The newest area of Hialeah is getting a 911 tower. A new government center could be next
Hialeah Mayor Esteban “Steve” Bovo has announced plans for two major infrastructure projects aimed at addressing critical needs in Hialeah Heights, often referred to as the annex area of the city: a 911 tower and a new government center, where a police station, fire department, library and building department would exist under one roof.
During his 2021 mayoral campaign, Bovo promised to improve infrastructure in the area. Despite being home to over 16,000 residents, the community lacks essential facilities such as a police station, library or even a park, and currently relies on a trailer for fire services instead of a formal fire station.
Back in July 2023, Bovo announced that the city had secured $8.4 million in state funding to address critical community needs, including services for seniors, 911 operations, police, street repairs and wastewater infrastructure improvements.
Constructing a new 911 communication tower was identified as a top priority at the time, and officials estimated the total cost at $2.2 million, with $1.5 million from state funds and $700,000 to be matched by Hialeah, an expenditure included in the 2024 city budget. A communications tower is set to enhance radio system coverage between 911 dispatchers, first responders, police and firefighters, extending reliable communication throughout the annexation area.
On Wednesday, the city broke ground on the site where the new 911 communication tower will be located. The tower ended up costing $2.6 million in the time it took to complete the project, causing the city’s contribution to increase from $700,000 to $1.1 million.
When asked by el Nuevo Herald about the delay in constructing the new tower, Bovo couldn’t provide specifics on why it was not built sooner. However, he emphasized the project’s significance, stating, “The key point is that this tower is now going to be built and operational.” The tower is expected to be completed by December and fully operational by the first quarter of 2025.
Acknowledging concerns from Hialeah Heights residents regarding delays in police and fire response times, Bovo noted that “this new infrastructure project is a major step toward addressing these issues,” meaning enhancing response times.
Councilman Bryan Calvo is the only council member who had criticized the city’s emergency operations, requesting an investigation after hearing about a high number of abandoned calls. Calvo previously sued the mayor over a public records request related to the 911 center, a lawsuit that was dismissed by a judge. At the press conference Wednesday, he said the new 911 tower represents a vindication of his criticisms from last year. “Hopefully, now we can get started fixing it. That was what I wanted from the beginning,” he said.
In 2023, dispatchers from the Hialeah 911 emergency department voiced concerns to el Nuevo Herald about how understaffing was creating difficulties in managing the daily call volume. At the time, the mayor acknowledged deficiencies in the response capacity, noting that the emergency unit was able to answer just 83% of calls within 10 seconds, falling short of the 90% benchmark recommended by Florida’s E911 emergency communications system plan.
READ MORE: Who is answering the 911 calls in Hialeah? Why some consider the response an emergency
Bovo stated on Wednesday that “investing in this area is crucial, as the residents of the annex contribute significantly to the city’s tax revenue, nearly matching the contributions of the rest of Hialeah.”
Eduardo “Eddie” Santiesteban, a local activist and former city council candidate, said that he and his neighbors have experienced being routed to Miami-Dade County’s 911 operators rather than Hialeah’s dispatchers. He is optimistic that the new 911 tower will enhance connectivity and streamline communication between first responders in the area, ultimately improving emergency response efficiency.
READ MORE: Why a bridge divided Hialeah and Miami Lakes — and how it finally opened
Following the ceremonial event, Bovo announced that during the budget hearings scheduled for Sept. 12 and Sept. 26, his administration will seek approval to build a new government center in Hialeah Heights. The facility would accommodate a police station, fire department, library and building department, aimed at enhancing service levels and productivity in Hialeah Heights.
The development of a new government facility is estimated to cost approximately $43.5 million and would be completed in several phases. The first phase, environmental remediation, would begin in 2025 with an estimated cost of $8 million. In 2026, the design and planning phase would start, with a projected cost of $3 million. The construction phase is planned for 2027 and 2028, with an estimated annual cost of $16.2 million, according to the proposed operational budget.
In the interim, the area will continue to rely on the fire station trailer, which has a fire engine and a dedicated rescue truck, and has one police officer assigned to the entire region.
This story was originally published September 6, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
