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Dear Neighbor,
On February 16, after more than a decade of discussion, we celebrated the groundbreaking for DC Alexander Park, which will soon be transformed into a vibrant, beautiful, and welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike. Nestled between Seabreeze Boulevard and A1A just south of SE 5th Street, the 1.2-acre oceanfront park is in an ideal location and just across the street from the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame where an iconic renovation project is underway.
The current site, which includes an asphalt parking lot, will come alive over the next year with improvements that include an elevated section offering views overlooking the ocean, a new playground, improved lighting for pedestrians, landscape beautification, a signature playground, improved ramps and walkways with increased accessibility and traffic flow improvements that will add to the beauty of our world-class city.
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At the Groundbreaking with Commissioner Beasley-Pittman and Mayor Trantalis | |
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The new vision for DC Alexander Park is just one part of this Commission’s bigger effort to preserve, improve and add to the city’s parks and open spaces. On March 12, 2019, the City of Fort Lauderdale voters approved the Commission’s initiative for a $200 million bond to improve City parks and recreation facilities. A portion of the parks bond, approximately $30 million, ($7.5 million per district) was earmarked for land acquisition. A challenge to this initiative is that for the past several years, land prices are through the roof. Staff and Colliers continue to search for properties for park space with a strategic focus on suitable spaces for specialty uses such as a kayak launch, skate park, dog park, etc.
Specifically in District 2, there was one purchase that I am extremely proud of. On October 6, 2020, the Commission purchased 1016 Waverly Road in Sailboat Bend on the river for $2.5 million. As a part of the discussion to approve the acquisition, I requested that an application be initiated for local historic designation as an archeological site and to submit a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. On February 16, 2021, the City Commission adopted a resolution approving the historic designation of the property known as “Rivermont” as an archeological site in the city of Fort Lauderdale. On February 3, 2022, the State o Florida’s National Register Review Board made a favorable recommendation for listing “Rivermont” in the National Register of Historic Places.
The State Historic Preservation Officer forwarded the National Register nomination to the National Park Service and on April 20, 2022, Rivermont was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Thank you to the neighbors of Sailboat Bend for their feedback and support to make this project a reality. It is a milestone accomplishment that we are preserving this archeological Tequesta site and midden.
In addition to land acquisition, the City Commission has worked diligently to expand the city’s green space in each commission district and has coordinated with the Development Services and Parks and Recreation departments to rezone numerous properties to Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (P) zoning district. The rezoning of City owned properties that are used and maintained as public park space protects those properties in three significant ways. First, by rezoning a property to Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, it creates a record of the City’s intended use for the property. Second, the zoning limits the use of the property to those uses typically associated with public parks and open spaces. Lastly, the City’s Charter provides protection to lands zoned Park, Recreation, and Open Space by limiting the sale, transfer, or lease for more than (1) year without a unanimous vote of the entire City Commission.
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I am happy to report the progress in this regard in District 2 as the Commission has recently approved the below properties to be rezoned to the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (P) zoning district. There will be more to come.
- North Seabreeze Boulevard- 19,166 square feet (.44 acres) from Planned Resort Development District to Parks, Recreation and Open Space District.
- 2 North Victoria Park Road - 41,046 square feet (0.94 acres) of land rezoned to ensure consistency and continuity with the existing use, which is Victoria Park.
Another unique element of the Fort Lauderdale Parks Bond Program is the joint-use parks initiative. On May 3, 2022, the City Commission adopted a resolution approving the Parks, Recreation and Beaches Advisory Board’s recommendation for approval of 12 parks improvement projects, including 11 joint use parks within Broward County Public Schools. City staff along with the program manager will work to finalize the improvements for each site. I am pleased that the City Commission restored total funding to all these joint-use parks in our city as it is important that what the voters voted on in the Parks Bond becomes a reality.
The groundbreaking at DC Alexander Park and the recent rezoning efforts by the City are just the beginning. Fort Lauderdale is a community that will continue to boast superior parks and recreational facilities that highlight its unique identity. Research shows that people use parks more when they have easy walking access to them which drives the renewed effort to provide quality parks within a 10-minute walk for every person in the United States. This is a good standard that we are trying to adhere to as well.
