Doral..land of Arts and Dreams

Recently, I have been writing about the growth in Doral regarding infrastructure; however, there is something beyond that motivated me to highlight our multicultural characteristic and with its art, which enriches our beautiful city.

Doral, has received immigrants from all over the world, including Argentine, Colombian, Venezuelan, Italian, Brazilian, Peruvian and Asian to highlight some of the countries that have send us for a long time- their children, who today will bring their works, creativity, interconnecting ideas and art, now viewing from different points.

Facilities like Miami Dade College, the Auditorium of Ronald Reagan High School, Carlos Albizu University, Galeria Interbroker Inc., new spaces as Geno`s Art Gallery & Studio, Macondo Coffee, gallery Artifice, hotels and our parks have witnessed artistic and cultural events that have been organized for the enjoyment of our residents.

I will like to feature that has been assigned sixty thousand dollars for the development of cultural activities to the Advisory Board of Cultural Affairs, chaired by Carmen Ramos and Eduardo Orozco, Elizabeth Canchola, Russian Beatriz and Jorge Artaza.

This group of people, who work with passion have scheduled a series of activities for the enjoyment of the entire family. For this coming May will have a great artist who works its art with coffee by the sepia color it produces, Reynier Llanes; also at the musical level, Opera with The Three Tenors, led by Manny Perez; International Festival of Music and Dance Paulo Gualano and many other activities.

For a new sculpture that will enrich the city - whose location has not been determined-are designated    $15,000 whose concept will be presented to the city council in the coming days. It has been also assigned resources for the Miami Short Film Festival and the Festival of Hispanic Heritage collaboration of Miami Dade College and Exhibition Doral Art Walk, in public spaces for the month of September.

To conclude, this is being generated not only from the city but also from private artistic spaces and cultural activities that complement the development of Doral in a harmonious and enriching way. About this privileged city, it will continue the conversations not only for its development and its strategic location, but of its people, its art and those who love and leave their footprints in the works presented for you all.

EGG Stravaganza

We celebrated our traditional festival EGG Stravaganza at Doral Central Park. It is a great pleasure to see families sharing in one of our leading parks, in a very friendly, secure, and entertaining way.

Thanks to the work being done by our Parks and Recreation Department, once again, it was offered to our residents, especially children, a space to celebrate this traditional event during Passover.

The Easter bunny as always, was the most searched for the respective family photo. I wonder also how children are excited to see this character very close to them. Finding colored Easter eggs was the main activity of the day, entertaining the children, who impatiently with the help of their parents were looking under the dry grass to collect as many eggs as possible in their baskets.

Other attractions   included   the inflatables, games, face painting, and competitions. The Doral Central Park was part of the attraction of the day as well, since many families were located in different areas around the park to make their picnic, enjoining a spectacular weather.

It has been definitely very rewarding to see all families to have fun in these open spaces that we offer to the full enjoyment of our residents and visitors

Doral...a Cosmopolitan City

For Doral the designation of Edwards Rojas as City Manager has been a very good choice. Today, committed to the responsibility that has been assigned is fulfilling his duties diligently, committed to the city that has seen him perform as an efficient public servant in different positions.

We are all tuned to the city we wish to give our children; we are immersed in a multicultural and diverse community; businesspeople and residents with vision. For the next five years, we will have a sustainable city with an urban sense that balances a strong commercial / industrial sector – with well planned residential developments – great quality and perception, which are complemented by a vibrant nightlife attached to a healthy entertainment and a unique lifestyle.

With all his team of Directors involved -minute by minute with the growth, development and quality of life of Doral, casting a city that is drafted as an international and cosmopolitan such as Miami, but also within the line of large cities around the world. All this under the regulations and building codes that make communities make during meetings held with builders, council members or directly and spontaneously rise to the city.

