Town of Cutler Bay
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Since becoming its own municipality in November 2005, Cutler Bay has become known for its improved roadways, parks and commercial areas. It has created a town center and vastly improved its parks and community resources.
Population: 45,425
Median Household Income: $78,569
Median Home Price: $581,000
Homes For Sale in Cutler Bay, FL: click here
Cutler Bay keeps getting better! From its blue collar roots, the town has been smartly upgrading nearly every facet of its public resources. It will soon have a new area of living and shopping where Southland Mall used to stand. Its various activities and public events throughout the year are a great way for individuals and families to come together as a community.
WHERE IS CUTLER BAY?
The Town of Cutler Bay is nestled in the southeastern corner of Miami-Dade County, Florida. It offers a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle while still providing convenient access to urban amenities. It's a 35-minute drive from Miami International Airport (MIA) and about 45 minutes from the Port of Miami. Downtown Miami is roughly a 45-50-minute drive, depending on traffic. Residents also enjoy proximity to popular destinations like Coral Gables (25 minutes) and Key Biscayne (50 minutes).
PARKS
Cutler Bay has 10 parks servicing their community with a wide variety of fields, courts and activities. You can get a parks and amenities overview here.
Bel-Aire Park - Bel Aire Park is a 5-acre park located on Franjo Road south of SW 184th Street. The park is the home of the Palmetto Raiders Youth Development Club tackle football and cheerleading program. The park is also used extensively for adult soccer and youth lacrosse practices and games. Along with the lighted athletic field, Bel Aire Park includes restrooms, a playground area and a paved parking lot.
Blue Heron Park - The Blue Heron Park is a 5-acre park located on SW 216th Street and SW 97th Avenue. The park sits adjacent to one of the many man-made lakes in the Lakes by the Bay Community. The park includes a well-shaded ½ mile long paved multi-use path popular with walkers, outdoor fitness equipment, joggers and bicyclists along with benches and pavilions overlooking the lake for rest stops.
Cutler Ridge Park and Pool - Cutler Ridge Park is a 10-acre park located on SW 200th Street west of Coral Sea Road and directly adjacent to Cutler Ridge Elementary School. The park is home to Albion SC Miami (formerly Cutler Ridge Soccer Club), and the Riptides Swim and Water Polo teams. The park consists of a multi-purpose recreation building, 25-meter swimming pool, lighted and unlighted athletic fields, picnic pavilion, covered playground, and paved parking for 70 vehicles. There are also outdoor picnic areas for small gatherings.
Dothan Park - At only .2 acres in size, Dothan Park is Cutler Bay's smallest park.
Franjo Park - This 5-acre park is the long-time home of the Perrine Baseball and Softball Association (PBSA). The park consists of three lighted baseball/softball fields, batting cages, restrooms, a community room and concession building.
Lakes by the Bay Park - Lakes By the Bay Park is a 45-acre multi-use park located on SW 216th Street, one block east of SW 87th Avenue (directly behind Whigham Elementary School). The park is also adjacent to a 47-acre Miami-Dade. The Town’s portion of Lakes By the Bay Park consists of three lighted baseball/softball fields, 4 batting cages, two lighted soccer/football/lacrosse fields, a .6 mile exercise path with fitness stations, covered playground, restroom/concession building and paved parking for approximately 100 vehicles.
Lincoln City Park - Lincoln City Park is just over 1/2 acre. It is located one block north of SW 216th Street and one block west of Old Cutler Road. It contains the Pine Rockland Natural Preserve.
Saga Bay Park - Saga Bay Park is a 5-acre park located on the corner of SW 205th Street and SW 79th Avenue. The park contains 2 lighted tennis courts and 6 lighted pickleball courts, outdoor fitness equipment, a covered playground, a paved walking path, restrooms and paved parking lot. There is also plenty of open space to enjoy.
