State of the City of Hallandale Beach, part 8

Both Safe Neighborhood Districts are looking to enhance safety and security. The Three Islands Plan has been approved, just this past month we have established a funding plan to pay for over 4.2 million in roadway safety improvements.

We are applying for a loan to be paid back over five years. Every property owner will pay a yearly flat assessment. There is an exemption provision for those currently on the tax roll listed for disabilities, veterans, and homestead seniors, 65 with limited incomes.

Construction should begin within the year so long as the underground improvements are completed. The lift station project on Parkview will not delay the construction as it is not directly done in the right way.

Golden Isles will be planning for over fifteen million in improvements. We will be addressing that financing in the coming months. There is still major underground work for Holiday Dr so improvement will begin after that project. We are planning to replace all the guard arms due to damage and age.

Operational changes at the guardhouse were adopted to enhance security after extensive research by our City Attorney. All visitors entering the guard gate will need to produce IDs. This will address residential concerns over recent car thefts and attempted thefts.

While the Business Survey is underway some results have come in and it is no surprise Traffic has remained a top issue for business as well as residents. Since I have owned property and moved to Florida full time. I hear people complaining about traffic.

Traffic congestion is a huge reality in South Florida. We are the fifth ranked area for traffic congestion according to US world reports and we join Chicago and others to being above the pre pandemic numbers.

So, what really can be done about traffic? Even if we had all the money to complete the fifty-seven-million-dollar worth of road projects, we like all communities, we will not rid society of rush hour.

We certainly can and will not stop trying to improve traffic flow and congestion, but there is not one silver bullet. We have conducted traffic studies over the years and are now in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Organization to conduct an updated survey.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place at phone/text 954-632-5700 or you can email me at jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like, follow, and share.