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Mayor Karyn Cunningham responded to the court’s recent ruling on the 87th Avenue Bridge project in an online letter to the residents of the Village of Palmetto Bay as follows:
December 4, 2024
Village of Palmetto Bay
Dear Palmetto Bay Residents,
I’m writing to update you on the recent court decision regarding the SW 87th Avenue Bridge Project and to outline our strategic approach to addressing four critical priorities: resident safety, traffic congestion, property values, and our village’s distinctive character.
Our Stand for Transparency
As your Mayor, my fundamental duty is to ensure decisions affecting Palmetto Bay uphold the highest standards of transparency, ethics, and legal compliance. Our legal challenge to the county’s process was grounded in two essential principles:
• Protecting residents’ right to meaningful participation in decisions that impact our community
• Ensuring thorough evaluations of infrastructure projects that will permanently affect our neighborhoods
Understanding the Court’s Decision
The Court’s opinion acknowledged our community’s long-standing concerns, stating, “For nearly two decades, residents have debated the proposed construction of a bridge over Cutler Drain Canal C-100.” While proponents argue for traffic relief, the Court recognized legitimate concerns about neighborhood impacts, noting that “construction will erode the quality of the neighborhoods abutting the project, increase local traffic, and divert some vehicles to another heavily traversed street.”
Action Plan Moving Forward
While we respect the Court’s decision, our commitment to protecting residents’ interests remains steadfast. I’ve called an Executive Session for December 16th at 6 p.m. to discuss our legal recourse.
Our immediate priorities include:
• Securing and implementing funded comprehensive traffic mitigation measures
• Implementing rigorous project oversight for safety and environmental compliance
• Maintaining transparent communication about project developments
• Ensure that emergency response capabilities are enhanced as promised by the County’s studies
• Amplifying resident voices in County decisions affecting Palmetto Bay
• Protecting our quality of life
Public Safety Context
The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue study indicated the Bridge Project, “would provide connectivity for public safety and emergency service vehicle[s] and enhance fire-rescue response to the area.” We will work diligently to realize these safety benefits while minimizing disruption to our residential areas.
Recognition of Excellence
I want to express our sincere gratitude to our legal team at Falk, Waas, Solomon, Mendlestein & Davis, P.A., particularly Norman M. Waas and Jessica M. Hernandez, along with our Village Attorney John C. Dellagloria, for their outstanding legal advocacy and unwavering commitment to protecting our Village’s interests throughout this complex litigation. Special recognition is also due to our Village Manager Nick Marano whose leadership, expertise, and dedication were instrumental in coordinating our response to this challenging matter and ensuring that the Village’s interests were vigorously represented throughout the process.
Looking Forward
Rest assured, that your Village government will remain vigilant in protecting our community’s interests, maintaining our high quality of life and ensuring that every commitment made to our residents is fully honored.
I remain personally available to address your questions or concerns via email: kcunningham@palmettobay-fl.gov or my personal cell: 305.799.0695.
Thank you for your continued engagement in shaping Palmetto Bay’s future. Together, we will ensure our Village remains a premier community in Miami-Dade County.
Sincerely,
Mayor Karyn Cunningham
Village of Palmetto Bay
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