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Oakland Park CRA reports downtown momentum, new businesses and scheduled rail crossing closures
Summary
At an Oakland Park Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, CRA Director Nessa Herrera highlighted a 2% downtown vacancy rate, several new and expanding businesses, awards for local companies, upcoming railroad crossing closures in October, and planned capital projects and events.
Nessa Herrera, CRA and economic development director for the City of Oakland Park, told the Community Redevelopment Agency that downtown vacancy remains low and that several new businesses, awards and public projects are advancing as part of the agency’s revitalization efforts.
"I am proud to present to you this update that highlights recent business activity, progress on capital improvement projects, events, and initiatives that are shaping the transformation of Oakland Park," Herrera said.
Herrera said the city’s 2024 market report is available on the economic development page of the city website and highlighted one data point: a downtown vacancy rate of 2%, which she said signals sustained investor confidence. The city also released a short video, "Building Downtown's Second Century," that Herrera said is available on the city's website.
On businesses, Herrera reported the addition or expansion of multiple food and retail operators in the CRA district: Pure Green (a national franchise offering bowls, juices and smoothies) will occupy a unit north of Metabolic once build-out is complete; FMS Creamery is open next to BMC Smash Burger; Eagle Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; and Haircuttery held a ribbon-cutting the previous Saturday. Herrera invited the public to the upcoming grand opening of La Sonrisa de la Abuelo, an adult day-care center on Commercial Boulevard.
Herrera also noted business milestones and awards: Rebel Wines celebrated four years on Oct. 1; several other downtown businesses marked first-year anniversaries; North Thai Kitchen received the Thai Select 2 award from the Thai government recognizing traditional Thai cuisine; and Doctor Aromas, which maintains a production facility in Oakmont Park, received the 2025 SATA Advancement in Formulation award.
On infrastructure, Herrera notified the board that rehabilitation work at the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad crossings on Park Lane East began the evening of the meeting at 6 p.m. and is scheduled to continue through Oct. 25. She said a second closure is scheduled for the FEC crossing on Oakland Park Boulevard from Oct. 25 through Oct. 29. Herrera also said Dixie Highway median landscaping is expected to begin in the fall and that Stevens Fields restoration and park improvements are estimated to start this winter.
Herrera described recent special events and outreach. She said the city’s Oktoberfest drew about 7,000 attendees. The CRA director invited residents to a Halloween bash at Wimberley Field on Oct. 24 and to the Oakland Park Art Walk on Nov. 15 (theme: Western). Herrera also promoted the next business partners meeting, scheduled for Nov. 11 at Voodoo Brewing from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and thanked agency partners and staff for supporting events and the recently adopted Fiscal Year 2026 CRA budget.
Board members thanked Herrera for the update and welcomed the new businesses. Board Member Budhu said the Oktoberfest event was "well attended" and noted positive responses at a recent trade expo. Board Member Newbold praised Herrera’s hands-on assistance to local businesses: "You represent the city well," Newbold said.
Votes at a glance: the CRA approved the consent agenda, which consisted of the minutes for Sept. 17, 2025, by roll call. Board members voting yes were Budhu, Vice Chair Ernst, Gordon, Newbold and Chair Lonergan.
The CRA chair closed the agency meeting after receiving the update and completing the consent vote; Herrera remained available to answer questions.