Saga Lake Park - Saga Lake Park is a 5-acre park located on Saga Lake on SW 198th Street and SW 82nd Avenue. This mostly-passive park contains a picnic pavilion and is perfect for relaxing in the shade, but also includes a paved fitness path and a practice baseball/softball field.
Whispering Pines Park - Whispering Pines Park is a 1.3-acre park in the heart of the Whispering Pines Community on Ridgeland Drive and SW 88th Avenue. The park is adjacent to Whispering Pines Elementary School and the Ned Glenn Nature Preserve. The well-shaded park contains a covered playground and picnic pavilion and has been the gathering point of the Whispering Pines 4th of July Parade since the 1960s.
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SCHOOLS & LIBRARY
Cutler Bay is known as one of the best bedroom communities in South Florida. Its educational resources and focus are part of the reason so many choose to live here.
Public Schools
Bel-Aire Elementary School 10205 SW 194th St, Cutler Bay, FL 33157 / 305-233-5401 — We provide the highest quality education so that all of our citizens are empowered to lead productive and fulfilling lives as lifelong learners and responsible citizens. Bel-Aire Elementary School has 319 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 16-to-1. According to state test scores, 47% of students are at least proficient in math and 37% in reading.
Cutler Ridge Elementary School 20210 Coral Sea Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33189 / 305-235-4611 — Cutler Ridge Elementary, in partnership with families and community stakeholders, is committed to working together to create an environment that is safe, respectful, and nurturing, geared toward enhancing each child’s sense of wellbeing and mastery of skills for lifelong learning. It has 396 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 17-to-1. According to state test scores, 57% of students are at least proficient in math and 47% in reading.
Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary School 21545 SW 87th Ave, Cutler Bay, FL 33189 / 305-234-4840 — It is the mission of Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary school to extend the traditional boundaries of the classroom to encompass the world beyond, to create a climate for learning which embraces a sense of inquiry and a respect for diversity, and to establish a life-long thirst for knowledge. We strive to provide a world class education to every student, and to be the preeminent provider of the highest quality education that empowers all students to be productive lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. It has 643 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 16-to-1. According to state test scores, 58% of students are at least proficient in math and 62% in reading.
Gulfstream Elementary School 20900 Gulfstream Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33189 / 305-235-6811 — Gulfstream Elementary supports and encourages children to develop their maximum potential to achieve success. It has 603 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. According to state test scores, 65% of students are at least proficient in math and 55% in reading.
Whispering Pines Elementary School 18929 SW 89th Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33157 / 305-238-7382 — Whispering Pines Elementary is a school which fosters life-long learners in an atmosphere of shared respect, achievement and teamwork. It has 483 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 17-to-1. According to state test scores, 66% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading.
Cutler Bay Middle School 19400 Gulfstream Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33157 / 305-235-4761 — Cutler Bay Middle School Mission is to empower all students through positive decision making and to lead productive lives as responsible citizens. It has 1,031 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 17-to-1. According to state test scores, 37% of students are at least proficient in math and 37% in reading.
Cutler Bay Senior High School 8601 SW 212th St, Cutler Bay, FL 33189 / 305-235-1581 — Cutler Bay Senior High School is a magnet school. It pledges to provide a learning environment with an engaging, innovative curriculum that exposes students to critical thinking, technology, field studies, projects, and research. It is committed to providing a challenging program that prepares our students for an evolving global community. It has 572 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 22-to-1. According to state test scores, 72% of students are at least proficient in math and 82% in reading.
Miami Southridge Senior High 19355 SW 114th Ave, Miami, FL 33157 (not in Cutler Bay, but serves town) / 305-238-6110 — Magnet school. Miami Southridge Senior High offers students a variety of opportunities to gather post-secondary experiences related to college and/or career paths through their magnet programs and academies. The Magnet Programs and Academies offer unique and enhanced educational opportunities. Students are able to choose a course of study that truly interests them while they earn college credits and industry certifications.
