COMMISSIONERS REVIEW ECONOMIC PLANS FOR WILTON MANORS

By John Hayden

A lot of change has come to Wilton Manors since 2016, some noticeable, some behind the scenes.

During the city commission on April 11, commissioners were given an update on the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP). Renee Miller of R. Miller Consulting Group looked at completed goals, what is in progress, and what ultimately turned out to be unfeasible.

The five-year plan, with an extra year thrown in due to pandemic, had six goals, most of which focus on promoting growth through promotion of infrastructure, redevelopment, and improved regulatory conditions. Progress has been made on all six. Of 79 strategies laid out at the start, 71 are complete or ongoing. Four are not complete and four are not viable due to circumstances beyond the city’s control.

Noting changes in the city, Miller laid out six points to stress over the next five years. They are adopting a brand identity for Andrews Avenue, increasing awareness among the types of businesses and residents the city wants to attract, attracting private investment, recruiting and retaining new business, promoting tourism, and more.

The report also lays out goals for improving livability, such as installing more shade trees, an increased presence of art, and more mixeduse projects.

HARE TODAY… GONE TOMORROW

Residents of Jenada Isle are hopping mad over a situation that is only going to multiply. The neighborhood on the northwest side of

Wilton Manors is seeing an outbreak of bunny rabbits. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson says this is likely the result of two domesticated rabbits being released into the area.

Now there are about forty running around the area because, as Henderson pointed out, “Bunnies are gonna do what bunnies do.” The dilemma commissioners wrestled with is that the problem is only going to grow, but right now may not be big enough to warrant city action.

Unlike iguanas, bunnies are considered domestic animals, meaning people are not urged to humanely trap and destroy them. The city expects to monitor the situation.