provide residents of the Doral Commons and Grand Bay an alternative to 107th; and
• Construction along a stretch of roadway along 66th St. between 102nd and 97th Avenues.
“These new roads are built as ‘Complete Streets,’ featuring sidewalks, bike lanes, and lighting,” he reported. “These improvements, along with a successful, free trolley routes help residents think outside the box and find safe and healthy ways to commute beyond cars.”
Trolley ridership, which has more than doubled in the last four years, may soon extend beyond city limits. In fact, he reported that an initiative by Councilwoman Christi Fraga will provide study feasibility of a trolley expansion to Florida International University, “offering almost 5,000 FIU students, faculty, and staff who reside in the City, with free and convenient transportation – while taking hundreds of cars off the streets and reducing commuter traffic.”
Some of Doral’s traffic solutions are made possible due to partnerships and collaborations with the county and the state he noted. “Working with Tallahassee and the Turnpike, a new flyover ramp will be developed on NW 117th Ave. that will allow trucks and commuters to access the northbound turnpike without ever driving on Doral Blvd. This ambitious effort, which also features a pedestrian bridge over Doral Boulevard, will cost $21 million, of which city will only have to cover $3 million,” he added.
Another example he noted is a partnership with the county that has reduced the duration of the morning rush hour on Doral Blvd. – by 45 minutes – simply by adjusting traffic-signal timing.
Finances
Moving into the state of the city’s balance sheet, Boria said, “The financial strength of a city is critical to meeting the needs of the community. Doral’s financial health is exemplified with robust fiscal reserves – three times the legal requirement – a Double A (AA) credit and bond rating, and the second lowest millage rate in Miami-Dade County.
Through best practices, transparency, and accountably, Boria says Doral is maximizing the return on every tax dollar “by investing wisely in our roads, our wellness, and our public safety.” He cited how the city received a half-million dollars in tax credits from Doral Legacy Park, and how city hall has been “transformed into an open book.”
“Today, anyone can visit our municipal website and use the transparency module to generate their own reports of their government’s finances.”
Public Safety
Boria noted that quality of life in Doral depends on having a safe environment. “Police don’t just protect our residents, they care about our lives. This year alone, crime is down 18 percent while services to our residents are up.”
Due to the leadership of Chief Donald De Lucca, recently named President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a transformational culture has developed within the department. “A culture of mutual trust, compassion, and heart that has strengthened ties with residents, businesses, and schools,” Boria reported.
This year, the Doral police force was named by the U.S. Department of Justice as one of only 15 police departments in the nation that are shining examples of 21st Century policing, Boria proudly stated. During a February visit by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s, she not only recognized the Doral’s success in building trust and legitimacy with the community, but called on the Doral police force, and the city overall, to be a role model for other departments.
“A 21st century police force needs 21st century facilities,” Boria added, citing completion of an expansion of the police headquarters featuring fiber-optic networks, modern property and evidence rooms, and a crime-scene processing area.
Additionally, construction on a substation on 97th Ave. broke ground this year. “This new substation will allow us to improve police-response times and provide a centralized location for the School Resource Unit, Neighborhood Resource Unit, Bike Squad, and K-9 Unit and includes a civic center,” he said.
Parks
“Parks make life better,” said Boria, “and life just keeps getting better and better in Doral with six parks being recognized at the state and national level, and additional world-class parks on the way.” The city council continues to deliver, by growing park acreage from 121 acres to 164 acres with a wide variety of facilities for all ages.
Most recently, 200 guests gathered to enjoy a sneak peak of Doral Legacy Park, to be opened by year’s end. “This incredible 18-acre facility has something for everyone,” says Boria.
“And last month, the city broke ground on Doral Glades Park, a place for residents to enjoy nature in the heart of our city, with a nature center, educational boardwalk, trails, kayaking, and fishing. This 25-acre park will join technology and nature together in educating generations of residents about the importance of the natural environment that surrounds our city.”
Boria also reported that the city’s first aquatic facility, to be located in Doral Central Park, is on its way to becoming a reality. “Soon, competitive swimmers will be racing down the lanes of an Olympic-sized pool, beginners of all ages will be learning to swim here, and families will be joining us to beat the heat by floating down a lazy river.”
The city is also creating more cultural events and opportunities than ever before. In fact, an Art-in-Public-Places program was created this year, he said, whereby contributions by local builders are reinvested into the beautification of the city.
Also high on the city’s list of priorities is expansion of performance spaces. While residents will be enjoying a new band shell in Doral Legacy Park and the Downtown Cultural Pavilion, the mayor looks forward to a regional performing arts center in Doral jointly supported by the city, Miami Dade College, and local developers.
In closing, Boria shared his vision for the City of Doral as: “A safe city that has everything for families. A business-friendly environment for entrepreneurs. A growing dining and shopping scene. A place where your children can play to their hearts’ content while learning about teamwork and staying active. A transparent government where tax dollars are spent wisely and always with your best interest in mind.
“Despite the challenges, successes will always prevail. That is of Doral.”
