Michael Ryan, Mayor, City of Sunrise

May 2026 — Invest: spoke with Michael Ryan, mayor of the City of Sunrise, about how the city is managing growth through redevelopment, healthcare expansion, infrastructure investment, and regional collaboration. “Healthcare plays a major role in how businesses evaluate a community,” Ryan said.

What have been some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in Sunrise over the past year, and how are those shaping your current focus as a city?

Sunrise continues to benefit from an incredibly strong housing and business market. For decades, we’ve been very intentional about maintaining a diversified portfolio, and more recently that focus has been on both new development on our remaining large parcels and, just as importantly, smart redevelopment.

That approach has allowed us to rethink infill opportunities, particularly along major commercial corridors. We’ve taken older retail centers and reimagined them as mixed-use developments that include housing. That brings foot traffic back, supports local businesses, and creates more vibrant areas overall. Sunrise was doing this long before it became a broader trend, and we’re seeing the benefits now.

Another major development has been healthcare. In addition to the national and international attention brought by the Florida Panthers and Amerant Bank Arena, we’re welcoming a new Baptist Health campus at Sawgrass and Oakland Park Boulevard. This will be a state-of-the-art, 100-bed hospital, breaking ground this year and expected to open in 2029.

For far too long, this area has been a medical desert. That investment will bring high-paying jobs, improve access to quality healthcare, and serve residents, businesses, and our workforce. Broward Health is also investing in Sunrise with another advanced facility, which further strengthens that ecosystem.

At the same time, we’re investing heavily east of University Drive, including our Village Art Plaza area. About $40 million has gone into infrastructure and redevelopment efforts there, guided by a master plan that emphasizes smart growth, attainable housing, and long-term value. Dollar for dollar, it’s some of the best residential and commercial investment you’ll find anywhere.

How has the expansion of healthcare in Sunrise impacted business confidence so far?

Healthcare plays a major role in how businesses evaluate a community, particularly when companies are deciding whether to locate, relocate, or stay. They look beyond roads and parks. They look at quality-of-life infrastructure, and healthcare is a key part of that.

Access to emergency care and high-level medical services matters. It also creates a ripple effect through medical office buildings, support services, and related industries. Beyond the economic impact, it reinforces Sunrise as a place that offers a high standard of living.

This Baptist Health project is transformative. It’s the largest and most impactful project Sunrise has ever undertaken, especially because of what it means for residents. The community strongly supported it because they understood how critical quality healthcare is. It sits right at the gateway to the city, and we were very deliberate in waiting for the right partner and the right use for that land. We found that in Baptist Health.

Last year you talked about positioning Sunrise as part of a growing tech hub. What progress have you seen since then, and what comes next?

No single city can attract the tech industry on its own. It requires a regional effort. That means strong education pipelines, from early learning through higher education, affordable housing for startups and workers, and a philosophy that supports innovation.

Healthcare is actually a major part of that tech conversation. With advances in AI, modeling, software, and medical technology, healthcare is becoming increasingly high-tech. Supporting that requires infrastructure, talent, and regional coordination, all of which we’ve been focused on.

We’re fortunate to have strong partners across Broward County and South Florida who are prioritizing STEM education and workforce development. From there, you need corporate parks, transportation access, and connectivity to airports and job centers. Sunrise has been able to provide that environment, which helps attract high-tech and knowledge-based industries.

How do partnerships help you tackle shared challenges with other municipalities and the private sector?

The challenges we face are simply too big for any one city to address alone. Post-pandemic shifts in the commercial market, changing vacancy rates, and redevelopment pressures require collaboration.

Redevelopment, especially infill redevelopment, is far more complex than building on vacant land. It requires a committed city commission and staff who are focused on facilitating projects, streamlining processes, and updating development codes when they no longer serve a real purpose.

We’ve made changes that allow small businesses to upgrade facilities more efficiently and, in many cases, receive administrative approvals rather than lengthy commission processes. That saves time and money, and it reflects a mindset that government should enable smart growth rather than slow it down.

We also pay close attention to what neighboring cities are doing. Regional success benefits everyone. When a major employer chooses Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Tamarac, or any nearby city, that success strengthens the entire region.

How are you approaching quality-of-life demands like walkable, mixed-use environments?

For a mature suburban community like Sunrise, creating walkable environments is more challenging than for cities that were designed that way from the start. That’s why we rely heavily on master planning, whether it’s for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, public art, or redevelopment areas.

Transforming tired commercial centers into mixed-use developments with housing drives foot traffic and supports surrounding businesses. At the same time, we remain committed to a diversified portfolio. Just as a business diversifies to hedge against market swings, cities must do the same.

Sunrise includes blue-collar neighborhoods, small-town residential areas, one of the largest outlet malls in the country, a major entertainment arena, and a 600-acre corporate park. That balance helps protect us from economic volatility and supports quality of life.

We’re seeing strong community engagement, especially post-Covid. Free concerts at our new amphitheater are packed. People want that sense of place and connection, and we’re focused on delivering it.

What infrastructure challenges are you navigating to support growth?

Sunrise is uniquely positioned at the intersection of major highway systems including I-595, I-75, and the Sawgrass Expressway. That connectivity has fueled growth, but it also creates infrastructure demands.

We’ve worked closely with FDOT and Broward County to expand bridges and interchanges ahead of major developments, not after problems arise. Projects like the Pat Salerno Boulevard interchange and the Sawgrass Expressway expansion will significantly improve access to our corporate park, arena, and mall while easing traffic in residential areas.

These are regional facilities, and the economic return extends well beyond Sunrise. That’s why partnerships are essential. We’ve been able to demonstrate that infrastructure investment delivers dividends for the entire region.

What broader challenges are you watching as you look ahead?

Construction costs, housing affordability, insurance rates, and inflation are real challenges. We don’t have the ability to offset those costs with large incentives, so our focus is on making processes more efficient and reducing unnecessary barriers.

Time is money, whether you’re opening a small business or building a hospital. Streamlining permitting and development processes is one way local governments can help.

We’re also paying close attention to potential legislative changes around property taxes. That’s an existential issue for municipalities. Sunrise is fortunate to have a strong and diverse business base that provides some buffer, but it’s something all cities will need to navigate carefully.

Despite these challenges, we’re optimistic. Sunrise weathered past downturns by maintaining reserves and managing growth responsibly. We intend to do the same moving forward, always with an eye toward collaboration, fiscal responsibility, and long-term quality of life.