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Dear Neighbor,
New and Improved in District 2!
One thing I love about District 2 is that there is ALWAYS something happening that benefits our neighbors. As we reach the mid-point of the year, I wanted to share some very important improvements that solidify my commitment to repair, upgrade and invest in our neighborhoods and infrastructure.
Sewer Pump Station A-24 in Flagler Village
On June 21, we celebrated the groundbreaking of a new underground sewer pump station that’s coming to Peter Feldman Park in Flagler Village. Construction began on Monday, June 12, 2023, and is expected to be completed in early 2024. This project includes constructing a new 18-inch gravity sewer line and new gravity sewer manhole on NE 6 Street north of Peter Feldman Park, connecting the new gravity sewer line to existing nearby lines, and constructing a new 18-inch force main that connects nearby lines to the new pump station. This is a vital project in the ever-growing Flagler Village neighborhood. For more information on the Flagler Village Pump Station, please visit the project website at: ftlcity.info/pumpstationa24.
NE 4th Avenue Streetscape Improvements
On June 6, the Commission approved an agreement for streetscape improvements between NE 4th Avenue between Sunrise Boulevard and NE 13th Street. Following additional public outreach, the City Commission approved a construction agreement with FG Construction, LLC in the amount of $864,106. Work to be accomplished includes widening the sidewalks, trees, an irrigation system, decorative pavement treatments, a district sign, and infrastructure for future lighting. I want to thank staff, who at my request, conducted additional meetings with the Middle River Terrace Neighborhood Association and the South Middle River Civic Association before we approved this construction agreement. For details on the NE 4th Avenue streetscape improvements, please visit ftlcity.info/3N0ZW0G.
A1A Streetscape Improvement Update
As you may have seen, the City of Fort Lauderdale has been working with Weekly Asphalt Paving, Inc. to make streetscape improvements along A1A from the Fort Lauderdale Beach Parking Lot entrance (near SE 5 Street) to Sunrise Boulevard. This project will enhance pedestrian lighting and safety and create a signature hardscape pattern at the intersection of A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. The project includes:
- Relocating existing palms to the curb to extend sidewalk area on both sides of A1A.
- Upgrading hardscape elements including colored, decorative concrete.
- Installing site furnishing elements including accent seating and bollards.
- Installing LED pedestrian lights along the west side of A1A that will provide amber-colored lighting during turtle nesting season and white lighting during the remainder of the year.
On June 9, the installation of the first 16 light poles was completed along the west side of A1A. When completed, the fixtures will match those on the east side. Construction began Monday, April 24, 2023, and is expected to be completed in December 2023. This is the final Beach CRA project that connects the entire Las Olas corridor on the barrier island. For more info on improvements along A1A, visit ftlcity.info/a1astreetscape.
Gravity Sewer Improvements on Fiesta Way in Nurmi Isles
On June 12, the City of Fort Lauderdale and Southern Underground Industries replaced 150 feet of 8-inch gravity sewer main along Fiesta Way between 115 and 151 Fiesta Way. Work was completed on June 22, and this portion of Fiesta Way now has a new 8-inch gravity sewer main. To learn more about this project, please visit ftlcity.info/gsmrfiesta
Sewer Force Main Installation on the Isle of Capri Drive
On June 21, the City of Fort Lauderdale and Southern Underground began installing 240 feet of 4-inch sewer force main from Pump Station D-14 at the entrance of Isle of Capri Drive to the manhole in front of S. Gordon Road. Construction began on Wednesday, June 21 and is expected to be completed Friday, June 30th. To learn more about this project, please contact:
[email protected].
Seawall Ordinance Amendments
In March, the City Commission approved the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend sections of the City’s Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR). The ordinance addresses resiliency standards for tidal flood protection by raising the minimum height of seawalls and tidal barriers to comply with standards established by Broward County. The new standard of compliance is 5 feet NAVD, up from 3.9 feet NAVD. There are three conditions in which a property owner would be required to raise the height of a seawall: when building a new seawall, when a seawall is in significant disrepair (damage to more than 50% of the structure), or when the property owner has been cited for tidal flow breaching the seawall and impacting a neighboring property or right of way. Between the first and second readings of the ordinance, city staff conducted community outreach that included a virtual town hall meeting and mailing more than 8,000 postcards to waterfront property owners. A video with more details about this ordinance is available online: ftlcity.info/3JG53BD. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3ZfAKay.
Stormwater Improvements Project in Central Beach
In February, the City of Fort Lauderdale and Southeastern
Engineering Contractors, Inc. made improvements to the stormwater system along NE 30 Street from NE 32 Avenue to NE 33 Avenue and along NE 32 Avenue from NE 30 Street to NE 30 Court in Central Beach. The work included:
• installing new stormwater drainage structures
• installing new check valves
• reconstructing the roadway, including paving
Hendricks Isle Seawall
In March, we cut the ribbon on the completion of the Hendricks Isle seawall and stormwater infrastructure improvements of drains and tidal valves. Infrastructure and resilience are critical priorities of the City of Fort Lauderdale Commission. Climate change is real and I am very proud of all the accomplishments in District 2. This $1.5 million investment was offset by a $440K state grant. Congratulations to Public Works Staff, Ebsary Foundation, Hazen and Sawyer, and thank you to the neighbors of the Hendricks Isle & Venice Isle Neighborhood Association for your patience during those seven months of work. The improvements made as a part of this project will help reduce tidal flooding along Hendricks Isle and make us better prepared for future King Tides and sea level rise.
Merle Fogg Seawall Replacement in Idlewyld
In January, the Commission approved an agreement for Merle Fogg Park Seawall Replacement in the amount of $1,022,459 with Ebsary Foundation Co. The City owns and maintains Merle Fogg Park at the intersection of E. Las Olas Boulevard and Poinciana Drive, at the Intracoastal Waterway. This seawall was included in the Seawall Master Plan several years out; however, in the spring of 2021, the seawall collapsed, creating erosion and impacting an existing stormwater discharge pipe. I advocated for moving the timetable earlier, and a new 130 linear foot proposed seawall will be built to replace the collapsed seawall and will be constructed to an elevation of five (5) feet providing greater protection against future sea level rise. Additional improvements include storm inlet installation, landscaping restoration, and check valve installation.
As we are halfway through the year, I am very proud of the above infrastructure progress that has been made in District 2. For the past five years, I have been committed to the enhancement, improvement and investment in our neighborhoods and will prioritize this work in the years to come.
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