‘We have the blueprint.’ Mayor plans for next decade in State of the City speech
Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam gave his 10th State of the City address at the Miramar Park of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 30, recapping a decade of the city’s successes and looking 10 years into the future.
In the last 10 years, Miramar’s population reached about 150,000, property valuation reached $15 billion and the city invested over $200 million in capital improvement projects.
A video featuring the vice mayor and city commissioners detailing each elected official’s initiatives over the last year played before the mayor gave his remarks.
In reference to the next decade, Messam said, “I’m not scared, I’m not concerned, because we have the blueprint.”
His speech gave insight into four major areas where the city has challenges and opportunities for growth.
Housing
Messam said the city has listened to cries for more affordable housing, especially for seniors, and pathways to affordable homeownership as well.
For instance, Pinnacle at La Cabaña was built as affordable housing for seniors, providing 110 units of one- and two-bedroom apartments.
The current challenges include dwindling aid from the federal government, high rent and an aging housing supply, according to the mayor.
“We used one of our parks, with a public-private partnership with Broward County Schools to … build a new park on school board property while taking part of that property to make over 70 units of townhome opportunities,” he said.
Economy
Residents asked for higher paying jobs and more support for small businesses. The mayor announced that the unemployment in 2015, the beginning of his 10-year tenure, was 6%. In 2025 it is down to 3.7%, lower than the national rate.
Plus, major chain Juici Patties and small business Sir Vin Delights have come to the city, and the Miramar Business Academy (MBA) has given training to local entrepreneurs.
The city plans to expand MBA partnerships and create an innovation center for new business ideas.
Quality of life
Chief concerns include school closures and lack of access to healthcare and youth programs.
Messam said the city plans to add more after school programs like the successful fire academy program at Everglades High School, and partner further with Memorial Hospital Miramar.
Affordability is also a concern in South Florida.
Messam cited enrollment declines in Broward County Public Schools, attributing it to the fact that “families can no longer afford to live here.”
Environmental stewardship
The main success in Miramar’s environmental focus was beating the proposed incinerator at the Opa-locka Airport West location bordering Miramar’s residents.
But Messam also expressed a desire to increase composting, continue the race to zero emissions by 2050 and maintain the recycling program.
“I am serious when we as a city are saying, ‘Residents, we are going to need you to educate yourselves.’”
The city recycles waste water for irrigation and is looking into innovative solid waste disposal solutions. And the fight against the incinerator isn’t over — Miami-Dade County is expected to choose another location soon.
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 12:59 PM.
