Residents press Opa-locka commission over stalled Seaman Avenue utility work; city says project will finish by April

Residents, commissioners and staff spent a substantial portion of the Jan. 14 meeting on progress and public-safety concerns tied to utility work on Seaman (Simen) Avenue near 151st.

Commissioners reported repeated resident complaints about road closures, piled dirt near homes and limited notice. Commissioner Juan Santiago said he had visited residents multiple times and described the project as "too long," pressing staff to provide clear timelines and contractor accountability.

Adrina Gross, CIP division manager, responded that excavation and dewatering were active, that bypass ponds were functioning and that the work is scheduled to finish by April. "The project is scheduled to finish by April this year," Gross said. She added the water observed on-site "is clean, it's not contaminated," and that the contractor is responsible for restoration once work is complete.

Vice Mayor Samir Kelly and other commissioners urged the manager and CIP staff to provide additional notices and social-media updates so residents understand temporary impacts and safety measures. Staff agreed to follow up with traffic-plan clarifications and to explore whether one side of the road could be opened at times, subject to DOT traffic-plan compliance and contractor safety protocols.

What happens next: CIP staff will confirm schedule details with the contractor, review temporary-traffic controls, and return updates to commissioners. The manager said the city is documenting daily progress photos and working to ensure contractors meet performance and restoration obligations.