Highly anticipated transaction provides significant public benefits, including transportation connectivity, ease of congestion and improved stormwater drainage
SUNRISE, FL – April 15, 2025 – The City of Sunrise and Metropica Development, LLC finalized a landmark agreement in which the developers donated 19 acres of land to the Florida Turnpike Authority via a memorandum with the city. The donation of land adjacent to the Sawgrass Expressway and Pat Salerno Drive was the product of a long-term collaborative effort between the City, Metropica’s development team and other key public and private entities. It will have substantial public transportation benefits and help facilitate key expansion projects to support the future growth of Sunrise and western Broward County.
The agreement allows for the design and construction of a full access interchange at Pat Salerno Drive and the Sawgrass Expressway (State Road 869), with ramps accommodating traffic movements to and from the northbound and southbound visitors and residents. Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan, the Commission and the City staff worked with Broward County leadership and the business community leaders to successfully advocate for Florida’s Department of Transportation to include the new interchange as part of a broader plan for transportation infrastructure improvements.
“We greatly appreciate the cooperation of everyone involved with this important agreement,” Ryan said. “Having a full interchange will help facilitate traffic flow in and out of Amerant Bank Arena and keep vehicles off local streets. The City is committed to responsible growth to support impactful new developments like Metropica.”
Metropica is a master-planned, transformative mixed-use development located between Sawgrass Mills – one of the largest tourist destinations in Florida and Amerant Bank Arena – home of the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Other important benefits of the land donation include:
- Centrally located in a rapidly growing area, a portion of the 19 donated acres is especially beneficial to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise given its planned expansion of the Sawgrass Expressway from I-595 to an I-95 in Deerfield Beach.
- Construction of the new interchange at Pat Salerno Drive and the Sawgrass Expressway will significantly alleviate congestion before and after Panthers games as the franchise plans a major future development around the arena. Other large-scale developments in the area include, Radius at Sawgrass – adjacent to the Sawgrass Mills Mill - and Metropica.
- Baptist Health South Florida is set to construct the first hospital located within the City of Sunrise on 10 acres at Oakland Park Boulevard and the Sawgrass Expressway.
“It was a pleasure to work with Mayor Mike Ryan and the entire City Commission, and other City of Sunrise officials and key area stakeholders, to finalize this land donation,” Metropica developer Joseph Kavana said. “The Metropica development team is committed to being a good neighbor and positive force in helping the Sunrise Business & Entertainment District reach its full potential. In that spirit, we are proud that this donation will make it easier for major public and private sector projects to move forward.”