Edward Rojas, as administrator, with the synergy that must generate to the extent that performs its functions with the support of council and my own, has the great responsibility to maximize the infrastructure of our organization internally, so that we can act as a Service Provider to operate efficiently and sustainably, which we have achieved over time. All this, because the city is preparing for the inevitable growth. The needs and expectations of our residents - in terms of the services we provide - must be safeguarded as important point in our agenda.

We emphasize that the new constructions built in Doral, a city that is growing rapidly in infrastructure and services, is based on the principle of creating environments for our residents, a city closer to the individual, aimed at reducing the need to move from one point to another in vehicles. The very nature of the developments we see today in different parts of the city are mixed use, which provide a place where people can live, work, walk and play. The heart of any major city in the world.

I firmly believe that we are developing projects responding to our vision, as the Doral authorities and Edward Rojas as City Manager, has successfully interpreted and run-our vision-along with the group of Directors accompanying him on this great mission.

Growth of the Northwest of the City

A group of important developments are currently raising the length and scope of our thriving City of Doral; others in administrative processes. Private companies have put their trust in this new land that gathers important sectors such as industrial, commercial and residential which makes it attractive for future investment.

I want to explain what these developments and how our city is growing harmoniously thanks to the work of the private sector along with the city, which is planned for the execution of the works mentioned below:

MIDTOWN PROJECT DORAL: located northeast of the city. A total of 1548 housing units are built. In an area of 300,000 square feet; 75,000 square feet others are developing trade and office areas.

In this same area, we have a project under the approval process, DORAL COMMERCIAL COMMONS. With an area of 7,500-sqft for restaurants; 24,000 square feet of office spaces; about 4000 square feet assigned for restaurants with outdoors seating area. Also, commercial c/o retail, 104,000 square feet.

A third project, already under construction by the company Lennar, is the GRAND BAY NORTH with 347 housing units and SOUTH GRAND BAY with 1700 homes. There is a Charter School; K-12 located at 78 terraces 102 avenue.

With these constructions the lands that at some point didn’t have any type usage are now being developed. This adds to the whole area located by the 114 PARK AVE, which is already under construction and next to the GRAND DORAL ONE AND TWO, which is a residential area. So far, the owners have submitted their applications to the Planning & Zoning Department for change of use. 

It is important for the development of this project to meet the zoning High Density and Multifamily 3. At this point, the owners are working with the community and during the month of April should come to the city for their respective process, as it was reported by the Department of Planning & Zoning, efficiently directed by Julian Perez.

I have given you an overview of the North West area, but during our next edition I will be offering information from other areas of our city.

To conclude, I just want to say that along with the construction sector we are developing a more urban city, leading Doral as a model among other cities in Miami-Dade County, based on the organized planning and looking into the future.

Canal Stabilization & Restoration in Doral

2.5. Millions of dollars are being invested this year in the stabilization of stopping the erosion channels that some are presented by the very consequences of nature, of which $1 million dollars come from the State Grants to complement the project.

To do this, they are using plastic cells located on the canal bank and depending on elevation in some cases filled with stones or earth. This is to prevent and avoid erosion; maintain the capacity of its water and protect property in some cases close to both private and public areas, which are the city streets.

It is important to mention, these works respond to a study conducted in which all the canals were analyzed and in accordance with the results and severity of erosion, the Canal Bank Stabilization Program emerged.

Currently, Program 4 is on development. The previous programs also included the restoration of channels and installation of shared bike/pedestrian path.

This year the restoration of the channels is complemented by the “Bikeway Master Plan” which is to build Bike Path 10 feet wide, which in addition to the use for cyclists and pedestrians also allows access for maintenance of the canal.

We're talking about five miles of Bike Path and about 10 miles stabilization canals. Currently, work is being conducted in 97 ave. between 42 St. and 49 between Terrace and 102 ave. and 104 ave. which could be completed by June. In addition, stabilization works have completed between 25 St. and 107 and 117 ave.

We need to highlight that the amount of investment for the stabilization of the canals is $12.9 million dollars and have been developed by stages or programs. This year, we’re in stage 4 while we are designing stages for five six next two years.