Council directs manager to seek options to clean and improve Palmetto underpass at NW 60th/67th Avenue

Councilmembers on Feb. 18 instructed the town manager to return with options for cleaning, maintaining and improving the Palmetto underpass on NW 60th/67th Avenue, after councilmembers and residents showed photographs and described persistent litter, graffiti and erosion along the columns and sidewalks.

Why it matters: The underpass is a major gateway to Miami Lakes and council members said its current condition undermines the town’s image, creates maintenance burdens and may present public‑safety and pest issues. Ownership and regular maintenance responsibilities are split among state and county agencies, meaning the town faces limited direct authority unless it funds or negotiates a maintenance agreement.

Councilmember Quadra Garcia introduced photos and a short statement describing columns and sidewalks that had not been cleaned and areas where grass and weeds were encroaching on the walking path. Members said they had raised the issue previously and that FDOT had agreed to conduct a one‑time head-to-toe clean — but that cleanings occurred infrequently and the town should also consider a more permanent maintenance plan.

Town staff said FDOT had told the town it would perform a one-time comprehensive cleaning but that continued upkeep would fall to local jurisdictions. Public Works Director Omar Santos supplied earlier cost estimates for pressure washing and associated slope mowing: an approximate per‑cycle pressure-wash cost of about $6,000 (figure dated and to be refreshed) and a multi-component proposal of about $50,000 that had previously covered pressure washing plus mowing and debris removal. Staff said exact figures would be updated when the council asked for a renewed proposal.

Councilmembers suggested multiple funding approaches. Vice Mayor Brian Moreira urged town staff to pursue reimbursement where possible — for example, by adding the underpass to the list of FDOT rights-of-way for which the county or state provides reimbursement to municipalities — and to explore sponsorships (plaque recognition for a sponsor) to offset ongoing costs. Councilmember Steve Herzberg said the town should prioritize park maintenance and core asset repair first but expressed support for a targeted gateway upgrade if funding is identified.

Next steps: The town manager will obtain updated cost estimates for a range of options (single pressure‑wash cycle, recurring washing/mowing, and a higher‑end sponsored beautification with landscaping and lighting) and will report back to the council with funding scenarios and implementation steps. Councilmembers asked staff to research what neighboring jurisdictions do and whether similar FDOT agreements exist elsewhere.

Ending: The motion carried; council members said they wanted a visible, tasteful gateway and to hold FDOT and county partners accountable where the right-of-way is under their control while exploring town-funded or sponsor-funded options for more frequent cleaning and upkeep.