From David Volz
Oakland Park is working to attract small businesses, create jobs, and bring new services to downtown through the Sky Building Job Creation Incentive Program. The pilot program provides eligible businesses at the Sky Building with reimbursements based on verified payroll expenses over a two-year period for creating new full-time jobs. Non-culinary businesses leasing one commercial space may receive up to $32,000, while culinary businesses leasing one space may receive up to $40,000. Higher maximum awards are available to businesses leasing multiple commercial spaces. Metabolic Oakland Park is one of the building’s first business tenants, and the incentive is helping make downtown Oakland Park an attractive place for businesses to grow. The program continues to accept applications as the city works to fill downtown storefronts and strengthen the local economy.
The Oakland Park City Commission will meet on Wednesday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting will include the first public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 budget and tentative millage rate. The City Commission supports a proposed operating millage rate of 5.6799 mills. If adopted following public hearings in September, it would be the 12th millage rate reduction in the last 13 years and the city’s lowest operating millage rate in 18 years. The proposed $180.6 million budget includes a $28.8 million Capital Improvement Program with investments in parks, public safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood improvements. Additional budget hearings are scheduled for: Sept. 14: Final fire, stormwater, and residential solid waste assessments and Sept. 23: Final millage rates and budget.
Ten families are one step closer to homeownership following a recent groundbreaking for Moss Estates, a new Habitat for Humanity of Broward community in Oakland Park. The development will include 10 three-bedroom homes and an all-women volunteer build supported by community partners and donors. Future homeowners will also assist with the construction of their homes. The community is expected to be completed in about a year.
Florida East Coast Railway will perform maintenance on the railroad crossing at NE 36th Street beginning September 13 and NE 34th Court beginning September 15. Each crossing is expected to be closed to traffic for approximately four days while crews remove and replace track panels, crossing surfaces, and pavement.
Several major road projects are taking place in Oakland Park. Florida East Coast Railway plans to close Commercial Boulevard at the railroad crossing from 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, through 10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, for track rehabilitation, rail repairs, and replacement of the crossing surface.
Broward County is replacing sidewalk ramps at various locations along North Andrews Avenue between Prospect Road and Commercial Boulevard. Work is underway and expected to continue through September 20. Lane closures are anticipated, and individual sections of sidewalk may be temporarily closed for up to two days during construction.
