Michael Joseph, Mayor, City of North Miami Beach

Invest: spoke with Michael Joseph, mayor of the city of North Miami Beach, about how the city is building the foundation for long-term growth through infrastructure, housing, public safety, and quality-of-life investments. “North Miami Beach represents one of the remaining opportunities for thoughtful development in Miami-Dade,” Joseph said.

Over the past year, what key changes or developments have had the greatest impact on the city of North Miami Beach, and in what ways?

Over the past year, the focus has been on building stability for future growth. North Miami Beach has continued to build momentum by strengthening infrastructure, improving community services, and expanding programs that support residents and local businesses, which are the backbone of our community.

A major step has been the expansion of the Housing and Economic Development Department, which allows the city to take a more coordinated and focused approach to housing policy, business growth, and economic opportunity. Like many cities in South Florida, we are navigating population growth, rising costs, and increased demand for housing and services. Those trends also reflect the strength of the regional economy.

Overall, the past year has been about positioning North Miami Beach for its next phase of growth. We are strengthening internal capacity, expanding economic development efforts, and continuing to invest in programs that improve the quality of life for residents.

What impact do you expect these initiatives to have on residents and the broader Miami region?

We have several projects that have been in the works for some time, and we are now beginning to see meaningful gains. One major accomplishment has been the progress at the Washington Park Community Center, where renovations are expanding programming and community space for residents. Quality of life is critical, and investments like that make a real difference.

We also secured about $1 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to support additional policing and officers, which strengthens public safety. Another important development is that our credit rating improved to a stable AA, which reflects the city’s growing financial strength and gives us a stronger platform for future investment.

We are also investing in youth programs that help students from underserved backgrounds pursue higher education, while continuing to improve parks, beautification efforts, and neighborhoods. The Housing and Economic Development Department is central to all of this because it is designed to strengthen the city’s stability, support small businesses, and attract investment. One of the biggest successes has been reinforcing the city’s foundation financially, operationally, and through programs that directly support residents and entrepreneurs.

As cities grow, attracting and retaining talent becomes increasingly important. How is North Miami Beach approaching workforce development?

North Miami Beach is in a strong position because of its relative affordability compared with other areas in the market. Many people are being priced out of places such as Brickell, the city of Miami, Aventura, and Sunny Isles, while North Miami Beach remains connected regionally and offers a more accessible cost of living. That makes us an attractive option for residents and businesses alike.

Growth has to be managed carefully. An influx of new residents can create pressure that eventually prices out the people who have long called the community home. That is why we have to be intentional about how we grow. We want to attract people and investment, but we do not want to burn out the community in the process.

Workforce development is tied to that broader balance. We need to create opportunity while protecting affordability and preserving community. If we get that right, North Miami Beach can remain attractive to talent without losing the character and accessibility that make it competitive in the first place.

What key trends are you seeing in the area today, and how are you positioning the city to adapt and remain competitive?

South Florida continues to experience population growth and increased interest from businesses and investors. Many parts of the region are reaching development capacity, and that is creating new opportunities for cities like North Miami Beach.

North Miami Beach is one of the last areas in North Dade with room for meaningful, sustainable development, especially for small businesses and office space. In many nearby markets, office space is already at a premium and costs have escalated significantly. That creates an opening for North Miami Beach to attract people looking for value and room to grow.

We are preparing for that by upgrading infrastructure, modernizing services, and strengthening economic development efforts. As other areas become increasingly saturated, North Miami Beach represents one of the remaining opportunities for thoughtful development in Miami-Dade. That positioning matters because it allows us to compete not by chasing the same model as everyone else, but by offering value, accessibility, and long-term opportunity.

What are some of the main challenges currently facing North Miami Beach from a sustainable growth perspective?

Housing affordability remains at the top of the list. Like everywhere else, we are dealing with higher housing costs, inflation, infrastructure needs, and limited inventory. Rising construction costs since the pandemic have only added to the pressure.

One initiative I have been focused on is the transition away from septic systems in certain areas. That is important because it would allow property owners to expand and better accommodate multigenerational families without being forced to leave because upgrading is too expensive. Many lots in North Miami Beach are larger than in other parts of the county, so once that transition is completed, residents would have more usable square footage, property values could increase, and the city would benefit from stronger tax revenue. It is a practical win-win.

The Housing and Economic Development Department will also play an important role in aligning housing policy, investment, and workforce opportunity. We are exploring workforce readiness programs and partnerships as part of that effort, including our formal agreement with the Beacon Council and collaboration with institutions such as Florida International University. Those relationships matter because they help us think strategically about youth, skilled trades, and immediate employment pathways. The goal is to make sure regional growth translates into real opportunity for our residents and small businesses.

How do you ensure residents play an active role in shaping the future of North Miami Beach?

Residents are ultimately looking for quality of life and meaningful engagement, and there are several areas that shape that. Youth and workforce development are one piece of it. We want to help young people pursue higher education, but also recognize that college is not the only path. Trades and other career pathways can be just as important. The key is creating real opportunity and keeping that talent connected to the community.

Quality of life is another major factor. Parks, programs, and recreational spaces matter because they help people feel that this is a place where they can truly live, work, and play. Infrastructure may be the foundation, but those visible investments in public space and programming are what make a city feel livable and welcoming.

We are also expanding services and partnerships so residents can access what they need more easily. That includes working with the county and other public offices to bring services closer to the community, whether that involves tax-related support, driver’s license renewals, or coordination with property appraisers and elected representatives. Those partnerships help offset costs and make government more accessible. The goal is to ensure North Miami Beach remains a great place to live, work, and play, and where residents can easily receive the services that they pay for.

What are your key goals and priorities for the next two to three years?

The priorities are clear: workforce development, quality-of-life initiatives, and planning services. North Miami Beach is in a uniquely advantageous position from a location standpoint, and our community continues to grow. We also have an opportunity to learn from the successes and mistakes of other cities that developed earlier and faster.

In some ways, being later to this stage of growth can be an advantage because it allows us to be more deliberate. We can plan thoughtfully, protect residents, and build in a way that reflects the needs of the community rather than simply reacting to pressure.

I believe North Miami Beach’s future is bright. We are well positioned to capitalize on our location and our remaining development capacity, but success depends on staying focused and making sure residents come first.