Hallandale Beach Chamber Of Commerce’s State Of The City Address Part 3

We continue to move ahead with our paving program. I am frequently asked, "Mayor, when is my street going to be paved?" Sometimes the answer depends on what is underneath that street. If Major Water, Sewer, or Drainage Infrastructure is scheduled for replacement, it doesn't make sense to spend taxpayer dollars paving a beautiful new roadway only to tear it apart shortly afterward. The paving program has not only been successful but is well ahead of schedule.

Two exciting initiatives moving forward are called quick builds. The projects along Atlantic Shores Boulevard and Diana Drive have been in the works for a while and those costs continued to escalate. Rather than waiting we are going to implement quick improvements.

Quick building is a solution to deliver much-needed improvements. It does not mean complete reconstruction. It allows us to utilize striping, parking improvements, pedestrian treatments, and other enhancements to improve safety and beautify an area while larger Infrastructure projects are being planned.

Construction costs, as I stated before, remain a major challenge. One project along Northwest 8th Avenue was originally projected at approximately $8 Million. Today, estimates have climbed significantly upwards to $14 Million.

Rather than abandoning the project, we are looking at completing it in phases.

Northwest 8th Avenue is part of our educational corridor, connecting Hallandale High School with our neighborhoods and continuing toward Gulfstream Academy.

Sidewalks, pedestrian safety, lighting, and connectivity are essential to creating a truly livable and walkable community. More importantly, we all want our children to be safe.

The future of mobility is: It’s time to share the road. Transportation is changing rapidly.

Electric bicycles are becoming increasingly common. Scooters are everywhere. I recently visited one of our schools and saw firsthand that many children are no longer riding bicycles to school — they're riding scooters. That creates new safety challenges.

Hallandale Beach has been among the first Broward cities to establish e-bike and scooter regulations. We are also revisiting a partnership to launch a bike-sharing program.

Our message moving forward must be: Share the Road. Drive Safely.

The roads of the future may look quite different from the one we know today.

I recently attended Commotion at Miami Dade College to learn more about autonomous vehicles, eVTOLS, and drones. These technologies are no longer science fiction.

Autonomous vehicles are already operating in American cities. Delivery drones are being deployed in parts of the country. Companies such as Wing are already demonstrating how groceries, pharmacy items, and other products can be delivered directly to consumers.

Imagine ordering something from a local business and having it delivered without putting another delivery vehicle into traffic.

That has enormous implications for transportation. I have been working alongside Staff and business partners in hopes to create a pilot here in Hallandale Beach Boulevard. Between wing Walmart and DoorDash. Will be able to work with the government and the FAA on these new technologies.

We are exploring autonomous minibuses. Imagine a circulator traveling along Hallandale Beach Boulevard, connecting the western portion of our city all the way to the beach. Technology is not simply coming; it is being deployed through pilots and private partnerships. The question is whether government and regulatory agencies can keep pace with it.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at! MayorJoyCooperHB. Like! Follow! And share!