Javier Fernández, Mayor, City of South Miami
In an interview with Invest:, Javier Fernández, mayor of South Miami, discussed the city’s efforts to enhance downtown, expand transit access, and strengthen economic development. He also highlighted sustainability initiatives and public-private partnerships, stating, “We’re making South Miami one of the most desirable small cities in the region.”
How is South Miami enhancing its downtown and improving transportation accessibility?
We’re very proud of our progress and are continuing to work at a policy level to enhance our Town Center, what we now call “The District.” We’ve been undergoing a rebranding campaign and exploring new design elements to refresh the streetscape, making the area more inviting for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. Right now, our city is too car-centric and I fully recognize that. But South Miami has a unique opportunity. We’re one of the few cities in the southern part of the county with a Main Street that connects directly to a mass transit station. That’s a major asset, and we’re working to ensure that transit options beyond cars become more accessible and practical for our residents.
How do you see public-private partnerships playing a role in South Miami’s economic development and infrastructure goals?
We’re actively working with innovative financing partners, including Sustainability Partners, to address critical infrastructure needs. Some of our bridges have suffered from years of deferred maintenance, leading to capacity reductions. Since securing city funding is challenging, we’re exploring a model where a private partner designs, builds, finances and maintains infrastructure in perpetuity. This keeps assets in quasi-public ownership while restoring service immediately — without imposing a heavy tax burden on residents. We’re also leveraging city-owned real estate to develop a new police station, city hall, and library. These major investments aren’t currently feasible with city funds alone, but through private-sector partnerships, we can deliver them more quickly, improving services and quality of life.
Public-private collaboration is also key to expanding park space and amenities, including The Underline, a nonprofit-led project transforming public space. We’re fortunate to have a children’s activity zone near our historic library, and my vision is to create the best children’s reading room in the county, connecting indoor and outdoor learning. As a father, I know fostering a love for reading makes kids better students and more well-rounded individuals. If we can ignite that imagination for generations to come, it’s a win for our community.
How is South Miami working to make its downtown more vibrant?
South Miami already has excellent restaurants, boutique retail, and cultural institutions, but increasing the number of downtown residents will further enhance foot traffic and support local businesses. Since COVID, hybrid and remote work have changed traditional lunchtime business patterns, but this shift also presents an opportunity. By adding more residential units downtown, we can create a dynamic, walkable environment where residents frequent shops, restaurants and cultural spaces throughout the day. We’re also fortunate to have major employers like Baptist Health System and the University of Miami nearby. We’re working with them to address employee housing needs, making it easier for people to live closer to work. This improves quality of life and strengthens the economic vitality of our downtown, creating a more connected, thriving community.
How is South Miami strategizing to ensure housing affordability?
Housing affordability is a growing challenge, but we’re taking proactive steps to address it. When repurposing city-owned land for development, we require a portion of units to be set aside as affordable. For example, in the city hall redevelopment, at least 10% of the approximately 750 planned units — around 75 homes — will be workforce housing. Our recent rezoning efforts also incentivize affordability. Developers can receive height and density bonuses in exchange for including affordable units, alongside other community benefits like open space. As a small city, we lack the resources to directly subsidize projects or fund a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Instead, we’re using smart regulatory policies and strategic land use to encourage affordable housing development wherever possible.
What initiatives is South Miami implementing to strengthen environmental resilience?
Sustainability is a priority, and we’re integrating resilience into both policy and infrastructure. We now require all new buildings over 40,000 square feet to meet at least LEED Silver certification, with additional incentives for those achieving LEED Platinum. This ensures large projects meet high environmental standards, benefiting both the community and property owners. Beyond regulations, we’ve made a major financial commitment to resilience. Voters approved a $65 million bond, which we’ll draw from over several years. A key focus is sewer conversion, which is an essential but complex project. Work has already begun in our most critical basin near Snapper Creek. While this investment doesn’t generate direct financial returns, it’s vital to protecting Biscayne Bay and preserving our water systems. Water quality is essential to our community’s well-being. That’s why we’re not just relying on outside funding. We’re committing our own resources to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
How is South Miami balancing growth, public services, and community amenities?
Our strategy is to grow in the right places while maintaining the high quality of life residents value. The SoMi District — our downtown center — is key to this approach. By focusing growth there, we generate resources to sustain and improve city services without overburdening neighborhoods. Public safety is also a top priority. Our police department emphasizes community policing, maintains direct contact with residents, and has response times under 2.5 minutes, among the best in the county. As we grow, we’ll continue investing in public safety and essential services. We also want South Miami to be the best small city in Miami-Dade County, if not Florida, when it comes to amenities. We’re modernizing parks, improving standards, and collaborating with partners like the school district to maximize recreational space. Since land for new parks is limited, we’re investing in existing public land to expand green spaces and community facilities.
By enhancing the SoMi District, investing in infrastructure, and prioritizing sustainability, we’re making South Miami one of the most desirable small cities in the region. Our strong mass transit connections and vibrant public spaces ensure residents can gather, learn and build relationships. Public spaces are more important than ever as so much of life moves online. Parks create opportunities for real-life connections, especially for children. In my first two years in office, we transformed our largest park, giving 900 young soccer players fields that rival the best in the state. Seeing that investment gave them a new sense of pride; they knew their community valued them. If I leave a legacy, I hope it will be the transformation of public spaces. I know firsthand how much they matter. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the lessons I learned in parks and from the coaches who mentored me. These investments also teach responsibility. When we improve public spaces, we send a message to residents, especially young people, that this is their space, their home, and they must care for it. That sense of ownership strengthens our community for generations to come.
How is South Miami working to develop a stronger business ecosystem?
South Miami is a community of professionals, many of whom have historically worked elsewhere in Miami-Dade. We see a major opportunity to build a local business ecosystem that allows more residents to work closer to home. One of the most promising areas for growth is tech. Many professionals from South Miami and Pinecrest commute to Wynwood and Brickell, where tech hubs are concentrated. By fostering networking, collaboration and business development here, we can attract those professionals and expand local opportunities. In the coming years, we’ll focus on strengthening these connections and supporting business growth, making South Miami not just a great place to live, but a thriving place to work.