Mater Academy Cutler Bay 22025 SW 87th Ave, Cutler Bay, FL 33190 / 305-969-5989 — Mater Academy Bay is a tuition-free public school serving grades K-12, It is divided into a Lower School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12). The mission of Mater Academy Bay is to deliver a rigorous and innovative academic program-producing students who have the knowledge and skills to be self-directed, lifelong learners, which integrate technology and a wide range of educational resources within a safe learning environment. Students are expected to perform at or above grade level availing success in education.
PRIVATE Schools
Cutler Ridge Christian Academy 10301 Caribbean Blvd Cutler Bay, FL 33189 / 305-251-1534 — Cutler Ridge Christian Academy is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Cutler Ridge.
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary-St. Richard School 18455 Franjo Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33157 / 305-235-5442 — A K–8 school, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary St. Richard Catholic School welcomes and educates diverse students and families, by providing an excellent program that promotes Catholic, faith-driven leaders with a spirit of service.
LIBRARY
The South Dade Regional Library (part of the Miami-Dade Public Library) is located in Cutler Bay (10750 Southwest 211th Street). It offers a wide variety of services and has many events throughout the year. You can find out more by calling 305-233-8140.
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MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY
The closest full general hospital is Jackson South Community Hospital (9333 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33157). This is known for its trauma unit and I know quite a few families who had their babies with Jackson South.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami (20601 Old Cutler Rd, Miami, FL 33189) is where you go to recover. As a patient, you will receive three hours of therapy, five days per week; 24/7 nursing care, including nurses who specialize in rehabilitation and frequent visits from your outside physician.
Should your child need emergency medical care, neighboring Palmetto Bay has a branch of the Miami’s (Nicklaus) Children’s Hospital to provide outpatient services.
For urgent care, try UHealth Jackson Urgent Care. They are centrally located on US-1.
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TRANSPORTATION
There are two local transportation services available to residents to get around Cutler Bay at no cost:
Metro Connect — is an on-demand public transit service, that provides residents and visitors with rides to and from the South Dade Transitway and anywhere within Cutler Bay Town boundaries—all easily booked through a mobile app (available in English and Spanish) for FREE!
Town Circulator Bus (Metrobus Local Route 200) — The local circulator service runs seven days a week and travels along Caribbean Blvd, SW 211 St, South Dade TransitWay, US-1, SW 184 St, SW 87 Ave, SW 216 St, and Old Cutler Rd. Stops include the SW 112 Ave TransitWay station / Target Park & Ride.
Cutler Bay has made extensive efforts to make significant portions of the Town accessible by bicycle. In conjunction with several other municipalities, you can bike on a dedicated parallel bike path to Old Cutler Road from SW 184th Street to SW 232th Street (the entire length of Cutler Bay). You can read about lots of area bike paths here.
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SHOPPING
For grocery shopping, it’s hard to beat Publix. Thankfully, Cutler Bay has two Publix. One is located at 20425 Old Cutler Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33189. The other is at 20951 Old Cutler Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33189. Aldi is at 19650 S Dixie Hwy, Cutler Bay, FL 33157. A Walmart Superstore is at 21151 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33189 (just outside of Cutler Bay)
The future of Cutler Bay is in Southplace City Center (currently Southland Mall). A lot of the retailers are temporarily disappearing, but several will remain through the transition, including DSW, Macy*s, TJ Maxx, JC Penny and Ross. The Regal Cinemas Multiplex is also a fixture in the area.
The local Home Depot at 19400 SW 106th Ave, Miami, FL 33157 is just outside of Cutler Bay. If you are like me, I am sure you’ll be spending plenty of time there to fix up your home just right.
There is a BJ’s Wholesale Club with gas pumps at 10425 Marlin Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33157.
