Mayor Q & A: an interview with Mayor Norman S. Edelcup

South Florida CEO, May, 2004

Vice Mayor Norman S. Edelcup was appointed mayor in October 2003 following the death of the city's founding mayor David Samson. He was elected mayor in January for a term ending in September 2005.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

SFLCEO: Why has Sunny Isles Beach been so successful in attracting high-end developers?

Edelcup: Mayor Samson had the vision. In the 1990s. we had prime real estate on the ocean occupied by older hotels that had served their useful life. We wanted to encourage high-rise development.

SFLCEO: How has the new construction impacted the city?

Edelcup: In 2003, our tax base was $2.7 billion, up from $2.2 billion in 2002, and it will go to $5 billion when all the new oceanfront developments are completed in about five years.

SFLCEO: How much more will Sunny Isles Beach grow?

Edelcup: We think that the city will top out at around 20,000 residents. That does not include part-time residents. who are about one-third of that number.

SFLCEO: What is the next area for redevelopment?

Edelcup: One of our top priorities is new zoning for a mixed-use Town Center along Sunny Isles Boulevard (163rd Street) and Collins Avenue to 172nd Street. We want to create a pedestrian-friendly retail, office and residential area with an open plaza.

SFLCEO: How is the city's population changing?

Edelcup: We have a younger population. including many more children. When we became a city in 1997, there were only 400 kids; by 2000 that number was up to 1,500 students.

SFLCEO: How is the city responding?

Edelcup: We are planning to build a K-8 public or charter school within the city by 2006 or 2007, and feasibility studies are now underway. We are also planning a new active park with an enclosed gymnasium, basketball court and rooms for arts and crafts activities.

SFLCEO: What is the status of the new City Hall?

Edelcup: We expect to complete our new four-story, 56,000-square-foot building by year-end. It will house all city departments and allow us out move out of our current rented quarters.

SFLCEO: What is the most exciting thing about the city?

Edelcup: It's a wonderful challenge to be here at this time. The city is going through a metamorphosis. We have had a vision for our city and now we are turning that into reality. I believe we will have the crown jewel in South Florida.