BY CHRISTINA TENER
Miami News Service
Life in Sweetwater is a circus…at least that’s what some of the city’s first inhabitants thought.
When a group of Russian midgets retired after careers with the circus in 1938, they sought out land in the new community of Sweetwater to build homes to suit their needs. They were also instrumental in pushing the community toward incorporation. In fact, the group’s manager, Joe Sanderlin, became the first mayor of the city in 1941.
This city with a colorful past also became a center of growth in the 1970s with an influx of Hispanic residents. Today Sweetwater is home to over 14,000 residents of which more than 93% are of Hispanic origin.
Sweetwater’s location gives residents easy access to the Florida Turnpike and Dolphin Expressway, which run to the west and north, respectively. The city is also located just 10 minutes from Miami International Airport. This location was ideal for the addition of a major university to the city when Florida International University was built in Sweetwater in 1972.
With over 600 businesses, 4,000 residential units, 14 shopping centers and 4 parks within city limits, Sweetwater has clearly developed into a full-service community.
Sweetwater houses the Fair Expo Center, which hosts the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair and other events such as Venezuelan and Peruvian Festivals. Domino Park, another recreational development in Sweetwater, is a place where senior citizens can play dominoes under a large gazebo and where children can play on an adjacent playground.
Sweetwater
- Year Incorporated: 1941
- Population (2000 Census): 14,226
- Land Area: 0.82 square miles
- Average Home Value: (as of 2000 census) $108.800
- Total Number of Housing Units: (as of 2000 census) 4,353
- Average Household Income: (as of 2000 census) $29,333
- City Hall: 500 SW 109th Ave., 305-221-0411, fax: 305-221-2541; Email: info@cityofsweetwater.com
- Mayor: Manual L. Marono, 305-221-0411, fax: 305-221-2541; Email: mlmarono@cityofsweetwaterflorida.com
- Vice Mayor/Commission President: Ariel J. Abelairas, 305-221-0411
- Commission Members
Commission Vice President Jose Antonio Bergouignan Jr., 305-221-0411
Prisca Barreto, 305-221-0411
Jose M. Diaz, 305-221-0411
Manuel Duasso, 305-221-0411
Jose Manuel Guerra, 305-221-0411
Orlando Lopez, 305-221-0411
Jesus Mesa, 305-221-0411
- Council Meetings: Held on the first Monday of every month at 8:00 p.m. on the third floor of City Hall. The meetings are also broadcast live on Cable Channel 18 in the city.
- Elections: Held during odd-numbered years
- Police Department: 500 SW 109th Ave., 305-552-9900,
Police Chief: Ignacio Vazquez, 305-552-8053
- City Clerk: Marie Schmidt, 305-485-4528, mschmidt@cityofsweetwaterflorida.com
- Garbage Pickup: Depends on section. For more detailed information, contact the Sweetwater Maintenance Department at 305-221-0411 ext. 124
- Website: http://www.cityofsweetwaterflorida.com
