THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 8 APRIL 15, 2021
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Survey Says!
OAKLAND PARK
COMMUNITY
OP Residents Want Streamlined Downtown and a Brightline Station By Christiana Lilly A survey of 400 full-time Oakland Park a stop in Oakland Park, just west of City Hall on residents shows that the majority feel the city Dixie Highway, and 77% of respondents were is “headed in the right direction” and is pleased in favor of this. This topic was also discussed at the city’s last community meeting on March with services. The 32-question survey, which was presented 31 with residents asking if it was a “done deal.” “Since that opportunity to the city commission April 7, is before the city, it’s part of was conducted by The Kitchens our plan to ensure that we Group from March 4 to 7 using The 32-question know what is going on and landlines, cell phones and we know how to plan for that online. survey, which was in the development of our “The citizens of Oakland presented to the downtown,” said Renee Miller Park feel very satisfied with of R. Miller Consulting Group. their city and its management,” city commission “It’s something that we have to according to the report April 7, was plan for if it does come our way.” provided by The Kitchens During the meeting, Group. “Lower positive ratings conducted by The consultants said that the city are a result of people not being is expected to add 400 new familiar with [city] services.” Kitchens Group from 2020 to 2025 Part of the survey was from March 4 to 7 households and that the household income also about the city’s current development of downtown using landlines, cell of Oakland Park residents is to increase 15%. Oakland Park and the area phones and online. expected As for city services, survey south of it, dubbed OP3D participants gave positive (Oakland Park Design feedback on garbage pickup Development District). Seventy-six percent said that redevelopment (94% very or somewhat favorable), maintaining of the area is necessary to bring in new jobs parks and recreational facilities (88%), and and businesses, of which 77% said it should be providing EMS and paramedics (78%). Oakland Park also ranked high with participants when it a top priority for the city. Brightline has also had an interest in creating came to sponsoring community events (73%),
The Brightline. Photo via Facebook.
traffic enforcement (67%), marketing to new businesses (64%), and maintaining libraries (63%). When it came to the city’s millage rate, 59% said taxes are “what they would expect to pay.” The racial demographics of the survey
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participants were 56% white, 16% African American, 15% Hispanic/Latino, 10% something else, and 3% did not answer. Gender was half and half with a slight lean toward men and the ages of participants were also fairly even; the largest group was 30 to 50 years old at 25%.
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