Michael Ryan, Mayor, City of Sunrise

Invest: met with Michael Ryan, mayor of the city of Sunrise, to discuss the city’s recent milestones, including economic development, healthcare advancements, and environmental initiatives.

What were some significant milestones and achievements for the city over the past 12 to 18 months?

It’s been an exciting and transformational time for the city of Sunrise across several key areas. Let me start by highlighting that Sunrise is both a major economic powerhouse and a community that values its small-town character. From the small-town perspective, we’ve nearly completed a citywide transformation of our parks. This $80 million investment aims to make our park system one of the best in the region. This effort, part of a comprehensive master plan, underscores our recognition that high-quality parks are integral to economic growth and maintaining a strong sense of community.

Simultaneously, Sunrise has garnered national and international attention, notably thanks to the success of the NHL champion Florida Panthers. Their achievements not only brought economic benefits to the region through tourism and increased exposure but also spotlighted Sunrise as a city with much to offer. Events at the arena drew millions of visitors, filling hotels, boosting visits to the renowned Sawgrass Mills Mall, and demonstrating the unique appeal of being a small town with a major hockey franchise.

This past year has also marked significant strides in healthcare infrastructure. Sunrise has long needed high-quality, accessible medical care. This year, two major projects addressed that gap. The Baptist Health System is building a state-of-the-art, 100-bed hospital with a $500 million investment, which will include advanced medical offices and rapid care facilities. Meanwhile, Broward Health has established a freestanding emergency room in the same corridor. Together, these developments represent a new era of healthcare access for our residents and businesses, as well as the millions of visitors we host annually.

Over the past year, what initiatives have been introduced to support small businesses and attract new residents?

In Sunrise, we recognize that we’re competing on multiple fronts — for small and large businesses, for residents, and even against cities across the country. To stay competitive, we’ve adopted a customer service model within local government, which is a departure from the “our way or the highway” approach historically common in municipalities.

For businesses, we’ve streamlined processes, revising codes to make expansions, fa§ade changes, and new construction more efficient and cost-effective. Beyond that, we’re conducting a comprehensive review of our business systems to find additional areas for improvement. These efforts aim not only to attract new businesses but also to help existing ones thrive.

On the residential front, our focus has been on supporting homeowners by replicating these customer service principles. During economic challenges, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, we took a proactive and compassionate approach. This combination of customer service and empathy has proven to be not only a good moral stance but also an effective economic strategy. As we face future challenges, these principles will remain the foundation of our success.

What role do partnerships with private corporations play in Sunrise’s development strategy?

Partnerships are crucial, and they extend beyond the corporate sector to include other municipalities and county governments. On the governmental side, tackling regional challenges collaboratively has brought great success. For example, improving transportation infrastructure around the Sawgrass Expressway and I-595 required cooperation with state and local partners. This work is already spurring investment and will greatly improve quality of life.

Another significant achievement is the 911 emergency system upgrade, which has become a regional model. It ensures the fastest response to emergencies, regardless of municipal boundaries, through closest-unit response. This system improves safety for residents, visitors, and businesses.

In the corporate arena, partnerships with entities like the Chamber of Commerce and major organizations, such as the Panthers and Sawgrass Mills Mall, foster economic growth. By enhancing infrastructure, offering incentives, and ensuring rapid regional access, Sunrise attracts and retains international headquarters and high-quality businesses. These collaborations enable us to tackle challenges effectively and drive regional progress.

Could you share the progress Sunrise has made in terms of resilience and any measures planned to address climate challenges?

While Sunrise sits on the edge of the Everglades, we are directly impacted by issues like sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion into aquifers. We operate under the philosophy of working “from the seagrass to the sawgrass” in collaboration with regional partners to address these challenges.

One pressing issue is solid waste management. Broward County, like Miami-Dade, faces a crisis in garbage volume and recycling inefficiencies. Fortunately, we’ve joined a coalition of 28 municipalities to create a new solid waste authority focused on long-term solutions like reducing methane emissions and improving recycling efforts. These strategies aim to position Broward County as a national leader in waste management innovation.

We’re also mindful of the increasing frequency and intensity of storms. By taking proactive steps to address infrastructure and sustainability, we aim to preserve the region’s quality of life and prepare for future challenges.

How do you envision Sunrise evolving over the next five years?

We see significant opportunities and challenges ahead. Property and auto insurance crises, along with the cost of living, are pressing concerns that require collaboration with state and federal partners. Locally, we’re committed to maintaining fiscal responsibility, keeping taxes low, and subsidizing essential programs.

Affordable housing remains a priority. We’re bringing high-quality, affordable developments online to ensure our workforce — teachers, police officers, firefighters — can live where they work. Innovative redevelopment strategies are turning underutilized spaces, like older strip malls, into walkable, mixed-use communities. These projects balance smart growth with environmental stewardship.

Sunrise has evolved from its origins as a retirement community into an economic powerhouse and employment center. Over the next five years, we aim to solidify our reputation as a vibrant, sustainable city where residents can live, work, and thrive.

What inspired the focus on walkability in Sunrise?

Walkability is central to creating vibrant communities. Research and urban planning models demonstrate the benefits of walkable neighborhoods, from economic growth to improved quality of life. Cities like New York and Chicago exemplify this, and we’re applying those principles on a smaller scale. Transforming outdated infrastructure into walkable, mixed-use developments is more challenging than starting from scratch, but it’s a worthwhile effort.

By fostering buy-in from staff, businesses, and residents, we’re shaping Sunrise into a city where the next generation will want to live. We’re excited to continue building on this vision in the coming years.

What are Sunrise’s other top priorities?

One additional focus is positioning Sunrise as a technological hub. We’re attracting high-tech businesses that bring quality jobs to the region. Collaborations with local universities and colleges, including HBCUs, ensure we have a strong talent pipeline. Our improved infrastructure and strategic location make Sunrise an ideal base for innovative industries.

While I can’t disclose everything, I can say there are exciting developments in the pipeline. Over the next 18 months, we’ll see even more growth in this area, further cementing Sunrise as a leader in South Florida’s tech landscape.