As our city grows, the increased density necessitates increased park spaces. That is why I so look forward to the One Stop Shop ArtsPark in Flagler Village, the reimagined Huizenga Plaza downtown, and all of the park improvements throughout our City. Because of this and so many of the other reasons I have just talked about, I am VERY proud to be part of a Commission that is dedicated to improving access to and enjoyment of our beach, waterways, parks and open spaces for our neighbors and visitors to enjoy for many, many years to come.
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No Pre-Agenda Meeting Tonight
Due to the Presidents' Day holiday, we will not be hosting our regular Monday District 2 Pre-Agenda Meeting for the Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 Commission Meetings.
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Click on the images below to view the agendas. | |
Phased MOT closures for the weeks of February 20th and February 27th that will impact Las Olas Circle. | |
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Las Olas Circle will be re-opened by end-of-day on Fridays for weekend access.
- February 20 – 24 – Las Olas Circle will be closed from Birch to the west entrance of the garage. The garage will be accessible from the west entrance via Las Olas Circle/Las Olas Blvd.
- February 25 & 26 – Reopened for the Weekend.
- February 27 – March 3 – Las Olas Circle will be closed while we complete underground utility work and drive a small section of batter-piles along the intracoastal. The garage will be accessible from the east entrance via Birch/Las Olas Circle.
- March 4 & 5 – Reopened for the Weekend.
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Natchez Parking Lot / Temp Fire Station 13 Update | |
- A dozen trees were installed by City staff to add some greenery to the site.
- The construction fence was screened to limit direct visibility into the site.
- The sidewalk was opened up with temporary improvements until permanent improvements are completed.
- CP-3 on the February 21 agenda, if approved, will resolve the contractor issues and allow the construction efforts to resume.
- The construction timeline will be identified after the agreement is executed.
- We don't anticipate an immediate presence as the contractor will have to update their plans, subcontractors, and remobilize.
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Special Event Traffic - Advanced Notice | |
Waterway Quality Monitoring Sites in Recreational Waters | |
Discussion - Water Treatment Plant Grant Opportunities Under Review - BUS 4 Conference Agenda | |
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Call to Artists: DowntownFTL
Traffic Control Box Wraps
Deadline February 25, 2023
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Calling all artists! In partnership with Business for the Arts of Broward, we’re looking for one or more artists to create art designs to wrap traffic control signal cabinets (utility boxes) within DowntownFTL. The theme for this series of box wraps is “Fort Lauderdale of the Future.” DowntownFTL is a place to Live, Grow and Prosper, and we are looking to reflect that with art through our UrbanAcupuncture program.
View the Call to Artist for more information.
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Lots of fun at Las Olas Oceanside Park (LOOP)!
PIXAR PUTT runs through Sunday, March 26, 2023
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Renew your Vote by Mail Service | |
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Due to new Florida election laws, voters need to renew their Vote-by-Mail requests now as these have all expired.
You can request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for a specific election or for all elections through December 2024. After the 2024 General Election, you will need to make the request annually.
If you are presently registered to vote in Broward County, you may request a Vote-by-Mail ballot online. You may also request by email, fax, phone, or mail, a vote-by-mail ballot.
Voters who wish to receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot for 2023 through 2024 elections are required to complete a new Vote-by-Mail ballot request.
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Every year, “Neighbor Support Night” brings the public to City Hall to familiarize everyone with each City of Fort Lauderdale department. It is lots of fun and always becomes a party! #WEAREFTL | |
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We have the following Board Vacancies below. Please email Erica Franceschi [email protected] if you are interested in serving on a Fort Lauderdale City Board.
Board of Adjustment
Cemetery System Board of Trustees
Code Enforcement Board
Community Appearance Board
Community Services Board
Education Advisory Board
Insurance Advisory Board
Nuisance Abatement Board
Sustainability Advisory Board
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The greatness of our community starts with passionate citizens like you.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Cacicedo, with any questions, comments or thoughtful suggestions [email protected] or 954-828-5923.
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Steve Glassman
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner, District 2
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