The Falls Shopping Center is an open-air strolling mall with about 100 stores. Located just west of US-1 at 136th Street, you can’t miss the large monument sign. Outparcel The Fresh Market allows for alternative grocery shopping to Publix. The mall itself is host to anchors Macy*s and Bloomingdales. Lifetime Gym is a recent addition to the mall. There is also a Regal multiplex movie theater with 12 screens.
The Falls Industrial area consists of warehouses, shops and restaurants and is located between 136th Street and 128th Street just west of US-1. It is best to take the 132nd Street turn off of US-1 to reach this location. Among the offerings is South Dade Electric, several plumbing supply shops, tile and carpet stores and vendors who can provide parts for just about anything. In short, if you are looking for specialty items, you should check here first. You’ll probably find it! I also go to Body Code Gym to keep myself in shape. There are a few other individually-owned gyms operating in the area.
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DINING
Cutler Bay certainly has its share of your typical chain restaurants and fast-food spots. As a Cutler Bay Realtor® I take pride in supporting locally-owned restaurants and supporting those eateries that have added to the fabric of this community. For this reason, below I present my favorites and the contained links are to stories I have done about their contributions to our wonderful Town.
Macita's Restaurant & Bakery 18533 S Dixie Hwy, Cutler Bay, FL 33157 — A really cool Columbian restaurant with great breakfast at very reasonable prices. Whenever I am in Cutler Bay in the morning, I always stop in here for a hearty breakfast. More than savoring authentic flavors, they take pride in crafting visually stunning dishes. Each plate becomes a canvas, an exquisite interplay of hues, textures, and tastes that unite perfectly, engaging every sense. The menu invites you on an expedition through the tapestry of Colombian gastronomy, an ode to tradition woven with threads of diverse inspiration. Indulge in unexpected pairings like bocadillo con queso and ajiaco with avocado – a true exploration of Colombia’s soul.
Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill — Patrick O'Neill, Megan O'Neill Orban, Bob Orban, Sr. and Bob Orban are not just the proud owners of Rodbenders since 2022, they're passionate members of the Cutler Bay community, dedicated to making Rodbenders a welcoming home away from home. As a vital part of the community, they invite you to join us to watch the game, enjoy a meal, or sip on an ice-cold draft beer or one of Mr. Bob's Craft Cocktails. At Rodbenders, you're more than a guest—you're family.
Sandbar Grill and Pub 20305 Old Cutler Rd, Cutler Bay, FL 33189 — Under new management a few years ago, this spot has some real history as a down-and-dirty great bar with live music. To this day, you can get some good bar food and catch local live bands. I’ve had some great nights here listening to live music. I hope you’ll catch a great band.
Hole In The Wall Pub & Hole In The Wall Tavern 9821 SW 184th St (just outside of Cutler Bay) — If you want to just get some basic grub (burgers and wings) and catch a game with locals who are true fans, either of these location are just as they are advertised, little ‘hole in the wall’ places with plenty of character. I love dressing down and relaxing here!
Starbucks is in Cutler Bay at 19151 S Dixie Hwy, Cutler Bay, FL 33189.
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NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
You don’t need a roller coaster to have fun in the great outdoors here. As a Palmetto Bay real estate agent, I like to go to authentic places to see beautiful things and learn about our local history. Here are some places easy to reach near Palmetto Bay.
Black Point Marina 24775 SW 87th Ave, Homestead, FL 33032 — If you have a boat and want to launch to Biscayne Bay, this Cutler Bay spot is a great place to do so. Black Point Marina also has a great Ocean Grill restaurant/bar for a relaxing meal. Sightings of the Florida manatee are common at Black Point Marina. Many manatees are brought to this "Manatee Sanctuary" for release and study. The marina is also very close to Biscayne National Park. Black Point is a starting point for fishing and diving expeditions, especially among locals. The park consists of large picnic pavilions, grills, bikeways, jogging trails and a jetty, which extends 1.5 miles into Biscayne Bay.
