Cale Curtis, City Manager, City of Margate

In an interview with Invest:, Cale Curtis, city manager of Margate, discussed the city’s ongoing transformation, including downtown development, economic growth, and infrastructure improvements. “Our goal is to strike the right balance — bringing in new development without losing what makes Margate feel like home.”

What milestones has the city achieved over the past year?

One of the most significant milestones is the progress we’ve made on a 50-acre city center development in Margate. The city and the CRA have spent nearly two decades assembling land in the heart of Margate, and now we own the property.

Over the last 12 months, we’ve worked with Colliers International, a real estate development team, to attract interest from global developers. Our goal is to transform this property into a vibrant downtown, featuring experience-based retail, dining, office spaces, and a live-work-play environment, all within Margate’s core. The plan is to leverage city-owned land with the best development partner to create a true sense of place for Margate.

This project has been a long time coming. The city has worked on it for years, but over the past 12 months, we’ve fast-tracked progress. 

How do you see economic development shaping the city’s future, and which industries show the most potential?

Over the past two years, we’ve seen a surprising new wave of interest in Margate from industries we hadn’t expected. Just last month, we celebrated the grand opening of ATI Incorporated, an advanced manufacturing company specializing in metal 3D printing for aerospace and defense contracts. They’ve established a 130,000-square-foot manufacturing facility here, starting with 20 highly skilled engineers and expecting to grow to 75 employees over the next five years.

Two years ago, El Al Airlines moved its U.S. headquarters to Margate, a testament to our city’s efforts to welcome new businesses. We’ve worked to streamline approval processes and ensure that Margate is a place where businesses can thrive rather than be burdened by unnecessary government hurdles.

We want to continue attracting businesses from out of state and encouraging them to establish their headquarters in Margate. Bringing in high-quality, sustainable jobs will create a ripple effect, benefiting local businesses, restaurants, and services. That ties directly into our vision for downtown, where people can live, work, and stay in one community-centered environment.

What infrastructure improvements are underway?

Last November, voters approved a $120 million revenue bond initiative to rehabilitate our wastewater treatment plant and replace aging water lines across the city. Our current facilities have exceeded their useful life, making this investment critical.

For the past few years, we’ve been planning and designing this infrastructure overhaul, and with voter approval secured, we’re now moving forward. Over the next 90 to 120 days, we’ll enter the bond market to fund the work and begin improvements on our water and wastewater systems.

How is the city enhancing the quality of life for residents?

Like any city, we take great pride in our parks, events, and community programming. As someone who grew up in Margate, I’ve seen firsthand how the city has transformed from a retirement-focused community into a family-friendly one.

We’ve invested millions in upgrading our parks, recently completing a $10 million parks bond initiative. That funding has gone toward improving soccer and baseball fields and adding recreational amenities like an activity pool with slides and splash buckets, which reopened in March 2025.

Beyond parks, we host monthly events and concerts, as well as major celebrations like our Fourth of July festival and winter festival, which draw thousands of visitors from the area. These events reinforce Margate’s small-town feel, even as we grow.

Balancing growth while maintaining our sense of community is a challenge. Residents want new dining, shopping, and entertainment options, but they also want to preserve that close-knit atmosphere. Our goal is to strike the right balance, bringing in new development without losing what makes Margate feel like home.

How does the city support workforce development and job creation?

I work closely with HCA Northwest Hospital, our largest employer, and serve on their board. A major focus has been ensuring that employees have access to local housing, reducing long commutes. HCA has also expanded its role beyond patient care, evolving into an educational hub that trains the next generation of healthcare professionals.

While the city isn’t directly involved in job creation yet, our economic development director has been working on workforce initiatives. I’ll be working with a career development organization to explore how we can further support workforce growth. It’s something we’re actively looking into, and we recognize its importance in shaping Margate’s future.

What is your vision for the city, and what steps need to be taken today to achieve it?

My vision is to transform Margate’s heart by building out our city center. In five years, I see the first phase completed — a mix of entertainment, retail, and dining options that create a lively atmosphere

Since the city and CRA own the land, we control the project. We’ve selected a development partner, Brookfield Properties, and are negotiating an agreement that aligns with our vision while ensuring long-term success.

In five to 10 years, I see a thriving downtown, with residents staying in Margate and supporting local businesses instead of going elsewhere. This development will also catalyze the revitalization of privately owned shopping centers along U.S. 441.

Margate has roughly 4 miles of frontage along 441. Many shopping centers here need reinvestment. I see our city center sparking new investment, generating tax revenue, and encouraging property owners to revamp their plazas.

Margate is business-friendly. We attend conferences, promote incentives, and offer grants for fa§ade improvements or business relocation.

Behind the scenes, we’re streamlining processes to make it easier for businesses to open and thrive. Our goal is to foster long-term success, not burden businesses with unnecessary hurdles.