Oakland Park has a lot going on. City Commissioner Fitz Budhoo recently said, “We are a hot city.” And there is evidence to back him up.

During the June 3 commission meeting, leaders were updated on myriad projects in various stages of development. Assistant City Manager Sierra Marrero went through the list.

Fire Station 20 is getting a lot of attention. This year it is getting “hardened” to better withstand storms. Improvements include new windows, doors, roof, and a generator. These measures serve as a safety bridge until the new building opens in 2029.

Some projects will be completed over the next few weeks. The library will have its ribbon cutting during the city’s Penultimate All American Picnic on July 3. Stevens Field improvements, which include new LED lighting, restroom building, and better drainage, should be finished July 17.

Greenleaf Park will open in August, while the Royal Palm Trail widening and lighting should also be completed this summer.

Other projects are still in the permitting and design phases and won’t be finished until the 2030s. 

Mayor Steve Arnst was on top of all the projects and wants more details before moving ahead. He also urged caution regarding the Cherry Creek dredging project planned for next year.

“Talk to the neighborhood before we do this,” he said, noting it’s an environmentally sensitive area. “I don’t want to get caught behind like we did on 13th Ave.”

Arnst is referring to the sidewalk and drainage project that caught neighbors off guard and saw the city reclaim the swale and right-of-way that had been used by residents for parking for decades.

Many of the projects are partly funded by grants. Marrero said the city has obtained more than $70 million in grants over the past several years.