Capital Improvements

Sunkist Park Ribbon Cutting

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, along with Park and Recreation held a dedication ceremony by cutting the ribbon to celebrate the completion of the improvements to Sunkist Park located at 8401 SW 64th Street.

The featured improvements in the park included a concrete walkway built in the form of an ellipse, and a soft path built of crushed materials which meander through a naturalistic setting featuring pines and some understory plantings typical of a Pine Rockland. Amenities include an accessible playground (featuring boulder-type climbers, spring toys and swings); interpretative signage; perimeter fence; site furniture; and xeriphytic landscaping.

The neighborhood park was welcomed by the residents. The park was funded by leftover campaign funds donated by then Commissioner Gimenez, Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program (SNP) and the Quality Neighborhoods Improvements Program (QNIP).

Congratulations to Professional Services Division

The Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has awarded a ''President's Certificate of Appreciation'' to the Professional Services Division of Capital Improvements in Miami-Dade County.

The Professional Services Division was given this recognition for the creation of the A&E Advisory Council and because of the division's many years of dialogue and collaboration with the Chapter.

Kudos go out to the Professional Services Division team!

• See the certificate 

Family Aquatics Center Reopens at Gwen Cherry Park

Jean Monestime, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 2, along with Park & Recreation Director Jack Kardys, Gwen Cherry Park Foundation Chairman H.T. Smith,  residents and lots of kids from the community officially opened the newly renovated pool and splash playground at the Family Aquatics Center at Gwen Cherry Park, 2591 NW 71 Street, Miami.

The renovation consisted of resurfacing the 90’x50’ recreational pool and installing new plumbing and drainage system. The bathhouse was updated with new showers, lockers, restrooms and a baby changing station.  A new 85' x 50' splash playground was installed with spray arches, water cannons, a bucket soaker and other assorted sprinklers.  Also added were patio umbrellas, drinking fountains, lighting, landscaping, and a fence. The entire facility is ADA accessible. This project was funded by the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program (SNP) and the Quality Neighborhood Improvement Bond Program (QNIP) in the amount of $1,183,000.

The Family Aquatics Center will be open during the summer months from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Lifeguards and water safety instructors are American Red Cross Certified.

Capital Improvements Competes in Florida Sterling Challenge

Capital Improvements completed the Florida Sterling Challenge process and was recognized for considerable progress in the areas of Leadership and Customer Focus. 

CM Training -- First Municipal Graduation

Capital Improvements is pleased to announce the graduation of the first municipal employee from the Construction Manager Training Program. Rodolfo de la Torre, Public Works Assistant Director for the City of South Miami graduated from the program with Class # 12 on May 26, 2011. This is what Rodolfo had to say about the program:

''I found the Construction Manager Training Program provided by the Office of Capital Improvements (OCI) to be most helpful in outlining the procedures for successful project management. The training program also provided an in depth look at how Miami-Dade County handles capital improvement projects from the planning stages to project closeout. I'm very grateful for this opportunity and selfishly applaud the decision to open this training to municipalities. This training will be most beneficial in improving the skills required to manage projects and to improve the quality of services provided to the community. Thank you for the opportunity.''

Rodolfo de la Torre has been employed by the City of South Miami since October 1996. He was hired by the City's Public Works Department in the position of Building Maintenance Supervisor. He  has also served the City in progressively higher positions of responsibility such as Public Works Operations Manager, Public Works Assistant Director and Chief Superintendent of Public Works.

New Recreation Center & Baseball Field at Deerwood Bonita Lakes Park

Dennis Moss, Miami-Dade County Commissioner District 9 along with the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation staff and Residents cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony of the new recreation center, baseball field and sports lighting at Deerwood Bonita Lakes Park, 14405 SW 122 Avenue in Miami.

The new amenities include a 6,410 square-foot recreation center with a multi-purpose room, an arts-and-crafts room, a lobby, administrative offices, a game room, storage space, a concession, an outdoor breezeway and restrooms.  There's also a new lighted baseball field and parking lot.  In addition, lighting was also added to the park's existing soccer fields, basketball courts and walkway.

The cost for this project was $3,417,000 and was made possible with funds from Safe Neighborhood Park Bonds (SNP), the Quality Neighborhood Improvement Program (QNIP) the Building Better Communities Bond Program (BBC), and impact fees.