Village of Pinecrest
County
Miami-Dade
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Boundaries
North: S.W. 88th Street
South: S.W. 136th Street
West: S.W. 57th Avenue
East: US 1
Community Type
Municipality
History
The Village of Pinecrest is one of Miami-Dade county’s newest municipalities. Pinecrest is located in southern Miami Dade County along with Palmetto Bay and portions of unincorporated Dade County, where the village occupies 8.1 square miles of land. The area of Pinecrest began to develop in the 1920s when Henry Flagler used property located at US 1 and SW 102nd street as a staging area during the construction of the overseas railroad to the Florida Keys. Even in its early stages, Pinecrest resembled the idea family oriented communities. Families and Children were able to ride horse alongside the tree-shaded lanes and vendors sold flower and produce along S.W 57th Street. In the 1930s, the areas growth continued and the community began to evolve around one of the first tourist attractions established in the Miami area, Parrot Jungle and Gardens. The attraction, founded on twenty acres of property located at red Road and SW 111th street, became a world famous tourist attraction whose visitors included British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Parrot Jungle was a place where thousands of exotic birds flew free amidst beautiful and exotic gardens. To date, Parrot Jungle is now the home for 1,100 tropical birds, 2,000 varieties of plants and flowers, and the best trained bird show in the world. The site relocated in 2002, to its current location alongside the Macarthur Causeway between downtown Miami and Miami Beach.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the area flourished with residential and commercial development. A majority of the residential homes were ranch style homes on acre lots, laying the foundation for the rural and lushly landscaped properties existing in the community today. Since then, the village has undergone changes. In the 1990s, village residents dealt with graffiti, a tetrachloroethylene scare, and Hurricane Andrew, which devastated most of South Florida.
During the 1990s, The Village’s residents became frustrated with the county’s bureaucracy and the limited services it offered. Gary Matzner and Evelyn Greer, whom resided in the Pinecrest area, embarked on a grassroots campaign to incorporate. After highly public disputes amongst the county and residents, The Village of Pinecrest incorporated as Miami-Dade County’s twenty-ninth municipality on March 12, 1996. The village decided to incorporate because its residents desired more accountability and service for the tax dollars they were paying into the county. Until its incorporation, The Village served as a “donor” community, or a community that pays more taxes to the government than actual services it receives. By incorporating, The Village gained control over its own building and zoning decisions and were able to heighten well-needed police protection throughout the community. A five member Village Council governs Pinecrest and the village operates under the council-manager form of government.
Community Dynamics
Since its incorporation, the Village has undergone numerous changes. The Village of Pinecrest still identifies itself as one of the most beautiful and desirable residential areas in South Florida. As a result of incorporation, the Village’s taxes dropped eight percent, now $2.4 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Despite the relatively low taxes, the Village has a tax base between $1 billion and $1.6 billion, which helps provide strong public schools and its own police force. Newsweek Magazine recognized Palmetto High School as one of the top 35 high schools in the nation. Pinecrest is also one of the most affluent communities within Miami-Dade County, making it a highly desirable place to live.
In 2016, the median income for a household was $135,964 and the estimated per capita income was $73,311. The median house or condominium value was over $1,000,000 in 2016. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 18,223. The population’s ethnicity was 90.1% Caucasian, including White Hispanics, with 41.3% being of Hispanic descent, and only 2% African American.
The first major capital program following incorporation was a road resurfacing project. Residents have access to seven recreational parks. One of these is the Pinecrest Gardens site, the former location of Parrot Jungle. The Village is in the process of building a 2.4 million dollar library and community center at Pinecrest Gardens. In March 2005, Mayor Matzner unveiled a Wi-Fi spot at Evelyn Greer Park. The Wi-Fi spot provides access to the internet for park visitors with wireless internet connections on their laptops. This action came in response to Mayor Matzner wanting to increase the amenities offered to residents while promoting the Village’s parks as a great place to congregate and enjoy the outdoors. By 2000, 100 miles of the Village’s roadways were resurfaced. By planting over 10,000 street trees since 1997, Pinecrest was named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation. With a street signage program, a street tree program, and a US 1 beautification program in the works, the Village of Pinecrest serves as an inspiration to surrounding communities, demonstrating everything that can go right with incorporation.
Business Landscape
Pinecrest is largely residential, with strip malls only along the US 1 corridor. There are a few larger retailers, including Best Buy, Whole Foods, Home Depot and Kendall Toyota. In March 2012, the local government’s employment payroll showed a total of 123 full-time employees.
Transportation Characteristics
The US 1 corridor bordering the west part of the Village is often very congested. Other major roads include Kendall Drive, Killian Drive, Red Road, Old Cutler Road, 104th Street, and 136th Street. Public transportation systems include Metrobus and Miami Metrorail. Pinecrest also has a free transit bus, the People Mover, connecting the Village's neighborhoods and schools. It is perfect for middle and high school students who do not qualify for bus service from the school district, as well as anyone who wants to get around the Village. Pinecrest, with its large tree canopies and designated bicycle and pedestrian lanes along US 1, Red Road and Old Cutler Road, is a bicycle and pedestrian friendly community.