Deering Estate 16701 SW 72nd Ave, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 — If you are interested in the early history of Miami, Cutler and the Palmetto Bay area, look no further than the Deering Estate. Charles Deering Estate (also known as Deering Estate at Cutler) was the Florida home of Charles Deering until 1927 when he died at the estate. Deering lived on the 444-acre property for five years, from 1922 to 1927. The property consists of a three-story wooden house built in 1900, known as the Richmond Cottage and a three-story stone mansion. Other buildings were also built on the property to serve as auxiliary buildings to the estate. The grounds include what is thought to be the largest virgin coastal tropical hardwood hammock in the continental United States. Besides hosting events like the annual Seafood Festival, this is a great place to get some culture and stroll the grounds of a unique part of South Florida.
Fairchild Tropical Gardens 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156 — This is a treasure of South Florida. Fairchild Tropical Gardens is an 83-acre botanic garden with extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines. Fairchild Tropical Gardens has a lot more than just tropical gardens. It is a great social and cultural center as well. Dale Chihuli’s hand-blown glass art graces many areas of the grounds. Don’t miss the butterfly exhibit!
Matheson Hammock 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156 — A park, beach and marina. The park includes vast stretches of Florida mangroves and hardwood forests, as well as planned green spaces designed by landscape architect William Lyman Phillips. Along with Matheson Hammock Park, Phillips designed Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in 1938. This public park gets you close to the water activities you want. Matheson Hammock has many boat slips, launches, a restaurant (NOMA Beach at Redfish) and a man made beach (really a lagoon-like lake).
Monkey Jungle 14805 SW 216th St, Miami, FL 33170 — This is one of the most interesting ‘zoos’ I have ever been to, where essentially you are in the cage and the monkeys roam free! Established in 1933 by Joseph DuMond for the exhibition and study of endangered monkeys in semi-natural habitats after releasing 6 Java Macaques into a subtropical forest, the park is now home to over 300 primates, this attraction is one of the few protected habitats for endangered primates in the United States and the only one that the general public can explore.
Pinecrest Gardens 11000 Red Rd, Pinecrest, FL 33156 — Pinecrest Gardens is a lush, botanical garden located in and managed by the Village of Pinecrest dating back to 1936. It is a 14-acre, historic property that originally housed Parrot Jungle, one of the Miami area’s earliest tourist attractions. Pinecrest Gardens is home to numerous cultural events, concerts, art exhibitions, and family-friendly activities. Seasonal celebrations, holiday festivals, and outdoor evenings add to the charm and appeal for locals and tourists alike. A petting zoo offers an opportunity for children and families to interact with various domestic animals. The garden also features playgrounds, a splash zone play area, picnic areas, and open spaces for leisure activities and gatherings.
Zoo Miami 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177 — Quite simply, this is a tremendous zoo. Zoo Miami offers discounts to families, a monorail option for getting around and hosts 40 endangered species. Since 1948, the zoo has opened its doors to kids and adults from around the world. It is the fifth-largest zoo in the country. It's home to more than 2,500 animals, including koalas, tigers, and elephants, and over 1,000 species of trees, palms, and other plants. Zoo spokesperson and ambassador Ronald Magill is a friend and a great personality. He makes regular television appearances across local South Florida networks and has won five Emmy Awards for his work on the nature documentary programs.
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GOVERNMENT & SERVICES
VILLAGE HALL
Incorporated in 2005, the Town of Cutler Bay has their Village Hall located at 10720 Caribbean Boulevard, Suite 105, Cutler Bay, FL 33189. You can reach them at 305-234‑4262. You can catch up with Cutler Bay’s latest information via their official Village website and their official Facebook and X (Twitter) feeds.
VILLAGE COUNCIL
The Town of Cutler Bay is governed by a five member Town Council. Three council members are elected to represent specific residential areas (Seats 1, 2 & 3) and must reside in their respective area. A vice mayor and the mayor may reside anywhere in the Village. Village Council elections are non-partisan.
