Neysa Herrera, Director of CRA & Economic Development, City of Oakland Park
In an interview with Invest:, Neysa Herrera, director of CRA and economic development for Oakland Park, discussed key milestones in the city’s economic development, emerging industries, strategic partnerships, and priorities shaping its growth trajectory.
What have been the key milestones in Oakland Park’s economic development over the past year?
One of the most transformative milestones is the Sky Building, our first mixed-use development in downtown Oakland Park, which is also designated as the City’s Culinary Arts District. This project includes 119 residential units, 15,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space,and the new city hall, representing a major public-private partnership with NRI Investments. It also features 17 live-work units and public parking, designed as part of a strategic policy to revitalize downtown. The goal is to activate the area, bring in residents who live and work nearby, and provide support for existing businesses through increased foot traffic.
Another key project is the Horizon of Oakland Park, a future mixed-use development planned for the site of the current city hall, which will be vacated when city hall relocates to the Sky Building. This development will include residential units, open public spaces, and ground-floor commercial spaces. Additionally, if discussions with Fort Lauderdale and the county progress, the Horizon could include a commuter rail platform, as Oakland Park has been selected as a stop on the Northside Broward Commuter Rail. This would add valuable transportation infrastructure to support downtown activation.
How has the city invested in public infrastructure to support economic development?
The City of Oakland Park has made tremendous progress toward Building Its Second Century. In 2018, Oakland Park residents approved a $40 million bond for infrastructure improvements. This funding has already enabled the completion of several major projects, including the North Andrews Gardens Community Center, Centennial Park, and Fire Station 9. The new Public Works Complex has also been completed and the City recently celebrated its Grand Opening. These last three facilities are located within the Oakland Park CRA. This exciting citywide transformation is bringing modern amenities that enhance quality of life and drive economic growth. Beyond new facilities, the City is investing millions in infrastructure improvements, including stormwater systems, upgraded roadways, new sidewalks, bike lanes, enhanced lighting, and landscaping.
All of these developments are aligned with our long-term vision to activate and revitalize Oakland Park in advance of its centennial. By creating mixed-use spaces, investing in public infrastructure, and enhancing recreational amenities, we’re supporting local businesses, attracting residents and visitors, and strengthening our community as a whole.
How do you perceive the economic and business climate in Oakland Park, and what are the corresponding opportunities and challenges?
It’s an exciting time, characterized by growth. Over the past five years, the city has been focused on laying the groundwork for success, particularly in terms of policy development. These efforts have created an environment conducive to the kind of development we see today and have encouraged private investments that align with the community’s vision. Looking ahead, the next five years will focus on continuing to invest in areas with existing momentum, especially downtown. At the same time, we’ll work on building the foundation for growth in emerging areas within the CRA and on the west side of I-95, where we’re beginning to shift some investment projects as well.
What emerging industries or sectors show the greatest growth potential in Oakland Park?
Culinary arts stand out as a key growth area. Downtown Oakland Park is recognized as a culinary arts district, and we’ve created incentive programs to attract businesses in this sector. For example, our Business Incentive Program offers up to $35,000 to culinary-related businesses to offset costs for build-outs and exterior improvements. We’ve also expanded programs to the West side of the city, particularly in Qualified Census Tract areas. Businesses in these zones can benefit from incentives for exterior improvements, further driving investment in underserved areas. Downtown is becoming a unique and eclectic hub for craft breweries, distilleries, and diverse cuisines. This growing cluster of businesses makes downtown Oakland Park a vibrant and attractive destination. If you had the chance to take a tour, you’d see just how dynamic and diverse it’s becoming.
How do partnerships with regional organizations impact Oakland Park’s broader economic development strategy?
Partnerships with regional organizations play a critical role in advancing Oakland Park’s broader economic development strategy by leveraging resources, expertise, and funding opportunities, given that our CRA operates without tax increment financing, unlike many traditional CRA models. This means we have to be focused and strategic with our investments, prioritizing economically underperforming areas or those with momentum. Once we’ve achieved success in one area, we replicate those strategies elsewhere. Collaboration with key partners is critical to this process. For example, we work closely with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, OIC South Florida, the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and the Urban League of Broward County. These partnerships help us connect businesses with resources for entrepreneurial training, capacity building, and access to capital.
Visit Lauderdale is another vital partner, helping us promote the unique assets and businesses in Oakland Park. Marketing and promotion are common challenges for local businesses, so we connect them with Visit Lauderdale to expand their reach. CareerSource Broward, located within our city, assists with workforce development, recruitment, and funding to support job creation. We also collaborate with Broward County’s Office of Economic and Small Business Development. Together, we’re hosting two signature Kauffman programs for entrepreneurial training: Intentional Entrepreneur for aspiring and early-stage business owners and Listening to Your Business for established businesses looking to refine their operations.
What are the top priorities for Oakland Park’s economic development efforts over the next few years?
Our top priority is to continue promoting the business opportunities available in Oakland Park. We plan to focus on areas where there’s already momentum, particularly downtown, while also identifying opportunities on the City’s West Side (west of I95) and other emerging areas. Supporting our existing businesses is a key part of this strategy; for example, we’ve created a modern, streamlined electronic permitting process to make it easier for businesses to invest in the city. We understand that permitting is a critical concern for investors, as the time it takes can directly impact the financial viability of a project. To address this, we offer a concierge-style experience, serving as a single point of contact to help businesses navigate these processes.
Another priority is maximizing the opportunities presented by our Opportunity Zone, located within the CRA. We work closely with investors to identify ways to support high-quality projects in alignment with the City’s vision, often coming in as partners to ensure their success. Oakland Park’s economic health is reflected in the adopted fiscal year budget of $166 million, which signals a thriving local economy. Property values have increased by 14.78% — the second-highest growth in Broward County. This data reinforces our confidence in the city’s continued growth over the next five years.
