Miami-Dade County Looking to Add a New City for the First Time in 16 Years

September 1, 2021

It has been 16 years since Miami-Dade added a new city but that could change for Biscayne Gardens. Following a public decision, county commissioners are deciding today to utilize 5 square miles that border 4 northeast cities.

The next step in the approval process is for local voters to vote in the special election on November 2, 2021. If voters decide on the new city, Miami-Dade will have a new 35th ‘parish.’ The last was Cutler Bay which was founded in January 2005.

The 5 square miles is located near North of Northwest 167th Street, East of Northeast 18th Avenue, South of Northwest 128th Street, and West of Northwest 17th Avenue. The current neighborhood is called Biscayne Gardens and the area would keep that name. About 3% of the land is undeveloped with a quarter of the area is dedicated to traffic, communication, and utility.

There is still much room for growth. Included in the plans to form the city are 3 apartment complexes with 861 units, mega-church, and additional apartment complexes.

Biscayne Gardens would also include 3 parks which would include a community center with costs of $1 million with 20,000 square feet.

The Biscayne Gardens Municipal Advisory Committee was formed in September 2003 to look at whether the area could turn into a city. The committee later broke apart in In April 2012.

The area of Biscayne Gardens now has 35,000 residents with over 50% being registered to vote. If the city is formed, the special election would cost $94,000. This price the county would pay up front then the city would reimburse once established.

Although a strong opposition on the vote, we will know more after today’s meeting.