The Town of Cutler Bay’s efforts to secure approximately 18 acres of land on Old Cutler Road and SW 212th Street for use as a municipal park and a possible restaurant failed on June 5 when a mail-in vote on the issuance of General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $40 million was defeated by a narrow margin.
The town has more than 26,000 registered voters, yet only 4,477 residents responded to the mail-in ballots, with 2,331 voting against the plan and 2,146 voting for it, a difference of 185 votes.
If approved, the GO Bonds would have been used to fund the purchase of a portion of the land known as the “Potato Field” and other possible smaller purchases of vacant land for public use.
Mayor Peggy Bell said she was saddened by the outcome but remains positive.
“I am grateful to the 4,477 voters who took the time to mail their ballot and voice their opinion regarding our recent GO Bond Referendum,” Mayor Bell said. “I truly believe if the referendum would have passed, it would have improved our quality of life by providing more open space, public facilities and opportunity for economic development, thus reducing the traffic and negative infrastructure impacts of any future development.”
She added, “Nevertheless, the town council will remain committed to scrupulously review any future commercial, residential and/or mixed used developments. Although the bond teferendum to purchase vacant land failed, the town council and staff will continue to explore other possibilities to purchase any remaining vacant land that serves a public purpose.”
According to town officials, Cutler Bay does not have any other options available for the purchase of the land it hoped to buy, and because the letter of intent cannot be acted upon the land owner will be free to sell the land to developers.
Prior to the vote the town had conducted a major outreach effort to get the word out by going door to door, passing out flyers, placing ads, providing mailings, answering emails and handling phone calls. There were also two public information sessions.
“I am personally disappointed that out of 26,505 registered voters in Cutler Bay that received the mail-in ballot, nearly 22,000, or 84 percent of registered voters, didn’t exercise their right to vote,” Mayor Bell said.
