Florida City will get a new shopping center

If it weren’t for its proximity, Mayor Otis T. Wallace might not have approved the plans.

”I would not want to freely give special uses for light industrial areas,” Wallace said.

Cracker Barrel, Starbucks, Badcock Furniture, Largo Honda, and other major businesses have recently moved in.

Florida City led Miami-Dade cities in gains in property values this year, and was one of only three cities to enjoy increases amid the real estate slowdown and tax cuts.

Florida City’s property values jumped 13 percent, followed by North Bay Village’s gain of 12 percent and Medley’s 9 percent, according to the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s Office. Iler Planning Group has been working extensively with Florida City, North Bay Village, and is currently working with Medley on EAR-based Comprehensive Plan Amendments.