VILLAGE POLICE
Cutler Bay contracts the Miami-Dade County Police Department (MDPD) for policing services. MDPD Officers assigned to the Village work primarily for Cutler Bay under an inter-agency (interlocal) agreement. These officers are dedicated to ensuring a safe community and enjoyable place to live.
You can call their administrative office during business hours at 305-278-4000. For emergencies, dial 911. For non-emergency police matters dial 305-4-POLICE.
VILLAGE PERMITTING
You may work with the Town of Cutler Bay though their permit portal to make sure your home projects stay on track and lawful.
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HISTORY
The earliest settlers in the region now occupied by Cutler Bay were the Tequesta. These indigenous people inhabited the extreme southern portion of Florida for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. It was the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century that would ultimately mark the end of the Tequesta in South Florida. After suffering new European diseases and forced exile, the last Tequesta did and their settlements disappeared into history. Over the next 300 years, the Seminole people came to be the dominant inhabitants of the region, with European settlements primarily limited to Key West and Miami.
Vulnerable to Seminole attacks and frequently inundated, the United States government viewed southern Dade County as an area in desperate need of settlement and cultivation. The U.S offered federal land grants to pioneers who promised to attract other settlers and make improvements to the land. One such person was Dr. Henry Perrine. In 1838, Dr. Perrine was granted a full 36 square mile township to develop into valuable farmland. Inspired by rich soils and a warm climate, he saw the southern tip of Florida as the perfect site for the introduction of exotic and medicinal plants. His vision was never realized, though. Dr. Perrine was killed during a Seminole raid on Indian Key in 1840 before his grant was even surveyed.
Francis and John H. Earhart owned 2,000 acres of farmland and established a small farming community nearby which came to be known as “Franjo” in their honor. The road which led to the community became known as Franjo Road and still exists today. Another prominent settler was Thomas J. Peters, who owned and operated a vast tomato enterprise near the present-day intersection of Eureka Drive (SW 184thStreet) and US 1. The Peters tomato farm was for years the largest commercial operation in that part of Dade County.
During the same period, a man named Dr. William Cutler purchased 600 acres just north of the Perrine Grant. Dr. Cutler had purchased the land with a dream for a farming utopia similar of that to Perrine, but was unable to convince enough settlers to stay. Although Cutler never established his dream farm settlement on Biscayne Bay, the land was still attractive enough to retain a few settlers.
These settlers established a town and named it Cutler in honor of Dr. Cutler, who visited the area occasionally until his death in 1899. The first residents of Cutler made several important contributions to Southern Dade County, including establishing the first post office south of Miami and cutting a trail that connected Cutler to Coconut Grove. This trail was the beginning of what is, today, Old Cutler Road. Although the historic location of Cutler’s town was located several miles to the northeast, the Town of Cutler Bay takes its name, in part, from Cutler’s legacy.
Around the turn of the century, Miami was experiencing prosperity and rapid growth thanks to Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway. Flagler’s railway took wealthy tourists south from St. Augustine, stopping along the way at Flagler-owned hotels and Flagler-owned tourist destinations. Flagler himself funded much of the early infrastructure of Miami, which was the Railway’s southern terminus. A popular destination, Miami was incorporated as a city in 1896.
In 1905, Flagler announced his plans to extend the Railway south to Key West. Although the “Overseas Railway” took seven years to complete, Flagler’s trains were soon running through southern Dade County. Coming south from Miami, stops included Kendall, Rockdale (near present-day Palmetto Bay), Perrine, Peters, Goulds, Princeton, Modello and Homestead. Many communities that developed around these rail stations are still known by their original station name.
Proximity to the railroad and the area’s prime location in South Florida eventually brought a multitude of permanent settlers to the area, increasing the population exponentially throughout the 1900s.
Known by the locals as Cutler Ridge, the Town incorporated in 2005 with the name the Town of Culter Bay.
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MOVE TO CUTLER BAY
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